Indianageo Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 Hi HOC Members, I've been getting the jazz bug lately and am looking for a good hollow or semi-hollow guitar. I've visited the Gibson route, then Ibanez (the GB models), but then stumbled upon Heritage, again. My awareness to Heritage began years ago, in passing, as I felt fairly comfortable back then with my small stable of guitars. The more I read about the firm their guitars, and the people that make them, the more I like the brand/company. I've not ever picked one up and played one though which is why I am requesting your expertise. So with regards to my desire to play jazz with a lesser emphasis on blues, what models would you recommend and with what options (presuming I might customize to a small degree). I like both the 535 and the 575...I also like the 555 (but perhaps with simple dot fret markers)..by the way what is the difference between the 555 and the 535? What options can or can't I get on these guitars? Can I request the colour, fretboard material, tailpiece (if applicable)? Oh, I find I also like the Eagle TDC (found one on Youtube), but I don't seem to see it on Heritage's website.. Do they not make this model anymore? Any suggestions given my requirements? Does the 535 suit alright for jazz? I find this guy's playing pretty amazing.. not sure what pickups he's using: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3AyCdmEHMU Any help is appreciated on these many questions. Kind Regard, IG
Guitarbean Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 ...if you want a lesser emphasis on blues, go for an all out hollowbody like an Eagle or Super Eagle!
skydog52 Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 Welcome aboard. The H-555 and H-535 are the same build structurally. The H-555 has more cosmetic appointments. Inlays, gold hardware,ebony board............ I can't speak to the Jazz question. I have heard great jazz sounds out of all of them really. You can personalize it with quite a few options available. Hope this helps.
big bob Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 Some of the older 555's have one or three piece maple necks, newer 555 have mahogany necks.
blueox Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 No doubt, there are several Heritage models found in various dealers' stocks that would fit your requirements in jazz/blues. If you custom ordered a guitar, the sky is the limit with your choices of fretboard, tailpiece, pickups, color, body depth, and so on. The semi-hollow H-535 is a do-it-all guitar, but you might prefer a fully hollow number. Of major importance are the pickups. Of course, one's budget has to be factored. Have fun deciding.
SouthpawGuy Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 The 535 is a great choice for blues / jazz. These guys get some great tones from theirs
Stringman Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 If a guy is going strictly for the "jazz tone" and wants not other options, a single pickup model such as the Eagle or Super Eagle, Sweet 16 or other fully hollow models would work best. However, when one says they may want to vear off into the blues genre, you might want to look for a 575, 576 or on the thin side, the 535/555. There isn't much that this last series of guitars can't play. I find my 576 to be my most versatile guitar. I've owned 575's, 535's and a Gibson ES-265 and all were great for Jazz tones. It would be hard to go wrong with any of these choices I believe. Good luck with your search. It certainly is fun looking. Take care Stringman
HANGAR18 Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 I'm glad someone mentioned the Sweet 16. Spruce top.
barrymclark Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 First off, welcome! Second, you'd be utterly shocked how how QUICKLY a Heritage can go from rock, to blues, to jazz. All of those guitars you mentioned are fine for jazz and blues (depending on the type of jazz and blues I suppose). With regards to getting options on a Heritage, a basic rule of thumb is, "if you can ask and pay for it, it can be yours." There are surely limits and they revolve mostly around the headstock and SG type models: they won't change the first and won't make the last. But we have seen some very, very cool variations on Heritage models over the years. Just recently, Jim Soloway (great, great guitar maker and player) ordered an H575 with a 25.5" scale on it whereas the model typically comes with a shorter 24.75" (such as mine).
barrymclark Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 Hi HOC Members, I've been getting the jazz bug lately and am looking for a good hollow or semi-hollow guitar. I've visited the Gibson route, then Ibanez (the GB models), but then stumbled upon Heritage, again. My awareness to Heritage began years ago, in passing, as I felt fairly comfortable back then with my small stable of guitars. The more I read about the firm their guitars, and the people that make them, the more I like the brand/company. I've not ever picked one up and played one though which is why I am requesting your expertise. So with regards to my desire to play jazz with a lesser emphasis on blues, what models would you recommend and with what options (presuming I might customize to a small degree). I like both the 535 and the 575...I also like the 555 (but perhaps with simple dot fret markers)..by the way what is the difference between the 555 and the 535? What options can or can't I get on these guitars? Can I request the colour, fretboard material, tailpiece (if applicable)? Oh, I find I also like the Eagle TDC (found one on Youtube), but I don't seem to see it on Heritage's website.. Do they not make this model anymore? Any suggestions given my requirements? Does the 535 suit alright for jazz? I find this guy's playing pretty amazing.. not sure what pickups he's using: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3AyCdmEHMU Any help is appreciated on these many questions. Kind Regard, IG If I were to guess at the pickups, assuming they are stock, these are likely Seymour Duncan 59's. Although, Seth Lovers are a common option. They have a similar sound to the 59 but without the dip in the mid range hump. My 575 has Seths... and I adore it. I am building a Tele currently and it will have a Little 59 in the bridge. Hard to go wrong really. Just depends on what sort of emphasis you want on the mid range. Your average jazz guy tends to like more mids. But either will do well.
HANGAR18 Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 I'm glad someone mentioned the Sweet 16. Spruce top. Listen to that Spruce! http://youtu.be/Nk0QxRHsgnk
Indianageo Posted March 25, 2014 Author Posted March 25, 2014 Thanks for all the replies guys. I agree this is a fun hunt. I'm leaning towards a 575....or maybe ..um.. a 535... or....or... Regards, IG
skydog Posted March 27, 2014 Posted March 27, 2014 Wasn't the Les Paul originally designed/marketed as a jazz guitar ?
Billgelder Posted March 27, 2014 Posted March 27, 2014 Les Paul played lead guitar in a Hardcore Death Metal band.
Indianageo Posted March 27, 2014 Author Posted March 27, 2014 Wasn't the Les Paul originally designed/marketed as a jazz guitar ? That may be true.. and I have a LP. One (of several) reason(s) I'm looking for an archtop though is because the volume would be a little louder unplugged than a LP. And I practice unplugged a lot. IG
bolero Posted March 28, 2014 Posted March 28, 2014 Wasn't the Les Paul originally designed/marketed as a jazz guitar ? yes...kind of funny now that it is an icon of rock and roll!!
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