Another "please tell me about". This time the H550.

[jimsoloway]

I'm getting every close to placing a build order. A 25.5" scale length is a must so I'm leaning towards either a custom order of a long scale 525 or 575, a Sweet 16, or possibly a singe pickup H550. It's a bit of a longshot because of the 17" size, but I;d like to hear more about it. I understand it has a block under the bridge and I'm wondering a) does that help control feedback and does it still get a bit acoustic sound when it's plugged in? Any other comments would be useful.

[111518]

I'm getting every close to placing a build order. A 25.5" scale length is a must so I'm leaning towards either a custom order of a long scale 525 or 575, a Sweet 16, or possibly a singe pickup H550. It's a bit of a longshot because of the 17" size, but I;d like to hear more about it. I understand it has a block under the bridge and I'm wondering a) does that help control feedback and does it still get a bit acoustic sound when it's plugged in? Any other comments would be useful.

 

I wouldn't describe the 550 as having a block, but rather a plate. There are two parallel braces that run along the top on each side of the pickups. Between these braces, in the area of the bridge, is a plate --thicker than the top, but not as thick as the braces themselves. I've never been certain whether the posts for the bridge go into the plate or the braces themselves --I presume the plate. Should also mention that the top of the 550 is not as deeply arched as the top of most carved guitars, or of a 175. I'd speculate that the same press used to make the tops of the 525/535/555 is used to make the top of the 550.

 

I can't make a one to one comparison, based on experience, since I don't own a sweet 16 or 575, but I do find that my 550 is less feedback prone than solid top guitars that I do own (including my Eagle Custom). I think that is the result of the combination of the heavier bracing and plate, the laminate construction, and the mounted pickups. As for acoustic volume, my 550 is plenty loud for practice, but, as with most lam. guitars, esp. with mounted pickups, it does not have a rich, full sound acoustically. Not a lot of bottom, acoustically (which is exactly why it doesn't feed back, I'd think.)

 

The 550 is less deep than the standard Gibson 17" body, so it feels smaller. I'm 5'7", and a regular dimension 17" guitar feels big to me --at the top end of what I can comfortably play. The 550 does not feel at that boundry --really feels no bigger than a deeper 16" guitar, like a 175 or L4. (Should note this is my perception, the guitar is wider).

 

Ok, my 2 cents on the 550. I was curious about construction, so spent some time a while back with my trusty inspection mirror, but this report reflects my examination of my 550 --others may be different. I think this is a guitar meant to be played electrically; not a classic acoustic archtop with the addition of a pickup.

[58super]

I have an h550 but with a 2 1/4 body depth. Great smoky jazz sound plugged in but also a very good for blues and western swing. It does get an acoustic sound when plugged in but not like a carved top.

Check out the Makis Ablianitis' youtube videos comparing the various Heritage hollowbodies.

 

My H550 is one of those guitars that make me smile when I play it.

[barrymclark]

I got the wonderful opportunity to play one when I walked into a vintage shop a year or so ago. A customer had one and was kind enough to allow me to play it acoustically. It did sound nice for sure. 'Tighter' sounding in my ears than my 575. None the less, it still resonated nicely. Comfy fit. Smooth play.

 

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

[Guest HRB853370]

I like my 550. I don't play it as much as I should but it sounds wonderful with the SD59's that are in it. Great for blues, jazz and I imagine even country!

[jimsoloway]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the help. I'll probably be finalizing the order on Monday or Tuesday which means I'll probably change my mind about 30 or 40 times in the next four days, but when the most rational part of my brain kicks in (admittedly a very small part indeed) I lean towards Jim Deurloo's suggestion of a 525 with 25.5" scale length, a 2 1/4" rim, a laminated back and a solid top (probably maple) with a single neck mount humbucker and edge mounted controls. That seems to give me the best compromise of comfort, feedback resistance, and tone. It has a simpler look (which I prefer) and the long scale length would allow me to use my C# tuning. The other models I'm considering all have some serious pluses, but from a purely practical point of view, this seems like the best solution.

[Spectrum13]

Hard to out figure Jim Deurloo suggestion but if he can make a Grovemaster with a carved x braced top 2 1/4 rims you would have pretty much the same thing with a Venetian cutaway.

[jimsoloway]

Hard to out figure Jim Deurloo suggestion but if he can make a Grovemaster with a carved x braced top 2 1/4 rims you would have pretty much the same thing with a Venetian cutaway.

 

Part of his thinking was probably the fact that I wanted way less binding and way less inlay than the fancier models. If I order one of the more ornate models, part of the order was to get rid of a lot of the cosmetic extras.

[Spectrum13]

 

Part of his thinking was probably the fact that I wanted way less binding and way less inlay than the fancier models. If I order one of the more ornate models, part of the order was to get rid of a lot of the cosmetic extras.

The Grovemaster is not ornate. The website states the one in the photo has custom features. The $1,600 one on Gbase is kind of basic. I was not referring the the Super Kenny just the 16" pressed student one.

[Guest HRB853370]

The Grovemaster is not ornate. The website states the one in the photo has custom features. The $1,600 one on Gbase is kind of basic. I was not referring the the Super Kenny just the 16" pressed student one.

What the hell is a Grovemaster? I have heard of Groovemaster, on the other hand....

[jimsoloway]

The Grovemaster is not ornate. The website states the one in the photo has custom features. The $1,600 one on Gbase is kind of basic. I was not referring the the Super Kenny just the 16" pressed student one.

