PAdaytonaman Posted March 29, 2012 Posted March 29, 2012 Hello all, I am the proud owner of an almond burst H535. It's stunning. I will post some pics when I can. The question that I have is on set up. I went through the guitar and checked intonation, changed the strings, as it was sitting around in the shop for a year. I set the action but I am getting string buzzing mostly on the A and not the low E. So I raised it until the buzzing was gone and now I'm not thrilled with the action. It seems to me, the uninitiated, that the nut may be improperly filed and by the look of the chunk taken out of the fret board near the nut, perhaps they had an apprentice on that operation that day. Is this something that should be handled by the factory or the guitar store. Frankly, I don't have a great deal of faith in that shop. Does anyone know of an authorized tech near Philadelphia. Overall, I shouldn't be too bummed. I had raised some issues about the flaws and the dealer gave me it for an otd price of 1850. S as the first registered owner I am still entitled to the year warranty, so I am ok with everything. I can see how these can become an obsession. I love the history and tradition behind the brand. Any advice or opinions are welcome. Cheers.
DavesNotHere Posted March 29, 2012 Posted March 29, 2012 Hi, I'm originally from the Philly area, where is the Heritage dealer you bought yours from? (My wife is there right now, maybe she can bring me back a surprise!) If you are on the North East side of Philly try Joe Z. He's in Levittown. http://www.joezguitar.com/Default.aspx He's just two miles from where I used to live.
fxdx99 Posted March 29, 2012 Posted March 29, 2012 Congrats on the new 535. I've one of that model and love the way it plays and sounds. Bought mine new as well, but didn't have any issues with it. If I had, I would've gone back thru the dealer since they're the interface between customer and factory. Sounds like a pretty easy fix if it's the nut slot. Hope it works out for you!
PAdaytonaman Posted March 29, 2012 Author Posted March 29, 2012 I went through Middletown guitars in Delaware. I was down there for work. I'm not far from Levittown. I sent heritage an email to see what's what. thanks for the info. Beautiful ax.
Spectrum13 Posted March 29, 2012 Posted March 29, 2012 Welcome to the HOC PADaytona. The factory setup is just the starting point. You indicate you don't trust the shop so invest in a proper setup even if it needs a new nut. After sitting in the shop for a year the neck may need adjusting for relief too.
FredZepp Posted March 29, 2012 Posted March 29, 2012 welcome... It sounds like you got a really good deal on that 535.. have someone do a really good setup on it to your preferences , it needs done on new guitars anyhow and shouldn't be expensive at all. You will like it even more if a good tech fine tunes it to what you want.
Guest HRB853370 Posted March 29, 2012 Posted March 29, 2012 I went through Middletown guitars in Delaware. I was down there for work. I'm not far from Levittown. I sent heritage an email to see what's what. thanks for the info. Beautiful ax. You may want to phone them. They sometimes take a while to answer emails. Call before 11 am and you should get Ren Wall, a legend himself, on the phone!
tulk1 Posted March 29, 2012 Posted March 29, 2012 Always room for one more. Welcome to the HoC. And wait until you get the bugs worked out. If you think it's a dandy now ....
yoslate Posted March 30, 2012 Posted March 30, 2012 Could be any number of things, and likely a combination of at least a couple. There is a history of nut issues with Heritage guitars, moreso a few years go, rather than now. Does the "A" buzz everywhere, or only above or below a certain spot? Could be the cutting of the nut. Could be neck relief. Could be bridge height. Could be a fret which has lifted a bit out of its groove, due to heat and/or humidity issues. Could be several frets up the neck in need of leveling and /or crowning because of neck swell, where the neck joins the body...or some combination. None of those issues is at all tricky for a good luthier, who does a good setup. good luck, and welcome to the fold! My 535 is just amazing!
skydog52 Posted March 30, 2012 Posted March 30, 2012 Welcome aboard! I just replaced the nuts on 3 of my Heritages. I wish I did it earlier. Now they play like butter. Once you get it figured out you are going to love it. Nothing better than a well set up Heritage!
High Flying Bird Posted March 30, 2012 Posted March 30, 2012 I'm not far from Levittown. OK, whats the word on Pizza Star? Dave says it is a good pie. What do you say...... I love 535s. I own one. I have photos of it.
DetroitBlues Posted March 30, 2012 Posted March 30, 2012 Wow, that 535 Custom is killer! I always think of you with the 357 and forget you have that beauty!
