MartyGrass Posted February 18, 2011 Posted February 18, 2011 This is a 2010 cherry H530. It has a Bigsby B3 and the trap tailpiece, in case I want to switch back and forth (no mods at all to put in the Bigsby). Fortunately it also has a pickguard. I have a roller bridge to drop in. My goal was to get something that has a woody clean tone in a smaller package than a full archtop. I once owned a ES 330. Does the H530 have a large partial center block like a Prospect or is it wider open like a 330? I'm interested in comments from those who have played the H530 regarding string recommendatations. Pics will follow if it arrives intact.
Gitfiddler Posted February 18, 2011 Posted February 18, 2011 Mark~ Your latest acquisition will render tones unlike most other guitars...and I mean that in a good way. The H530 has no center block, floating or otherwise. It does however, have a small support block underneath where the bridge attaches. It has a very open tone, similar to archtops, but obviously less boomy and much less volume acoustically. Overall the tone is close to the H525, even moreso than humbucker loaded 535's. Both the 530 and 525 respond very differently depending on the string gauge used. I currently have flatwound 11's on my 525 and roundwound 11's on my 530. OK, where are the pics of your new red baby?!
MartyGrass Posted February 18, 2011 Author Posted February 18, 2011 Tim, It's your introduction to Johnny A that led me to this point. I've been studying his playing on his recent DVD. That resurrected my interest in the Bigsby and deeper reverb. After quite a bit of reflection I knew I wanted a thin hollowbody and wanted a bright, clean sound. I looked at Gretsches, which I owned years ago, and just wasn't inspired frankly. The Johnny A Custom is spectacular, but it seemed crazy to get one and put in Phat Cats. The H530 fit the bill. It's a plus to me for it to have the plain jane cherry finish. It looks like the Gibby 330 I had as a teen.
FredZepp Posted February 18, 2011 Posted February 18, 2011 Very cool axe... I'm sure that it feels alive when you play it.. being hollow. That seems like a lot of fun to play.
MartyGrass Posted February 18, 2011 Author Posted February 18, 2011 Fred, They are all a lot of fun to play, aren't they?
FredZepp Posted February 18, 2011 Posted February 18, 2011 Fred, They are all a lot of fun to play, aren't they? Oh yeah... I like to try to play to the guitars personality.. And the idea of a hollow with a bigsby .. but not a big box... sounds like a fun kind of experience.
MartyGrass Posted February 18, 2011 Author Posted February 18, 2011 Oh yeah... I like to try to play to the guitars personality.. And the idea of a hollow with a bigsby .. but not a big box... sounds like a fun kind of experience. Fred, Here's a mystery to me. Why the four LP-like guitars and the Centurian? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZIvgQ9ik48
FredZepp Posted February 18, 2011 Posted February 18, 2011 Fred, Here's a mystery to me. Why the four LP-like guitars and the Centurion? Well, I've really always been a LP player at heart and the ones that I have all sound/play differently. For instance , different necks, very different pickups, one is an ebony board w Page system, and the 140 is really more like an SG to me. I have 4 strats and another on the way and they also are all very different. I've got a couple of archtops , but nothing as LARGE as the Centurion . Honestly, buying the Centurion was just a case of owning something quite special. It is a awe-inspiring instrument. ( I've found lately that I really enjoy playing it acoustically also. I just adjusted the pickups to get a better jazz tone with it. ) Variety ... it does a body good. ( I'll admit to desiring a 535/555 or a Milie fairly often, but I don't feel a great need for anything else... )
Gitfiddler Posted February 18, 2011 Posted February 18, 2011 Tim, It's your introduction to Johnny A that led me to this point. I've been studying his playing on his recent DVD. That resurrected my interest in the Bigsby and deeper reverb. After quite a bit of reflection I knew I wanted a thin hollowbody and wanted a bright, clean sound. I looked at Gretsches, which I owned years ago, and just wasn't inspired frankly. The Johnny A Custom is spectacular, but it seemed crazy to get one and put in Phat Cats. The H530 fit the bill. It's a plus to me for it to have the plain jane cherry finish. It looks like the Gibby 330 I had as a teen. You did good...REAL good!! That body is larger than the Johnny A. Signature's and the 530 is regular scale (24.75 vs. the JA's 25.5). Expect great tones galore from that red beauty. Oh, if you notice a lot of pinging at the nut or if the guitar slips out of tune excessively from the Bigsby, have the nut spaces widened a tad. Enjoy and play it in good health. Tim
zookroo1 Posted February 18, 2011 Posted February 18, 2011 Did you make the seller and offer he couldn't refuse? I was keeping on eye on that to see what happened with it (not that I have the money to spend unfortunately...)
MartyGrass Posted February 18, 2011 Author Posted February 18, 2011 Did you make the seller and offer he couldn't refuse? I was keeping on eye on that to see what happened with it (not that I have the money to spend unfortunately...) Interesting story. The dealer ordered two H530s, a sunburst and a cherry. (He's a Heritage dealer.) Somehow he got two cherries. He set them up with Bigsbys since that is what usually sells in his store. He's had them since November 2010. Since neither has moved, he put one on eBay. I called him to find out about the Bigsby installation. He offered to sell me the second one, which has more flame than the one on eBay. He thinks he has a local buyer for the listed one. I believe he'll relist it if that deal falls apart.
skydog52 Posted February 18, 2011 Posted February 18, 2011 I love mine. Very acoustic sounding. But she will rock! Who needs an amp.
Genericmusic Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 That is one fine guitar. Congratulations!
Kuz Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 LOVE, love, love the 530 (especially with the Bigsby). I know I just purchased an expensive Golden Eagle, but I have two guitars left from Heritage that I would like to someday own. 1. A 535 with a Bigsby 2. A 150 with vintage wide flames And that would be all I would ever need!!! (which I have told my wife about 9 times!!!)
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.