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H535 vs H555


LoneFurrow

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Posted

Hi and Welcome Michael, I own a 555, simply because it was available at the right price when I was looking for a used 535. To be honest, I don't think it made any difference whether or not I'd have got either, then there is the question of which amp you have Which will affect the tone. they are both superb, which ever way you look at it.

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Posted

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.

 

I take your point, and I did ask for the serial number. The stock numbers for the Heritage guitars on their site are the serial numbers without the year indicator. The one I've just bought is AC30002, which means it's either been hanging on the wall for a while, or took the slow route from Kalamzoo to the UK. By my reckoning, it was the 2nd guitar built on 6th March 2012. Happy to be told I'm wrong, of course!

Posted

Hi and Welcome Michael, I own a 555, simply because it was available at the right price when I was looking for a used 535. To be honest, I don't think it made any difference whether or not I'd have got either, then there is the question of which amp you have Which will affect the tone. they are both superb, which ever way you look at it.

 

Thanks, Mark. I'm sure this will be the start of a long and happy relationship!

 

My amps are both pretty small - a Cornell Romany Plus and Yamaha THR-10C. I've been really impressed with the Yamaha since picking it up before Christmas. For a solid state modelling amp, it really nails some great tones at sensible volumes.

 

Michael

Posted

Nicely done :) OSB is a finish that Heritage nails every time - that 535 will be one to be proud of!

Posted

By the way, we love the questions - we'll answer questions all day long :) We will also veer way off topic a couple of times along the way - it's one of the great things about this forum :)

 

Hope you stay and get involved!

Posted

I certainly plan

 

By the way, we love the questions - we'll answer questions all day long :) We will also veer way off topic a couple of times along the way - it's one of the great things about this forum :)

Hope you stay and get involved!

 

Thanks, that's very kind of you, I certainly plan to :)

 

I'll quite happily head off at odd tangents too, makes for more interesting discussions. Can't wait to get my 535 now.

 

Michael

Posted

michael, there will be a H-150 in your future . . . i feel it in my bones!

Posted

One huge difference between a 535 and a 555, in my opinion, is binding on the neck. This is a personal preference, of course, but to me, I like playing a guitar with binding on the neck a lot more than one without. Without neck binding, the edge of the frets tend to chafe my hand to the point where it's sore and it alters how I play. A lot of factors come into play -- hand size and shape, fret size, etc -- and some people may not notice a difference at all -- but for me it all adds up to preferring a neck with binding a lot more than one without.

 

In the world of Heritage guitars, that generally (but not always) means getting the more adorned (and expensive) model. e.g. 555s come standard with binding, and 535s do not (although occasionally you will see a 535 with neck binding -- perhaps they are custom orders).

Posted

Hmm, my 535 has neck binding; I guess I never knew that they didn't normally have that! I purchased it used, and it has a premium woods package, so perhaps it was ordered with binding as well.

Posted

Mine's bound too. The only unbound neck I've had in five Heritages was an H-516.

Posted

michael, there will be a H-150 in your future . . . i feel it in my bones!

 

eljay, I already have something kinda similar to the H150 - a Japanese Tokai Love Rock LS100 (30th Anniversary model) - with which I'm loathe to part. I was very interested in the H155 at Highendguitars, but I don't have anything even close to a H535 so decided to start there.

 

I will have to move something else on though as I'm going to run out of space, and more importantly, tolerance from my wife!

 

Right... work...

Posted

Well, perhaps I stand corrected then. I know that I have played an H535 without neck binding, but perhaps that (no binding) was the custom order. No dealers in my area, so my number of samples is small. Was there a time over the years when neck binding wasn't standard on a 535?

Posted

eljay, I already have something kinda similar to the H150 - a Japanese Tokai Love Rock LS100 (30th Anniversary model) - with which I'm loathe to part. I was very interested in the H155 at Highendguitars, but I don't have anything even close to a H535 so decided to start there.

 

I will have to move something else on though as I'm going to run out of space, and more importantly, tolerance from my wife!

 

Right... work...

I also have a Tokai, same model, did you know that the number after LS denotes the invoice price to the retailer?? Post a pic of your tokai, I have been extolling their virtues for a while here. I can't post any pics right now as I have nothing on this new lap top. Is yours quilt or flame?

Posted

Re the question of binding, I prefer a guitar without binding, I had a 70's SG, telecaster, strat, PRS SE and also have played USA PRS all without binding and actually like them.

Posted

BOB! You are reading this while I post!! Are you coming up to my house again for our English get together this summer? You will be very welcome!

Posted

For example, according to the Heritage website, a new H140 would have a bound neck -- but I have never seen a used one that does.

 

 

The 140 shown on the Heritage site is the newer 140 2nd Edition, the older 140 didn't have neck binding.

Posted

I also have a Tokai, same model, did you know that the number after LS denotes the invoice price to the retailer?? Post a pic of your tokai, I have been extolling their virtues for a while here. I can't post any pics right now as I have nothing on this new lap top. Is yours quilt or flame?

 

Mark, I can already see I'm amongst kindred spirits!! My Tokai is the "Heritage Dark Cherry" flame top version. I'm embarrassed to say I don't really have pics of my guitars to hand so I'd better get snapping, I guess!

 

Michael

Posted

BOB! You are reading this while I post!! Are you coming up to my house again for our English get together this summer? You will be very welcome!

Certainly - There's the 150 Trans Black and the 140 ASB to show you, plus the Paulman Strat...

Posted

Certainly - There's the 150 Trans Black and the 140 ASB to show you, plus the Paulman Strat...

Bring them all! I don't have anything new to show, but bring anything you want...

Posted

Bring them all! I don't have anything new to show, but bring anything you want...

Do you have any date in mind yet?

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