PAdaytonaman Posted March 31, 2012 Author Posted March 31, 2012 Wow, that custom is a beauty. Well I must say that all is right with the world. Jay, the owner of Middletown music took great care of me and his goal was to make it right. We decided to take it over to Nick Bucci in Claymont, de and he would pay whatever the cost to make it right. I personally delivered it to Nick Bucci and what a treat it was to meet him. A local legend and quite a gifted luthier. He is replacing the nut with bone and doing a complete setup as well. It's a little disappointing that this had to be done but I wouldn't trade it. It's a beauty. Question for the masses, do you guys prefer your strings to have clearance from the back of the bridge on these guitars. I noticed they came set super low and all the strings had no clearance from the bridge. Gibson recommends at least some air between the string and the back of the bridge. Nick Bucci said it's personal preference. Any thoughts. Thanks again and I'm sorry I don't have pics. Damn IPad Cheers
bolero Posted March 31, 2012 Posted March 31, 2012 Dan Erlewine's books always say to leave a bit of clearance so they don't contact the edge of the bridge...I tend to follow that advice but have played gtrs where they've been in contact...I'd agree with personal preference, although in theory the above makes sense that is usually the determining factor for me to topwrap the tailpiece, which I prefer; if I can crank it down to the top & get a decent string angle....otherwise I just use it normally
Spectrum13 Posted March 31, 2012 Posted March 31, 2012 Question for the masses, do you guys prefer your strings to have clearance from the back of the bridge on these guitars. I noticed they came set super low and all the strings had no clearance from the bridge. Gibson recommends at least some air between the string and the back of the bridge. Nick Bucci said it's personal preference. Any thoughts. I don't speak for the masses but I would rather have just one area of contact on the bridge. A Nashville bridge is stronger than an ABR-1 and I also doubt I could hear any difference. Cheers
PAdaytonaman Posted April 1, 2012 Author Posted April 1, 2012 heres a shot of the gee tar. She's a beauty.
FredZepp Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 heres a shot of the gee tar. She's a beauty. Awesome !!
iim7v7im7 Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 Hi, A custom set-up is a must. You've purchased a beautiful guitar. Now go the last mile and get it optimized for you! The instrument will perform much better with a properly cut nut, frets that are level, the truss rod properly adjusted to provide proper relief, bridge intonation set for your chosen string set and the action set to your preferred height. It is definitely worth it to establish a good releationship with a skilled luthier or repair technician in your area. Enjoy your new H-535! Bob P.S. My custom H-535 says hi!
yoslate Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 Hi, A custom set-up is a must. You've purchased a beautiful guitar. Now go the last mile and get it optimized for you! The instrument will perform much better with a properly cut nut, frets that are level, the truss rod properly adjusted to provide proper relief, bridge intonation set for your chosen string set and the action set to your preferred height. It is definitely worth it to establish a good releationship with a skilled luthier or repair technician in your area. Enjoy your new H-535! Bob P.S. My custom H-535 says hi! Very much like mine, save for blocks, and bound headstock..which look fabulous! Nice pics, Bob. Thanks for the eye-candy post.
Gitfiddler Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 Nothing like sage advice from a great guitarist AND amazing 535 porn shots!! WOW!
PAdaytonaman Posted April 2, 2012 Author Posted April 2, 2012 Awesome !! Next I need a 150 to keep her company. They also had a killer 150 hangin not too far away. Hmmmm. Maybe trade in my 01 "G" LP standard plus for her.. I love the idea of what this compthey represents. It's like getting a 2 nd chance to live the glory days of the previous tenants they sure do make beautiful instruments. I think I have been spoiled living so close to Martin guitar factory. 2 great companies that I am proud of as an American craftsman. Now I can say that I help continue that Heritage. Very cool. Here's a hair splitting question for you, is there a holy grail of heritage 150's in your eyes? It seems that after discussions with those in the know, that are are quite a few features no longer available due to the passing of some of the great craftsmen that started with the company. Like certain inlays and tailpieces etc. Thanks again,
PAdaytonaman Posted April 2, 2012 Author Posted April 2, 2012 Hi, Holy crap" thats a beauty Hi back A custom set-up is a must. You've purchased a beautiful guitar. Now go the last mile and get it optimized for you! The instrument will perform much better with a properly cut nut, frets that are level, the truss rod properly adjusted to provide proper relief, bridge intonation set for your chosen string set and the action set to your preferred height. It is definitely worth it to establish a good releationship with a skilled luthier or repair technician in your area. Enjoy your new H-535! Bob P.S. My custom H-535 says hi!
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