H535 vs H555

[LoneFurrow]

Folks,

 

I'm about to purchase a 535 or 555, probably the former, but I'd appreciate views from the forum. Are there any benefits in going for one over the other, besides the primarily cosmetic differences?

 

Pics below of the two guitars at the top of my wish list, based on current availability in the UK. The H555 (Dark Almond Sunburst) has Seth Lovers and the usual upgraded appointments, the H535 (Old Style Sunburst) has Duncan 59's. The H555 is about $1,100 more than the H535, which I'm struggling to justify.

 

H555

 

 

H535

 

 

Thanks,

Michael

 

[Gitfiddler]

Hey there Michael! Welcome to the HOC.

 

The only difference between the 535 and 555 is cosmetic upgrades to the latter. They both play, feel and sound the same if equipped with similar electronics/pickups. There is always a difference in neck carves since they are all hand-rolled at the factory...and many are custom ordered.

 

 

Basically go for the one that turns you on the most. Is there any way you can play them both? How a guitar feels, plays and sounds is most important in the long run. The level of bling is secondary to many players, but they are both beauties!!

[MartyGrass]

I will add two more comments. Some believe the ebony fretboard makes the sound a bit brighter. That's a frequent fought battle in a far off kingdom named the Land of Opinion.

 

The earlier H555s routinely came with maple necks. See above.

[LoneFurrow]

Hi, thanks for the speedy responses. They're both new guitars at the same dealer in the UK, here - http://www.highendguitars.co.uk/ . I was chatting to the dealer earlier in the week and his view on the Seth Lovers vs '59s was that a tweak of the volume / tone or amp controls was sufficient to render any difference unnoticeable. I had missed the ebony 'board on the H555 though.

 

I'm planning a road trip to visit them sometime this week to try both out. I take your point, Gitfiddler, about playing guitars before buying. A few years ago I went to a dealer in Oxford with the intention of buying a butterscotch G&L ASAT Classic and left with a Mary Kaye white Melancon Pro Artist. I've bought a couple of guitars before playing them, one of which has since returned to its former keeper, and the other tends to live in its case. Not sure why 'cos it's a lovely guitar, I just can't play 5 at once!

[big bob]

Some 555's have 1pc maple necks, some have three pc necks, some mahogany. I prefer the feel of maple! It sounds brighter as well!

[eljay]

hi, michael. welcome to the HOC!

 

i own neither a 535 nor a 555. that said, i believe there a more than a few folks who believe that seth lovers and 535/555 are a marriage made in heaven.

 

all the more reason to play before you buy--what a fun time awaits you!

 

i have seths in my prospect and h150lw and could not be happier.

 

i see that you run ultra marathons. crazy, baby! i've been a distance runner, off 'n on, since 1966. currently regaining my stamina after right achilles surgery in '09 and a broken left-foot metatarsil in 2010. considering a half-mar this spring. 'nuff about me.

 

enjoy your quest! eljay

[TalismanRich]

Hi, thanks for the speedy responses. They're both new guitars at the same dealer in the UK, here - http://www.highendguitars.co.uk/ . I was chatting to the dealer earlier in the week and his view on the Seth Lovers vs '59s was that a tweak of the volume / tone or amp controls was sufficient to render any difference unnoticeable. I had missed the ebony 'board on the H555 though.

 

I'm planning a road trip to visit them sometime this week to try both out. I take your point, Gitfiddler, about playing guitars before buying. A few years ago I went to a dealer in Oxford with the intention of buying a butterscotch G&L ASAT Classic and left with a Mary Kaye white Melancon Pro Artist. I've bought a couple of guitars before playing them, one of which has since returned to its former keeper, and the other tends to live in its case. Not sure why 'cos it's a lovely guitar, I just can't play 5 at once!

 

Gee.... another one succumbs to Gerard Melancon's handiwork! I know the feeling.

 

 

As for the 535 vs 555, the difference's won't be staggering. I have the 535, and have played 555s. If I was ordering new, I would probably go with the 555 just because I like the binding and inlays on the headstock, the inlays on the fretboard, and the ebony board. That said, my two most played Heritages are my 535 and my 140, both with rosewood and no inlays.

 

Go figure......

[Thundersteel]

I prefer the sound of Seth Lovers over the 59s. I also like bling! But get what YOU want.

[bobmeyrick]

Hi LF. I got my 535 from High End - I'm in Nottingham, so Kirkby-in-Ashfield is just up the road. I went to look at a 535 with Duncan 59s, but ended up with a 535 with HRWs - Jason was keen to see that I got the right guitar for me. Take your time, go with an open mind and you'll end up with the right guitar. If you fancy popping in for a cup of tea, get in touch!

[SouthpawGuy]

In my opinion the biggest difference between the two will be if the 555 has a maple neck with the ebony board.

 

I have that combo in a couple of non Heritage guitars, an Ibanez Artist and a Jackson Soloist and they are both bright and cutting for set neck double humbucker guitars.

 

The 535 with mahogany neck and rosewood board is more mellow, my own with SD 59s certainly is .

 

 

[MartyGrass]

I don't consider this a hijack to discuss tonal differences the OP is probably interested in.

 

The goofy thing is that musicians often use non-aural sensory descriptors for sound.

