HANGAR18 Posted July 1, 2013 Posted July 1, 2013 I know that a thing is worth what someone is willing to pay for it, but generally speaking, I'm wondering how the used value of an H-157 might compare to the used value of a H-555. All things being equal to each guitar, both solid color or both trans burst, age, mojo etc... is one higher in value than the other or are they about the same? If not the same, how much difference and in which direction? Thanks.
HANGAR18 Posted July 1, 2013 Author Posted July 1, 2013 Oops, I meant to post this in the Heritage section.
SouthpawGuy Posted July 1, 2013 Posted July 1, 2013 Oops, I meant to post this in the Heritage section. Looks like you did
SouthpawGuy Posted July 1, 2013 Posted July 1, 2013 my 2c .. Depends on who's buying the guitar. A jazz guy might pay more for the 555 because of its' qualities for cleaner tones, whereas a metal / rock player might pay a premium for the 157 due to it's performance in the high gain / sustain areas.
brentrocks Posted July 1, 2013 Posted July 1, 2013 555s seem to be bringing more money, but they are a much more versatile instrument.
TalismanRich Posted July 1, 2013 Posted July 1, 2013 No doubt about it... for me it would be the 555. My 157 is great, but my semi gets WAY more playtime.
Gitfiddler Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 And it could also depend on the amount of bling on either model. For example, compare KBP's over the top 157 to almost any 555 and guess which will bring the big bucks? Heritage can out-bling its own designs if given the right encouragement...and entry fee! Then comparisons are off the table. Basic 157 to basic 555 is anybody's guess. As stated, it all depends on the buyer.
RhoadsScholar Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 KBPs 157 is quite a special instrument. I personally like the upgraded appointments of the 157 and 555 vs. the 150 and 535. On the used market, I usually see about a $200 to $300 dollar difference between similar 157s and 555s with the 555s being the higher price. At present, I love the fact that I have both a 555 and 157 (both upgraded over time and several trades from a 150 and a 555)... The two exceptions I have seen in 157s is KBPs and a black quilted triple pickup MartyGrass had sold. Those were the most blinged out Heritage guitars I have seen with KBPs getting the nod for its uniqueness.
skbaily Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 If you're contemplating a purchase of one over the other, I'd suggest buying what you really want, while paying attention to current sale prices for similar year/condition/upgrades/etc. As long as your purchase price is within reason, and you treat your instrument with care, I think you are making a safe investment (i.e. you're likely to get your money back). Assuming that is true, why not seek out and snag what you're really hankering for? Just a thought...
SouthpawGuy Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 Also bear in mind if considering a 555 that not all 555s are the same. Some have maple neck with ebony boards, others have mahogany necks with rosewood boards. That difference alone will make them sound different. Then there's pickups, from Schallers to Duncan '59s or Seth Lovers and also HRWs. A 555 with maple /ebony/ HRW will sound quite a bit different to one with mahogany / rosewood / Seths.
HANGAR18 Posted July 4, 2013 Author Posted July 4, 2013 Also bear in mind if considering a 555 that not all 555s are the same. Some have maple neck with ebony boards, others have mahogany necks with rosewood boards. I thought that the ebony fret board with the fancier inlay was one of the primary reasons it is called a 555 and not a 535. The only difference I can see between the 535 and the 555 is the Ebony, inlay, better grade of wood and bound f-holes & headstock. Putting a rosewood fretboard on a 555 wouldn't make sense to me.
HANGAR18 Posted July 4, 2013 Author Posted July 4, 2013 If you're contemplating a purchase of one over the other, I'd suggest buying what you really want, while paying attention to current sale prices for similar year/condition/upgrades/etc. As long as your purchase price is within reason, and you treat your instrument with care, I think you are making a safe investment (i.e. you're likely to get your money back). Assuming that is true, why not seek out and snag what you're really hankering for? Just a thought... Well, here was my thought process... Heritage is said to really "specialize" in holowbody and semi-hollowbody guitars. I can't really afford to buy a semi-hollowbody guitar, but I have 4 solid body Heritage guitars and thought that maybe I could trade one of them for a semi-hollow body. The best guitar I own (and presumably the most expensive) is my unplayed H157 which has an Ebony fretboard and a lot of binding. A 555 also has an Ebony fretboard and a lot of binding so I thought perhaps the two guitars might be similar in value and thus thought that an even trade might be possible. However, it now seems (as a result of this thread) that there is another factor to consider... hollow bodies cost more than solid bodies... Which makes sense since there are a lot more individual pieces which have to be made individually and joined by hand to each other during the manufacturing process. So now it seems to me that if I made a value adjustment for what I will call "the hollow body rule", I should be seeking an even trade for a lesser expensive hollow body guitar, such as the 535 instead of a 555. (I know I'm using the term hollow body and semi-hollow body synonymously for the purpose of this thread. I do know the differences between hollow body and semi-hollow body.) That being said, and since I have two H157's, I am now considering the idea of seeking an even trade... my solid black H157 for a H535 instead of a 555, if a should find one with a finish that I like.
