Which Heritage guitar would you recommend for playing jazz?

[unikh550]

575's can be had for between $1,100-1800 on ebay, depending on condition and if it has a spruce top. I've even seen two in great condition for around $1,600 in small shops. I just picked up a like-new used Polytone with a 15" speaker on e-bay for $350. So, it's not a huge expense for the quality you're getting. Have a H-550, which has the longer scale. 575's are all solid wood and have the shorter scale. Don't know of a better value anywhere. They're at least as good as modern Gibson ES-175's, and are cheaper, used or new. Stick with one in EXC condition. It'll allow you to leave your dents on it instead of someone elses.- Charles Bevell

[big bob]

I LOVE my 575, I have lots of weird heritage guitars.. but I could only bring one guitar to the pspII, I brought the 575.. not the stat dlx, not the mili ltd. the 575..

they are great guitars at any price..

[barrymclark]

An H-550 will work very well for jazz. I will cover other areas too. Good for blues, country, roots rock.

 

Metal? not so much

Hi jack. I have been wondering... is the 550 a semi hollow like the 135? The way the bridge is mounted suggests there is a substantial piece of lumber under there. Wondering if it is attached to the back piece to minimize feedback. un-hijack.

[Windstring]

Which Heritage guitar would you recommend for playing jazz?

 

I am not wealthy. Money is an object. I am sure I will need to buy something used.

 

I want to buy American. I live in Seattle and there are no Heritage dealers in the Pacific Northwest.

 

I think the H 575 might be the right guitar for this purpose. What do you think?

 

Peace,

Rip

 

You have many responses to absorb, but the common theme is that just about any Heritage guitar will do the job. I think your current instruments would not prevent you from exploring jazz melody and harmony, but guitars with "arches" will give you more distinct separation between the notes and more clarity in the chords than flattops do. Many have recommended H-575s, and that makes a lot of sense since this model has all the essential qualities of a good archtop and is relatively affordable. You may wish to pay careful attention to scale length, as you have already surmised. Shorter scale length (eg 24.75" as on a 575) is certainly easier on your hands when making wide voicings but you sacrifice a little note definition when playing melodic single lines. You do not need to relinquish sustain on a jazz guitar, and 575s usually have plenty of this attribute. The 575 is my guitar of choice for jazz, and is also quite usable in other contexts as its relatively thick carved maple top does not feedback too easily when amplified. Best of luck with your guitar-chasing.

[DCA]

I want to buy American. I live in Seattle and there are no Heritage dealers in the Pacific Northwest.

 

Apple Music in Portland, Oregon sells--or used to sell--new and used Heritages. That's where my 535 was born.

 

That said, I wouldnt' make the drive down to PDX with the express purpose of buying a Heritage. I've never been very fond of Apple, they are a large local store that works on the sleazy Guitar Center business plan--"Who wants to make a deal today?!!!" I would, very patiently, negotiate the deal over the phone prior to making the trip.