Looking for a good, cheap semi-hollow jazz box- any advice?

[yeahyeah]

Between a good jazz box and my strat I'll have everything I need covered, but I'd like to keep it frugal.

I'm not wanting to spend more than $400 for the guitar. The cheaper the better. I've got a great local luthier that can work his magic to make it play great, and with some upgraded pickups and electronics I'll have a really nice guitar on the cheap.

Not sure which cheapies are better though. I'll probably buy used as well. the two brands that I see most are ibanez and epiphone but maybe some of the no-name brands are good too.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[statorvane]

The off-shore Gretchs sound pretty darn good to me. They are relatively new so I doubt there is much in the way of the used market yet. Street price is around $600 new.

[Johnhenry]

The Gretch Hollowbody's are very cheap at the Store's if you go with thier cheaper line of guitar's, they look just like the one's in the front of the store that cost big buck's, I wonder if the cheapo's are being made in China ?
Johnhenry

[statorvane]

... wonder if the cheapo's are being made in China ?

No way they are US at that price, probably Chinese, Indonesian, or Korean manufacture. I liked it better than the Ibanez offerings, but then they are about twice the price.

JOOC, has anyone tried an Epi ES-175? This guitar has intrigued me since it came out, but I have been unable to find one to try. Wish it came w/P90s.