The No.1 website for musicians
4 great-value semi-hollow electric guitars
ESP Xtone Paramount PS-2 specifications
ESP Xtone Paramount PS-2 build and features
ESP Xtone Paramount PS-2 sounds, pros and cons
PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow specifications
PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow build and features
PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow sounds, pros and cons
Vintage Advance AV3H specifications
Vintage Advance AV3H build and features
Vintage Advance AV3H sounds, pros and cons
Ibanez Artcore AS93 specifications
Ibanez Artcore AS93 build and features
Ibanez Artcore AS93 sounds, pros and consThe verdict - which great-value semi-hollow electric is best?
Weighty with a solidbody-like feel, the bridge and neck pickups are nicely balanced with an emphasis on tight mids and a sprightly top-end. The bridge pickup has plenty of bite and with gain possesses quite a heavy rock tonality. You can achieve Southern rock charms or modern rock romps with relative ease.
The neck pickup is thicker and soupier in true old-school Gibson fashion. Under varying gains, even with overdrive and heavy distortion pedals, the amount of resonant feedback is minimal and the Xtone sounds like a girthsome solidbody.
Bridge pickup:
Both pickups:
Neck pickup:
Pros: Playability; classic and original semi-hollow looks; all-round rock tones.
Cons: Lack of true ‘semi’ character.
4 Stars
