Comparing Hollowbody & Semi-hollowbody Guitars from Gibson, Guild, Gretsch and Epiphone.

Another oldie but goodie. We take a look at my favorite hollowbody and semi-hollow body guitars:
- 1980 Epiphone Casino (0:35​)
- 1967 Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentleman (2:04​)
- 1967 Guild Starfire III (3:33​)
- 2014 Gibson Rich Robinson ES-335 (4:46​)
Phil shares the stories behind the guitars and showcases how they sound through a 1965 Fender Vibrolux.
Toward the end of the video you can hear Phil play the same riff on the four guitars back-to-back on the bridge pickups (5:35​), middle position (6:16​), neck position (7:34​) and overdriven (8:48​).
Enjoy this? Check out this video...
• My 1954, 1977 and 2000...

[@wildeasage]

Holy crap he's not kidding: the Country Gentleman sounds it was just carried straight out the Beatles recording space.

[@michaelnarainsamy3670]

Casino is my favourite but that Gretsch is definitely the best quality. Sound is so pure and clear

[@darwinsaye]

These all sound great. Regarding the Guild: Mini humbuckers are the most underrated humbucker pickups for clarity and chime, along with good filtertrons, in my opinion.

[@802471497]

Blimey! The Gretsch stands out a mile!!

[@robertlowe1249]

THE GRETCH HAS SUCH A WARM AND EXPENSIVE TONE

[@notapplicable328]

What makes something sound “expensive”? Or did you mean expansive

[@rodrigogomes2064]

OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!

[@aidanjackson1946]

@@notapplicable328 I think they mean the guitar costs alot

[@94SexyStang]

that's what all the cheapasses say

[@andrewdevine3920]

​@notapplicable328 It sounds like a million dollars?

[@RaviLogan86]

Gretsch is the best. Second Epiphone Casino for me.

[@Orion33759]

Definitely. $3500…. That Casino for $500 is dang close though.

[@oceantree5000]

Absolutely seconded.

[@jrhayes6901]

I got a g5120 upgraded with filtertrons and a roller bridge.. Love it

[@randylavoy6196]

I would say GRETSCH first..smooth tones clean...bright..2nd Guild...had full sound ..3rd Gibson...4th Epiphone.

[@steveworth544]

the gretsch sounded unlike anything I expected with overdrive. Amazing. Brilliant video..

[@philtron1969]

Thanks so much!

[@bcguitarteacher7328]

That Star fire sounds unique and amazing

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

My favourite here also

[@bigtorrisi]

Gibson first. Gretch last. Second and third take your pick.

[@elcano7751]

1) epiphone casino, 2) gretsch, 3) gibson 335, 4) guild

[@fposmith]

Yes, The Gretsch ! Hands down. It's easy to see why Gretsch Guitars were so so popular in the 50's and especially in the 60's. Pete Townshend was given a 1958 Gretsch 6120 by Joe Walsh. Joe was hanging out with Keith Moon at the time taking hotel room destruction lessons from Keith. Pete used it to finish "Tommy" and subsequently used that guitar on every studio album since. All those great sounds like Pinball Wizard, Reign O'er Me, and the fantastic Quadrophenia, Who's Next, all came from his Gretsch 6120. He said his Gretsch is the most versatile guitar ever made. It will do everything from light jazz to rockabilly all the way to face melting heavy metal shredding, and everything in between ! Here is a video with Pete and that guitar in the background. He said he does not use it live because it's too difficult to do his silly dance on stage with a guitar that big. And besides, it was knocked off the back of a stage, fell almost ten feet and was smashed. He had an old violin maker repair the guitar. He said it came back in better condition than when he got it from Joe. It now never leaves his studio. Myself, I started playing in 1958 at age 9. I learned on a POS. Got my first Gretsch in 1963. Also a 58 model. I have owned Gretsch Guitars ever since. Here is that video of Pete. The interview is not about the guitar, it just happens to be present. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3fXkH-pe7d5e7M

[@Skiddins]

Think you might have linked the wrong video

[@rickaitkins6539]

Wrong video. That was not Pete. It’s a totally different video.

