Best 335 Style Guitars: Semi-Hollow Alternatives

The ES-335 from Gibson is one of the most highly-sought instruments in the world – used by artists from across an array of styles and genres, including the likes of BB King, Noel Gallagher, and Tom DeLonge.

Famed for its role in the earliest years of rock’n’roll, the iconic silhouette has spawned a host of ES-335 copies and alternatives which aim to replicate the look, feel, and sound of the original models.

In this guide we’ll be taking a closer look at some of our favourite ES-335 style guitars from other brands. They’ve all been selected by our Experts who have found them to be the best at channelling the vibe of the original Gibson, with semi-hollow shapes and epic retro tones at a lower price point than you might expect to pay for a genuine model.

Our top picks for the best 335 style guitars are:

• Antiquity AQ35 Guitars
• Epiphone Casino Guitars
• Ibanez Artcore Guitars
• Gretsch Streamliner Guitars

Let’s dig in and find out exactly why we love each of these guitar models – starting with our personal favourites over at Antiquity...

The Antiquity brand is gaining an incredible reputation with our PMT Experts.

Offering up a fantastic range of guitars and basses that harken back to the golden age of rock’n’roll, the AQ35 is an awesome take on the classic Gibson ES-335 silhouette.

Despite the budget-friendly price point, these guitars do much more than simply look the part. The neck is smooth and perfect for blues and classic rock styles, whilst the sound from the pickups has been modelled on some of the most beloved tones of the era.

Better still, it’s available in some awesome finishes - and the collection even features a left-handed model!

Check out what Dagan had to say on them below:

The Epiphone Casino has been a classic semi-hollow choice for many years. Despite its low price – at least when compared to Gibson semi-hollow counterparts – it has famously found favour with the likes of John Lennon, Keith Richards, and Noel Gallagher.

Although the Casino might not be ideal for nailing the 335 tone, we’ve included it here as it’s the most classic of each of the Epiphone Semi-Hollow silhouettes, and the one that lots of 335 users have also relied on.

You can check out the full range of Epiphone Semi-Hollow and Hollowbody guitars below, including other models such as the Riviera, Sheraton, and even the ‘Inspired by Gibson’ collection:

If you’re looking for a semi-hollowbody with a twist, then the Ibanez Artcore range might be for you.

These vintage-style instruments are an ideal choice for those who like the softer side of the ES-335 tonal palette, boasting a jazzy tone that is equally as comfortable handling rhythm and lead playing.

Humbuckers feature across the bulk of this range, however - so you don’t need to worry about feedback if you do find yourself turning up the gain.

Whilst some of the Artcore instruments are more explicitly influenced by the ES-335 guitar than others, there’s enough here for everyone to find exactly the right choice for them.

Find the entire collection below:

Get the best of both worlds with classic styling and modern features from the Gretsch Streamliner Collection.

One of the earliest guitar innovators, Gretsch are synonymous with semi-hollow and hollowbody guitars, helping to write history in genres such as rockabilly, country, and blues.

With a range of models and pickup options depending on your preferences, you also get access to a fully-licensed Bigsby Vibrato System on select guitars from the range – a feature you’ll find on many ES-335 models, and a perfect way to add a spot of shimmer to your tone.

The finishes here also recall some of our favourites from the rock’n’roll era, so despite the slightly different shape of the double-cutaway semi-hollowbody compared to the Gibson ES instruments, these guitars ooze class.

Discover the Streamliner Collection here:

Whether you’re searching for an ES-335 alternative or just looking to add a budget-friendly semi-hollow guitar to your collection, at PMT we’ve got you covered.

We love the ES-335, and we think it’s one of the most important guitars in history – but that’s exactly why we love these other options, too. Each of the choices above has been selected by our team of Experts because it carries the legacy of the original instruments, either in how it looks, plays, or sounds.

Making classic guitar styles such as the ES-335 accessible to everyone is something that we believe is of utmost importance at PMT – so make sure to check out our complete range of Semi-Hollow and Hollowbody guitars here:

Still not found the best ES-335 copy for you? Visit your local PMT Store or call us on 0151 448 2089 to speak to one of our Experts about your needs, and find the latest guitar gear online now – including a huge selection of pre-owned and more!