A 525 is a ?

[peacemaker]

Is this the model that Jay Wolfe came up with? It's fully hollow, based on a 575 but thinner?

[Dick Seacup]

Don't know who came up with it, but it's a cool-a$$ guitar.

[Steiner]

Less we forget the P-90s!

[111518]

Peacemaker:

That's right. Began as a custom model for Wolfe, then entered catalog. Here's the history/description from the Wolfeguitars site:

 

Wolfe Guitars have designed & commissioned Heritage Guitars in Kalamazoo, Michigan to make us a thin "Laminated" H575 type with Jason Lollar's awesome dog eared P-90's, Florentine cutaway, 24 3/4" scale, Rosewood bridge base w/ Tune-o-matic style bridge, bound Rosewood fingerboard w/ dots, Grover tuners, old style trapeze tailpiece. It's so "old" & yet very "new". Hand made in the historic Parsons Street shop in old Kalamazoo by the world's most experienced makers of fine archtop guitars, and finished with Real Nitrocellulose lacquer.

[yoslate]

One of those Bad Boys, with the Lollars, of course, is a killer instrument!!! Never owned one, but I had the extinct pleasure of spanking Kuz's beauty as I A-B'd, C-D'd, E-F'd, G-H'd, I-J'd his entire exquisite collection. It's a stunner through a 6L-6 amp!

[Spectrum13]

I thought a 525 was a 125 with a cutaway and two pups.

[Jazzpunk]

I thought a 525 was a 125 with a cutaway and two pups.

 

I thought it was based on the 125TDC as well though my 525 absolutely smokes the 125's I've had a chance to play!

[Jazzpunk]

Oh and peacemaker, what was that 'enabling GAS' thing you were talking about again?

 

 

Try and resist that!

[111518]

I think both parts of the 525 family tree are accurate. I looked earlier in the afternoon at the Wolfe site, and there was an ad in his gbase inventory that connected the 125tdc and the 525, and included a Gibson catalog picture of Marv sanding a 225. (That picture has appeared on HOC). Jay, however, listed improvements: more stable neck joint, better hardware, etc. That listing disappeared this afternoon ... maybe the guitar listed sold today. However, on the Wolfe Guitar homepage, there is a picture of the 525 with this:

Wolfe designed Heritage H525PTD model, with Dual Lollar P-90’s. Brand new “vintage” guitar with some improvements. Player’s delight from the historic Parsons Street shop in old Kalamazoo.

 

I think we have Jay to thank for pushing the Heritage guys to try new configurations, first as custom orders, then as regular offerings. I think the 530 was also a Wolfe-inspired model, although it has obvious connections to the 330/Casino.

[Orangepicker]

I think both parts of the 525 family tree are accurate. I looked earlier in the afternoon at the Wolfe site, and there was an ad in his gbase inventory that connected the 125tdc and the 525, and included a Gibson catalog picture of Marv sanding a 225. (That picture has appeared on HOC). Jay, however, listed improvements: more stable neck joint, better hardware, etc. That listing disappeared this afternoon ... maybe the guitar listed sold today. However, on the Wolfe Guitar homepage, there is a picture of the 525 with this:

Wolfe designed Heritage H525PTD model, with Dual Lollar P-90’s. Brand new “vintage” guitar with some improvements. Player’s delight from the historic Parsons Street shop in old Kalamazoo.

 

I think we have Jay to thank for pushing the Heritage guys to try new configurations, first as custom orders, then as regular offerings. I think the 530 was also a Wolfe-inspired model, although it has obvious connections to the 330/Casino.

 

The 530 was a customer request through another dealer. Heritage agreed to make it and it came out so good that they put it in the catalog. It is an amazing sounding guitar. Rendal told me how good it was and I ordered #2 & #3, they both were cherry and had inlaid logo, Sperzels, bound f-holes and thicker necks. #3 had Lollar Imperial Humbuckers in it and these were the first 2 to have pickguards as Heritage did not intend to put a pickguard on this model. #3 is owned by a customer in Canada and #2 is owned my a customer in North Carolina. Amazing guitars!

