JerseyJoe Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 Hey I'm new to the forum and am a fan of all things Heritage. I've got a 2005 H-535 "Special" purchased from Wolfe Guitars. I assume that it's the "Special" model rather than the 20th Anniversary. Trans Wine Red with block MOP inlays, factory bigsby, Duncan 59s, Sperzel locking tuners, etc. It's a beautiful guitar, but... the bound ebony pickguard is scuffed and the lacquer is smeared from years of noodling. I sent a message to Heritage about getting a cream plastic replacement, but am concerned that the pickguard will be in the Heritage style rather than Gibson style that it was shipped with. Anyone have experience with replacement pickguards? I sent a message to Wolfe about getting a replacement, but so far no reply. Maybe somebody here has one for sale or could direct me towards one? Thanks.
DetroitBlues Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 I suggest buying a Gibson shaped Pickguard. That would be the best bet. There are many websites that have them.
JerseyJoe Posted January 23, 2014 Author Posted January 23, 2014 thanks. i've looked into that, but am concerned that a non-heritage pickguard wouldn't fit or would need to be redrilled.
HANGAR18 Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 First... Welcome! My first idea is to keep the wood finger rest (pick guard) and see if someone can do a refinish. Plastic is ugly. Next idea, learn to like the Heritage shaped finger rests. They are very distinctive and make the guitar more easilly identifiable as a Heritage. Why try to make it look like a Gibson when a Heritage is better? Last idea, there are after market companies and sometimes certain individuals who can make a new finger rest if you send them the current one as a sample for reproduction. I don't have any names off the top of my head but I know they are out there.
JerseyJoe Posted January 23, 2014 Author Posted January 23, 2014 thanks. i decided to just order a replacement from heritage. i like plastic and expect that i will tolerate more years of noodling. keeping the old one in case the next owner wants to refinish and reinstall it.
tbonesullivan Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 Is it bound ebony? Ususally that is not finished, as far as I know. Was it maybe bound black-stained flame maple? you could probably easily clean that and spray it with some nitro from stew mac, and then buff it to get it back to it's former glory. Any pictures of the pickguard?
JerseyJoe Posted January 23, 2014 Author Posted January 23, 2014 could be black stained maple. it's black black with no wood grain and a lacquer finish. the back side is not lacquered and it's also very black. somebody could probably refinish it, but i'm not interested.
H Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 could be black stained maple. it's black black... None more black?
HANGAR18 Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 and I forgot to mention that we'll need to see pictures of the guitar too.
JerseyJoe Posted January 23, 2014 Author Posted January 23, 2014 http://www.heritageownersclub.com/forums/gallery/image/5990-heritage535/
WMW Posted January 29, 2014 Posted January 29, 2014 That's a gorgeous guitar. Congratulations. Looks great with that black, Gibson-shaped pickguard.
TalismanRich Posted January 29, 2014 Posted January 29, 2014 Nice looking 535. I like the block inlays and color. It reminds me of the Gibson guitar that I lusted for back in about 1964/65 when I was taking lessons. That's definitely a Wolfe guitar. He usually orders with the rounded guard, rather than the standard Heritage style. I'm can't recall seeing a cream plastic on the 535. Most of them come with the black wood. I'm not a fan of the cream plastic, much preferring the wood for several reasons. I tend to drag my fingers on the guard, and it creates static on plastic guards. I never have a problem with wood.
tbonesullivan Posted January 29, 2014 Posted January 29, 2014 If that is ebony, I'd just have it re-sprayed with nitro and call it done. probably easier than getting one custom cut. As all heritages are hand made, there is often a tiny bit of variation, so the pickguards need to be fitted to the guitar.
tdrommond Posted January 29, 2014 Posted January 29, 2014 Is it closer in color to this, under the lights? If so, that's solid wood and could be refinished to original. Like you, I'd at least hang onto it for the next owner, not that mine will ever be for sale again, but it sounds like yours might. Very pretty guitar. I agree with several others, I'd rather have the traditional Heritage P/G shape. A plastic Gibby P/G would be like putting cheap plastic seat covers on a restored '59 Eldorado. I don't care how durable they are. Just my opinion. It's your guitar. The cream or white P/G on an ES335 does nothing for me, but again, not my guitar.
JerseyJoe Posted January 30, 2014 Author Posted January 30, 2014 thanks for all the feedback. nobody knows where i could go to find a replacement pickguard for the 535? seems like there are enough heritage guitars out in the world that at least one of those aftermarket pickguard shops would have something available. a related question... anybody have a 535 with duncan 59s and find the tone too dark, too flabby on the neck pickup and not enough bite in the bridge? i've got pearly gates in my h-150 and they sound great in that guitar. maybe they are good for a 535? i'm not looking for something to drive the amp, because i play with no overdrive or dirt pedals. just something with a litte more mid and high end clarity. maybe a filtertron? anyone?
gpuma Posted January 30, 2014 Posted January 30, 2014 My 535 has sd59 and it is the best sounding guitar I own by miles
tbonesullivan Posted January 30, 2014 Posted January 30, 2014 Pearly Gates are highly recommended for Semi HOllow guitars. They might give you just a bit more bite than the '59s
H Posted January 30, 2014 Posted January 30, 2014 Phat Cats. P-90 in a humbucker-sized package - they sound fabulous in my 535.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.