thomasbrian Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 Online videos of 535 vs 555, the 555 seems to have more the tone and style that fit with music me and associates play mostly 50’s -70’s (also earlier standards); rock & roll, folk rock/roots, classic country, blues jazz; chord melody, rhythm, a little lead but not much distortion So... is it maybe pick ups? string gauge? players? or is there really a difference in ebony fingerboard, etc. open to any suggestions? Thanks! tom
TalismanRich Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 I don't put too much stock in online videos for choosing gear unless it's a comparative test against equipment of which I'm familiar. There are just too many variables, The associated amp, the pickups, the player's style and technique, the strings and picks, I think they more more of a difference than an ebony vs rosewood fretboard. I like the feel and look of ebony, I like the binding, I like the larger inlays. If I were to buy a new one, I would probably choose the 555 (I went with a 157 vs a 150 for the same reason). As it turned out, I found a 535 that was very close to what I wanted and at a good price, so that's what I have. For me, the 555 and 535 are close enough that either would fit the bill sound wise.
PunkKitty Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 I always thought a 555 was basicly a 535 with more bling.
big bob Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 Some 555s have a 1 PC maple neck, some like the 1 I have in the for sale section have 3 PC maple necks. 555 usually come with Seth lover pups and tone pros hardware.
notbillgelder Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 Some 555s have a 1 PC maple neck, some like the 1 I have in the for sale section have 3 PC maple necks. 555 usually come with Seth lover pups and tone pros hardware. The ones with a three piece neck sound the best.
TalismanRich Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 Tom, Older 555s have the maple neck, newer ones typically have the mahogany neck. 3 and 5 piece necks were custom options. My 2003 catalog shows one piece maple neck gold humbucking pickups (not SL or HRWs) and ebony fretboard, and Schaller bridge, just like my 157. It will depend on the vintage and the options chosen for a used guitar. In terms of doing classic 50s and 60s rock, the semi hollow is the way to go. I think it was far more prevalent than the LP. I was looking at at the guitars at Woodstock. The only LPs that I can recall were in Canned Heat and Joe Cocker's band. 335s etc were played by Jorma Kaukonen (airplane), Buzz Feiten (Paul Butterfield), Alvin Lee (10 Yrs After), Country Joe (and the Fish), John Till (janis Joplin's band). In any case, I don't think you would go wrong with either one.
kidsmoke Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 Any tonal difference introduced by the ebony board can be compensated in the signal path. It's negligible. A 555 is simply an insecure 535, that needs to try a little harder to feel good about itself. this guy knows something about 60 - 70's rock tone. Jus' sayin'
gpuma Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 Any tonal difference introduced by the ebony board can be compensated in the signal path. It's negligible. A 555 is simply an insecure 535, that needs to try a little harder to feel good about itself. this guy knows something about 60 - 70's rock tone. Jus' sayin' which brings up the question: where the heck are the H535 Alvin Lee?
JeffB Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 its the speaker. All I know is you find a guitar that you like and you play the crap out of it until you or it dies.
CJTopes Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 Dont the 555s have a one piece maple top and the 535 have laminate?
kidsmoke Posted March 22, 2017 Posted March 22, 2017 Dont the 555s have a one piece maple top and the 535 have laminate? Nope. They are IDENTICAL but for the Ebony board (555) vs Rosewood board (535) and all the bling http://heritageguitar.com/guitar/h-555/ the 555 may sound more compressed or constricted...considering all the additional binding....
ElNumero Posted March 31, 2017 Posted March 31, 2017 The ones with a three piece neck sound the best. Like you could really tell the difference Bill Some 555s have a 1 PC maple neck, some like the 1 I have in the for sale section have 3 PC maple necks. 555 usually come with Seth lover pups and tone pros hardware. Mine has a maple neck and HRW pickups Nope. They are IDENTICAL but for the Ebony board (555) vs Rosewood board (535) and all the bling http://heritageguitar.com/guitar/h-555/ the 555 may sound more compressed or constricted...considering all the additional binding.... Now that is a new slant, constricted tone because of additional binding......write an article on that and submit it to Guitar Magazine for publishing....
DetroitBlues Posted April 1, 2017 Posted April 1, 2017 I believe some will argue the sound difference between rosewood and ebony fingerbaords. Maybe the maple versus mahogany neck construction too. The rest is just bling.... Or you can add a little bling to a 535 Custom....
LittleLeroy Posted April 7, 2017 Posted April 7, 2017 Jeez, you guys!! Don't you know it's all the fingers?
TalismanRich Posted April 7, 2017 Posted April 7, 2017 Jeez, you guys!! Don't you know it's all the fingers? In that case, where can a buy a new set of fingers? I'm not satisfied with the tone I'm getting out of these!
DetroitBlues Posted April 7, 2017 Posted April 7, 2017 In that case, where can a buy a new set of fingers? I'm not satisfied with the tone I'm getting out of these! I heard Tony Iommi knows a guy....
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