[@fviannaval]

I think he did on purpose to get views on this video.

[@catmoonmedia8223]

The Casino has a very distinct sound, one that I like except for the overdriven sound. For that the Gretsch blows all of them away. A really good video.

[@chrishsu3708]

that guild is the best to my ears.

[@thepatriot4355]

Keep the Gibson and give me the Epiphone and Gretsch

[@prospectnyc]

That Gretsch, to me, sounds like it has the most balance and sweetness. Casino is sparkly and bright. The Guild was very shrill on the bridge, but mellow/warm on the other positions. The ES335 sounded good too, but kind of boring compared to the others. Really love the sound of the Gretsch the most in these clips. Thanks for making this video!

[@philtron1969]

So glad you enjoyed it. It's fun to hear which guitar lights people up. I love them all!

[@IHSisable]

@@philtron1969 if you can effort them...haha

[@philtron1969]

@@IHSisable I got lucky enough to buy most of my guitars before the vintage world went so crazy.

[@IHSisable]

@@philtron1969 dont know wether i should put a dumbs up - or down here...

[@missioncreekfarm7715]

I agree. The Gretsch to me, had beautiful balance all across, no matter which position. Not overkill on the bridge, no muddy water at the neck.

[@sunsetjunior9313]

gretsch, as expected was the most polite and ruled the neck pup shootout (at least what you played there), i thought the guild middle position was especially fantastic too....

[@lk63]

That Guild Starfire is the same guitar that Jerry Garcia used on the Dead's first Album in 1967.

[@philtron1969]

Yes! Dave Davis from the Kinks was seen with one in the '60s as well.

[@SuperKambing182]

for my ears, gretsch is a bit better

[@iridium02]

Gretsch wins this shootout! Although I wish you had included the Ibanez AS series

[@RavioloComboli]

Nobody does Hollow Bodies like Gretsch does. But Gibson did have great hollow bodies when they were making them.

[@Padraigcoelfir]

That Guild, dude, it's a wooden gem.

[@josefernandogonzalez7772]

Gretsch rules!!!

[@greatkingrat]

Played in perfect tone order each one slightly more tone than the last. For me it’s the Gretsch that comes alive in the comparison with the Guild second for the sound that I like.

[@johnkonstantine9115]

Phil's demo here deserves thumbs up just for the descending chord picking run on 'Help'. Also love the way he shows Malcolm's pic with no name, knowing guitarist will all know who it is.For me there is no clear winner for tone here. All of these guitars sound tremendous. Especially having the demos run quickly, with same parts back to back.You can easily hear the subtle tone differences & how some would suit 'live' & some 'studio' . I was very surprised by the GuildStarfire-3 though. The only two guitars out of my 15 that would compare would be my 79' Gibson ES-335 ( WCR hand-wound PAF's ) & my new Gretsch G6228 FM 'players edition' Jet BT (Broadtron pups) while I dont have the 65' Vibrolux, an old 64' Blonde Bandmaster keeps me company when I'm looking for these classic tones. well done Phil.

[@philtron1969]

Thanks for really digging in!

[@LeopoldAlcocks1]

thanks, was wondering what track that descending run was from. A great review on a great comparison.

[@outdoorsforever1027]

Gibson and Gretch for me. the others are too “tinny” for my liking.

[@roadapple66]

They all sounded very good but the Guild blew me away with it's chime and spanky tone. The Gretsch was definitely the overdrive champ here. Most of these guitars are bright and chimey, even the Gretsch when played clean, but the Gretsch had the dark, sullen overdrive tone that makes me want one. There is not a bad guitar here, and I would be proud to own any one of them, but the Guild and Gretsch really caught my attention with their unique tones. If I could only have one of these, I'd be torn between the Gretsch and the Guild. The Gretsch was probably best for doing both clean and dirty, but the Guild's clean tone was good enough that I wouldn't care if it was a one-trick-pony. I'm not saying it is because we only heard them do a little, but I would be happy with it even if it was. Thanks for sharing that with us!

