NGD: Truly Rare Heritage

[Marty Grass]

Heritage's take on the Gibson ES-355 is the H-555. There are a couple of differences, besides the headstock of course. The H-555 is slightly thinner at 1 5/8" and therefore a little lighter. The jack is on the rim. And the inlays are MOP and abalone. That's about it.

In 2009, Heritage made a run of three H-555s that were 2 7/8" deep with a partial center block. Technically they'd call it a hollowbody, but the centerblock is about an inch thick. The scale in 24.75" with an ebony board and with SD 59s. The neck is mahogany. There are 22 frets.

I picked up one of the three today. The finish is chestnut sunburst. It weighs 8.0 lbs, so it's not a lightweight. It's the same weight as my old Lucille actually. The neck is a medium C carve. It's really a looker.

I haven't had a chance to plug it in, let alone set it up. But I have some phone pix.

[Woody Sound]

Very cool.

[whiskey02]

My gut reaction was "it's a much prettier Barney Kessel" kind of guitar. Double cutaways, thick body, prettier inlays, beautiful headstock! Personally, not crazy about the tailpiece, but so what. If it was my guitar, I would probably not change it out so who am I to talk.

[2bornot2bop]

Heritage's Chestnut Sunburst, imo, was one of its finest available shadings. I had the good fortune to own a Sweet 16 in that finish. Mark that guitar looks beautiful, and having owned several 555's you must be curious how this one sounds.

[Max405]

Wow! That's a looker. Its in really great condition.
Beautiful MG.
JD

[Guitarbean25]

Very nice. 555s are my favorite.

Reminds me of the large rimmed 530 custom you sold Road Scholar...I think there's a picture of George Benson playing it.

[vinlander]

Reminds me a bit the Gibson ES-150DC of the late '60s early '70s

[EllenGtrGrl]

Reminds me a bit the Gibson ES-150DC of the late '60s early '70s

You beat me to the punch. That's what I was thinking.

[339 in june]

What a find !
A big fat thick kind of an ES-335, but fancier !
Nice (very nice) woods, too !

I'd like to hear it .

Congrats

[citizenk74]

My, my, my, MG! That is one sharp- lookin' axe! I'm thinking it's a real tone machine, as well. Congratulations, and play it in good health!

[medblues]

Sweet! Is it laminated wood ? To my eyes, it's like a Barney Kessel with Venetian cutaways.

[vinnyv1k]

Sweet !!! She is a real looker. Congrats Mark !

[Greentone]

Oh, my. I really liked the guitar you had that Benson played.

I like this one even more...I'm afraid.

[GNAPPI]

You MUST send that git off to the Gibson sunburst spray paint training facility ASAP!... Oh wait they left all those guys up in cold climes, never mind.

I bet it sounds better than it looks.

[guitarcarver]

Wow! It's really beautiful Mark. You must have been missing the Toty model that also had the thicker body. Congrats.

[Gitfiddler]

Amazing! Congratulations, Marty. That is one fine lady.

Tone report when you get a chance, please?

[FredH]

Nice axe. I've got an Epi Elitist for 63 that is very similar. Unfortunately, it's a closet guitar that doesn't get played much anymore, a vestige of my blues playing days.

[rhoadsscholar]

What a beauty Mark. Very fond of this design/body style.
.
Interesting about the block in this 555. I'll have to come visit with the 530 .

Bet it sounds great.

[Frank67]

This is also something to drool over. Nice idea to have a thicker H555. I have a H555 with some custom features that I like a lot. I bet this one sound awesome!

[Thumpalumpacus]

Whoa, Nellie, sharp guit.

Every time I see a Heritage, I start thinking more and more about what I need next ...

[Woody Sound]

Does it sound a little more "acoustic-ey" that the regular thinline? Or does the inner wood section muffle it?

[Marty Grass]

My gut reaction was "it's a much prettier Barney Kessel" kind of guitar. Double cutaways, thick body, prettier inlays, beautiful headstock! Personally, not crazy about the tailpiece, but so what. If it was my guitar, I would probably not change it out so who am I to talk.

As been said before, the design of the headstock is to have a straight course for the string across the nut to prevent it being hung up there.

The tailpiece is not elegant, unless you view good function as elegant. With the partial center block, they could have put a stop tailpiece on it. But the trapeze gets the job done and retains the string balls perfectly.

From a cosmetic perspective, it might be better to have one of the hinged H tailpieces or even a finger tailpiece, but it would add weight and cost.

The current tailpiece would be easy to swap out without having the old screw holes show. Maybe someday.

[Marty Grass]

Does it sound a little more "acoustic-ey" that the regular thinline? Or does the inner wood section muffle it?

It's definitely louder than the thinline. I haven't set it up yet, so I can't comment on the tone. The sustain is definitely there.