2006 555 and and early 80's 335

[heritagefan7]

A friend just brought over his (new to him) early 80's cinnamon burst 335. Beautiful guitar, great shape. We played for several hours and ran through everything from Summertime to SRV to Stormy Monday. At one point we obliged each other and switched guitars. (my 2006 555 for his 335). As beautiful as it is and as nicely as it played, I couldn't wait to get mine back! Truly, music is in the ear of the beholder--but the 555 just seemed IMHO to have much more warmth and...for lack of a better term "soul"!!!...I played through a Vox VT 50 and he played through a fender deluxe reverb...Might be an apples to oranges comaprison and truly it is a matter of opinion--but for me the 335 was certainly nice, but the 555 was just in a whole different class. Again, no digs here--just an observation....am I becoming a guitar snob?

[Kuz]

Well, I sold a close to mint '65 335 to fund a lot of my Heritage collection.

 

So, I came to same conclusion as you (plus I got a lot more Heritages than just one nice vintage Gibson).

[heritagefan7]

Well, I sold a close to mint '65 335 to fund a lot of my Heritage collection.

 

So, I came to same conclusion as you (plus I got a lot more Heritages than just one nice vintage Gibson).

 

Speaking of a lot of Heritages...I've got a a 574 that is beautiful and that I love, but am finding that I'm playing less and less now that I have the 555. The semi/hollow is great, but these days the 574 is a little on the big box sound for where I am. I'm thinking abt a trade option or selling (killing me to thnk abt it) for a thinner version. How do you like the 525? I'm rolling a 525 or 530 option around to get on the thinner side of things but keep the hollow sound.

[chico]

cinnaburst sounds exotic. would love to see that. always liked root beer burst, I think Heritage's Almond Burst works as a comparison. well, maybe antique burst..

 

oh, you guys were talking about things like sound/tone/playability/size and I'm thinkin color..

[TalismanRich]

It doesn't surprise me a lot. I was in Wilcutt in Lexington KY last year. They had about 5 335s on the wall. I picked up every one and played it. This was all acoustically, but only one had anything close to the sound of my 535. That one was an old used 335 from.... Kalamazoo.

 

The newer ones all sounded thin to me, like there was no body. I'm not a golden ear by any stretch, but these differences were significant.

 

BTW, HF7, I see you're in Greenville. I get down to Spartanburg most every month and have been trying REALLY hard not to run back over to Greenville to Deluxe Guitar Exchange. There was a certain tele style guitar there that really caught my fancy. The heart says yes, and the head says WHOA!

[heritagefan7]

I try to stay away from that store---They have a beautiful Collings Soco deluxe in there for abt 6k---which is abt 6k more than I need to think about spending. It is excetional though. The owner is a great guy

[Kuz]

I try to stay away from that store---They have a beautiful Collings Soco deluxe in there for abt 6k---which is abt 6k more than I need to think about spending. It is excetional though. The owner is a great guy

 

I love my 525, it is a cross between my 575 and my 555. Probably leans a lot more toward the 575 tonally.

 

I have two Collings Acoustics (an OM from 1992 and a Dreadnought from 1995). I think they make the best acoustics, period.

But I have played a number of their electrics, and while they are beautiful. perfect fit & finish, their tone was just not vintage. I kind of think of them as the PRS of Gibby/Heritage designs, they just didn't speak to me, too modern sounding.

[heritagefan7]

I love my 525, it is a cross between my 575 and my 555. Probably leans a lot more toward the 575 tonally.

 

I have two Collings Acoustics (an OM from 1992 and a Dreadnought from 1995). I think they make the best acoustics, period.

But I have played a number of their electrics, and while they are beautiful. perfect fit & finish, their tone was just not vintage. I kind of think of them as the PRS of Gibby/Heritage designs, they just didn't speak to me, too modern sounding.

 

It's a form and function thing here...Frankly, their electric price tag is daunting, especially considering the great stuff that comes out of Kalamazoo. I truly love the 574--the look is great, the sound is great. I also love the 555 and there is a significant difference b/w the two. I lean more toward the 555 sound and versatility, but don't want to get away from the true hollowbody sound. I have a Martin Acoustic as well and have that big warm sound covered there. Can't demo a 530 and don't want to replicate the 574---if there's no bridge, I'll just keep what I have. In reality--It's the best of both worlds. Keep it and be happy, trade it and be happy--what a choice.

[Guest HRB853370]

Speaking of a lot of Heritages...I've got a a 574 that is beautiful and that I love, but am finding that I'm playing less and less now that I have the 555. The semi/hollow is great, but these days the 574 is a little on the big box sound for where I am. I'm thinking abt a trade option or selling (killing me to thnk abt it) for a thinner version. How do you like the 525? I'm rolling a 525 or 530 option around to get on the thinner side of things but keep the hollow sound.

