What should I buy?

Single-pickup semi for a ton

Q I’m searching for a great semi-hollow guitar with a single pickup and some attitude. I want to be able to play blues, slide and jazz with enough feedback resistance to get swampy. A Gibson ES-125 is probably the answer, but no sign of a reissue and the ES-225TD was a let down. I’ve had good results from the excellent Godin 5th Avenue and its single P-90. Also tried the moderately priced Loar LH-301T. Great looks, but mine had a poor neck joint. Have I missed a gem around £1,000 to £1,500?

Stevie B, via email

A You’ve picked out most of the obvious candidates there, Stevie, so let’s see what we can add to the mix with these three possibilities here.

We’re assuming the ES-125 aesthetics are what you’re after, but we’d also encourage you to try out some other stuff, too. The guitar that initially springs instantly to mind reading through your correspondance is an Epiphone Casino (or Gibson ES-330), although both of these models lie quite a way outside of your criteria. Let’s see what we can do…