Keep your eyes open and you may pick up one of the original 5123 series in orange for less than the current street price. They don't show up often, but they do show up.
Frankly, comparing the $999 street price to the $1700 street price for the next model up, it's still a good value.
Incidentally - just for the record, the body on my Gretsch 5123 is roughly 2.75 inches front to back, which is significantly deeper than most hollowbodies. In contrast, my Jack Casady bass has a body 1.75" deep, and my 1970's Univox hollowbody is 2" front to back.