Heritage 535/555 vs. Gibson 335

[212Mavguy]

I have a friend at work who we'll call Colonel SR (retired military) who has been playing guitar a long time, he is wanting to get a new Gibby 335 through Musician's Friend or a dealer like that. As an owner of a 555, I told him about the HOC site and he has had a chance to see it, I showed him one of the recent posts about the history of Heritage at the beginning, some of the guitar porn, and the marketplace section here.

 

Enablers: You know who you are! Please post reasons/advantages/features/benefits why Colonel SR should get a 535 or 555 instead of a 335 Gibby...

 

Bring it and thanks!

[tbonesullivan]

how about same or better quality but lower price?

 

Here: this is all it should take:

 

 

$1200 USED and in great condition. Any questions?

 

Also, if he gets a new custom build from Heritage, it will cost him less than a gibson. He may have to wait longer but it will be a TRUE custom instrument. He can get the color he wants, the pickups he wants, the style of inlays he wants, etc etc. There's really no reason I'd ever go back to Gibson, except for the fact that Heritage doesn't make an SG, and nothing sounds and feels like an SG except an SG.

[Kuz]

Really TOO many reason to state but.....

 

1. Handmade

2. US made

3. Better wood

4. Better Quality

5. Custom Options

6. Made at the Original Gibson fatory

7. Old school designed, TRADITION

8. Price (but I would pay more for a Handmade Heritage than then a mass produced Gibby)

[mark555]

It's NOT a Gibson.

[CJTopes]

As a recent Heritage convert I'd just say that they're f*cking great guitars...(pardon my gutter mouth) I've got two very nice older Gibbys and the two Heritages that I bought this year are every bit as good as the Gibbys if not better. They're also a lot less expensive. And if I dare say, with my Millie DC I think I'm playing better.

[jjkrause84]

FINISH! The main reason I came round to HEritage is that I don't wanna be owner #5,687,943 of a cherry red 335. Do they even make them in other finishes nowadays?

[Kuz]

FINISH! The main reason I came round to HEritage is that I don't wanna be owner #5,687,943 of a cherry red 335. Do they even make them in other finishes nowadays?

 

I think this is a very valid reason to own a Heritage.... handmade, low production numbers, and you are playing guitar that not everyone else has.

 

I know the "unique factor" is something I covet in addition to handmade & low production numbers.

 

The joke is on everyone else who doesn't know better about Heritage.

[Thundersteel]

they're f*cking great guitars...(pardon my gutter mouth)

 

Yes, you are correct!

 

But, please, refrain from cussing! We don't want this forum to slide into the depths of immorality like, say, the LP Forum!

[GuitArtMan]

Custom shop quality and options at an affordable price.

Coice of pickups, hardware, finish, neck shape, etc. Heritage has dozens of finish choices at no extra cost. Try and get that from the Gword.

Tone. I've owned and played several 535s since becoming a Heritage convert. I've compared these to numerous currents Gword offerings. Every time I felt the Heritage was the superior guitar in all ways. The Gword owners who I let play them said the same thing. Some of the comments I got were "It's so light." It's so resonant." "Wish mine had flame like that." "You only paid what for this?"

Just try and find a Gword with this much flame:

Of course, if you don't want flame that's an option as well.

[FredZepp]

1) Hands

The hands that loving make it in the old Kalamazoo tradition.

2) Wood

Higher Grade than the mass produced option.

3) Finish

The expert hands at Heritage elevate the guitar to a higher level with attention to beautiful finishes.

4) Mojo

See Above....

 

225 Parson Street, Kalamazoo... Home of the finest Handmade American Guitars

[CJTopes]

Yes, you are correct!

 

But, please, refrain from cussing! We don't want this forum to slide into the depths of immorality like, say, the LP Forum!

 

 

Sorry.....

[pegleg32]

Because he will feel more intelligent if he buys a Heritage, and he actually will be too.

[jjkrause84]

Ah, how about this one....a thicker headstock less likely to break on ya!

[iim7v7im7]

I recently went through a similar decision and for me, there was simply no comparison:

 

Gibson ES-335:

Pros: It's a "Gibson", Re-sale value

Cons: high-volume production instrument with no options other than color for similar price, custom shop guitar =2x Heritage price

 

Heritage H-535

Pros: Handmade custom instrument, customized (wood, finish, neck profile, binding, finger rest, pickups, hardware, pots, caps etc.) to my specs.

