ezra1 Posted July 13, 2013 Posted July 13, 2013 I had a 1966 ES 335 that I got back then.It had a chunky neck similar to a 58 Les Paul Standard. I let this guitar get away from me in the late 70s I want another one. I don't want to spend 5 to 6k or more to get another one. I like the looks of the Memphis 63 reissue.I live in a very rural area and drove 5 hours to Austin to buy a R9. I played 15 before I narrowed it down to 4 that played,felt right and had no finish flaws. I also had Wolfe Guitars get Marv to custom build me a H-150 CM to my specs. The guitar was perfect out of the case.The neck was just what I wanted. So I am thinking of getting Heritage to custom build me a 535. I know their H-150s are equal if not superior to Custom Shop Gibson stuff on a case to case basis. IMO How do the 535s stack up to the Memphis Historic 63 reissues and vintage Gibson's ? This is a guitar I want to play and keep.
DetroitBlues Posted July 13, 2013 Posted July 13, 2013 Honestly, think about this... Your old '66 Gibson was built right there in Kalamazoo. Who knows better how to build one that feels just like it than Marv and the gang right there in the same factory, same tools, and same people?
tsp17 Posted July 13, 2013 Posted July 13, 2013 I had a 535 once that was one of the finest examples of its breed from any era that I have ever played. If you have custom ideas, like neck contour etc., you are probably better off with a 535 made to your specs in the birthplace of the one you previously loved. Would be a very special guitar.
mark555 Posted July 13, 2013 Posted July 13, 2013 from what I have seen of recent 335's, they can not come close to a 535. As you say, $5000 is way too much for a custom shop.
Kuz Posted July 13, 2013 Posted July 13, 2013 Kuz!? As good as the 150s are and I believe they are equal Or superior to Gibsons LPs, Heritage is known for their 535 and 555's. They clearly a superior instrument, Especially ordered to your specs. I love love love love mine!
bolero Posted July 13, 2013 Posted July 13, 2013 a friend who is a local recording engineer lent me his '62 345 for a month or so...I really loved that guitar!! I never found it's equal until I picked up my cherry 535 *edit* oops it was a 345...and it didn't have a chunky neck ( neither does my 535 ) but I'm sure they would make whatever you wanted...my 357 is a baseball bat!
yoslate Posted July 13, 2013 Posted July 13, 2013 I know, I repeat myself. At my age, it's the default setting. I've owned, perhaps, a hundred guitars, including lots of vintage stuff. My 535, stock, straight from Parsons Street, is the best instrument I've ever owned.
Redsand Posted July 13, 2013 Posted July 13, 2013 I've gotten SUPREME satisfaction out of watching ES335 owner's play my H535.....I know that probably sounds creepy but it's pretty funny when they start flirting around about what it cost. but don't get me wrong, I kinda scare myself to think what I'd be willing to do to own a classic 66' ES335!!!!!!!!
Gitfiddler Posted July 13, 2013 Posted July 13, 2013 My chunky neck 535 Goldtop Darkback loaded with Seths is the best of the best. I'm not sure how they did it, but It feels, plays and sounds vintage! I bought it used, but the original owner ordered it with ebony board and Phat Cats through Wolfe Guitars. You will not be disappointed with a custom order...especially since you've already done business with Wolfe. He gets the goods for HOC'ers!
TalismanRich Posted July 13, 2013 Posted July 13, 2013 If I had to pull one guitar out to go play, it would be the 535. I played a bunch of 335s a while back at Willcutts and the ONLY ONE that compared was an old used one. The new ones just had no "life" in comparison.
kidsmoke Posted July 13, 2013 Posted July 13, 2013 I don't have the frame of reference of many of the assembled, but I did look far and wide at 335's when I was in the market. None compared to the MIJ Washburn Semi I had at the time. I was stunned, (and a bit smug) Then when I was ogling a CS336 in a used git shop, something a bit further down the wall caught my eye. Pulling that 535 off the wall was like being hit by a asteroid in deep space, forever changing my trajectory as a guitarist. Feel and sound, it's my benchmark, enequalled, as others here also state. I love other guitars also, but this is the template. Bolero, that's a great shot of your guitar.
pegleg32 Posted July 13, 2013 Posted July 13, 2013 I fell in love with my 535 the day I opened the case and never fell out of love with it. It's what I grab when I want to play something special just for myself.
ezra1 Posted July 14, 2013 Author Posted July 14, 2013 I think you guys may be right. The new Gibson Memphis 63 reissue can be had for $3400, and it is a crapshoot. I might get a good one then again I might get a just ok one since it would be mail order and the dealer that sold me my R9 has only one. And he told me that he would rather get me another one than sell me the one he has got. And I played like 15 at that shop to get the one I did .and he wants $3500 plus Texas sales tax so that puts it over $3700...mail order is $3400 and there would not be any real set up done on it . And I would be out the shipping back to them if it was a lemon....and I feel that getting what I want would be compromised and the odds very strong that I would just be getting a decent guitar that was just ok and I would just be settling for something. And like I said some old vintage wood like my 66 would be expensive and then again I might not find exactly what I want. And at the end of the day, if I can't please anybody ....I should please myself. I have spoken to Jay Wolfe and I am going to give Marv a call Monday. I would be foolish not to get what I want in a guitar.My taste may not be everyones cup of tea but hey, it's my cup of tea.
yoslate Posted July 14, 2013 Posted July 14, 2013 And at the end of the day, if I can't please anybody ....I should please myself. I have spoken to Jay Wolfe and I am going to give Marv a call Monday. I would be foolish not to get what I want in a guitar.My taste may not be everyones cup of tea but hey, it's my cup of tea. Just about it, innit?
HANGAR18 Posted July 17, 2013 Posted July 17, 2013 a friend who is a local recording engineer lent me his '62 345 for a month or so...I really loved that guitar!! I never found it's equal until I picked up my cherry 535 *edit* oops it was a 345...and it didn't have a chunky neck ( neither does my 535 ) but I'm sure they would make whatever you wanted...my 357 is a baseball bat! Nice one ! I am obsessed with getting my hands on a 535. Or, both of these will do. hahahaha
LK155 Posted July 17, 2013 Posted July 17, 2013 Yes, I know, this can be construed as piling on.... H535's are great. You won't find better.
Gitfiddler Posted July 17, 2013 Posted July 17, 2013 Yes, I know, this can be construed as piling on.... H535's are great. You won't find better. Anything that gorgeous needs to be piled on! Wow, what a great photo of a great 535!!!
bolero Posted July 18, 2013 Posted July 18, 2013 woah!! that's nice!! who's sig on the trussrod cover?
iim7v7im7 Posted July 18, 2013 Posted July 18, 2013 woah!! that's nice!! who's sig on the trussrod cover? So I don't forget...:-)
Redsand Posted July 18, 2013 Posted July 18, 2013 I love my H535 and all but the traps and the bound headstock upgrade is the way to go.......that guitar is "The Bomb Central".
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.