MartyGrass

This is so odd. As mentioned, there was an uproar when Gibson did this. There was this argument that heavy guitars sound better and have more sustain. I have owned two weight relieved H-150s, one I got by accident since I ordered it. The Heritage dealer didn't even know it was weight relieved. He would have charged more. I very much approve of this design. If it adversely affects sustain or tone, I don't notice.

Well, that happens!

I've owned a few over the years. They are big guitars. It's obvious looking at the specs. It'd more obvious playing one. They are striking with beauty because of the great woods used, their finishes, and their size. Most people can get comfortable with them if they put the hours in. I'll state this anecdote once again. I was at Heritage talking to Marv Lamb with Ren Wall and Bill Paige. I asked what it cost to order a SKB in a certain finish. Marv asked me why I would want to pay all that extra for a SKB when I could order a Super Eagle with a Florentine cutaway and get the same thing for hundreds less. The point he was making is that the artist models cost more because money goes to the artist for each guitar built. In the end I got a SKB used for less than either model new. I have found that used ones came up occasionally and were generally minty. It seemed back then that those who bought them either kept them in excellent shape while playing them or just didn't play them. Now they are collectible. I have a few big ass guitars, Super Eagle size. I found that you will eventually get comfortable with the size. Beware the feedback. You'll learn to sort that out too.

I don't think so. I can check. One of them has a serial number with an H.

We did a deal in which he got one of the Heritage built Gretsch Synchromatics, which are Super Eagle bodies with Gretsch appointments. The two 555s should land at my home shortly. He is a jazz player and has already setup the Gretsch. He has had Super Eagles before but in a way forgot that they are big ass guitars. He's happy with the playability, the sound, and the wow factor!

I don't know why stingers are put on good looking guitars. It must be to hide something.

Yes, the heels are different. For most it won't make much difference. I like the smaller heel for a little better high fret access. OTOH, some great blues players do fine with the larger heel. The stinger is a different story. It improves tone right off the charts! Actually I don't know what the point of the stinger is except to hide the wood beneath it. Also, sometimes the stinger is off center, which makes it worse than not being there.

These are not quite identical twins and are old-school H-555s. One of them was made for Vince Lewis. That one I once owned and can tell you it plays perfectly. I'm told the other one is about the same. I'm trading one of my Heritage ghost built Gretsch Synchromatics plus some dough for these two with a long-standing friend and trading partner. Heritage wasn't run as tightly back in the days these were made, but the Vince one is perfect. I believe the other one is as well based on my friend's experience. The Vince build has Schallers, which I wouldn't change. The other one is stated to have HRWs, but I'm not sure. I recently got a newer build H-535 that has PRS pickups. It is extremely nice. I like the general formal of the semi-hollow.