[Jazzpunk]

The 530 was a customer request through another dealer. Heritage agreed to make it and it came out so good that they put it in the catalog. It is an amazing sounding guitar. Rendal told me how good it was and I ordered #2 & #3, they both were cherry and had inlaid logo, Sperzels, bound f-holes and thicker necks. #3 had Lollar Imperial Humbuckers in it and these were the first 2 to have pickguards as Heritage did not intend to put a pickguard on this model. #3 is owned by a customer in Canada and #2 is owned my a customer in North Carolina. Amazing guitars!

 

Is this #3? It's a real beauty!

 

[peacemaker]

Oh and peacemaker, what was that 'enabling GAS' thing you were talking about again?

 

 

Try and resist that!

 

Holy crap . . . that is THE tone I have dreamed about. What have you done to me!?

[111518]

The 530 was a customer request through another dealer. Heritage agreed to make it and it came out so good that they put it in the catalog. It is an amazing sounding guitar. Rendal told me how good it was and I ordered #2 & #3, they both were cherry and had inlaid logo, Sperzels, bound f-holes and thicker necks. #3 had Lollar Imperial Humbuckers in it and these were the first 2 to have pickguards as Heritage did not intend to put a pickguard on this model. #3 is owned by a customer in Canada and #2 is owned my a customer in North Carolina. Amazing guitars!

 

From Wolfe's site:

Gibson ES-330 fans will appreciate this Wolfe Guitars designed model from the historic Parsons Street Heritage shop in old Kalamazoo. This is the 1'st "correct" example we've received that we are able to say "this is what we had in mind, this one's right, we'll accept this one." The Jason Lollar P-90's compliment the hollow body, Vintage style Trapeze tailpiece & TonePro's locking bridge, Grover tuners, Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish, Cream binding, 1-11/16'th nut width, our special pickguard & vintage scale length. Very similar to it's mid 60's Kalamazoo cousin, but with better pickups, build quality & playability. It took us a while to get Heritage to finally make this model, there were a couple of false starts, and we're now pleased with the result.........

 

Sorry to post incorrect information, but can only go on what I read ...

[jaywolfe]

"The 530 was a customer request through another dealer."

 

Nope- it was mine. The idea for the 530 goes back about 8 years, was initiated by myself & a good friend & customer. I proposed it to Jim Duerloo. Marv Lamb, Bill Paige & Lane Z. at a Namm show. Their question to me was "how many will you order?" I handed Lane & Jim an order for 12 of this new model that I designed & detailed the specs for. I still have a copy of that signed & agreed upon order. I followed up on that order many, many times over the years & had many talks with Jim. Jim (this is cool) actually told me he had a "blue" 60's 330 & would bring it to the shop to have a look at. Due mainly to their customary disorganization & procrastination, it took many more years of "pressing" them before they sent me the prototype.

I pointed out a few things that I wanted changed. I had deposits for a couple of them already & we opted to wait a bit longer for the requested changes. I am VERY happy with the guitar except for the unjustifiable price premium over a 535.

The sales would be much higher if the price were a tad lower, but this is the hand we're dealt & some players are cool with it. I'm also pleased with the demo video's we've been able to post on youtube with the superb performing H530.

I have a plan in the works for another version of this hollow body, and proposed this idea to Vince at the Jan. NAMM.

More on that later.

Jay Wolfe

[fxdx99]

Thanks for weighing in, Jay. I really enjoy the 525 and bet the 530 is an excellent guitar as well.

 

Say... did you ever do a rerun of those 'vintage' Wolfe tshirts w/the (what was it...) Ducatis and guitars?

[jaywolfe]

Is this the model that Jay Wolfe came up with? It's fully hollow, based on a 575 but thinner?

 

A Pal of mine is a Nashville Session player & was pressing me to sell him one of my 2 old ES225's. He was playing that old clunker & commenting on what a piece of junk it is & wondering how Thoroughgood plays them. I commented how George buys plenty 125/225's & sends them to Jason Lollar for considerable re-work. I said I thought Heritage would make us some improved one's & followed up with a few conversations with Marv. Marv requested some photos & written specs- which I provided. He called & said he'd make a couple of prototypes. I still have the prototype he sent me, which is the no. 1 for this model.

I requested some minor changes, the neck extension being the most significant, and placed an order for 12 of 'em in a variety of colors. We've since made our own pickguard (plastic) & now offer 3 bridge styles, Bigsby, etc.