[@andkemp]

Epiphone Casino wins with no doubts

[@kiereluurs1243]

Guild has a thinner sound. Only slight differences between the others. I think I prefer the Gretsch.

[@rabbadatz]

ES 335 and even better Gretsch Those Starfires never inpressed me. I do have a Starfire IV. Not bad but Gibson/Gretsch/Ric are much more lively

[@thetakenking7061]

Gretsch is the king of hollow bodies but all sounded good.

[@GraniteSoundtrack]

Guild surprised me. The Gibson and Epiphone sounded very similar to one another. I guess I'm just not a Gretsch guy.

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

I have a 1966 Guild Starfire V, Bigsby delete, clear finish, Haggstrum bridge. Only 2 of these optioned this way were made, the other one went to Tom Fogarty ( Credence ) ... 1966 Fender Vibrolux Reverb with one original Oxford and one original Jensen . Have owned the guitar since new, the amp since 68. Never had need for anything different...but if I had to replace it, I would look seriously at Gretch...

[@WW-1995]

Gretsch sounded the best to me. The Epiphone casino is my second pick.

[@maggieo]

I'm a Tele gal,so my rankings won't surprise: 1. Casino 2. Country Gentleman 3. Guild Starfire III 4. ES-335. That said, I'd play all of 'em. They're all gorgeous.

[@keithclark486]

Have played Teles all my life , The Gretsch is In a league of it's own.

[@arlo2203]

I was going to ask, "Who the hell is Phil Hurley???" Until I read his Wiki, whereupon I read he played with Austin's very own Jimmy LaFave... he might as well be George Harrison. Lafave is/was a God. Phil, now I bow to you, sir.

[@philtron1969]

Very kind of you! It was an honor to play with Jimmy. Always kept us on our toes!

[@timperry8961]

Bridge pickup: Gibson, Middle: Gretsch, Neck: Guild

[@jowyong6769]

Agree with most of the comments here. The Gretsch trounced them all!

[@storkonstage]

Gibson 1., Epiphone 2., Gretsch 3., Guild., 4. All great gits.

[@gmac8852]

Not impressed with that guild but I do know for a fact that no 2 guitars of the same make sound exactly alike.

[@ArturBrzozowski444]

I love how you told stories of the guitars before playing I was rooting for Guild but that Gretsch stole my heart ❤️

[@philtron1969]

Thank you so much. It's a joy to have them and to share them.

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

I’m a drummer, I only know three chords on guitar, but as good as that Guild sounds (they all do), that Gretsch just slays it for me. Damn.

[@10INCHCRUSHER]

Sorry man, Gibson has that tone that makes me love thier instruments.

[@roadapple66]

You're in good company!

[@airborneassasin]

GUILD ... Dang what a tone... Mini Humbuckers

[@Itsallawesome]

Gibson is the obvious number one, most defined low end and resonant top end without getting muddy. The Gretsch is a decent second. Epiphone is painfully bad. Not sure what the engineer was hearing in that Guild lol, it sounds like poo.

[@philtron1969]

Thanks for your input!

[@nick_be9159]

the epiphone sounded the best to me. the gretsch sounded really bad :(

[@timclaus8313]

All are very nice, but the Gibson was the thinnest sounding to me. The Epi P90s added some growl and both the Gretsch and Guild had more fullness to the tones. To be fair, I have 3 Gretsch Electromatics (Fitertron pickups, including a 12 string), a Guild Starfire IV and a Guild Manhattan Special with P90s. Folks need to play something other than a Strat or a Gibson with factory humbuckers and see what else is out there. Those Epi P90s sounded pretty nasty when overdriven. I play rhythm guitar and it is hard to beat a Guild or Gretcsh. My son plays lead and covets my Starfire, lol...

[@davedederer4124]

The Gretsch underwhelmed me in the bridge position but in the end it was the clear winner...something about a lot of mids, just enough highs over the top, and sort of a natural bass cut...that combination lets the important "guitaristic" frequencies shine through.