 

So other than the cutaway and the slightly thicker body, what is the difference between the Groovemaster and the 525? One more question: what is the deal on the HRW pickup?

[PunkKitty]

Jim, it's good to see you out here. I hope all is well.

 

HRW pickups were custom pickups designed by Ren Wall at Heritage. They are no longer available. I tried prying some information out of Ren at the last Parsons Street Pilgrimage. He's very tight lipped about them. They are easily the best pickup I've ever played.

 

Heritage now uses Seymour Duncan pickups as stock pickups. Mostly 59's and Seths. But they will install anything that you want.

[jimsoloway]

Jim, it's good to see you out here. I hope all is well.

 

HRW pickups were custom pickups designed by Ren Wall at Heritage. They are no longer available. I tried prying some information out of Ren at the last Parsons Street Pilgrimage. He's very tight lipped about them. They are easily the best pickup I've ever played.

 

Heritage now uses Seymour Duncan pickups as stock pickups. Mostly 59's and Seths. But they will install anything that you want.

 

Thanks. I'm probably going to use a DiMarzio 36th Anniversary. I've used it in dozens of guitars that we've built (including a few of my own) and it always seems to work well for me.

 

As for the all is well part, after being back in Canada for 6 months now, things are finally starting to stabilize. It's a nice feeling after about 18 months of constant upheaval in our lives.

[High Flying Bird]

Since you asked about the 550, a buddy owns one and it is a treat to play that guitar.

[Spectrum13]

 

So other than the cutaway and the slightly thicker body, what is the difference between the Groovemaster and the 525? One more question: what is the deal on the HRW pickup?

Heritage has the pattern for a 16 inch venetian so they should be able to make it a little thinner with a carved top 251/2 ebony fingerboard without fret markers.

 

As far a I can tell from their website the groovemaster is a 16" laminated archtop with one mounted humbucker pickup 24 3/4 scale with script Kenny B on the headstock. I doubt they make a lot of them based on how many I see for sale, posted for a NGD or in the racks at 225 Parson Street. My guess, any orders would be a one off custom. 525 are laminated 16" V cutaways with a 24 3/4 scale rosewood dot boards routed for a couple of dogear P90s. Heritage has four 16" archtops the Sweet 16, 575, 525 and the Groovemaster to consider. They made a venetian sweet 16 for Vince. Just saying that the Groove is a alternative cutaway option and the photo of the one on Gbase is pretty close to what you are looking for other than the carved top and thinner sides.

[jimsoloway]

Heritage has the pattern for a 16 inch venetian so they should be able to make it a little thinner with a carved top 251/2 ebony fingerboard without fret markers.

 

As far a I can tell from their website the groovemaster is a 16" laminated archtop with one mounted humbucker pickup 24 3/4 scale with script Kenny B on the headstock. I doubt they make a lot of them based on how many I see for sale, posted for a NGD or in the racks at 225 Parson Street. My guess, any orders would be a one off custom. 525 are laminated 16" V cutaways with a 24 3/4 scale rosewood dot boards routed for a couple of dogear P90s. Heritage has four 16" archtops the Sweet 16, 575, 525 and the Groovemaster to consider. They made a venetian sweet 16 for Vince. Just saying that the Groove is a alternative cutaway option and the photo of the one on Gbase is pretty close to what you are looking for other than the carved top and thinner sides.

 

Thanks for all the info. That's really useful. You did miss my most important spec though and I why the 550 interests me: a 25.5" scale length. That's an absolute, 100% must for me (As are top mount pickup and controls). That's why we're talking about a custom order for most models.

 

As for the cutaway style, I'm a little torn on that. I prefer the look of a Venetian cut but a Florentine give better upper fret access, especially for chords around the 16th and 17th fret. I don't play those a lot but often enough that a Venetian cut can get really annoying from time to time.

[Spectrum13]

 

Thanks for all the info. That's really useful. You did miss my most important spec though and I why the 550 interests me: a 25.5" scale length. That's an absolute, 100% must for me (As are top mount pickup and controls). That's why we're talking about a custom order for most models.

 

My last build was a 575 with a 25.5 scale length so the scale change is just as do-able as on the 525. I see your point about upper fret access so you are back to the 525 with a carved top or a thin 575 with with the pressed back.

[Keith7940236]

Have you considered an all solid wood mahogany Eagle.TDC? 17" lower bout, parallel braced, 2-14" rim, 25.5" scale, single or dual humbucker. For a comfortable, fully carved jazz guitar, this one is hard to beat. They can make is as plain or as fancy as you like.

 

 

[jimsoloway]

Thanks Keith. I didn't even know such a beast existed. That's a really interesting guitar. I've avoided 17" guitars up to now but I had never tried one with a thin body like that. You guys just keep giving me more t think about. What the voice on it like? Does the acoustic content come through when it's plugged in?

[Keith7940236]

Yes it actually does.

[jimsoloway]

Thanks to all for the help. The order is in and the guitar should be done in about two months. I'll be back with info, photos, impressions and probably a recording or two when it's done.

[yoslate]

What the hell is a Grovemaster? I have heard of Groovemaster, on the other hand....

 

He's the guy who knows apples from oranges....

[Spectrum13]

 

He's the guy who knows apples from oranges....

 

Ha Ha you slammed the slammer with that one professor. Just as funny as a two month custom build.