TJIann Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 I posted this in the new member introduction post, but also wanted to post as an NGD. This weekend I picked up my first Heritage guitar in a local deal...a 1993 H535. I was looking to get an ES335 when I came across this beautiful almond burst Heritage for over a thousand bucks less than a comparable 335. I knew the story and positive feedback about Heritage guitars. Once I opened the case and picked this one up it was love at first strum man. Pictures below. The guy I bought it from told me it was a late 80s model with Duncan pickups. He was not really too knowledgeable, but year and PUPs didn't matter much to me when I saw this guitar. I dated it as a 1993 as it has the "J" serial number. I took her home and did a setup/string change, and pulled the PUPs to find that they are the original Schallers. I have been playing it through the setup you see in the pics below, but more through my 1964 Fender Princeton Reverb--a killer combination. One thing I find curious about this guitar is that the body thickness is so thin. I've read in many of your posts that H535s have a thickness at the rim of 1 5/8". This one is only 1 1/2" thick at the rim. Is that just normal variation from the Heritage shop, or were the earlier versions thinner? Anyway, I can't say enough great things about this guitar (including the sound of the Schaller PUPs--not sure I need to replace those). One last curiousity....the pick guard middle screw is screwed right into the body as opposed to being attached to a bracket like most others. Is this a common thing to do? Thanks.
PunkKitty Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 Welcome to the HOC. That's a really nice 535.
bsck1 Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 Very pretty guitar. Welcome to a great community.
kidsmoke Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 Beautiful 535, welcome to the fray. While I wouldn't call it "common", I've seen several 535's and 555's with the pickguard screwed to the top. Marshall Head and a PRS cab?
Keith7940236 Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 Welcome to the fold. Very nice first Heritage. They are addicting so be careful.................
tulk1 Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 That is such a beautiful guitar. Classic look for a Heritage, too. As for thickness .... they all vary a bit, since they are all handmade. So ... what are you looking at for your next Heritage? .
TJIann Posted September 16, 2013 Author Posted September 16, 2013 Beautiful 535, welcome to the fray. While I wouldn't call it "common", I've seen several 535's and 555's with the pickguard screwed to the top. Marshall Head and a PRS cab? Yes, a modded 1987x (to have the Duane Allman 68 superbass circuit) and PRS paisley 2x12 with V30s.
Guest HRB853370 Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 That is such a beautiful guitar. Classic look for a Heritage, too. As for thickness .... they all vary a bit, since they are all handmade. So ... what are you looking at for your next Heritage? . My 2004 555 is 1 5/8. That is interesting to note because they use a pattern, even though they are handmade. How can the pattern very by 1/8"?
heritagefan7 Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 congrats and welcome to the HOC. Super nice git!
bolero Posted September 17, 2013 Posted September 17, 2013 congrats, nice 535!! and that's a cool amp setup as well!
TJIann Posted September 17, 2013 Author Posted September 17, 2013 My 2004 555 is 1 5/8. That is interesting to note because they use a pattern, even though they are handmade. How can the pattern very by 1/8"? I started searching for information on the body thickness last night and it seems that Heritage used to list the body thickness at the rim as 1 1/5" and then at some point they changed to 1 5/8". So, I guess it was a formal change they made in manufacturing of this model at some point in the 90s. Maybe I will email them today and ask.
tulk1 Posted September 17, 2013 Posted September 17, 2013 I started searching for information on the body thickness last night and it seems that Heritage used to list the body thickness at the rim as 1 1/5" and then at some point they changed to 1 5/8". So, I guess it was a formal change they made in manufacturing of this model at some point in the 90s. Maybe I will email them today and ask. Yeah, you can email. Just don't expect an answer. Ren answers the email and thats spotty at best. Always best to call them, and early in the morning Mon - Thur if you really want to speak to someone.
SouthpawGuy Posted September 17, 2013 Posted September 17, 2013 Congrats on a fine 535 As regards email I've emailed Heritage only twice in the last five years, and got replies both times.
TJIann Posted September 17, 2013 Author Posted September 17, 2013 I started searching for information on the body thickness last night and it seems that Heritage used to list the body thickness at the rim as 1 1/5" and then at some point they changed to 1 5/8". So, I guess it was a formal change they made in manufacturing of this model at some point in the 90s. Maybe I will email them today and ask. That's a typo....I meant 1 1/2" (not 1 1/5"). Apologies.
SCF Posted September 24, 2013 Posted September 24, 2013 Nice! I have a '92 535 almost identical except the pickguard, and it's not screwed into the top. I bought it new at Chuck's in Wheaton, did you buy it in Maryland?
Millennium Maestro Posted September 24, 2013 Posted September 24, 2013 Very Nice snatch, in that era they had really sweet skinny and fast necks! Enjoy
FredZepp Posted September 24, 2013 Posted September 24, 2013 I agree... that is a classic Heritage beauty. There are many Heritage semi hollows that I admire, but that one is hard to beat. Enjoy..!
smurph1 Posted September 24, 2013 Posted September 24, 2013 That's a Beauty!! Congratulations!! Welcome to the cult!! (I mean Club..)
blueox Posted September 24, 2013 Posted September 24, 2013 Congratulations on a guitar for all seasons.
koula901 Posted September 24, 2013 Posted September 24, 2013 Welcome to the HOC and congratulations on the 535 - one of my favorite models!
tbonesullivan Posted September 25, 2013 Posted September 25, 2013 Looking at the pickups, I would think they are the schaller Golden 50s, which were standard at the time. The 4 hole mounting rings indicates that, and also the covers look to be chrome, and not nickel like duncans would be. Anyway, not sure what's going on with the pick guard, but if it looks fine, i'd just stick with it the way it is. I've got a 1998 H535 with schallers and I love the thing. Such a classic guitar and classic look.
TJIann Posted September 25, 2013 Author Posted September 25, 2013 Nice! I have a '92 535 almost identical except the pickguard, and it's not screwed into the top. I bought it new at Chuck's in Wheaton, did you buy it in Maryland? I bought it locally from a guy who had it listed on Ebay. We met up and cut a local deal instead.
TJIann Posted September 25, 2013 Author Posted September 25, 2013 Looking at the pickups, I would think they are the schaller Golden 50s, which were standard at the time. The 4 hole mounting rings indicates that, and also the covers look to be chrome, and not nickel like duncans would be. Anyway, not sure what's going on with the pick guard, but if it looks fine, i'd just stick with it the way it is. I've got a 1998 H535 with schallers and I love the thing. Such a classic guitar and classic look. They are the Schaller pickups. I really like them.
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