KSquared Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 Hi, all. I'm a long time Strat player, with the occasional lust for a 335-style guitar to get those tones I just can't get. I played a H535 recently and liked it a lot; so much so that I'm starting to hunt for deals on new and used ones. My basic question is this: Are they consistent enough so that one can feel comfortable jumping on a used deal without playing it first? Or is there more one should know, such as: Are there different neck shapes for H535s? If so how does one tell? The one I played was not that fat; nowhere near as fat as an Epiphone for example. Does the quality vary widely over the years? It seems like the post-2008 or so are getting rave reviews. Any years to avoid? Have the specs (neck shape, pickups etc.) been largely the same over the years? Thanks for any input.
NoNameBand Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 I've never heard of a bad one. I have a 2007 and love it as I believe most do. Some of the guys here are more knowledgeable than I as far as over the years variations in Heritage quality. The one thing I would say is a used one is fine when you can get one.
eljay Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 welcome, K2 ! i don't have a 535 but there are many here who do and i'm sure good info will be forthcoming soon. eljay
smurph1 Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 Hi, all. I'm a long time Strat player, with the occasional lust for a 335-style guitar to get those tones I just can't get. I played a H535 recently and liked it a lot; so much so that I'm starting to hunt for deals on new and used ones. My basic question is this: Are they consistent enough so that one can feel comfortable jumping on a used deal without playing it first? Or is there more one should know, such as: Are there different neck shapes for H535s? If so how does one tell? The one I played was not that fat; nowhere near as fat as an Epiphone for example. Does the quality vary widely over the years? It seems like the post-2008 or so are getting rave reviews. Any years to avoid? Have the specs (neck shape, pickups etc.) been largely the same over the years? Thanks for any input. Hi K Squared!! Welcome to the Heritage Family!! i bought a new 535 last year, and it absolutely kicks ass..It is totally stock, with Seth Lover Pickups, in a dark brown Old Style Burst.. The neck on mine is a bit fat, but I like it because I bend a lot and it gives me something to grab onto.. In my Humble (and very prejudiced) opinion, the quality of heritage guitars is unparalleled..Mine sounds beautiful right now..Imagine what she'll do with a few years on her!! In other words..Get One!!
KSquared Posted April 13, 2011 Author Posted April 13, 2011 Hi K Squared!! Welcome to the Heritage Family!! i bought a new 535 last year, and it absolutely kicks ass..It is totally stock, with Seth Lover Pickups, in a dark brown Old Style Burst.. The neck on mine is a bit fat, but I like it because I bend a lot and it gives me something to grab onto.. In my Humble (and very prejudiced) opinion, the quality of heritage guitars is unparalleled..Mine sounds beautiful right now..Imagine what she'll do with a few years on her!! In other words..Get One!! Thanks -- my main concern is not ending up with a big chunky neck, like Gibson 50s or Epiphone 335 clones. If they are all like the one I played, I'd jump at the right on when it comes around. I figure with a Strat and an H535, I'd have almost any tones I'm interest in covered.
NoNameBand Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 The 535 is arguably one of the most flexible guitars on the planet. You'll have a good combo.
smurph1 Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 The 535 is arguably one of the most flexible guitars on the planet. You'll have a good combo. That's for sure..Good Luck in the search..People tend to hang onto them..
tulk1 Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 Hey K2, welcome to the mix. "Traditionally" (in quotes), Heritage necks fell on the slightly slimmer side. Not a Gibs 60's, not a Gibs fatter 50's. Just somewhere in between. Of late, their stock necks are coming up a bit in overall size, but still not approaching ball bat territory. Here's the rub, tho'. Heritage is, at heart, a Custom Shop. Meaning, at anytime some one could have ordered a fatter neck on what appears to be a stock instrument. Altho', in general, there are other tells on the custom orders. In all, tho', unless stated it's a custom build, you'd be fine getting any stock H535 from any year. Yet to see a truly bad one.
fxdx99 Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 Hi K2 - yup, pretty consistent, but there are things to look for rather than just jumping in. Neck shape: as Tulk commented, increasing in time. I've an 02 that's fairly slim, my 08 is a bit thicker. 'General' neck shape is the same, just a bit thicker in later 2000s. Both are very comfortable to me (I'm not that picky, tho, and do play a baseball bat tele that I like) and in general, I think thicker neck guitars sound and play better (therefore, don't go by what I say). Quality: Think most all years for 535/555s are consistent. Not aware of any years to avoid. Specs: Pickups: they vary. Watch for "dual" height screws, that is 2 on each side of the pickup as this will indicate Schaller pickups which were used 'stock' for a few years. Dual screws with a selector toggle that has a 'dot' on it's tip indicate HRW pickups, which are modified Schallers by Heritage 'go-to' guy Ren Wall. Single screw on each side may be SD59s or Seth Lovers. The pickup type may be listed on the label as seen thru the f-hole. Bridge - Schaller stop and roller bridge can be seen from pics. Looks a bit 'beefier' than 'standard' with the string slots visible on the top. Preference what you like (I kinda prefer the gibson-looking setup w/string-thru stop tail and 'pointy' bridge pieces). Other custom features may be in bound headstock, or fingerboard traps, etc. Good luck - hope you snare one since everyone needs a good semi! My basic question is this: Are they consistent enough so that one can feel comfortable jumping on a used deal without playing it first? Or is there more one should know, such as: Are there different neck shapes for H535s? If so how does one tell? The one I played was not that fat; nowhere near as fat as an Epiphone for example. Does the quality vary widely over the years? It seems like the post-2008 or so are getting rave reviews. Any years to avoid? Have the specs (neck shape, pickups etc.) been largely the same over the years?
