Heritage 535 - Schaller Pups

[Karma]

Just got my first Heritage yesterday. A used 535 with Schaller pups. I own several new and old Gibsons (137, Les Paul Standard, SG Standard, Chet Atkins) but frankly have not played a 335 I liked since the 70's. So, I've been watching for a 535 and finally found one that's excellent. I honestly think this thing sat in the case since it was built in 2004.

Anyway, the guitar set up great and plays wonderfully. The interesting part to me is that I was I was planning to swap the Schaller pups for a set of Seth Lovers. I dig Seth Lover's above all other humbuckers (I have them in 3 different guitars) but honestly I am really really impressed with the Schaller's. May just leave them in there for a while. Anyone else have opinions on the Schaller's vs Seth Lovers in a 535?

Peace,
Karma

[tulk1]

I've never had Seths in any of my guitars. But I've had the lowly Schallers in several. They are a great pup in the right guitar, just like any other pickup. Cool that you are at least going to give them a chance before swapping out. Oh ... and welcome to the HoC. Sounds like you got a good deal on your "first" Heritage. Yep, first!

[eljay]

i purchased an h-157 with schallers, used. they are fine in that guitar. i'm a big fan of seths, have 'em in 4 guitars, but i concur w/ mr. tulk that living w/ the schallers for a while is a good choice.

 

congratulations on getting the 535 and welcome to the HOC!

[tbonesullivan]

I don't see why so many people (including ed Roman) are so down on the schaller golden 50s. They are GOOD PICKUPS. I don't think schaller makes anything that is "BAD". Maybe downright weird, but definitely not bad. They engineer everything well, and were pretty much the Go-to place for Gibson's guitar hardware for many years. I have the schaller golden 50s in my 535, and they aren't going anywhere. I've never had any complaints about the tone I get.

[bolero]

schaller's are decent pups ( I really like their clean tones ) but I find they sound a bit sterile when you crank the amp & get into the overdriven stufff....IMO they don't have the character of seths', lollars, wolfetones, throbak

 

may be because they are potted? I find the same thing with duncan 59's

 

they sound a lot like the Gibson 498R/498T to my ear

 

by all means they are not unuseable

[tbonesullivan]

well, it also depends on what you are looking for. Seths and other unpotted pickups pick up a lot of other sounds that potted pickups don't, especially if they are covered. While it is nice for some things, it can get really muddy if you try to play with very high amounts of gain.

[Guest HRB853370]

Just got my first Heritage yesterday. A used 535 with Schaller pups. I own several new and old Gibsons (137, Les Paul Standard, SG Standard, Chet Atkins) but frankly have not played a 335 I liked since the 70's. So, I've been watching for a 535 and finally found one that's excellent. I honestly think this thing sat in the case since it was built in 2004.

 

Anyway, the guitar set up great and plays wonderfully. The interesting part to me is that I was I was planning to swap the Schaller pups for a set of Seth Lovers. I dig Seth Lover's above all other humbuckers (I have them in 3 different guitars) but honestly I am really really impressed with the Schaller's. May just leave them in there for a while. Anyone else have opinions on the Schaller's vs Seth Lovers in a 535?

 

Peace,

Karma

 

Schallers are extremely underrated. I don't know why some folks describe them as muddy. My number one Heritage H 150 (first one bought) has Schallers and I like them just fine.

[Gitfiddler]

Schallers are especially sweet in archtops. Both neck and bridge are well balanced and useable for excellent jazz tones.

They came with my 575 Custom blonde and worked magic. I only swapped them out for HRW's because I happen to like Ren's p'ups a little more. The Schallers will likely go into another project git.

[Karma]

Wow. This is obviously a very active and passionate community. That's just great, and I appreciate the welcome.

 

Been playing my 535 off and on all day. The Schallers are doing pretty well for straight down the middle clean/crunch/overdrive tones. One reason to keep them (or at least not just jump on a set of Seths) is that I tend to put Seths in all my humbucker instruments. May want to give the 535 a little more of it's own character. I found the comment about the Schaller's being similar to Gibson 498R/498T interesting. They do have some of that bite, but aren't quite as edgy to me (at least in this guitar) though I think you're description is accurate.

 

Decisions... decisions...

 

 

I'm curious which Lollar's you guys favor.

 

Peace,

Karma

[Balladeer]

I got my first Hertage, a 1999 H535 about 4 weeks ago, and it had Schaller pickups. I bought a pair of Seth Lovers and installed them. Before purchasing the Seths, I wish I would have known how much wood had to be removed from the neck pickup cavity for the long-legged Seth to fit. I would never do this again. My recommendation is to find short-legged versions of the pickup you want.

[Joey]

I bought my H555 new in 1996 and they came with Schallers , which are decent pups. After 16 years, I decided to install a set of Fralin Pure PAFs. I was incredibly surprise how my guitar ,which already sounded good , seemed to come alive. The Fralins are super clean but warm, not sterile. In fact, the neck pup is the cleanest I have ever heard. I am happy with the change.

[PunkKitty]

I like the Schallers in my 140. But after playing it side by side with a guitar that has Gibson 57 Classics, I'm going to swap the Schallers for 57 Classics. The Classics have a more open sound to my ears. But I like the Schallers. They are nice.