New H-555's

[bolero]

Anybody else get the notification about H-555's being back on the menu?

They look good:

https://heritageguitars.com/pages/core-collection-h-555

 

 

[V23505]

I was very happy to see this. I had a custom-order 2015 in faded cherry, which I stupidly sold, and very much miss. It was a great guitar, and I've every confidence the new version will be as good. GAS officially triggered here!

[DetroitBlues]

I’m glad they brought them back.  Expensive, but that’s not surprising.  Using the same custom shop hot Alnico 5 pickups as the H157’s.  

Love it!

[Gitfiddler]

Awesome!  I pulled my 2007 H555 out for a quick comparison 

In addition to the new larger headstock shape, these new H555's have 5-ply binding around the body (one more than previous models), and 3-ply around the headstock (2 more than before).

Interestingly, the f-holes are now unbound.

Still, I'm glad to see Heritage bring back its blingy triple nickel semi-hollow.

Here's my '07...

 

[skydog52]

I was a little disappointed.

I always loved the inlays and binding everywhere.

This is a H-555

[DetroitBlues]

5 hours ago, Gitfiddler said:

Awesome!  I pulled my 2007 H555 out for a quick comparison 

In addition to the new larger headstock shape, these new H555's have 5-ply binding around the body (one more than previous models), and 3-ply around the headstock (2 more than before).

Interestingly, the f-holes are now unbound.

Still, I'm glad to see Heritage bring back its blingy triple nickel semi-hollow.

Here's my '07...

 

I wonder if the F Hole being unbound was an oversight?

[DetroitBlues]

5 hours ago, skydog52 said:

I was a little disappointed.

I always loved the inlays and binding everywhere.

This is a H-555

I had just about forgotten what the OG’s looked like.

[Kuz]

I love the OG 555 inlays!!!!

[bolero]

I like them but always thought it was weird they used block inlays higher up on the neck. If they'd pointed them at the ends like a spear instead of square, it'd look better & match the rest IMO.

I think these look good with the blocks

I also like the bound F holes, it pops the shapes out of the darkness.

Didn't the originals have maple necks too? That was something else that set them apart from the 535

[pressure]

You mean like this Millie. My first Heritage Custom Shop build from 2011.

 

[TalismanRich]

4 hours ago, bolero said:

Didn't the originals have maple necks too? That was something else that set them apart from the 535

Originally, the 555s had 3 piece maple necks, but  I think that changed in later years.   The 2005 catalog still says 3 piece maple neck with ebony fingerboard.\

[Spectrum13]

3 hours ago, pressure said:

You mean like this Millie. My first Heritage Custom Shop build from 2011.

 

Your builds were stellar, so well thought out and tasty 

[golferwave]

5 hours ago, pressure said:

You mean like this Millie. My first Heritage Custom Shop build from 2011.

 

That is an incredible guitar. Pride of ownership in all of your custom builds.

[JeffB]

I really like the OG inlays and F hole binding. I think they were beautiful looking guitars.

Im sure the new ones will be great guitars, I just like the original aesthetics more.

[DetroitBlues]

Guess there was a lot of cost saving measures here to bring back the 555.  Easier inlays, regular mahogany necks, no bound F-Holes.  They've made them closer to the G brand design that OG Heritage design.  

This is pound for pound a direct copy of the ES-355 Gibson makes today.  Mahogany neck, unbound F-hole, and full block inlays.  Other than artist models, the newest ES-355 does not have a stereo output or varitone selector.

I did make a comment that Heritage missed the opportunity to use a bound Tortise pickguard instead of solid bound black.

 

[TalismanRich]

7 minutes ago, DetroitBlues said:

Guess there was a lot of cost saving measures here to bring back the 555. 

At $4800, I don't think there needs to be a lot of cost saving.   Certainly not the lack of bound f-holes.   They could have done a single binding there. 
That said,  I wouldn't leave it sitting in the case just for having them unbound. 

Something that I've always wondered is if a 3 or 5 piece neck is more stable than one piece mahogany, in terms of twisting or even needing less adjustment. 

 

[DavesNotHere]

On 2/5/2025 at 2:09 PM, skydog52 said:

I was a little disappointed.

I always loved the inlays and binding everywhere.

This is a H-555

Agreed.

 

[DetroitBlues]

3 hours ago, TalismanRich said:

At $4800, I don't think there needs to be a lot of cost saving.   Certainly not the lack of bound f-holes.   They could have done a single binding there. 
That said,  I wouldn't leave it sitting in the case just for having them unbound. 

Something that I've always wondered is if a 3 or 5 piece neck is more stable than one piece mahogany, in terms of twisting or even needing less adjustment. 

 

How much more does it cost to make a 555 over a 535?  Little extra binding and inlay work.  Cost savings over previous design.  No laminated 3/5 piece necks, no small split diamond/arrow inlay work.  No binding on the f-holes (I've been told that was a very difficult process)

[Spectrum13]

2 hours ago, DetroitBlues said:

How much more does it cost to make a 555 over a 535?  Little extra binding and inlay work.

It's bling Josh! 

Reminds me of what dads told us in the 60's and 70's about choosing a muscle car. If you want the big horses, you got to feed them. 

[pressure]

8 hours ago, TalismanRich said:

omething that I've always wondered is if a 3 or 5 piece neck is more stable than one piece mahogany, in terms of twisting or even needing less adjustment. 

I have asked that question myself and have not gotten an answer. For what it's worth Heritage 5-piece necks need truss rod adjustments.

[bolero]

On 2/6/2025 at 6:52 PM, pressure said:

You mean like this Millie. My first Heritage Custom Shop build from 2011.

 

Ohh....you have impeccable taste, my friend!

[DetroitBlues]

On 2/7/2025 at 6:12 PM, pressure said:

I have asked that question myself and have not gotten an answer. For what it's worth Heritage 5-piece necks need truss rod adjustments.

I've more or less was thinking the multi-ply necks meant less chance of a headstock break.

[MartyGrass]

The old H-555s had maple necks.  Some were single pieced and some were multiple.