Millie vs. H555 - how to choose?

[SouthernCanuck]

I am a rookie at semi-hollow guitars, and really need some help.

 

I don't currently own a Heritage guitar, but the history, and the guitar makers who stayed to make them in Kalamazoo... well, that speaks to me. I'm all about craftsmanship vs. clock-punching or machine assembly line.

 

The only Heritage I've played was a H555, but I found the body to be a bit large, and the neck to be a bit thick.

 

Bear in mind that I have played Strats all of my life - and now a Taylor - so I am used to "those" style of necks (slimmer).

 

But wait! I had a National copy of a Les Paul in the 1970s, and enjoyed playing that guitar - I installed a DiMarzio, and it was great for AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, etc. For performances, I would switch between the Strat and the National (Les Paul) based on song type.

 

Anyway, I currently have a Strat that I like (Mahogany HSS), but I still want to venture out to own a semi-hollow. I love the quasi-acoustic, ripsaw sound I have heard off the humbuckers through a (perhaps overdriven) tube amp.

 

The Millenium trans-black for sale by Tallershadows on HOC has me really interested... but I have never played one. I don't know if I will like the sound or feel like...???

 

I'm still inclined to seek out a H555 with a thinner neck, but I am open to any advice, experience, or words of wisom. I like the thought of a contiguous center block like the 535 or 555 for added sustain...

 

HELP!

 

S_C

[schundog]

I have both. They are both magnificent, yet different. You need both, so get whichever one first, then get the other. Happy to help....haha

[SouthernCanuck]

I have both. They are both magnificent, yet different. You need both, so get whichever one first, then get the other. Happy to help....haha

 

OK - I totally have already had that thought... but attributed it to GAS. As a side note, my wife doesn't understand or appreciate GAS.

 

You might be the ideal person to describe the differences, so that I could at least decide which one to purchase first... in case I die before I get the other...!

 

Help me...

 

S_C

[schundog]

My Millie H-155 has no f holes. SD Seth Lovers. Hangs "better" on a strap if you aren't used to the neck strap button positioning of a 535/555. The Seth Lovers sound fantastic to me. It's similar to, but different from a Les Paul. Both the 155 and 555 have ebony boards, bound necks and headlocks. The 555 is more ornate. I'm a bigger guy, so the size of the 555 doesn't bother me. While the 155 may hang better off of a strap, I've played 555 styles long enough for them to feel more natural to me, plus I prefer the sagginess, woodiness, whatever of a 555. Like I said, no right or wrong answer for your FIRST one.... Good luck. Go play a few. There ARE slim neck 555s out there. Of course you can order one that way, too.

[eljay]

i own neither, but i have a gib es-335 and a h-530, larger bodies. i also have a gib cs-336 and a H Prospect, smaller bodies. for playing enjoyment, i prefer the smaller bods, so i'd vote for the millie on that basis.

 

tulk1 (kenny) has both a 555 and a millie; perhaps he'll chime in.

[schundog]

I would add that pickups probably make more difference than anything. I really like Seth Lovers for their smooth PAFy-ness. That or SD antiquities, very similar.

[tulk1]

tulk1 (kenny) has both a 555 and a millie; perhaps he'll chime in.

I have an H535 Custom, Custom Millie DC and a Prospect. :-)

 

I am a rookie at semi-hollow guitars, and really need some help.

 

I don't currently own a Heritage guitar, but the history, and the guitar makers who stayed to make them in Kalamazoo... well, that speaks to me. I'm all about craftsmanship vs. clock-punching or machine assembly line.

 

The only Heritage I've played was a H555, but I found the body to be a bit large, and the neck to be a bit thick.

 

S_C

S_C, first, as you may have deduced, the necks vary quite a bit on Heritages. Not only by year, but by custom design. If it's not stock, good chance is the neck was spec'd out, too. So don't be put off by whatever neck you've tried so far. If you liked the 555/535 but thought it too large, by all means try a Prospect. Altho' not exactly "just a smaller 535/555", it is very similar. Doubt most people could hear or feel the difference, if they didn't know what the differences were. Just my opinion from owning both.

 

The Millie is going to be closer to the 150 (think LP) than the 535, if just because of the body size. It will still exhibit that semi-goodness with the body and top vibrating, things like that. But size for size, much closer to the 150. In fact, my Millie DC feels more to me like a chambered or lightweight 150. Maybe that is just me. If you want a semi-hollow, go 535/555 or Prospect. If you want a smaller, more lightweight LP style without going for the whole 150 body, go Millie. But then, this is all just my opinion. Others will differ, I'm sure.

[DetroitBlues]

As a fellow strat player, I understand where you are coming from. Most of the older Heritages (pre mid 2000's) have thinner necks that a strat player would love. You'll like the 555 because it's body is rather thin in comparison to most other Heritages. Since you favor the Les Paul guitar, I suggest a Heritage H150 or a thinner H140....