 

Hey, can you post a pic of that 574? I never even heard of a 574. What year mfg is it?

 

Also-I used to live in G'ville also. Where about in G'ville are ya? I am jealous- used to do Downtown Alive every Thursday and get to the Handlebar every chance I could get.

 

Ever been to Palmetto Music? Freddy is a good friend!

[Guest HRB853370]

It doesn't surprise me a lot. I was in Wilcutt in Lexington KY last year. They had about 5 335s on the wall. I picked up every one and played it. This was all acoustically, but only one had anything close to the sound of my 535. That one was an old used 335 from.... Kalamazoo.

 

The newer ones all sounded thin to me, like there was no body. I'm not a golden ear by any stretch, but these differences were significant.

 

BTW, HF7, I see you're in Greenville. I get down to Spartanburg most every month and have been trying REALLY hard not to run back over to Greenville to Deluxe Guitar Exchange. There was a certain tele style guitar there that really caught my fancy. The heart says yes, and the head says WHOA!

 

I talked to the owner at Deluxe and he never seems to have any Heritages in that store! You go there on business Rich?

[heritagefan7]

I talked to the owner at Deluxe and he never seems to have any Heritages in that store! You go there on business Rich?

 

I'm in the burbs---south of town in Simpsonville/Fountain Inn area. Never seen a Heritage in the store, but would like too. They carry some nice stuff---even vintage G****n. I'd like to give their Bay City Amps a shot. Downtown is awesome, esp in Spring/Summer. LOVE the Peace Center. We came here by way of Atlanta then Nashville then Richmond VA. G'ville is smaller but lots of ammenities and great weather....Just no Heritage dealers!...I'll work on the pics of the 574. It's a 1991 vintage orange w/ creme binding on body...neck is not bound...2 3/4 rim--dot inlay...single venetian cutaway...Specs are similar to a 575 except as noted. There's a worming spot (abt size of .50 piece) on the rim (looks like it's only in finish) and some light nitro fade on the "armrest" area, it's near mint. Fade & worming were all there when I bought it 2 yrs ago. For 20 yrs old--it looks like someone kept it in the closet. I'm a freak and wipe it down(lightly of course) EVERY SINGLE TIME I PLAY! It's just too nice to leave "spots" on it. Case it same w/ it is rough outside but solid..and it kind of give it some "blues lifestyle" character---or at least it makes me feel better to think of it that way. Thx much for asking..I think my friend (local) is lusting after it--he's an old school Delta style gibby guy--I'm tring to convert him--Man this is too long!

[heritagefan7]

Hey, can you post a pic of that 574? I never even heard of a 574. What year mfg is it?

 

Also-I used to live in G'ville also. Where about in G'ville are ya? I am jealous- used to do Downtown Alive every Thursday and get to the Handlebar every chance I could get.

 

Ever been to Palmetto Music? Freddy is a good friend!

 

No--Havent been to Palmetto, but called several times. They used to be a Heritage Dealer I think. Hear good things abt their drums.

[TalismanRich]

I talked to the owner at Deluxe and he never seems to have any Heritages in that store! You go there on business Rich?

 

The owner had his own Heritage 150 in the store for a while, but apparently it sold.

 

I have a customer in Spartanburg, and we have a support plant that I visit monthly... catch up on safety stuff, inspections, make sure that manufacturing is running smoothly. I've done that for about 4-5 years. I've got that drive down pretty well, unless the mountains decide to slide down across the highway again.

[the jayce]

I cant help but comment. I love a heritage just as much as the rest of you, but I think the 335's are getting a bad case of the ole biased reply's. There basically the same guitar structure wise ect( laminated) sure heritage uses real mop for inlays but that isnt going to affect the sound.

 

I have played some of the older 335's and they sound every bit as good! Now im sure i will get some feathers ruffled but lets not kid ourselves, the 335 is iconic and a 555 and 535 are made in it's image. we all love heritage here but there has to be some fairness involved when comparing somthing, instead of I own a 535 or 555 and there for it's better than the original 335. I have a dandy h-157 but Im not going to say it's better than a lp custom because that just a rediculouse statement, but I can say my 157 is every bit as good! Anyhow just my thoughts on the subject. heritage rules!!!!!!

[Gitfiddler]

I cant help but comment. I love a heritage just as much as the rest of you, but I think the 335's are getting a bad case of the ole biased reply's. There basically the same guitar structure wise ect( laminated) sure heritage uses real mop for inlays but that isnt going to affect the sound.

 

I have played some of the older 335's and they sound every bit as good! Now im sure i will get some feathers ruffled but lets not kid ourselves, the 335 is iconic and a 555 and 535 are made in it's image. we all love heritage here but there has to be some fairness involved when comparing somthing, instead of I own a 535 or 555 and there for it's better than the original 335. I have a dandy h-157 but Im not going to say it's better than a lp custom because that just a rediculouse statement, but I can say my 157 is every bit as good! Anyhow just my thoughts on the subject. heritage rules!!!!!!

