535 neck profile question

[SADave]

I'm the perennial lurker, reading, learning, and as so many other guys have said in their first posts, thanks for all the information, and congratulations on a site that is welcoming, informative, and fair.

 

The guitar account is getting close enough to start watching for a great deal. And in a couple of months, I'll be about ready for any used guitar. Specifically, a 535, preferably with Seth Lovers, based on the raves given here. But with the right deal, I'll jump and see if I need the Lovers later.

 

Heritage dealers are pretty far and wide here in South Central Texas, so I can't try a guitar on for size, let alone make A/B comparisons. I'm most concerned about neck profile. I'm just a hobbyist, so I'm not too picky. I had a Taylor dread that killed my left hand - the famous fast and slim Taylor neck profile just didn't fill my hand. I now have a Collings C-10 that fits beatifully, and in my mind is far superior for the blues I love to play.

 

I read about 535 necks going from slim to chunky. The question is, how slim is slim? The Collings dread I had for a while was slimmer than the C-10, but still comfortable. Is the Heritage version of slim likely to not offer enough substance, or is it more likely to be something I could get used to?

 

In the absence of putting my hands on one, information from those that knows is much appreciated.

 

Thanks guys, and wish me patience -

David

[FredZepp]

Welcome to the HOC , Dave,

I like your analysis of finding a bargain on a 535 ( or 555 ) with or without Seths, I think in much the same way.

I will let others speak to your specific neck questions as I do not yet own a semi....

I can say that the Seths have a nice warm tone, as do many premium pick-ups.

There are many great deals floating around lately, and it can be enticing.... good luck on your Heritage ...

[Foggy]

Hey Dave,

 

I had similar questions to yours. I picked up a 535 last week that I wasn't able to play in advance. I took the plunge only after discussing neck shape with the dealer and becoming comfortable that it would work for me.

 

IMO, it would be great if Heritage would provide a build sheet with each guitar that provided neck measurements as well as hardware info. Until then, the best approach is probably to communicate with the seller and get as much info as you can get.

 

Good luck!

[Gitfiddler]

Welcome, Dave.

 

Your question about neck profile is a very important one. One of my biggest pet peeves about sellers of used (and new) Heritages is that very little is mentioned about neck profiles. To me that is one of the more important, and very personal elements of a guitar. Neck profile is also something that usually cannot be modified, and impossible if it is too skinny.

 

Heritage necks seem to have gained a bit more girth in recent years, particularly on the 535 and 150 models. Also they offer an asymetrical carve with a bit more wood (shoulders) on the bass side of the neck. Very comfortable for most players. Also, since Heritage necks are hand carved (no CNC machines), then they do vary from instrument to instrument.

 

It pays to ask LOTS of questions of sellers if buying used. It might help if you used descriptors such as '60's slim taper, 50's rounded, Fender C or Gibson D shape with shoulders. My favorite profile is Gibson fat '57 or slightly trimmed '59.

 

Hope this helps.

[redshark]

Yes neck is a very important topic, I recently got my first heritage, H-535 and the guitar came in MINT condition with Seth Lovers, awesome guitar!! but I'm a player of slim 60's neck and this one is thicker than what I'm used to. I'm not sure at this point if I wanna sell the guitar but I might if after one more month I can't get used to play it. Very sad but that is the way it is...I wish I could find a trade for a thinner neck.

[SADave]

Thanks all.

 

And agreed - comfort first, tone second, looks third.

 

At the risk of creating competition for myself, I'm really interested in the '96 535 listed in Baywatch. Factory second, no upgrades, may be the perfect entry guitar, and it's my second favorite color. Unfortunatley, the seller is selling for a friend, and can only describe the neck as slim.

 

Tell you what Redshark. If I win it, we should keep in touch. If it's too thin for me, maybe we could work a trade with a little something for the Seth Lovers. And if I do get it, I'll be ordering a replacement black gaurd to ship at the same time as the guitar.

 

Dave

[High Flying Bird]

On the 3 535s I have owned the necks were slim. How slim? Remember the left hand of the 1960s GI Joes?

[SADave]

On the 3 535s I have owned the necks were slim. How slim? Remember the left hand of the 1960s GI Joes?

 

I never could get the gun stocks to stay in his left hand! Trigger hand was even worse. Good thing Joe didn't play guitar - I may have never started myself.

[DCA]

Heritage necks seem to have gained a bit more girth in recent years, particularly on the 535 and 150 models. Also they offer an asymetrical carve with a bit more wood (shoulders) on the bass side of the neck. Very comfortable for most players. Also, since Heritage necks are hand carved (no CNC machines), then they do vary from instrument to instrument.

 

I have large hands and feel comfortable on big Fender V and C's or flat and wide Ibanez profiles. Despite the fact that I'm playing an SG in my current band du jure, I've never found a Gibson neck that I feel comfortable with. Gibson necks feel like lower case C's to me.

 

That's why I play a Heritage. I clearly have one of the hybrid neck carves. It's fast, seriously racy. But it provides enough support on the top. It's the best neck I've ever played.

 

Go to the Warmoth site and select the "neck builder" option. I *think* Heritage's neck is the inverse of the SRV neck. I'm not very good at this kind of thing, but that's what it feels like to me. On my neck, you've got just enough support on the top to stretch chords, but it's fast and racy on the bottom part of the profile.

 

It's a pleasant neck that mixes several schools of thought.

[DCA]

Forum rules won't allow me to edit, sorry.

 

I forgot to mention that I'm playing a 535 neck.

[Foggy]

Hey Dave,

 

Just got my 2007 H-535. Nut is a smidge over 1 & 11/16ths. Depth at the first fret is .864 inches and .994 at the 12th. This is per my digital calipers (every Heritage aficianado should have a pair, at least until these beautiful guitars come with a build sheet!)

 

I would describe the shape as D-ish with some shoulders.

 

All in all, a nice medium to larger carve that seems to suit my longer fingers well.

 

Good luck, and ask many questions so you get what you're looking for!

[SADave]

The one I was looking at was pulled from auction, but in hindsight, it's nice to have the temptation removed. I was having doubts about a neck described as slim. Some things can be fised, others ...

 

Still in the hunt. thanks for the help.