[@Twirlyhead]

I have a DeArmond Starfire Special (budget Guild 1998) which is very similar to your Guild Starfire iii but notably with 2K single coil pickups; it's great. I also have the DeArmond Starfire which is a double cut semi-hollow with Goldtone Humbuckers; great also.

[@laketownmusic]

I can't decide if the Epiphone or the Gretsch was the best. I'm leaning more towards the Gretsch and in my opinion Gretsch does semihollow/hollowbody guitars the best. Guild is my favorite guitar company but I'm not a big fan of the Starfire III, even though it sounds killer. The Gibson is nice too, but I feel like all the other guitars had more of a unique voice than the Gibson. Not to say the Gibson didn't sound killer as well; I just liked the other guitars a lot more. That being said, all are absolutely stunning guitars and makes a guitar nerd like me very envious in the best possible way.

[@philtron1969]

Thanks for checking them out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHfGmoRmbJJ_Z9E

[@paulglock9263]

Great video, probably the best comparison video I've seen. Reading the comments, you can see everyone has a different sound they are looking for. Me I can't resist giving my two cents. The Epiphone hands down winner in my book. All around best all around tone performer, and without even adjusting the tone knob. I also like the slim neck. Yep....The Epiphone comes out on top for the most versatile, and best sound.

[@philtron1969]

Thanks for digging in!

[@furbymetal83]

I m not a fan of 335s and I clicked on this vid with a certain bias towards the Gretsch, but the Gibson's tone was tits. Maybe you got a really really good one, I ve never heard humbuckers with such chime and clarity before

[@djangle67]

Spot on.... I'm generally not a fan of PAF humbuckers but the Gibson sounded immense.

[@nickwebb9290]

Excellent review Phil 👍 I have similar guitars except for the Guild, you’ve got their sounds well nailed for this demo.

[@philtron1969]

Big thanks, Nick!

[@juliocesara.ziliani3107]

the epiphone casino....damn, no words to describe.

[@386Clarke]

Nice comparison. I love that country gentleman. I could really hear “Help” in that guitar.

[@immastranger6752]

I'm looking to pickup a G5622T in the future. Nevertheless, my unbiased opinion is the Gretsch really had the best overall sound all around. Great vid!

[@terrystroud200]

Yeah!!👍 Gretch I think is the best.but all of them sound better than good.lol!!

[@Fiasco3]

You've sold me, I need a Gretsch with Filtertron pickups ASAP. It has a more complex sound than the others, there's just more depth and another layer there.

[@billyclub56]

1.Epiphone 2.Gibson 3.Gretch 4.Guild

[@staceyowens8496]

I like em all but to me the 335 sounded best.

[@ralphk.j7809]

Best comparison between these brands of guitar ive ever seen. Keep up the good work

[@philtron1969]

Thank you very much.

[@patrickjamesbissett2910]

Probably the best comparison vid I've ever seen. They all sound great.

[@philtron1969]

That's very kind of you. Thanks for tuning in.

[@JammyGit]

If you're going to buy a hollow/semi hollow guitar, you may as well buy from the company who are the best at making those kind of guitars - Gretsch. Their guitars are the best at every price point, even their cheaper Streamliner models are very good guitars for £400. I've not played any of their higher end guitars but my Gretsch 5126 (electromatic range) is a brilliant guitar. The DeArmond pickups in that guitar are ones I've fallen in love with over time. I already had a set of TV Jones Classic in my self made Tele Cabronita and even though I love the sound of Filtertrons I was glad that my Gretsch had the DeArmonds so that it had a different voice to my TV Jones pickups 👍

[@DanteSinfernoftwww]

completely unbias, I didn't watch the video, just listened. to my ear the 335 and casino tonally outclass the gretsch and guild

[@michaelgreen4091]

Guild and epi for me mate

[@nesta8518]

Gibson and Guild were my favs, hands down

[@patrickateman06]

Gretsch is a must have guitar, I have one and I would never trade it for anything, it just sounds beautiful

[@damagecontrol60]

Guild had an attack on the strings, very distinct… Gretsch had a space and warmth… love tone of the Epi… 335 was lovely too…I’ll have them all!