Guest HRB853370 Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 Thanks -- my main concern is not ending up with a big chunky neck, like Gibson 50s or Epiphone 335 clones. If they are all like the one I played, I'd jump at the right on when it comes around. I figure with a Strat and an H535, I'd have almost any tones I'm interest in covered. Almost! You will soon be longing for an H 150 to get that vintage LP tone! Then, you will have all the bases covered! Welcome!
Guest HRB853370 Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 Almost! You will soon be longing for an H 150 to get that vintage LP tone! Then, you will have all the bases covered! Welcome! Like this one!
zydecosoultrain Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 Hi, I share your concern about jumping in sight unseen. I replaced my Ibanez Artist AS80 (335 clone) with my 535 which I bought via a photo on the website of an importer of second hand fenders who had this one Heritage. Having missed out on a nice 555 on ebay due to a sniper I was more confident with an internet shop. The guitar cost 2250 AUD, and on arrival had a dangerously dry fretboard and a horribly re-cut nut. On the plus side it had a bound neck and headstock, and a Seymour-Duncan jazz, which is a favorite pickup of mine in the neck and a SD Jeff Beck in the bridge. For another $100 to have it set up I have a guitar to last a lifetime. As long as you can trust the seller I'm sure you'll not regret getting a 535. Good luck.
High Flying Bird Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 I have owned 3 535s over the years. All of them had fairly slim necks. They do vary so try buying one from a place/person who is willing to let you return it after a few days. It would be hard to go wrong buying from a member here. Good luck!
yoslate Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 and this one........... One of the finest looking 535's...ever!
tulk1 Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 and this one........... It's got a funny lookin' wiggle stick on it.
kidsmoke Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 One of the finest looking 535's...ever! Agreed! Beautiful. I recently picked up a 9 year old 535 (April 2002 build) and it has a slim-ish neck which felt perfect in my hands, and was the deciding factor. The build quality is peerless. It's one of only two Heritage guitars I've ever held in my hands, so I cannot speak to the consistency issues that you're asking about. Just offering the data for your used guitar search. Good luck, and welcome!
tbonesullivan Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 The neck on my 1998 H535 is definitely closer to a slim taper than to the baseball bat neck. My H150CM neck is a bunch thicker. Heck the 535 might have slightly slimmer than a slim taper. Anyway, can't go wrong with a good 535. If you hang around here for about a month several should pop up used at least, if not more. This place should almost be called the Heritage Trading Club.
mooonpi Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 It's got a funny lookin' wiggle stick on it. Now I like that "wiggle stick", although I call'em "wang bars" Bird! What model bigsby is that, and what is the model of the bar? Seriously, I like them...I've seen that style on some Epiphone Emperor Swingster.
NoNameBand Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 I know that No Two Necks are the Same, that being said, most if not all of the 535s that I have played seem to have a neck profile similar to what we call the Slim Taper/60's profile. I also know that some have been ordered with heavier/fatter profiles due to personal preference but I believe they would be less prevalent. If there is such a thing as a perfect guitar, the 535 may be the one.
High Flying Bird Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 Now I like that "wiggle stick", although I call'em "wang bars" Bird! What model bigsby is that, and what is the model of the bar? Seriously, I like them...I've seen that style on some Epiphone Emperor Swingster. I'm not sure what model the tail piece is but the wiggler arm is a Chet Atkins style. They are hard to find now. Do do have an extra.
mooonpi Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 I'm not sure what model the tail piece is but the wiggler arm is a Chet Atkins style. They are hard to find now. Do do have an extra. Thanks for the info. I'm still patiently/anxiously waiting on a custom order, which might look/play nice with a bigsby. I'm always knocking my fingers/knuckles on tradional style bigsby handles and tend to flip them in the 'back' position to get out of the way of my strumming, but then they're not handy when you need it. Maybe the chet style handle would eliminate that prob for me???
High Flying Bird Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 Thanks for the info. I'm still patiently/anxiously waiting on a custom order, which might look/play nice with a bigsby. I'm always knocking my fingers/knuckles on tradional style bigsby handles and tend to flip them in the 'back' position to get out of the way of my strumming, but then they're not handy when you need it. Maybe the chet style handle would eliminate that prob for me??? The Chet Arm is the way to go. You can hook you little finger over it or just play under it. They look good too.
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