I'm quite proud of this guitar & receive highly complimentary feedback from players worldwide. My session player Pal now has 2 of them, although 1 was recently "flooded." Watching the Toto concert---GREAT!!

 

Jay Wolfe

[jaywolfe]

Thanks for weighing in, Jay. I really enjoy the 525 and bet the 530 is an excellent guitar as well.

 

Say... did you ever do a rerun of those 'vintage' Wolfe tshirts w/the (what was it...) Ducatis and guitars?

 

We just printed the original Wolfe Guitars T-shirt, but not the motorcycle one as yet. Next run....

 

Jay Wolfe

[Jazzpunk]

Holy crap . . . that is THE tone I have dreamed about. What have you done to me!?

 

That was the clip that did me in as well! Glad to pass it on.

 

The great thing though is that a 525 would be very complimentary to your 575. They make a lovely pair!

[Jazzpunk]

A Pal of mine is a Nashville Session player & was pressing me to sell him one of my 2 old ES225's. He was playing that old clunker & commenting on what a piece of junk it is & wondering how Thoroughgood plays them. I commented how George buys plenty 125/225's & sends them to Jason Lollar for considerable re-work. I said I thought Heritage would make us some improved one's & followed up with a few conversations with Marv. Marv requested some photos & written specs- which I provided. He called & said he'd make a couple of prototypes. I still have the prototype he sent me, which is the no. 1 for this model.

I requested some minor changes, the neck extension being the most significant, and placed an order for 12 of 'em in a variety of colors. We've since made our own pickguard (plastic) & now offer 3 bridge styles, Bigsby, etc.

I'm quite proud of this guitar & receive highly complimentary feedback from players worldwide. My session player Pal now has 2 of them, although 1 was recently "flooded." Watching the Toto concert---GREAT!!

 

Jay Wolfe

 

Great to learn the back story! The 525 is an absolutely wonderful guitar.

[Kuz]

What is a 525?......

 

Bottom line..... it is a TONE monster. I love mine and it is probably the most versatile Heritage I own....jazz, blues, country twang, even a little rock & roll!!!!

[VJonathan]

I have an early 525, and it is one of my favorite guitars. It is indeed a tone monster. It roars through my bassman, purrs through my bandmaster and sings through my rambler. I just wish it had bigsby.

[barrymclark]

the 525 is definitely a slick one! Torn between this one and the 575 but I am still leaning to the 575 for the top spot in the *wish list*.

[Orangepicker]

Is this #3? It's a real beauty!

 

It sure looks like it! Is my memory wrong? How did it get to California?

[Orangepicker]

"The 530 was a customer request through another dealer."

 

Nope- it was mine. The idea for the 530 goes back about 8 years, was initiated by myself & a good friend & customer. I proposed it to Jim Duerloo. Marv Lamb, Bill Paige & Lane Z. at a Namm show. Their question to me was "how many will you order?" I handed Lane & Jim an order for 12 of this new model that I designed & detailed the specs for. I still have a copy of that signed & agreed upon order. I followed up on that order many, many times over the years & had many talks with Jim. Jim (this is cool) actually told me he had a "blue" 60's 330 & would bring it to the shop to have a look at. Due mainly to their customary disorganization & procrastination, it took many more years of "pressing" them before they sent me the prototype.

I pointed out a few things that I wanted changed. I had deposits for a couple of them already & we opted to wait a bit longer for the requested changes. I am VERY happy with the guitar except for the unjustifiable price premium over a 535.

The sales would be much higher if the price were a tad lower, but this is the hand we're dealt & some players are cool with it. I'm also pleased with the demo video's we've been able to post on youtube with the superb performing H530.

I have a plan in the works for another version of this hollow body, and proposed this idea to Vince at the Jan. NAMM.

More on that later.

Jay Wolfe

 

 

Hi Jay, sorry if my info was wrong, it came from Kalamazoo and I guess it wasn't the complete story. (imagine that) Sorry for any confusion it may have caused. With the P-90's this guitar has the most amazing tone that I have ever heard! Thanks for pushing for this one to be built.

 

Dennis Weaver

[Jazzpunk]

It sure looks like it! Is my memory wrong? How did it get to California?

 

I don't have it. Just linked to the pic from GBase!