Cons: Re-sale value, to some it's not a "Gibson"

 

As an instrument, I don't think there is much comparison between the two. Hey, but that's just me...:-)

 

[FredZepp]

I recently went through a similar decision and for me, there was simply no comparison:

 

Gibson ES-335:

Pros: It's a "Gibson", Re-sale value

Cons: high-volume production instrument with no options other than color for similar price, custom shop guitar =2x Heritage price

 

Heritage H-535

Pros: Handmade custom instrument, customized (wood, finish, neck profile, binding, finger rest, pickups, hardware, pots, caps etc.) to my specs.

Cons: Re-sale value, to some it's not a "Gibson"

 

As an instrument, I don't think there is much comparison between the two. Hey, but that's just me...:-)

 

Wow, Beautiful Pic.... SWEET.

[proxmax]

in germany a h-150 is more expensive than a gibson lp standard.

but it is ok for me because it's the better guitar.

[iim7v7im7]

The back...

 

I recently went through a similar decision and for me, there was simply no comparison:

 

Gibson ES-335:

Pros: It's a "Gibson", Re-sale value

Cons: high-volume production instrument with no options other than color for similar price, custom shop guitar =2x Heritage price

 

Heritage H-535

Pros: Handmade custom instrument, customized (wood, finish, neck profile, binding, finger rest, pickups, hardware, pots, caps etc.) to my specs.

Cons: Re-sale value, to some it's not a "Gibson"

 

As an instrument, I don't think there is much comparison between the two. Hey, but that's just me...:-)

 

[ledzef]

In military terms the Gibson is like a AK-47 sturdy, mass produced while the Heritage is like a M-16 a good old American made kill anything in my path guitar.

[Kuz]

I recently went through a similar decision and for me, there was simply no comparison:

 

Gibson ES-335:

Pros: It's a "Gibson", Re-sale value

Cons: high-volume production instrument with no options other than color for similar price, custom shop guitar =2x Heritage price

 

Heritage H-535

Pros: Handmade custom instrument, customized (wood, finish, neck profile, binding, finger rest, pickups, hardware, pots, caps etc.) to my specs.

Cons: Re-sale value, to some it's not a "Gibson"

 

As an instrument, I don't think there is much comparison between the two. Hey, but that's just me...:-)

 

 

Gorgeous guitar, Bob!

[mark555]

In military terms the Gibson is like a AK-47 sturdy, mass produced while the Heritage is like a M-16 a good old American made kill anything in my path guitar.

 

Great analogy, I wonder how they would take that over on the LP or other G brand forums!!

[TalismanRich]

FINISH! The main reason I came round to HEritage is that I don't wanna be owner #5,687,943 of a cherry red 335. Do they even make them in other finishes nowadays?

 

Hey..... I resemble that remark!!!!! I maintain that there is one and ONLY one proper color for a 535/335.

[jmc7581]

Hey..... I resemble that remark!!!!! I maintain that there is one and ONLY one proper color for a 535/335.

 

 

I've never seen a 335 that could beat that one!

[tulk1]

Hey..... I resemble that remark!!!!! I maintain that there is one and ONLY one proper color for a 535/335.

 

Well then you should post a picture of one with that color. Almond Burst, right?? ..........................

 

[Gitfiddler]

I've wanted a Gibson 335 ever since I was 12 years old, lusting after their pictures in catalogues, mezmerised by anyone on TV playing one, and loving the tone of anyone on record. Unfortunately, I was never able to afford one. Then came Heritage. Hand made by those same masters who had this pre-pubescent child oggling their handywork back in the 60's.

 

Fast-forward to the present, my dreams of that perfect semi-hollow have come true...twice!

How much do you think a custom made instrument of this quality would cost IF you could order one from Gibson?

 

Amazing H555 Golden Amber:

 

Incredible H535 Goldtop:

[Kuz]

I've wanted a Gibson 335 ever since I was 12 years old, lusting after their pictures in catalogues, mezmerised by anyone on TV playing one, and loving the tone of anyone on record. Unfortunately, I was never able to afford one. Then came Heritage. Hand made by those same masters who had this pre-pubescent child oggling their handywork back in the 60's.

 

Fast-forward to the present, my dreams of that perfect semi-hollow have come true...twice!

How much do you think a custom made instrument of this quality would cost IF you could order one from Gibson?

 

Amazing H555 Golden Amber:

 

Incredible H535 Goldtop:

 

Those are gorgeous guitar Gitfidler, just gorgeous!

 

And NO I think they can be found made at Gibby.

 

Here are mine that are unreproducible to me (certainly not at Gibby!)