555 three piece neck?

[campcookie]

I just purchased a 2006 Heritage 555, and it has a three peice neck. Does this indicate that this one has the choice wood package?

[Gitfiddler]

Hello CampCookie~ Prior to 2005 or 2006, all H555's had 3 pc. maple necks as standard. Some were more flamey than others as were some of the bodies. If the body of your 555 is super flamey top/back/sides, then most likely it was a 'Choice Woods' upgrade.

 

Now H555's come with a 1pc. Mahogany neck unless otherwise custom ordered.

 

The interior labels don't help identify specific custom updrades...most of the time. Sometimes it will denote a certain pickup, but I don't recall ever seeing Choice Woods, 3 pce. neck, etc. upgrades ever listed. The only way to be sure is to see the dealer invoice or work up sheet.

 

Let's see the rest of your gitfiddle when you get a chance. Let the ladies and gentlmen of the HOC jury decide if its a choice woods or not.

[Kuz]

As stated, all maple necked 555 were 3-piece necks so it has nothing to do with an upgraded woods package.

 

But if it makes you feel better, 3 piece maple necks are an upcharge now.

[campcookie]

As requested.... more pics :-D

 

 

[DetroitBlues]

Yep, that's a three piece. Single strip of Mahogany down the center between to slices of maple. Sounds like a delicious sandwhich, but you can't eat it. Having a neck like that makes it a very strong neck and less prone to the dreaded headstock break. Fanstastic looking guitar by the way. Congrats.

[Kuz]

Yep, that's a three piece. Single strip of Mahogany down the center between to slices of maple. Sounds like a delicious sandwhich, but you can't eat it. Having a neck like that makes it a very strong neck and less prone to the dreaded headstock break. Fanstastic looking guitar by the way. Congrats.

 

Actually it makes the neck less prone to TWISTING, I don't think it does anything to reduce headstock breaks.

[Spectrum13]

Don't believe they do a three piece any more. Something about available wood.

[DetroitBlues]

 

Actually it makes the neck less prone to TWISTING, I don't think it does anything to reduce headstock breaks.

 

Maple isn't as soft as mahogany and bonded peices of wood are stronger then solid peices. That's why the new housing manufactures use engineered wood instead of solid beams or why a few different people (such as the late Ed Roman) swear a G style headstock would be better if the neck was broken and repaired at the factory prior to shipping....

[Kuz]

 

Maple isn't as soft as mahogany and bonded peices of wood are stronger then solid peices. That's why the new housing manufactures use engineered wood instead of solid beams or why a few different people (such as the late Ed Roman) swear a G style headstock would be better if the neck was broken and repaired at the factory prior to shipping....

 

The reason that luthiers starting using 3 & 5 piece necks was specifically because they were more stable against twisting. I have never heard or read that a 3 or 5 piece neck makes headstock breaks less likely. I will do some research on this. But I know for certainty the reason luthiers started using 3 & 5 piece necks was to reduce twisting.

 

Also CP Thornton uses two piece maple necks (for greater stability against twists) and adds a volute too. So if the 2 piece maple was to reduce a headstock break why add a volute as well?

 

I just got this off the internet so YOU KNOW it has to be right (LOL) "so i wouldn't be afraid of going for laminate tone-wise... as for strength... you've still got 3 big chunks of wood, none of which are invincible... and a little bit of glue between them... That doesn't sound like it's going to drastically effect the strength, at least considering where gibson necks are prone to breakage... the headstock and near the heel, perpendicular to the neck... I doubt a laminate neck would be able to prevent breakage in those spots..."

[DetroitBlues]

 

The reason that luthiers starting using 3 & 5 piece necks was specifically because they were more stable against twisting. I have never heard or read that a 3 or 5 piece neck makes headstock breaks less likely. I will do some research on this. But I know for certainty the reason luthiers started using 3 & 5 piece necks was to reduce twisting.

 

Also CP Thornton uses two piece maple necks (for greater stability against twists) and adds a volute too. So if the 2 piece maple was to reduce a headstock break why add a volute as well?

 

I just got this off the internet so YOU KNOW it has to be right (LOL) "so i wouldn't be afraid of going for laminate tone-wise... as for strength... you've still got 3 big chunks of wood, none of which are invincible... and a little bit of glue between them... That doesn't sound like it's going to drastically effect the strength, at least considering where gibson necks are prone to breakage... the headstock and near the heel, perpendicular to the neck... I doubt a laminate neck would be able to prevent breakage in those spots..."

 

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you the intent of the why there are multi-piece necks. I'm just stating my own opinion is being maple and multi-peice will make the neck strong and more resistant to headstock breaks.

[Kuz]

 

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you the intent of the why there are multi-piece necks. I'm just stating my own opinion is being maple and multi-peice will make the neck strong and more resistant to headstock breaks.

 

We can agree on this in principal. I did some internet research and found that the intent of multi-piece necks are to decrease the chances of necks twisting. This intent is definitive. But many luthiers even question if this does help. There also was some discussion, as you suggest, that an added benefit may be to decrease the risk of headstock breaks. This is even more controversial amongst luthiers if it helps, but like you suggested there are some that think it could.

[DetroitBlues]

So does anyone want to test that theory? On my Epiphone Dot, I noticed the headstock is actually glued on. Its not a one peice.... I actually believe that's a brilliant idea.

[Gitfiddler]

So does anyone want to test that theory? On my Epiphone Dot, I noticed the headstock is actually glued on. Its not a one peice.... I actually believe that's a brilliant idea.

 

 

Many bargain guitar builders glue on the headstock, either at a right angle or using what is called a Luthier's scarf. That also saves money by using a smaller wood blank to carve the neck and headstock. Heritage's 17 degree angle headstock is more costly to make for that reason. Adding multiple layers or laminates to the neck/headstock increases the build cost even more.

[DetroitBlues]

 

 

Many bargain guitar builders glue on the headstock, either at a right angle or using what is called a Luthier's scarf. That also saves money by using a smaller wood blank to carve the neck and headstock. Heritage's 17 degree angle headstock is more costly to make for that reason. Adding multiple layers or laminates to the neck/headstock increases the build cost even more.

 

I can believe that, its just a Chinese made Dot..... But how many Heritages have wings glued on the headstock? Something gets glued on, just depends where.

[Joe]

My 555 got knocked off a stand many years ago. Landed flat on the nut, no break. It has a five piece neck. That's one of the reasons I ordered a five piece neck on my 157.