Heritage 535 VV

My guitar was made in 1997 in the old Gibson factory in Michigan. She has the standard dot neck with 22 frets,maple top,back, sides and a one piece mohagany neck. Standard controls (master vol,master tone, two p'up vol, 3-way switch) with the addition of the double vari-phase switches to augment the versatile Duncan 59 pickups. The Duncans were an upgrade (from the standard Schaller) as were the tune a matic bridge and Gibson style stop bar. The finish is a stunning translucent cherry (upgraded finish) with good flame all over the body with cream binding (very classy)on the front and back of body and the fretboard. The rosewood fingerboard is very tightly and evenly grained and the dots are real pearl and have some color to them. The frets are moderate width and are dressed properly (not flat and edgy like a lot of new Gibsons) and they are silky smooth from one end to the other. Grover nickle tuners,as well as nickle p'up covers give her some vintage looks as well. This is a classic semi-hollow body guitar.

I play everything from Chet Atins fingerstyle to ZZ Top and this beauty covers it all. I'm currently pushing it thru a Crate 40 D twin that has a solid chorus and reverb with some nice preset echo effects. The guitar controls are quiet but the switches will give an audible click every now and then. The sounds from the Duncan 59's are rich and thick without the typical mid-range muddiness found in other pickups and combined with the vip (coil tap,in phase,out phase)this guitar has incredible range including a very Fenderish single coil sound. This is why I was sure to get the vip. The highs are very bright and the pickups are responsive to both the light touch of fingertips and the attack of the thin pick. The bass register is almost overpowering (the Duncans are so clear)but the controls will give you the ability to use it heavily or bleed it in. The p'ups have distinct voices and blend in lots of variations. Using the vari-phase (control knobs allow how much in/out phase you want between p'ups so you can duplicate that sound you were playing with last week) will produce sounds from full humbucker to a very tinny(sic)and thin high.

I bought this guitar from a guitar tech that had special ordered it from Heritage and picked it up from the factory himself. When I recieved her the action was low,fast,and wonderful (I played her for an hour before I realized that I hadn't even checked the condition! She's a real beauty with the upgraded wood and finish,(the body wood has two black spots in it that would be considered by most as flaws but they're both less than 1/4" and I consider them as beauty marks) nickle p'up covers and tuners,and chrome bridge and stop bar. The cream binding that Heritage uses makes for a great looking instrument. All of the hardware are of excellent quality and mounted properly. The switches will click sometimes. The control knobs are even and give even adjustments 1 thru 10. This guitar is not gaudy but has an subtle elegance to it that experienced players appreciate. If you want more frills go with the 555 Heritage (i've played a friend of mine's and other than the ebony fretboard and stepped up Grovers they are the same wonderful instrument). The only gripe I would have is the galvanized wood screw head that shows on the top of a beautiful flame (matching cherry) pickguard. A pearl dot cap would certainly be more appropriate for this quality instument.

I've played her about six months now on a daily basis and would think that she's as solid a guitar as you could want. The hardware adjustments are crisp,tuners hold like they should, and I can just grab her and get after it. The finish is the nitro type and seems tough enough to handle the rigors of everyday playing (but it will show surface scratches easily so get that shirt tail out) and will probably have the checking that usually goes along with it. The strap buttons are wide enough but I'm not a jumper so if you like to go crazy while playing get some strap locks. I believe I could depend on this one more than any 30 year old Gibson,and would not hesitate to take it out without a backup.

I have not had to deal with the company directly but I've certainly read many comments from others about their good experiences and that helped me make the decision to try a Heritage.

I've been playing over 30 years primarily with acoustic guitars,but recently I've been working on classic rock(as well as Eric Johnson and Joe Satriani) and jazz all of which this guitar is capable of reproducing with clarity. This instument is superior to the Gibson 335's I've played (particularly the newer ones) and you would have to get a 355 to get the sound variation and the fit and finish that I enjoy so much. You can spend another thousand bucks or more and get that logo on the headstock but that's all you'll get. I'll never look at a 335 again! The Heritage 535 is the only semi-hollow that I felt was a great dollar for dollar value that would hold up over time. I might go for a 555 in the future but it would be in addition to my 535 and not a substitute!