[@TheSecondNature]

They all sound great but the Gibson and the Epi... Real deal to my ears. The Gretsch surely has a nice character. The sound is a bit "lighter", a bit brighter and cleaner. The Guild is interesting but it might sound a bit dated. A bit too 60's

[@quietandaction]

Dated? That’s like saying a Stradivarius is a bit dated. A bit too 1680’s

[@TheSecondNature]

@@quietandaction I wouldn't say it's the same. A Stradivarius doesn't have pickups or electronics. It's an acoustic instrument. I think what makes that Guild sound very "60's" is the kind of pickups and electronics it has. On the other hand, I know how a Gibson semi-acoustic with humbuckers can fit perfectly well in many modern genres, because I own a Gibson ES345. Maybe changing pickups on the Guild would make it sound a bit more modern, but I absolutely love music from the 60's. It was not meant as an offense. In fact, one of my absolute favorite bands is Jefferson Airplane, and Jorma Kaukonen (my favorite guitar player BTW) played a weird Guild (a T-bird) and a semi-hollow Rickenbacker in the early days of the band (both very peculiar guitars of that era, a very "60's" sound, again). As the sound of the band progressed and their songwriting matured, he switched to Gibson ES345's. He had a few. And the result is quite jarring in my opinion. Listen to their first two albums from the mid 60's and then listen to what they did from "After Bathing at Baxter's" on (1967-1968-1969 etc). To my ears, it sounds like an evolution in sound and guitar tone and I heard Jorma state the same in interviews. It's all a matter of taste and context in the end. The thing is, I doubt that that Guild would fit in as many genres as a Gibson semi-hollow. Think Alex Lifeson from Rush, Steve Howe from Yes, not to mention innumerable jazz players who use them to this day. I even saw metal guitarists Brent Hinds of Mastodon and Mike Sullivan of Russian Circles play Lucilles (BB King signature Gibson semi-hollows) with incredible results. I saw Russian Circles live in 2015 and in that tour he was using a Lucille. That guitar was really screaming in that post-metal/post-rock very technical context. With all that said, I'd still buy that Guild and use it here and there with great pleasure, it sounds like a nice guitar with a peculiar character. But my Gibson ES345 is my personal definitive guitar, with which I know I can do almost anything

[@tonythetrainee4114]

I dream of owning a Gretsch Country Gentleman, Gibson ES355 and an Epiphone Casino. I'm not a fan of the shape of that Guild but the sound is good.

[@kurtklein6360]

IMO the Gretsch sounds best, blowing the others away...!

[@tremelo68]

Had a '67 Gretsch just like that. It was AMAZING sounding but hard to play. Someone had flattened the fretboard down to 20" radius. Since I had other Gretsch guitars, I sold it. Have a '68 Guild Starfire V now and love it as well. Have a no name Casino copy and it is very nice (once I upraded the pickups to Lollars). Still looking for a decently priced 335 though... One of these days. Nice video, Phil.

[@philtron1969]

Cheers!

[@NofreedomofspeechonYouTube]

Gibson ruined the uniqueness of Epiphone guitars . But still people prefers Epiphone over Gibson . And after watching full video I'm amazed every single guitar got unique sound . Gretsch sounds more darker while all 3 sounds bright. These guitars are versatile for sure.

[@eternallearner8185]

To me they all sounded excellent, however..... the Gretsch (well this one anyway) was my favourite, the Casino the next.

[@sophiafake-virus2456]

All of a similar ilk. I'd take the Starfire.

[@MudFlapper359]

I think across the board, the 335 took 1st. In the middle position, the casino knocked it out of the park. The guild is unique, but with all of that mid and highs and lack of bass, its a chicken picker guitar, not a ryhthm one, it's too piercing. The gretsch did best in the neck position, but man that middle sound was weak compared to the rest.

[@smileystevens3060]

Yes that Gretsch has a awesome sound to it....great find....thanks for sharing....

[@philtron1969]

Thanks for tuning in! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHfGmoRmbJJ_Z9E

[@TimDoyleMusic]

Great job with the editing! It was nice not having to remember what the previous guitar sounded like. Thanks for the great effort!

