575 Integrity

[peacemaker]

I've wanted a Heritage for years and now I finally finally FINALLY have one!! I told my wife today that I feel like an idiot for not buying a guitar that truly inspires before now. It's almost like I've been kidding myself for years by telling myself that I study jazz guitar . . . and not owning a proper hollow body. Anyway, that is mercifully, thankfully over . . .

 

Now, I have my dream guitar. And, I'm considering some things that may be sacrilege--hence my post here. My 575 is a work of art. I don't want to do anything to compromise its design, its purpose, or its aesthetic.

 

1) I'm kicking around the idea of having a metal bridge installed a la Tune-O-Matic or some such. The guitar will rarely, if ever, be played out in a straight-ahead jazz gig. When it's played out, it will be in a more rock-style band and I wonder if the metal bridge will give a bit more bite to its tone and make it more apropos there. But is more bite what I want? I wanted a Heritage 575 because I fell in love with one many years ago at Wolfe guitars and because . . . well . . . it's a Heritage. :-) Do I really want to change something so integral to the guitar as one of 2 points of contact between the strings and the body? Also, the rosewood bridge on this one has been custom mated to the top after market.

 

2) I'm thinking about adding a strap button to be able to play standing up, but the thought of drilling/screwing a hole into my guitar gives me a serious pucker, ya dig. The old-school strap around the headstock seems like it would put stress on the guitar in all the wrong ways, so I guess a button at the heel would be a better choice. Idunno . . .

 

Maybe she needs to just be my at-home sweetheart. I nearly drove off a cliff when I dinged the headstock. Not sure I can handle the stress of having her out on a stage with people bumbling all about. Then again, they ARE meant to be PLAYED . . .

[DC Ron]

Meant to be played? Of course! Do what you need to do. Not sure the "metal" bridge will help, but it's reversible so...low risk. Could be you can find a tuneomatic style bridge that will drop in on the post spacing for your fitted bridge base. Even better, I think. Strap button is a YES. There used to be a link on the Heritage site for how to do this but I can't find it now. No such thing as a perfect guitar, but doesn't stop us from trying...

[Kuz]

1. It's reversible

2. I had a straplock button added on before she was shipped from the dealer

[SouthpawGuy]

My 575 Custom was fitted with a TOM bridge at my request, bought it from Wolfe guitars. As I haven't played another 575 to compare it to I don't know how much of a difference it makes to the tone. It does sound suitably fat and jazzy, even through a Blues Jnr.

 

Obligatory gratuitous photo ...

 

 

 

The strap button was already fitted, I bought it used.

 

Here is the pic for the strap button location ....

[ronalr]

I just had a strap button installed on my 575 while it was getting a new set up...so it was done by a professional (I was to scared to do it)....mine is installed like the button on the left in Southpaw's picture on the heal and the guitar hangs great and it looks like it came with the guitar......

[LH575]

Look into Tru-Arc bridges. They are awesome. Super simple bar bridge. I have one on my H575 and love it!

 

Also installed Grover roto grips, locking tubers that are drop in replacements for the stock Grovers that Heritage uses. Nice tuners.

 

Schaller strap locks are great.

[big bob]

keep the bridge, add the strap button

and get some p-rails

[smurph1]

I've wanted a Heritage for years and now I finally finally FINALLY have one!! I told my wife today that I feel like an idiot for not buying a guitar that truly inspires before now. It's almost like I've been kidding myself for years by telling myself that I study jazz guitar . . . and not owning a proper hollow body. Anyway, that is mercifully, thankfully over . . .

 

Now, I have my dream guitar. And, I'm considering some things that may be sacrilege--hence my post here. My 575 is a work of art. I don't want to do anything to compromise its design, its purpose, or its aesthetic.

 

1) I'm kicking around the idea of having a metal bridge installed a la Tune-O-Matic or some such. The guitar will rarely, if ever, be played out in a straight-ahead jazz gig. When it's played out, it will be in a more rock-style band and I wonder if the metal bridge will give a bit more bite to its tone and make it more apropos there. But is more bite what I want? I wanted a Heritage 575 because I fell in love with one many years ago at Wolfe guitars and because . . . well . . . it's a Heritage. :-) Do I really want to change something so integral to the guitar as one of 2 points of contact between the strings and the body? Also, the rosewood bridge on this one has been custom mated to the top after market.

 

2) I'm thinking about adding a strap button to be able to play standing up, but the thought of drilling/screwing a hole into my guitar gives me a serious pucker, ya dig. The old-school strap around the headstock seems like it would put stress on the guitar in all the wrong ways, so I guess a button at the heel would be a better choice. Idunno . . .

 

Maybe she needs to just be my at-home sweetheart. I nearly drove off a cliff when I dinged the headstock. Not sure I can handle the stress of having her out on a stage with people bumbling all about. Then again, they ARE meant to be PLAYED . . .

With all due respect, read your post again..The answers are right there..