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Sound differences between 535 and 555?


duaneallen

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I know that they are very similar, the 555 just having more bling, but does the ebony board make any difference in sound. Is it brighter? I really love the sound of the 535, but love the look of the 555. I'd love to hear from anyone who has compared the two. Thanks.

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I went through the same analysis as you did on this. My understanding is that a 555 will sound somewhat "brighter" than a 535 because of the ebony fretboard. Whether or not the difference is substantial is up for debate though, and probably depends on your ear.

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I went through the same analysis as you did on this. My understanding is that a 555 will sound somewhat "brighter" than a 535 because of the ebony fretboard. Whether or not the difference is substantial is up for debate though, and probably depends on your ear.

 

 

I just did a quick search and couldn't find it, but there was a thread, maybe two, in the last three or four months on this topic. As I recall, the consensus was that the ebony board is arguably brighter than the rosewood board in every Heritage model, and perhaps in particular the 535/555 guitars because of their semi-hollow construction and inherent resonance.

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I guess that I'll go with the 535. You guys should dig this. I bought a new one back in 2000. I have sold it 2 times, but I keep buying it back!! I am currently going to buy it back again, this time for good. I keep getting greedy, and want to try something else; but my old 535 can't be beat!

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I guess that I'll go with the 535. You guys should dig this. I bought a new one back in 2000. I have sold it 2 times, but I keep buying it back!! I am currently going to buy it back again, this time for good. I keep getting greedy, and want to try something else; but my old 535 can't be beat!

 

That's great!

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Another question, so do the new 555s have a mahogany neck? If so, wouldn't they sound very similar to the 535?

 

Ebony fret board gives it more snap, brightness, and attack even with mahogany.

 

I am a mahogany/rosewood man myself, but to each his own.

 

I loved the look of the 555, so I had a Custom 555 (all the 555 inlays and binding) to the wood specs of the 535.

 

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