I'd been toying with the idea of buying a low end semi-hollow body guitar (<$300US) and dropping really good pickups in it, and perhaps upgrading the tuners, bridge and pots. Setting it up for
slide. Somehow I have a feeling that for a total of around $600 it will sound just as good as a modern high-end laminate such as the current Gibson 335s, for much less cash. I do own a nice 335 but dont wish to haul it around and fly with it, etc.