vechung Posted January 28, 2010 Posted January 28, 2010 Hi All I inherited a single pickup H-575. Would it be worth it to add a second bridge pickup? That would probably needs to go to a luthier and have them drill some holes for the second pickup and the knobs. Any opinions?
Gitfiddler Posted January 28, 2010 Posted January 28, 2010 Hi All I inherited a single pickup H-575. Would it be worth it to add a second bridge pickup? That would probably needs to go to a luthier and have them drill some holes for the second pickup and the knobs. Any opinions? Umm...it's your guitar and you can do whatever to it as you like, but know that the value of it would immediately decrease with that extreme of a modification. Plus it would be an expensive mod. There are plenty of used two-pickup 575's on the market...and not so many singles. Yours is more rare and unique of that model. Plus, it was probably a custom order by someone wanting the very most (tone-wise) from a top that is not carved with a second pickup hole. Many 575 players never even use the bridge p'up (like me!) because they want that sweet, mellow jazz tone from the neck. And welcome to the HOC!
Kuz Posted January 28, 2010 Posted January 28, 2010 Ah, what he said. I do use the middle position (both pups on), infrequently. But I never use the bridge alone.
SouthpawGuy Posted January 28, 2010 Posted January 28, 2010 Another thing to consider is the bracing on a single pickup 575 may be different to that on a dual pickup model. I seem to vaguely remember a similar topic before, it might have been about an Eagle or Sweet 16 though.
Steiner Posted January 28, 2010 Posted January 28, 2010 Oh if life were so simple, I'd be a happy dog. First off, welcome vechun! That's a might smart 575 you got there. To find out if a second pickup is possible, reach into those F holes and find the bracing. If they are running straight down the axis of the guitar (parallel to the length of the neck), you're in luck! Most likely, the bracing will form an X and cross right under the center of the bridge. If you have X bracing, you're SOL. Installing a second pickup would jeopardize the top's integrity. Heritage builds the best hollowbodies available; you're on the right track. A tip 'o the hat to SPG - you had it right.
peteraltongreen Posted January 29, 2010 Posted January 29, 2010 Hi All I inherited a single pickup H-575. Would it be worth it to add a second bridge pickup? That would probably needs to go to a luthier and have them drill some holes for the second pickup and the knobs. Any opinions?
hiro Posted January 29, 2010 Posted January 29, 2010 Yeah, Don't MOD IT. that's special . . . A single pu. And it probably sounds beautiful. My friend has this funky / ugly / off looking Telecaster, called an Esquire, only one pickup, (sounds like a mens magazine or or men's cologne) but that is THE most high / sweet toneful (high range) guitar I have heard. I thought it was just his fingers, but when he let me try it out and I did Vals on it, it belted out sweetness. Of course it can't crunch or give the rich tone my 150 does, but wow can it sing. I have the perfect solution: Do what others here have done, get another Heritage! A two pickup 575, someone said there are used two-pickup 575's around also.
mark555 Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 my 2c worth... It's up to you, but the question about bracing must be addressed, maybe put a call in to the guys at the factory or an e mail with the serial number. I know a guy who is into bastardising Gibsons big time, and has dug out the wood on his LP custom to add pick ups that were a none standard size. the end result is that he has a LP custom only he wants and has ruined the resale value. He also regrets what he did even though at the time he was convinced he needed to do it. Do you really want to do this and would it suit your long term purposes for the guitar? There's no going back once you take the tools to it. Personally, it's too much of a mod for a purpose built and beautiful guitar, but we each have our own reasons for doing things, let us know what you do in the end, if the money is available why not buy a two pick up 575 if that's what you want? Me? I'd be thrilled with it as it is.
Windstring Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 Hello, I think previous posts have generally provided all you need to know. However, could I just add that this guitar probably sounds better acoustically (and perhaps even electrically) with the single pickup. Plus, this pickup may be secured with the special "four-point system" designed by Rendall Wall: this is used on the "H-575 Mahogany" single HRW pickup model with the mahogany back. This model usually has a spruce top but yours looks to be maple. Anyway, I think your guitar is a rare custom-ordered model (as others have already said) which, to certain buyers, would be worth more than the standard 2-pickup model. Your best bet, if you must have 2 pickups, is to try to sell this guitar (for a decent price) and acquire a different 575 to your liking. Cheers.
Gitfiddler Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 Hi All I inherited a single pickup H-575. Would it be worth it to add a second bridge pickup? That would probably needs to go to a luthier and have them drill some holes for the second pickup and the knobs. Any opinions? Hello...Vechung...Did we scare you away?! Buehler! Buehler! Buehler!
vechung Posted February 5, 2010 Author Posted February 5, 2010 Hi All Thanks so much for your comments! I will keep like it is. I was just asking because I seldom see a one pickup guitar and I was thinking that they may worth less. Anyways thanks for your comments.
yoslate Posted February 5, 2010 Posted February 5, 2010 Hi All Thanks so much for your comments! I will keep like it is. I was just asking because I seldom see a one pickup guitar and I was thinking that they may worth less. Anyways thanks for your comments. Good call, vechung! As they sometimes say here, in the South, and Bird will confirm this, putting a bridge pickup on that 575 would be about as appropriate as, "tits on a boar...." Nothing cuts to the chase quite like a good barnyard metaphor! I love the South!
Dagdred Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 Say, Gitfiddler, Is that a quote from Young Frankenstein? One of my favorites, though thought it is Bluecher. Doesn't change anything.
mark555 Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 Hi All Thanks so much for your comments! I will keep like it is. I was just asking because I seldom see a one pickup guitar and I was thinking that they may worth less. Anyways thanks for your comments. Some of the worlds finest jazz guitars only have one pick up, it does not affect the value. It's true value is in its ability to produce beautiful tones in the players hands.
tulk1 Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 Say, Gitfiddler, Is that a quote from Young Frankenstein? One of my favorites, though thought it is Bluecher. Doesn't change anything. Ferris Beuller's Day Off.
pjoshh Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 Good call. I never use my bridge PU on my H575. The neck PU gives the sweetest sounds. Enjoy.
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