[@philtron1969]

That's all my friend Marko from Myth vs Craft. He's got the skills!

[@sirbenjaminarthuriv4019]

I don't like Gibsons, but this one sounded great! It has a lot of character.

[@clemdewitt4522]

Phil...great review, thanks. I thought the Gretsch stood out from the others.

[@philtron1969]

Thanks, Clem!

[@billregan1981]

Nice back to back comparison and interesting stories with each. Overall I liked the Gretsch for everything you did. They all sound great though.

[@Relyick]

The best sounding I thought was a tie between Guild and Gretsch for me then Ephipone second and Gibson last

[@bebop425]

Can't beat a filtertron. So many people love the sound. Maybe it's just familiar

[@Lwayte]

Great video! It’s so easy to hear the pickup differences the way you formatted this. Gotta say, the 335 sounds pretty muddy when compared to all these others. I’m really intrigued by the Casino and the Guild. Both have great midrange punch and clarity.

[@philtron1969]

Thanks for watching.

[@antonioelle4894]

Gibson, epi and gretsch are very similar Soundwise while Guild is a bit muffled (lack of clarity)

[@resonator_95]

Great comparison! Gretsch all the way, for me!

[@pieterjansenvanrensburg7322]

Guild has a great country and western tone. I would take the Epiphone and Gretsch.. Only one then the Gretsch

[@stevencancel1727]

Hollow body guitars or pickups have to be played through many different amps, cabs, and speaker combinations to get a better ratio of cost of instrument to gratification of the best tone You might be surprised at how good a cheaper instrument will sound when using this theory

[@MVos-md3rp]

Well produced, great chops, personal, entertaining. A keeper. Thanks Phil.

[@philtron1969]

Thank you so much. That's all Marko from Myth vs. Craft. He's amazing!

[@FelixHureau]

I want a Casino !!!

[@kmichaelp4508]

Great demo! I have never been a fan of the Country Gentleman. Period. I had a 69’ Tennessean, of course it had different pups, that I thought blew it away. You see where I’m going? (1) Guild, (2) Epiphone, (3) Gibson. I was thinking for my next build to build a simi hollow with either mini’s or P90’s.

[@kayakbandits9894]

I think the Gibson sounded best on all settings. I love my Duesenberg Starplayer and Taylor T5 koa.

[@Fiasco3]

That's one of my dream guitars the Duesenberg Starplayer. I love Gretsch's as well, ain't no lie.

[@satinwhip]

I'm not surprised that the 335 was Phil's go to guitar. I preferred it to the other three every time. Gibson is back to building to quality guitars. I just bought a 2021 ES-339. The fit, finish, tone and playability are at a level that would only have been available from the Custom Shop five years ago at twice the price. I'm amazed that this guitar actually came off the production line. Gibson must think it's pretty nice, too. They just jacked the price up $500 for this model. Glad I bought when I did.

[@paulsummerside]

Think overall my favourites were the Epiphone Casino and the Guild….

[@Madchris8828]

your playing is just groovy as all get out man! so cool. The Gretsch Filtertron are crazy good sounding with distortion especially for gain on a hollowbody. Some killer guitars in general

[@philtron1969]

Thank you so much!

[@christineshaw4304]

Great video, loved them all but…. ❤the Gibson 🎸

[@shanewalton8888]

I donno. A paint on F-hole just looks cheesy.

[@philtron1969]

Serves a prupose. But, I do like a real F-hole as well.

[@vieilletata]

Gretsch sound so clean .....my favorite is the epiphone .....then Gibson/Gretsch ....and guild , i don t like this one .....great comparison , great guitars ...🤘🤘🤘

[@philtron1969]

Thanks for watching!

[@jackytreehornsghost]

I came here to check out the Starfire. When I left, I was looking for a Gretsch.

[@goss1961]

I liked the ES-335 the best.

[@jeffmariajenson9751]

Yep, the Gretsch and the Epiphone!

[@ianb6814]

love the gibson but tbh sounds too much like my les paul...epi or guild