volhoo Posted April 4, 2013 Posted April 4, 2013 I had been looking around initially for a Gibson ES 335 for years and was shocked by the difference in quality control in the many units I found here in the Southern California guitar shops, of which there are many. I finally picked up and played a Heritage H535 and was thrilled with it straight away. I couldn't find the exact color and upgrades I wanted around town, so I contacted Jay Wolf and waited for something close to what I wanted to come into his shop. A couple weeks later, I made a deal with Jay and he shipped this beautiful guitar to my home. The first thing I noticed about the guitar was a few nasty buzzing frets (E and G strings near the nut mostly), but figured it was normal and needed to be set up by my luthier. The one I played at a music store here in SoCal played almost exactly the same way as this one, buzzy up top. Anyway, the luthier set up didn't really resolve the issue much, so I decided to get it Plek'd. There is an awesome guitar shop here in Los Angeles - Westwood Music - that has a Plek machine and some very skilled luthier/operators. Cut to the chance - the guitar plays like a damn dream - I am so thrilled with it - totally worth the effort and money in my opinion. This is a brand new guitar and now it is nearly perfect. On a side note - I had bought some DR Pure Blues 10-46 strings to use on this guitar, but they did cause some problems for the luthier post Plek. Because they are hand-wound an have a round core, there is a LOT of inconsistency in quality from string to string and from set to set, and were not at all what I had hoped (they actually still buzzed). We swapped them out for DHS pure Nickel strings (10-46) and all is bright and good. These strings are very consistent and have an octagonal core. It's funny, I was all caught up in the mystique and romance of using a hand made string, but on the other hand was hanging my guitar on a high tech CNC to machine my frets down. I am over it for sure now and will be embracing technology without regret going forward. I am a happy boy - this guitar is all I hoped it would be. Cheers.
yoslate Posted April 4, 2013 Posted April 4, 2013 Welcome to The HOC, volhoo. Congrats on the 535! A beauty, and, except for the pickguard, a twin to mine. They are just phenomenal instruments! You'll enjoy that one!
Guest HRB853370 Posted April 4, 2013 Posted April 4, 2013 Nice Volhoo, we have mucho 535 owners on this forum, me included (x2 I might add).
TalismanRich Posted April 5, 2013 Posted April 5, 2013 535s are SWEET. Enjoy it, for many years to come.
Guest HRB853370 Posted April 5, 2013 Posted April 5, 2013 535s are SWEET. Enjoy it, for many years to come. Well if your gonna do that Rich, then I am gonna.....
Billgelder Posted April 5, 2013 Posted April 5, 2013 I like the avatar of Nigel Tufnel. Here's my 535
High Flying Bird Posted April 5, 2013 Posted April 5, 2013 I hate do this but I will take one for the team..... Jim's 535: Mine:
H Posted April 5, 2013 Posted April 5, 2013 Welcome to the HOC Nice 535 - that's the start of your Heritage collection Since we're now having a beauty parade, here's a Limey 535 - she even sheds a little tear when I play in the key of D Minor
GuitArtMan Posted April 5, 2013 Posted April 5, 2013 Welcome and sweet guitar! Weird though, as I thought Jay was Pleking all his guitars these days.
smurph1 Posted April 5, 2013 Posted April 5, 2013 Congrats on the 535 man..That looks exactly like the one I used to have..Enjoy!!
bluesgolfer Posted April 5, 2013 Posted April 5, 2013 Welcome and sweet guitar! Weird though, as I thought Jay was Pleking all his guitars these days. I have an incoming 157 which should arrive Monday from Jay. Ask him about pleks. He said he pleks his guitars only if they need it.
Blunote Posted April 5, 2013 Posted April 5, 2013 Beautiful H535 Volhoo! I bought one in Antique Natural last Summer. In my case, I didn't have it plek'd but still had my luthier do a setup and fret level and am really glad I did. I also tried DR Pure Blues strings a while back -once. Unfortunately, the D string was dead right out of the box. I've been using GHS Nickel Rockers 10-46. They give a warmer tone and seem to last a bit longer than plain steels. Enjoy the guitar.
Gitfiddler Posted April 5, 2013 Posted April 5, 2013 Nice 535 and welcome, Volhoo! My 555 came new from Wolfe, plek'd and plays like butter all over the neck. Enjoy your beautiful git!!
skydog52 Posted April 5, 2013 Posted April 5, 2013 Welcome aboard and nice 535. Plek'd guitars are nice. I have G&L that was delivered plek'd and it's the best set up guitar I have ever received. Didn't have to do one thing to it.
JAM Posted April 5, 2013 Posted April 5, 2013 I didn't realize it was a Runway Show... Though I guess I should have known... C'est Moi : Cheers! Jim
FredZepp Posted April 5, 2013 Posted April 5, 2013 Thanks for the play by play post of your experience with your new 535, Volhoo. It's great to hear that some detailing got it to near perfection, it certainly looks great. Lots of great semi's in this thread....
LK155 Posted April 6, 2013 Posted April 6, 2013 535s are SWEET. Enjoy it, for many years to come. Yeah, Rich, I'll see your Marshall and raise you a Fender! Just in case you're not getting the message yet, Volhoo, we think H535's are great.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.