 

For taste:

 

Sweet sounding, tasty licks

 

For touch:

 

Warm, hot, biting

 

For sight:

 

Bright, dark

 

 

I understand and do the same. But it transmits less info than more specific sonic terms like treble, sustain, midrange, attack.

 

So if I understand SP's comment, he's saying that mahogany and rosewood roll off the treble and possibly ebony and maple drop off the bottom frequencies.

 

There is another realm that can affect perception: the finish. Blue and black guitars may sound "colder". I know that I expect warm sounds from a VSB. My white guitar doesn't seem warm either, but the natural ones do. It's just human nature.

 

I'm not trying to dis anyone. I just wish there were some real data, like frequency-amplitude plots, so we could speak with confidence.

 

Now I must leave so I can crank out some monster tones on my Johnny Smith.

[LoneFurrow]

Lordy, thanks for all the comments. As several of you have said, the best thing to do is go along and try a few out. Who knows what I'll actually end up with!

 

Bobmeyrick, thanks for the offer of tea, I might take you up on it.

 

Michael

[LoneFurrow]

i see that you run ultra marathons. crazy, baby! i've been a distance runner, off 'n on, since 1966. currently regaining my stamina after right achilles surgery in '09 and a broken left-foot metatarsil in 2010. considering a half-mar this spring. 'nuff about me.

 

enjoy your quest! eljay

 

Thanks, eljay.

 

I only do one or two ultras a year, as I'm getting a little creaky these days. I'm doing a 50 miler in the Lake District (bit like Oregon, I guess) in "summer". I did the same race last year so am hoping to knock an hour or so off my time.

 

Good luck getting back into distance running.

 

Sorry, very off topic!!

 

Michael

[SouthpawGuy]

MG you forgot red guitars. They sound hot.

[MartyGrass]

Yep. And the sweet sounds from the cherryburst, not to mention the root beer finish.

 

This reminds me of when I was in my pathology training. I made the mistake of describing the contents of a large abscess as having the color and consistency of custard. My professor gave me a stern scolding that I should never describe autopsy findings in terms of food.

[Guest HRB853370]

Thanks, eljay.

 

I only do one or two ultras a year, as I'm getting a little creaky these days. I'm doing a 50 miler in the Lake District (bit like Oregon, I guess) in "summer". I did the same race last year so am hoping to knock an hour or so off my time.

 

Good luck getting back into distance running.

 

Sorry, very off topic!!

 

Michael

I ride "centuries", does that qualify for recognition?

[schundog]

Yep. And the sweet sounds from the cherryburst, not to mention the root beer finish.

 

This reminds me of when I was in my pathology training. I made the mistake of describing the contents of a large abscess as having the color and consistency of custard. My professor gave me a stern scolding that I should never describe autopsy findings in terms of food.

Not your fault, Mark; Hey, maybe the stiff OD'ed on Custard filled Krispie Kremes....

 

Back on topic, you can't go wrong with either; both examples you posted look incredible, and the style is my favorite. I have a 535 AND a 555! (for now...) and love BOTH.

[LoneFurrow]

Thanks, all. I'm not sure quite how we went from 535s to dead bodies, running / cycling silly distances, Krispie Kremes and the science (or otherwise) behind descriptions of guitars.

 

Two conclusions - I *need* a Heritage of some form to warrant hanging around on this forum, and I wouldn't be surprised if I end up with more than one, eventually!!

 

I'll report back later in the week.

 

Michael

[Gitfiddler]

 

Thanks, all. I'm not sure quite how we went from 535s to dead bodies, running / cycling silly distances, Krispie Kremes and the science (or otherwise) behind descriptions of guitars.

 

Two conclusions - I *need* a Heritage of some form to warrant hanging around on this forum, and I wouldn't be surprised if I end up with more than one, eventually!!

 

I'll report back later in the week.

 

Michael

 

 

 

 

Failing to stay on topic has been elevated to an artform here on the HOC!

This group can drift better than a '68 Chevy El Camino SS 396!!

 

What were we talking about anyway?!

 

Oh yea, 535 vs 555's. Pick the one you fall in love with. She will never cheat on you.

[H]

MG you forgot red guitars. They sound hot.

I can get that 'brown' sound from my ASB 535 all day long

 

As to 535 v 555: I wouldn't pay £1000 plus for bling, I'd get the 535 and a used 150.

[SouthpawGuy]

Had a look on the Highendguitars site, no serial numbers in the guitar photos or model / year info. if I was buying new I'd like to know when my potential new guitar was built.

[Hodbad]

Check out Wolfe Guitars in Florida you maybe able to get the best of both worlds, European prices can be a little eye watering

[LoneFurrow]

Sadly, Florida is a long way from London, and by the time I pay UK customs / tax / shipping, I doubt there'd be a huge difference in cost.

 

I've reached a conclusion today, having spent much of the weekend pondering and asking daft questions of you fine folks.

 

Michael

[H]

And your conclusion?

 

I'm betting 535

[LoneFurrow]

Umm.... drat.... you're spot on, Howard

 

I decided I was too impatient to wait until the weekend (or later), and would have had to spend 6 hours driving to / from the Midlands. As you so rightly said, the price difference between the 535 and 555 could be put towards *another* guitar, which I need like a hole in the head. I'm sure this will keep my GAS tendencies at bay for the year. It had better, or my wife might put an actual hole in my head!

 

Pics to follow once the 535 arrives later this week. Thanks again for all the helpful comments.

 

Michael