je00143 Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 OK - I give up. Other than neck length, and the number and type of pickup (s), and the fancy stuff on the headstock, what is the difference between a 575 and a Sweet 16? Be gentle, here.
Gitfiddler Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 Nothing...physically. You've noted most of the build differences already. The real difference is the tone. The Sweet 16's 25.5 scale length gives it a snappier tone, ideal for solo notes and slightly brighter chords. So if one were to order a basic, no frills, single p'up H-575 and added 25.5 scale, they would sound very similar. Oh, one more physical difference is that the 16 is X-braced for even better (sweeter) acoustic tones and top vibration. The 575 comes standard with parallel top bracing.
DC Ron Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 ...and the Sweet 16 has a spruce top, the 575 is maple, although spruce is available as a special order. Spruce is generally considered a better tone wood for jazz. That being said great jazz can be played on either guitar, or on any guitar for that matter.
Steiner Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 The 16 is additionally a more resonant guitar; I believe the top is thinner than a 575. I've handled a couple and played, (thanks Paul!), one - it was more acoustic than any 575 I've handled. The parallel and X brace distinction is more true to the number of pickups rather than guitar model. If the guitar has two pickups, it will be parallel braced, if 1, X braced.
Ned Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 Yes to all the above, and might I add, 5 piece maple neck with ebony fingerboard, no holes in body for tone/volume controls, bound fingerboard, fitted full top contact ebony bridge, the current crop come with the sexy tailpiece. And the bling on the fingerboard. Inlaid headstock.
Gitfiddler Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 OK - I give up. Other than neck length, and the number and type of pickup (s), and the fancy stuff on the headstock, what is the difference between a 575 and a Sweet 16? Be gentle, here. A Sweet 16 in your capable hands would sound great played in a big band envirionment, especially in beautiful Walnut Creek!
Guest HRB853370 Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 I wonder if if Spectrum13's custom 575 order had that longer scale length?
Ned Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 my 575 has the longer scale length (formerly Lance's). The label reads 575 but Wolfe wrote the receipt and the original gbase posting as an Acoustic Sweet 16. Don't know what he was thinking, but he knows something about Heritage guitars.
Spectrum13 Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 25 1/2 scale. Sticker says custom 575 with Thobaks. To me it is just a sweet 16 575 Eagle.
Steiner Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 There's that sweety who kept you waiting. Was it worth it?
Spectrum13 Posted November 1, 2012 Posted November 1, 2012 There's that sweety who kept you waiting. Was it worth it? Now that I have it, it was. Before I got it, it was not. If Jim and Marv say you are going to like it and Ren says it came out nice, nuff said.
je00143 Posted November 1, 2012 Author Posted November 1, 2012 Thank you, one and all. There is no end to the amount of expertise on this blog. I appreciate it greatly. Gil
Guest HRB853370 Posted November 1, 2012 Posted November 1, 2012 Now that I have it, it was. Before I got it, it was not. If Jim and Marv say you are going to like it and Ren says it came out nice, nuff said. If you tire of it let me know.
Spectrum13 Posted November 1, 2012 Posted November 1, 2012 If you tire of it let me know. Better plan to out live me.
Shmockiebaby Posted November 2, 2012 Posted November 2, 2012 I've had both a 575 (past) and currently own a Sweet 16. I wish I had kept the 575. But anyway.... Maple top standard 575 is more of an "electric" guitar, all the way. My Sweet 16, spruce top, with a set of acoustic .010s, sounds better than some of my acoustic guitars, unplugged. It really does. I even considered taking it to an all acoustic jam (completely unplugged), just to show off to the guy who sold it to me. Others have already related the structural difference in detail. If I had to choose.....oh yeah, the Sweet 16!! And bottom feed for a 575 on the side. Sometimes you can get a good deal. Has anyone seen the abomination on the 'Bay this week with the recarved headstock. OMG. As ugly as it is, if it doesn't sell, I might have to try a lowball offer. Too weird/cool to let it get away!
soybean Posted November 10, 2012 Posted November 10, 2012 Maple top standard 575 is more of an "electric" guitar, all the way. My Sweet 16, spruce top, with a set of acoustic .010s, sounds better than some of my acoustic guitars, unplugged… My thoughts exactly. The Sweet 16 is an acoustic guitar with a floating pickup. As such, it will feed back much sooner than the 575. The 575 is more of an electric hollowbody guitar with built in pickups. It is more acoustic than the Gibson es-175 it is based on because of the solid carved maple body. I've owned both guitars and prefer the 575… especially if you're playing with bass and drums in a live situation. (The Sweet 16 is also slightly neck heavy.) Just to be clear, we are talking about the standard maple body 575 or 575 custom, not the spruce top model which is a custom option.
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