Issue with dating Heritage 535

[jloveland87]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum. I am thinking about pulling the trigger in a 535, but I am having trouble dating it. I understand how to date them, but I can't make out the first letter in the serial number. Have any of you seen this before or have an idea of what the first letter is suppose to be? I'm surprised the ink stamp is so sloppy.

 

I'm thinking it's suppose to be an 'O', but possibly a 'Q' or 'C'. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks.

 

[Guest HRB853370]

I don't think you can accurately without that first letter being legible! Got a photo of the pickups by chance?

[Gitfiddler]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum. I am thinking about pulling the trigger in a 535, but I am having trouble dating it. I understand how to date them, but I can't make out the first letter in the serial number. Have any of you seen this before or have an idea of what the first letter is suppose to be? I'm surprised the ink stamp is so sloppy.

 

I'm thinking it's suppose to be an 'O', but possibly a 'Q' or 'C'. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

That looks like a heart! Maybe they just loved your guitar so much at the factory, they used that as a serial number.

[Kuz]

Often the serial # is written on the Heritage label inside the guitar viewable through the F hole.

[skydog52]

Looks like a U to me possibly a V. Tough one

[jloveland87]

 

 

That looks like a heart! Maybe they just loved your guitar so much at the factory, they used that as a serial number.

 

Haha I thought the same thing. I just asked the seller to check if the serial is on the inside label. Hopefully it is..

 

In the meantime, here's a pic of the pickups that Slammer asked for:

 

 

That top is absolutely gorgeous.. I think I'm going to try to get it, regardless of the year.

[HANGAR18]

 

That top is absolutely gorgeous.. I think I'm going to try to get it, regardless of the year.

 

True. The year doesn't take away anything from the guitar.

[DC Ron]

I'll offer a LITTLE help. My 1999 P-serial 535 has the pickguard screwed directly to the body without a pickguard bracket. I think they changed this shortly afterwards. Yours has a bracket, so...probably not a P or below. I'd say it looks like a V. But on a 535 it doesn't really matter since all the years are great. BTW, that is a fantastic looking guitar!

[TalismanRich]

You should get an answer on the label. You can clearly see that there is a label inside the upper f-hole, and they always put a serial number on that. I'm not surprised that the stamps are messy. A little too much ink on the letters and they will all smear, especially on a smooth slick surface like wood. Paper isn't so bad because it absorbs the ink but even those smear sometimes.

 

The pickups are probably not Schallers, as they have only one screw. That usually means SDs unless it was a custom order or the pups were changed. You have the same bracket on the guard as my 2003 model, which is a V model. It might be a U with the rounded bottom and open top.

 

From the label it looks like OSB, or Old Style Sunburst.

 

Definitely Schaller roller bridge and tailpiece. Standard issue Grovers.

 

The 535 is a great guitar.

 

 

Obligatory headshot....

[HANGAR18]

It might be a U with the rounded bottom and open top.

 

 

That's what I was going to say.

U = 2004

[jloveland87]

You should get an answer on the label. You can clearly see that there is a label inside the upper f-hole, and they always put a serial number on that. I'm not surprised that the stamps are messy. A little too much ink on the letters and they will all smear, especially on a smooth slick surface like wood. Paper isn't so bad because it absorbs the ink but even those smear sometimes.

 

The pickups are probably not Schallers, as they have only one screw. That usually means SDs unless it was a custom order or the pups were changed. You have the same bracket on the guard as my 2003 model, which is a V model. It might be a U with the rounded bottom and open top.

 

From the label it looks like OSB, or Old Style Sunburst.

 

Definitely Schaller roller bridge and tailpiece. Standard issue Grovers.

 

The 535 is a great guitar.

 

 

Obligatory headshot....

 

The owner told me initially that he changed the pups out, I completely forgot that he told me that. He took out the Schallers. Like many here have said, the year doesn't really matter since all of them are really good guitars. I wasn't aware of this. I'm use to finding out the year of the guitar and researching that particular year for any issues, etc.

 

Thanks for all of the help and info, guys! I think I'm going to try to work out a deal for this one.

[Gitfiddler]

 

The owner told me initially that he changed the pups out, I completely forgot that he told me that. He took out the Schallers. Like many here have said, the year doesn't really matter since all of them are really good guitars. I wasn't aware of this. I'm use to finding out the year of the guitar and researching that particular year for any issues, etc.

 

Thanks for all of the help and info, guys! I think I'm going to try to work out a deal for this one.

 

 

The good news about 535's is that they have been fairly consistent over the years. The factory made a few changes to the neck profiles based on customer demand, and the hardware was upgraded from Schaller roller bridge (as on the 535 you are interested in) to Tone Pros.

 

You might ask the seller about the neck profile, especially if you have a preference. Based on the photo it also appears to have the "choice wood" package upgrade. Sweet!

 

Let us know what you decide.

[yoslate]

I am having trouble dating it. I understand how to date them....

 

 

The temptation is to ask for the first one over the phone. I think it's better done in person. And, of course, a meeting on neutral ground, during the day is always advised. Everybody is usually more comfortable, and there aren't those awkward expectations. Good luck!

[koula901]

 

The temptation is to ask for the first one over the phone. I think it's better done in person. And, of course, a meeting on neutral ground, during the day is always advised. Everybody is usually more comfortable, and there aren't those awkward expectations. Good luck!

shoot, 'Slate, you beat me to it! ; )

[H]

 

The temptation is to ask for the first one over the phone. I think it's better done in person. And, of course, a meeting on neutral ground, during the day is always advised. Everybody is usually more comfortable, and there aren't those awkward expectations. Good luck!

Y'know Rob, I think his wife might object to that

[big bob]

Multi ply binding on a 535, hhhhmmmmmmmmm... Must be a special run. Is there a 23 on the fret board?

[jloveland87]

 

The temptation is to ask for the first one over the phone. I think it's better done in person. And, of course, a meeting on neutral ground, during the day is always advised. Everybody is usually more comfortable, and there aren't those awkward expectations. Good luck!

 

Ha! Thanks for the advice.. I'm gonna do my best to go after this beauty. I'm just waiting to here back from the seller.

 

Multi ply binding on a 535, hhhhmmmmmmmmm... Must be a special run. Is there a 23 on the fret board?

 

No it's 22 frets; and I'm not sure about the multi-ply binding. The owner hasn't mentioned anything about it.

[CJTopes]

Not an expert on Schaller hardware but would I be correct in saying it has the Schaller bridge with non Schaller PUPs?

[Gitfiddler]

Yikes! That is a multi-ply bound gitfiddle!! Extra cost Custom upgrade, baby!

[jloveland87]

Not an expert on Schaller hardware but would I be correct in saying it has the Schaller bridge with non Schaller PUPs?

Yes, the pups have been replaced.

[HANGAR18]

It's a H535. What else do you need to know? Just buy it! hahahaha

[big bob]

Not 23 frets, the 23rd anniversary models had the #23 inlayed in the fret board. I believe they had blocks and not dots.

Looks like a fab top, bet it plays great, buy it!

[jloveland87]

It's on its way! Should have it early next week. Thanks for the info and help, guys. I'm excited for my first Heritage.

[yoslate]

You cannot imagine how good this instrument will be....