Washburn has some hollowbodies, as well as Ibanez.

I have played some nice examples of each of those, but Epiphone has some pretty good electrics too, if he wants the P90s that might be the way to go. 9's seem a little flimsy to me, but for just getting back into the guitar, 9's will be easy to play. The Slinkys ( 10s) are pretty comfy on that scale guitar.

I've always played 9's. I find them easier to bend on, and they really do not compromise volume as some people think.

I've preferred the look and sound of the Epi's over the Washburns for the most part, but Washburn does make a nice product.

I dont think he knows enough to prefer one pickup over the other, I'm just recommending the P90's for the clean style of music he wants to play. He wants to play modern stuff like Kings of Leon and Snow Patrol, and I think the P90s will give him a clean jangle or a distorted bite that he'll enjoy.

Plus, not to be morbid, but he's the kind to hang on to things forever, which means this guitar will eventually be mine. By then it will have aged a bit, and be even better than it is now. Epi has some new limited edition hollows in white w/gold hardware that are really beautiful.

A midrange price for a decent semi is about 4k. Sure you could
buy a few gibson 300 series for around 2 or so but to be honest,
theyre junk.


I think your best option is to see an epi and run for your life,
sure Joe pass endorsed them, but the poor guy oozed talent and
compared to other so called guitarists didnt really have a pot to
p--- in or a window to throw it out of, so sure I and most folks
would have endorsed them too. To tell the truth, it kept him in
Gibson 175s (his guitar of choice)

Here in my opinion are your true option to get your bucks worth

Godin,

North American made and smooth as silk, very playable. Cost in
the 900$ usd

Carvin 500 series. A true carved top (unlike Gibson which uses a
pressed plywood with n
veneer finish -USA made in the 1500 range.

Ibanez

GB Model only. The Gb stands for George
Benson and are made to his specs, but overseas. By all intents
this guitar really should be a crapola but everyone ive ever
played seems to over achieve.

http://www.thecanteen.com/mccartney1.html

here's a Casino for Mike !

http://www.godinguitars.com/godin5thavenuekingpincwp.htm


Heres a Godin they have a good rep

I suggest an Ibanez Artcore. Moderately priced, decent sounding and a very playable guitar.

http://backstage.musiciansfriend.com/search/search.jsp?question=ibanez+artcore

The Artcores that I have tried in the stores have been pretty nice instruments. Fit and finish was good. They tend to have humbuckers on them, not the P90.

I missed the P-90 note. But if it is Michael's dad, Mike could change the pickups for him.

I have also suggested my Gretsch model to him. I bought the 5120, which currently goes for about $750. They're great guitars. Extremely playable, and sound just incredible.

I tried a Godin solidbody recently ( I know, not hollowbody) it was a really nice instrument - nicer than Fender's MIM Strat, but about the same price and similar features.

The hollowbodies from Godin might be worth a shot, I would think, based on the solidbody I tried.

A buddy of mine swears by Godins.

I know a guy who has a Godin LG model, he is very happy with it and recommends them.

I think the hollowbodies would be worth a look as well, based on what they do with the solid bodies.