Today’s blog post is aimed for all the bass players out there – we’re going to highlight the best hollow and semi-hollow bass guitars! If you’re looking for a new piece of gear, this article will be perfect for you.
I have to admit that I always felt intrigued by hollow body guitars. There is something really special about their rich and resonant sound. Although they are not as popular as solid body guitars, they are still a good choice for both beginner and more advanced players.
Still, finding a good bass guitar is not an easy task. Moreover, finding a good hollow or semi hollow guitar seems to be even more difficult. Why? Well, there aren’t too many trustworthy recommendations in the Internet for these type of guitars. But don’t worry – I did my research and I’m sure that you’re going to love the guitars below!
Here’s the list of eight best hollow and semi-hollow bass guitars.
| 1. | Ibanez AFB200 | See On Amazon |
| 2. | Gretsch G5440LS | See On Amazon |
| 3. | Gretsch G6136LSB | See On Amazon |
| 4. | Guild Starfire I | See On Amazon |
| 5. | D’Angelico EX-BASS | See On Amazon |
| 6. | Ktone Bass | See On Amazon |
| 7. | Ibanez SRH500F | See On Amazon |
| 8. | Hagstrom Viking Bass | See On Amazon |
1. Ibanez AFB200
One of the best and most affordable hollow body basses available on the market right now. In addition, it looks absolutely beautiful! To be honest, Ibanez did a fantastic job with this model. The guitar is equipped with two humbucking pickups and it features a mix of ash wood, maple and basswood. Also, the guitar is really lightweight for its size, so that’s definitely a great advantage. If you want to start your journey with hollow body bass guitars, this Ibanez will definitely be a good choice.
Here’s a really cool demo.
2. Gretsch G5440LS
In comparison with the previous model by Ibanez, this Gretsch is far more expensive. Still, it’s an absolutely amazing guitar. For those who don’t know, Gretsch is a leader when it comes to hollow and semi-hollow guitars. They’ve been making guitars of this type for many years and that experience is visible in each of their newest models. The G5440LS is an extraordinary bass aimed for advanced players. The guitar looks and sounds just beautiful.
Feel free to check out the demo below.
3. Gretsch G6136LSB
I just had to include this guitar in here! In terms of pricing, it’s one of the most expensive hollow body bass guitars on the market right now, but the truth is that it’s just the best. Undoubtedly, if you’re looking for a guitar from the top shelf, the White Falcon is the way to go. The guitar features a laminated maple body and a 3-piece rock maple neck. In addition, it has MOP Neo-Classic inlays and waffle grid bracing. Looks awesome!
It’s difficult to describe this guitar with just words. There is a reason why it’s so expensive – it’s the remarkable quality. Feel free to check out this great demo below.
4. Guild Starfire I
For those who don’t know, Guild is an amazing US-based manufacturer of acoustic, electric and bass guitars. Although it’s the cheapest hollow body bass in their offer, the Starfire I features an exceptional quality and attention to detail. This entry-level guitar has everything you need to either start your journey as a bass player or play live gigs and record your own albums if you’re more advanced. Absolutely versatile guitar that doesn’t cost a fortune – who needs anything else? At this price, it will be tough to find something better.
Check out the review and demo below.
5. D’Angelico EX-BASS
The EX-BASS is the first hollow body bass created by D’Angelico. The guitar features a laminated flamed maple body and 2-piece maple neck. The manufacturer decided to add two custom Dual Coil bass pickups and the Gold Tune-O-Matic Bridge with stopbar tailpiece. As a result, this guitar sounds and looks exceptional. It is not a cheap instrument, but considering how beautifully it’s built, it’s definitely worth the money.
Here’s a quick demo.
6. Ktone Bass
One of the cheapest semi-hollow bass guitars available on the market right now. The relatively low price is a major factor that contributes to the popularity of this guitar. Is it worth the money? Well, it may not be the best bass guitar on the planet, but it’s definitely an interesting and affordable option. It will be hard to find something else at this price level, because hollow and semi hollow body bass guitars are usually more expensive – especially if you’re looking for the best models out there. Still, I highly recommend checking it out!
7. Ibanez SRH500F
Something for the most demanding players out there. This unique fretless and semi-hollow body bass is definitely one of a kind. Of course, it has no frets, so it’s not a guitar for beginners. But if you’ve been playing bass for a while now and you’re looking for a new piece of gear, the SRH500F will be a great choice. The guitar is really lightweight and it features a spruce top and a mahogany back and sides. In my opinion, it’s one of the best mid-level fretless basses out there.
Feel free to check out the demo and review below.
8. Hagstrom Viking Bass
For those who are not familiar with Hagstrom guitars, I highly recommend checking out my previous article about that company. The VIKB-WHT model is a really cool short scale (30.75) semi-hollow bass equipped with two Dyna rail pickups. The guitar offers a clear and stable tone that will be great for a lot of different music genres from jazz and blues to indie and hard rock.
Here’s a quick demo.
Disadvantages of hollow and semi-hollow body basses
The hollow and semi-hollow body bass guitars look and sound awesome, but they also have their flaws. The major issue is the problem with feedback, which is a disadvantage of all hollow body guitars – not only basses. Once you plug it in, it may cause feedback issues – especially if the volume is high. But in rare occasions it can actually be an advantage during solos!
Also, sometimes it’s really difficult to find a good hard case for these guitars. Since they often feature a different size or scale, they just don’t fit in to the most popular cases available on the market.
Can you play these basses without an amp?
Yes! Hollow and semi-hollow basses are louder than solid body bass guitars, so it’s totally possible to play on them without plugging in. That sound volume may not be loud enough for live gigs, but it should be enough for your practice. Hence, if you’re on a tight budget, once you buy a hollow body bass, you won’t have to search for a bass amp straight away.
Is bass easier than guitar?
No! It’s a big myth. Although bass guitars usually have only four strings, they are not easier to learn than regular six-string guitars. Of course, it’s a subjective statement, but considering how thick the bass strings are, it can actually be more difficult practice at the beginning. If you hear people saying that bass guitars are easier, don’t trust them. I think that it’s incomparable, because it requires a completely different skillset.
Fender Play – Platform For Bass Players
If you’re interested in growing as a bass player, I highly recommend checking out Fender Play – a platform for musicians of all-levels. There are hundreds of important bass lessons in there that will help you to become a better bassist. It doesn’t cost too much and there’s even a free trial included! For more information, feel free to read my previous article about Fender Play.
Summary
Summing up, there is a lot of interesting hollow and semi-hollow bass guitars out there. In addition, some of them are actually not that expensive. Whether you’re a beginner who is just starting their musical journey or a more intermediate player, it is really worth adding a hollow body bass to your collection.
What do you think about hollow and semi-hollow body bass guitars? Have you ever tried it? Let me know in the comments section below!
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