 

 

 

+1 for keepin' it real. We all love our Heritages around here, but if Gibson or any other builder makes a great product, give em props.

For my hard-earned money, I comparison shop and buy the best guitar that I can afford. Most of the time I buy Heritage, but ain't nothin' wrong with a nice Gibby...IF it has the right stuff.

[TalismanRich]

I cant help but comment. I love a heritage just as much as the rest of you, but I think the 335's are getting a bad case of the ole biased reply's. There basically the same guitar structure wise ect( laminated) sure heritage uses real mop for inlays but that isnt going to affect the sound.

 

I have played some of the older 335's and they sound every bit as good! Now im sure i will get some feathers ruffled but lets not kid ourselves, the 335 is iconic and a 555 and 535 are made in it's image. we all love heritage here but there has to be some fairness involved when comparing somthing, instead of I own a 535 or 555 and there for it's better than the original 335. I have a dandy h-157 but Im not going to say it's better than a lp custom because that just a rediculouse statement, but I can say my 157 is every bit as good! Anyhow just my thoughts on the subject. heritage rules!!!!!!

 

That was precisely what I thought, until I picked on a bunch of them in a row. I don't know if its how they are doing the lamination, or the way its put together or what, but the new ones that I played sounded really thin and weak vs the older one. When I picked them up, it was more to see how the action and feel were... not expecting drastic difference in the acoustic sound.

 

I never plugged any of them in.

[Kuz]

I have never said you can't get a GREAT Gibson. I believe that. I also believe that you need to search harder to find a good one compared to finding a good Heritage.

 

But let's just say for sake of argument that you have the opportunity to buy a GREAT Gibson or a GREAT Heritage. Which do you buy?

 

-Well there is the thought of re-sale value and the thought of original new cost.

 

-Then manufacturing process (Mostly computer built vs Handmade).

 

-Then ask would I rather get a cookie-cutter model, or a truly custom spec'd one-of-kind made to MY personal specs?

 

-BUT what I look at is which company would I rather support. No brainier there. (some don't care, but my hard earned dollar has & will go Heritage).

I played Gibsons that are just as good as my Heritages, but I haven't played one that is better yet.

[heritagefan7]

Honestly, things can get really dicey--really quick when people draw lines and make blanket statements. Gibson is getting good money for their product--there must be something worth that kind of cash in a world where $ is not as free flowing as it used to be. It can't be just a name--I don't think the company would last on name alone. My initial post had to do with my opinion only--and I wrote it w/ my 91 Les Paul that I love and play daily, sitting 3 feet from me. It's tough to be disappointed--I wanted to really love the 335---and I still love my LP and always will. For my ears and IMO the 555 was better on that day--and I'm biased b/c I paid for it and really wanted to like it!...And the thing is---I really DO like it---ALOT!---More than it's more expensive sybling--and that is a great feeling that in no way is meant to take away from my friends beautiful instrument which he clearly preferred--and which he paid alot for! The GOOD NEWS is that my opinion doesn't affect the quality of either company or either guitar--it's just a good thing to feel good about what you have...I hope that he feels the same way abt his 335---I know that he does--and I'm glad for him! Thx for the great point of discussion...BTW---any comments on the 530 sound vs. 574 sound? Thanks much!

[Kuz]

Honestly, things can get really dicey--really quick when people draw lines and make blanket statements. Gibson is getting good money for their product--there must be something worth that kind of cash in a world where $ is not as free flowing as it used to be. It can't be just a name--I don't think the company would last on name alone. My initial post had to do with my opinion only--and I wrote it w/ my 91 Les Paul that I love and play daily, sitting 3 feet from me. It's tough to be disappointed--I wanted to really love the 335---and I still love my LP and always will. For my ears and IMO the 555 was better on that day--and I'm biased b/c I paid for it and really wanted to like it!...And the thing is---I really DO like it---ALOT!---More than it's more expensive sybling--and that is a great feeling that in no way is meant to take away from my friends beautiful instrument which he clearly preferred--and which he paid alot for! The GOOD NEWS is that my opinion doesn't affect the quality of either company or either guitar--it's just a good thing to feel good about what you have...I hope that he feels the same way abt his 335---I know that he does--and I'm glad for him! Thx for the great point of discussion...BTW---any comments on the 530 sound vs. 574 sound? Thanks much!

 

I think it is going to be hard to get any comparisons toward a 574 since I think you might be the only one on the forum that has one. If you had any pics of the 574 it would great!

[heritagefan7]

I think it is going to be hard to get any comparisons toward a 574 since I think you might be the only one on the forum that has one. If you had any pics of the 574 it would great!

 

I'll try to post some pics in the next day or so--thx for the help. You guys are great.