[Gitfiddler]

If the 555 was too big for ya, then go for one of the smaller bodied semi-hollows such as the Millie or Prospect. Both are great alternatives.

 

Necks are all over the place, but most are medium C shaped unless custom ordered as stated above.

 

If you don't want that 555 with the fat neck you tried out, there might be some interested folks around here that might want to check her out.

[chico]

As the owner of a Millie H155 it is to me closer to a LP style sounding guitar but lighter than a LP. I have HRW's a lot have Seth Lovers like Brian. bought mine used, I bet it was custom order because it has silver hardware not gold like most Millies. I love my H155. Wish I had a 535/555.. someday..

[Spectrum13]

Canuck, As far a I know since Slammer left town last week there are only two Millies in Atlanta / Sandy Springs. Josh has a custom hog body with f-holes and I have a 155. Most Millies will have Ebony boards, have a carved maple top like a Les Paul and are more semi sounding due to its construction. I also have a Prospect which is an inch smaller than a 555, most have rosewood boards and a floating block. There are not a lot of prospects and millies around used and in stores but you can get one built with your desired neck carve, finger board, color, pickups and such. The music you described is usual to soild body guitars. If feed back and size is an issue, the millie would be a better choice. Without looking at the trans black millie available... you can ask about the neck carve. Buying used from a certified HOC member the millie sould hold its value. Josh's teacher recommended either a millie or a prospect. Since he lives a few miles from me, I let him play my 155 and prospect. He had a millie built and is very happy.

[SouthernCanuck]

Thank you for all of the opinions and advice, it is very helpful.

 

The H555 I played was this one in Louisville:

 

Custom H555

 

And the neck wasn't super chunky - I just didn't love it.

 

By the way - Jim Steilberg, what a great guy! He patiently discussed the H555, and walked me through several other guitars in the store - including one that he built with birdseye maple - wow!

 

As for type of music I would play, I tend towards blues - and it sounds like any of the semi-hollows would be great for that.

 

It seems I wouldn't go wrong either way - Millie or 555 (or Prospect) - even if I can't play it beforehand.

 

Again, thanks for the input.

 

S_C

[eljay]

It seems I wouldn't go wrong either way - Millie or 555 - even if I can't play it beforehand.

 

+1 !

[big bob]

I have a 555, and have had a Millie ltd. edition in the past. Both are great guitars. The Millie will sound and feel more like a solid body. When I first played the 555 I thought the body was huge. I then went on a quest to find a prospect to replace the 555 with. Overtime however I have become quite accustomed to the size of the 555. It is now one that goes to practice every time and makes quite a few apparences on stage. If you like the 555 give the size a trial period. If at the end it is still to large I would recommend a prospect instead of a Millie. Millie's are great, but do not sound or act like a 555/535.

[LK155]

Well, SouthernCanuck, here's the viewpoint from a northern Canuck.........

 

I recently sold a Millie H155. I'll tell you why in a minute.

 

I bought the H155 several years ago as my first really good guitar, without actually knowing much about it, and without benefit of HOC advice, opinions, and counselling. After a non-playing hiatus of 30+ years, that Mille fostered a guitar-playing rebirth for me that has morphed into song-writing and homebrew recording efforts which have kept me happily occupied for thousands of hours. For a long time, I could not imagine an electric guitar better than that Millie. It looked amazing (there are lots of pix of it around this site), oozed craftsmanship, was unbelievably easy to play, and sounded great (Seth Lovers). Whenever I took it to a guitar store to try out some amps, pretty well as soon as I opened the case the entire store staff would congregate around that Millie, oohing and aahing and generally acting awestruck. HOC member Grubber is its proud custodian now.

 

I sold the Millie because I bought an H535. Simple as that. I got an amazing fleabay deal on the H535, a cherry red 1996 model in remarkably good condition. It played much like the Millie, having only a slightly slimmer neck, but it was the H535 sound that made the decision for me. Both guitars had Seth's, and with the same TP6 bridge and identical strings, the H535 had more fullness, clarity, and sustain than the Millie, and those qualities were immediately apparent in the recordings I was making. So, much as I enjoyed that Millie, it's the one that got sold to make room for an H525. But that's a completely different story.

 

Any of this make sense so far? Millie's are fantastic guitars, very versatile and fun to play. Maybe I just got the world's best H535, who knows?

 

As others have pointed out, you cannot really make a bad choice.

If a Millie sings to you and doesn't hurt you financially, go for it.

If an H555 sings to you and doesn't hurt you financially, go for it.

 

You don't see too many members here with only one Heritage.

[TalismanRich]

SC, Jim Steilberg's place is only about 3-4 miles from me. Its hard to find a nicer guy. I have played that 555. Jim had a Mille Ultra there as well. Did you try that one? Also, the Roy Clark?

 

My first Heritage came from Jim, I had a 157 built back in 2003. Also got my Taylor from Jim.

[big bob]

Rich has great taste, he bought by Millie. Well in a round about kinda way.

