A semi-acoustic guitar or hollow-body electric is a type of electric guitar with both a sound box and one or more electric pickups. This is not the same as an electric acoustic guitar, which is an acoustic guitar with the addition of pickups or other means of amplification, either added by the manufacturer or the player.

Some models have a fully hollow body, others may have a solid center block running the length and depth of the body (for instance the Gibson ES-335). Semi-acoustic Guitars  are capable of producing a fuller and richer tone than most solid-bodied electric guitars, but are prone to feedback when played through an amplifier. Because semi-acoustic guitars can be connected to an amplifier, they can be played at a much louder volume than simple acoustic models. They are favorites of big band guitarists and jazz players particularly. A variety of manufacturers now produce semi-acoustic model guitars