Gitfiddler Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 Well, here was my thought process... Heritage is said to really "specialize" in holowbody and semi-hollowbody guitars. I can't really afford to buy a semi-hollowbody guitar, but I have 4 solid body Heritage guitars and thought that maybe I could trade one of them for a semi-hollow body. The best guitar I own (and presumably the most expensive) is my unplayed H157 which has an Ebony fretboard and a lot of binding. A 555 also has an Ebony fretboard and a lot of binding so I thought perhaps the two guitars might be similar in value and thus thought that an even trade might be possible. However, it now seems (as a result of this thread) that there is another factor to consider... hollow bodies cost more than solid bodies... Which makes sense since there are a lot more individual pieces which have to be made individually and joined by hand to each other during the manufacturing process. So now it seems to me that if I made a value adjustment for what I will call "the hollow body rule", I should be seeking an even trade for a lesser expensive hollow body guitar, such as the 535 instead of a 555. (I know I'm using the term hollow body and semi-hollow body synonymously for the purpose of this thread. I do know the differences between hollow body and semi-hollow body.) That being said, and since I have two H157's, I am now considering the idea of seeking an even trade... my solid black H157 for a H535 instead of a 555, if a should find one with a finish that I like. Another consideration would be to offer your 157 as a partial trade up to a 555, but add some cash on top to make up the difference. How much that cash difference would be would depend on the specific 555 of course. Good luck.
HANGAR18 Posted July 4, 2013 Author Posted July 4, 2013 Another consideration would be to offer your 157 as a partial trade up to a 555, but add some cash on top to make up the difference. How much that cash difference would be would depend on the specific 555 of course. Good luck. Of course, I could certainly do that.
Kuz Posted July 5, 2013 Posted July 5, 2013 I thought that the ebony fret board with the fancier inlay was one of the primary reasons it is called a 555 and not a 535. The only difference I can see between the 535 and the 555 is the Ebony, inlay, better grade of wood and bound f-holes & headstock. Putting a rosewood fretboard on a 555 wouldn't make sense to me. Well excuse me!!!!! Ha, ha, j/k but many prefer the softer attack of rosewood and the warmth of mahogany like the original 335s, but with the inlays & bindings of the 555s. This is exactly what I did with my custom order 555 and I was told by Ren that so many people wanted mahogany necks that is why they are standard over maple.
HANGAR18 Posted July 5, 2013 Author Posted July 5, 2013 Well excuse me!!!!! Ha, ha, j/k but many prefer the softer attack of rosewood and the warmth of mahogany like the original 335s, but with the inlays & bindings of the 555s. This is exactly what I did with my custom order 555 and I was told by Ren that so many people wanted mahogany necks that is why they are standard over maple. Hmmm, I did not know that. Very interesting.
Gitfiddler Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 Kuz~ I've seen that photo dozens of times always linger on it.. I dig how you captured the warmth of the instrument as well as the shadow of its headstock on the wall.
big bob Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 555 also might have 1,3,or 5 piece maple neck. Which is a considerable add on in price when new.
SouthpawGuy Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 Well excuse me!!!!! Ha, ha, j/k but many prefer the softer attack of rosewood and the warmth of mahogany like the original 335s, but with the inlays & bindings of the 555s. This is exactly what I did with my custom order 555 and I was told by Ren that so many people wanted mahogany necks that is why they are standard over maple. I know if I was custom ordering a 555 tomorrow it would have a mahogany neck with rosewood board. I don't dislike maple, and I don't dislike ebony but that particular combination on a semi could produce a brighter tone than wanted. If buying used well then it would depend on the individual instrument and the asking price.
Kuz Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 Kuz~ I've seen that photo dozens of times always linger on it.. I dig how you captured the warmth of the instrument as well as the shadow of its headstock on the wall. Ha, this going to sound rediculus.... But honestly Tim, I never noticed the Heritage shadow before. Guess I was always looking at my guitar, but yea, the shadow is very cool on the wall as well. I guess it is better to be lucky than good when it comes to my photography skills!!!
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