[SouthernCanuck]

SC, Jim Steilberg's place is only about 3-4 miles from me. Its hard to find a nicer guy. I have played that 555. Jim had a Mille Ultra there as well. Did you try that one? Also, the Roy Clark?

 

My first Heritage came from Jim, I had a 157 built back in 2003. Also got my Taylor from Jim.

 

I didn't try the Millie Ultra - or the 170 either...! Too bad - I was focused on the 555.

 

Here is the story of my visit... I had work in Louisville, and had seen the 555 online about a year before, and looked at it from time to time wondering what it looked like in person, and how it would feel. Pretty expensive at $3,200 but it had all of the features that I like: bound headstock, mahogany neck, premium maple, custom paint, real MOP block inlays, chrome hardware, Seth Lovers, and a Bigsby too!

 

I made time to visit the store on my way to the airport, but I didn't call ahead... I got there as Jim opened the store at 10am, and asked to see the 555, but it was sitting there without strings as Jim had taken it apart to fix a cracked pickup ring...

 

He set me up with a Gretsch, so I could hear a semi-hollow, and repaired and restrung the 555 as we talked. He told me a few stories about his interactions with Ren Wall (When Jim calls the factory, Ren invariably yells "What! Who? Oh, Jim! HEY TURN OFF THAT SAW! I SAID, TURN OFF THAT SAW!" Anyway, I had a great time talking with him - Jim has spent many years as a player, luthier and music store owner, and is a passionate music guy. So I eventually got to play the 555, and it just didn't live up to what I had anticipated - although it sounded great.

 

I decided not to buy it - it felt a bit big (but I'm sure I could get used to it) and the neck was not what I'm used to. Thus this thread.

 

I spent some time playing a beautiful R. Taylor guitar there, with Sinker Redwood top and Walnut back and sides. Beautiful instrument.

 

Anyway, back to your regular programming,

 

S_C

[TalismanRich]

That sounds about right. Jimmy is a like a crack dealer... You go in to try a guitar, and before you know it, he's pulled the best stuff he's got off the wall. "Here, try this one. Let me get the lastest one with the special order wood.". Before long, you're playing on Eagle, or an RTaylor.

 

Sure can be some fun!

[SouthernCanuck]

Canuck, As far a I know since Slammer left town last week there are only two Millies in Atlanta / Sandy Springs. Josh has a custom hog body with f-holes and I have a 155. Most Millies will have Ebony boards, have a carved maple top like a Les Paul and are more semi sounding due to its construction. I also have a Prospect which is an inch smaller than a 555, most have rosewood boards and a floating block. There are not a lot of prospects and millies around used and in stores but you can get one built with your desired neck carve, finger board, color, pickups and such. The music you described is usual to soild body guitars. If feed back and size is an issue, the millie would be a better choice. Without looking at the trans black millie available... you can ask about the neck carve. Buying used from a certified HOC member the millie sould hold its value. Josh's teacher recommended either a millie or a prospect. Since he lives a few miles from me, I let him play my 155 and prospect. He had a millie built and is very happy.

 

Hey - a fellow Atlantan!

 

I don't mind the Les Paul sound - but I'm pretty happy with my Strat for most playing. I just have an itch to have a semi-hollow sound as an option - I think the Millie might be great, however I find I am more interested in a 535/555.

 

About the Prospect, what does floating block mean? Not attached to the rim?

 

S_C

[SouthernCanuck]

Well, SouthernCanuck, here's the viewpoint from a northern Canuck.........

 

As others have pointed out, you cannot really make a bad choice.

If a Millie sings to you and doesn't hurt you financially, go for it.

If an H555 sings to you and doesn't hurt you financially, go for it.

 

You don't see too many members here with only one Heritage.

 

Thanks for your thoughts - and by the way, I still hold Canadian citizenship (grew up in Vancouver, ended up in Atlanta).

 

Cheers,

S_C

[Guest HRB853370]

Canuck, As far a I know since Slammer left town last week there are only two Millies in Atlanta / Sandy Springs. Josh has a custom hog body with f-holes and I have a 155. Most Millies will have Ebony boards, have a carved maple top like a Les Paul and are more semi sounding due to its construction. I also have a Prospect which is an inch smaller than a 555, most have rosewood boards and a floating block. There are not a lot of prospects and millies around used and in stores but you can get one built with your desired neck carve, finger board, color, pickups and such. The music you described is usual to soild body guitars. If feed back and size is an issue, the millie would be a better choice. Without looking at the trans black millie available... you can ask about the neck carve. Buying used from a certified HOC member the millie sould hold its value. Josh's teacher recommended either a millie or a prospect. Since he lives a few miles from me, I let him play my 155 and prospect. He had a millie built and is very happy.

 

There wont be any feedback issues with a 555. As Shundog pointed out, you should get the same sustain and tone out of a 155 as you would from a 555. The body size might be the determinate factor. The 555 has that classic semi look. I have one of each plus a 535.