heritagefan7 Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 For me--there is a huge difference in a rosewood and an ebony fingerboard. Both are great-no judgment about better or worse or anything along that line. I just notice a huge difference in the two. My Heritages (so awesome) are semi-hollows. My Solid body is a LP w/ an Ebony fretboard. After recently checking out the Heritage homesite, I realized tht they list the 15o w/ a rosewood fretboard and the 157 w/ an Ebony fretboard. I always (rem, I don't have a H solid body) thought the 157 was just a super dressed up 150 which was the LP still made the right way. For those of you blessed enough to be Heritage solid body owners---would you concur or are they (the 150 & the 157) really 2 different guitars?
High Flying Bird Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 The 150 & 157 are different from each other. I have a 535 with an ebony board with block inlays. That isn't listed on their site either.
FredZepp Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 The 150 is similiar to a original Les Paul Standard... same woods. It has a Honduran mahogany body and neck with eastern maple cap and rosewood board. The 157 is similiar to a Les Paul Custom .. but with a difference. The original Customs had an all mahogany body with no maple cap. Where the 157 is does have a maple cap. It's the same as a 150 , wood wise, except for the ebony board. Yes, they are slightly different, the 150 vs the 157, but not worlds apart. Not as different as a semi-hollow , hollow or something with very different woods. Something I've noticed about mine ... my 157 is light and seems more similiar to the 150 than usual. I think that a heavy 150 would be closer to a heavy 157 , tone wise. And a lighter 150 would be close to a light 157. The mahogany makes a big difference as far as tone. But there is also a "feel" difference between the two types of boards.
barrymclark Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 As mentioned, I'd say while the 150 and 157 are different guitars, they are not worlds apart. My experience with Ebony and Rosewood have been good on both. You gotta remember too that Heritage is essentially a custom shop. You can make your 150 as similar or dissimilar to the 157 and vice-versa as you wish. Change the electronics. Change the inlays. Go crazy. Of course, some of that crazy can REALLY ramp up the cost. haha.
kbp810 Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 As mentioned, I'd say while the 150 and 157 are different guitars, they are not worlds apart. My experience with Ebony and Rosewood have been good on both. You gotta remember too that Heritage is essentially a custom shop. You can make your 150 as similar or dissimilar to the 157 and vice-versa as you wish. Change the electronics. Change the inlays. Go crazy. Of course, some of that crazy can REALLY ramp up the cost. haha. Yep, I picked up a used 150 that has an ebony board... and I think I can certainly speak on the behalf of going crazy with a custom order with my 157
MartyGrass Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 In general, they are more similar than dissimilar. BUT... Two H157s can be worlds apart. So anything goes! Get what you want.
DetroitBlues Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 My H-140 has block inlays and an Ebony board. I'd imagine if that guitar was made in later years it very well could of been a H-157. (just needs a little more binding, )
H555rocks Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 In general, they are more similar than dissimilar. BUT... Two H157s can be worlds apart. So anything goes! Get what you want. I love that quilt top!
schundog Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 MAPLE!! Oops, sorry, I thought I was on the Fender Forum. Seriously, I had never owned an ebony-board guitar until this past year, and I now have three, simply because they were on the guitars I wanted. My H155, H170, and Gibson Faded Flying V all have ebony. I think it is a beautiful wood, especially when adorned with a lot of abalone or mother of pearl inlays, and seems to give a bit brighter tone than rosewood, although, as some have already stated, not a TON of difference. Ebony DOES feel different under your fingers than rosewood. Rosewood is more pourous, whereas the ebony has a very tight grain to it.
DetroitBlues Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 I can say I like the feel of the ebony much more. Plays very similiar to the speed of a maple neck with the fat tone of rosewood.
FredZepp Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 My H-140 has block inlays and an Ebony board. I'd imagine if that guitar was made in later years it very well could of been a H-157. (just needs a little more binding, ) Or the rare .. H-147. ( the 140 version of the 157 )
DetroitBlues Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 Or the rare .. H-147. ( the 140 version of the 157 ) Interesting... Anyone got pics of those? Since my guitar is an '85, maybe the H-147 wasn't thought of until later?
FredZepp Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 Interesting... Anyone got pics of those? Since my guitar is an '85, maybe the H-147 wasn't thought of until later?
DetroitBlues Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 Wow, very little difference between the two.... Didn't Gibson make a slightly smaller LP for awhile too?
tulk1 Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 Wow, very little difference between the two.... Didn't Gibson make a slightly smaller LP for awhile too? Are you thinking of the NightHawk from the mid-90s? Pretty cool little LP style guitar.
DetroitBlues Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 Are you thinking of the NightHawk from the mid-90s? Pretty cool little LP style guitar. I think the Les Paul Goddess was slighty smaller.
kbp810 Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 On another related note... how about ebony vs rosewood bridge? I'm thinking about dumping the TOM on my 575 and going back to wood...
DetroitBlues Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 On another related note... how about ebony vs rosewood bridge? I'm thinking about dumping the TOM on my 575 and going back to wood... That will work if you looking for more of an acoustic mellow tone.... Does make you wonder the difference between rosewood and ebony....
barrymclark Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 On another related note... how about ebony vs rosewood bridge? I'm thinking about dumping the TOM on my 575 and going back to wood... That will work if you looking for more of an acoustic mellow tone.... Does make you wonder the difference between rosewood and ebony.... My 575 has a wood bridge. I wouldn't change it for the world! If you've seen my videos, then you may have an idea of what a wooden bridge might sound like on your 575.
kbp810 Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 My 575 has a wood bridge. I wouldn't change it for the world! If you've seen my videos, then you may have an idea of what a wooden bridge might sound like on your 575. Mine originally had a rosewood bridge (and I do still have it), but it also arrived with a gold TOM in the case - when I took it in for a level and setup, I decided to try the TOM (the rosewood bridge slots had either worn or were cut too deep). I really did dig the warm woody tone it had before... but on that same note, I also really dug the tone with the TOM on too!
SouthpawGuy Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 Or the rare .. H-147. ( the 140 version of the 157 ) My thoughts exactly. Don't see too many 147's.
Trouble Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 On another related note... how about ebony vs rosewood bridge? I'm thinking about dumping the TOM on my 575 and going back to wood... If you are going to do that I would go with ebony, denser wood = more energy transfer. In other words more of everthing compared to rosewood. As far as fretboards,I prefer the feel of ebony but prefer the sound of rosewood. You can't win 'em all.
zguitar71 Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 I used an ebony, rosewood and TOM bridge on my Super Eagle. When it was plugged in I really did not notice any difference. On an acoustic guitar with a finely graduated top then I think it matters but with a hollow body with set in pickups the tops are not carved for acoustic tone as much so the tone of the bridge wood is not as noticeable. In the end I would always go with the TOM on a Hollow body for the improved intonation.
Dick Seacup Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 I prefer ebony boards over rosewood. For some bizarre reason, over the last two years, rosewood boards have started looking increasingly ugly to me. Even the really nice ones. Would be interesting to have an H-150 that you could swap just the board on and see how it affects tone/playability.
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