Jwmusic

Purely my own experience and anecdotes from others. I own a 98 H150 and a late 80s- early 90s 535. Both are incredible guitars and every person who has tried them comments on them, both will be on tour with me for a up coming project. Ive heard a lot of people say about this era being sought after as the best was incredible and the worst just average. However I have also heard of the inconsistency’s of this era but I’d argue that’s down to the hand made nature. Conversely, I’ve played several transition years heritages from across the range and they were all average at best and mediocre at worst. The shop I work for was a UK dealer at the time and could not shift them for this reason. Poor finishing such as bad fret work, poor woods, defects such as incorrect neck angle, electrical issues and just general poor QC when compared to the obvious comparatives. I have heard since the new take over quality has vastly improved again and they are once again the sort after guitars they were.

When I got my H150 it came with Duncan 59s, love them in that and I generally prefer lollar imperials. They are not as vintage correct as imperials but god do they match well with the 150. I’m privileged enough to work in a higher end guitar shop so have tried many Lollar, throback and other such pickups as well as original PAF’s. All the modern boutique repros have their own character and capture one or a couple of aspects of the original. But I’ve found it is highly dependent on the guitar. I’ve heard the same set of throbacks sound great in one guitar and awful in another. Guess you just need to find the right pairing.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/143867696@N04/53584514234/in/dateposted-public/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/143867696@N04/53583325507/in/dateposted-public/ my estimated 89/90 H535, puts some vintage 335’s I’ve played to shame.

Thanks for all the replies. I didn’t get a chance to look in the cavity tbh, my friend was doing a fret dress on it for me and looked at the pickups while he was at it. I’m told there 59s. https://www.flickr.com/photos/143867696@N04/53457158342/in/dateposted-public/

So despite not looking for one, I am now the owner of a pretty clean 98 H150 (we do love a birth year guitar). It’s all stock besides the pickup surrounds which are non original as the pickups cannot be properly adjusted down on the neck. Does anyone know what surrounds where being used in 98? Or have an idea what ones should fit? TIA.

There is an old and fading scroll sticker inside but it just says Heritage guitars parson street H-535 VSB. From memory I have a felt washer under the neck end of the guard and a small cork washer under the main hole. My second scratch plate has the correct bracket but it’s clearly never been fitted and TBH looks distinctly newer than the rest of the guitar or case. Thanks for the guestimation, the aging on the finish has always made me suspect it’s an early 90s one.

Hello guys. I’ve owned my 535 for coming up 8 years and to say it’s been round the block and back with me would be an understatement. It came to me Pre loved and I have never had much info on it, apart from it being a Killer guitar! The first digit of serial is sadly half rubbed off so not much use. I believe it to have the fabled Schaller golden 50s pickups, Grover tuners, Schaller quick restring bridge, a second pick guard that matches the finish almost and a un branded case. If anyone recognises any of this as denoting a approx year I’d love to know more.