Incoming TODAY!!! The elusive H525!!!

[brentrocks]

16 minutes ago, RJLII said:

I think I'd have this in his hands right away. The rattle can black really wrecks the vibe for me. A nice gloss black would be attractive, but I've always been a fan of finishes that highlight the wood. I'd be hoping the black is laying on top of the original finish so it didn't seep into the pores of the wood.

I thought about having the whole body stripped and go back to an original tobacco burst finish, but that would probably cost me $1000, and I don’t wanna put that kind of money into the Guitar right now. Plus, I would love to have another Heritage that matches the Silverburst finish on my custom core 157.

[brentrocks]

16 hours ago, TalismanRich said:

If you check mine, it doesn't have a fixed bridge!

Wow, that is pretty cool! The only thing I don’t like about that bridge configuration is that it is kind of a pain in the butt with String changes.

[Gitfiddler]

Hey Brent, George Thorogood played the original Gibson (ES-125) version of your cool H525 (see below).  But if you ever decide to put a set of flatwounds on it, that 525 can become a sweet little jazz box.  What a versatile gitfiddle!

 

[RJLII]

7 hours ago, brentrocks said:

I thought about having the whole body stripped and go back to an original tobacco burst finish, but that would probably cost me $1000, and I don’t wanna put that kind of money into the Guitar right now. Plus, I would love to have another Heritage that matches the Silverburst finish on my custom core 157.

The Silverburst is a good solution. Would you have the body and neck prepped and shot gloss black first? For me, the matte aspect of the paint is the most off putting. 

[brentrocks]

15 hours ago, RJLII said:

The Silverburst is a good solution. Would you have the body and neck prepped and shot gloss black first? For me, the matte aspect of the paint is the most off putting. 

That thought did cross my mind   But my budget is very tight.    I’m going to ask Dave to try to buff the matte to black on the back and rim if possible.   And then just do a gloss SILVERBURST on the top.  

[brentrocks]

16 hours ago, Gitfiddler said:

Hey Brent, George Thorogood played the original Gibson (ES-125) version of your cool H525 (see below).  But if you ever decide to put a set of flatwounds on it, that 525 can become a sweet little jazz box.  What a versatile gitfiddle!

 

When I think of the H525, that’s my first thought.   Lonesome George 

[brentrocks]

Dave Teski (lead paint artist for Heritage) is doing a refinish on just the top of my H525!!!

He sent me this pics yesterday.   He’s going to be buffing it out Saturday!! 
 

[nuke]

Wow, that's awesome!

[golferwave]

What an improvement! You were right about Dave Teski, Awesome work!

[big bob]

Nice!

[Gitfiddler]

Looks great!!

[tsp17]

On 12/4/2025 at 3:48 PM, brentrocks said:

So….

 

After getting this baby setup for 9s, and getting it all dialed in, I have come to the conclusion that….

 

This H525 is friggin awesome!!!

 

Holds tune like a champ!!   The 2 Lollar p90s sound absolutely amazing!!!   

 

I’ve never had a Faber bridge on a guitar before.  I really like it. It’s a locking bridge.  

 

The neck is a very comfortable medium C carve. Sets up with a medium/low action.   Frets show minor wear.   

 

The guitar is nice and light.  It has a slight bit of neck dive, but it’s hardly noticeable.   

 

Overall, a very nice playing Heritage guitar with great tone!!!!

Excellent!!!!  Well done Brent.  525’s are terrific.   

[brentrocks]

Hopefully will be picking it up Saturday !!!!

[ElNumero]

On 12/3/2025 at 2:11 PM, brentrocks said:

I found this on Reefeeverb. 

The Heritage H525 is a full hollow thin line guitar with a Florentine cutaway. Maple Laminate top and back with a solid maple rim. Mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard. 2 Lollar dog ear P90s. The H525 is loosely based off of the vintage Gibson ES125. 

These H525s RARELY come up for sale. 

But this one was dramatically different. The body was finished in a matte black. Originally is was a VSB (vintage sunburst) kind of a light tangerine burst. The H525s had a cult following among Heritage enthusiasts. But not many were ever made. 

When I first saw it, I wasn’t a fan of the refin. But after stalking the ad for a couple of days, I decided to pull the trigger. I figured, worst case scenario, I could always get the top refinished at some point if I don’t like it. But it’s actually pretty cool. 

The seller also upgraded the bridge to a Faber ABR1. I believe everything else is stock. 

He currently has it setup for 11s. I will be putting 9s on it, so there will be some extensive setup work to be done. 

I had one of these 525s many years ago and they are such a joy to play. Lightweight and full of warm creamy goodness!!!

This is a pic from the seller. I will have pics and a full report after setup.
 

Nothing elusive about them I see them all the time.  But congratulations on getting the one you want.

[ElNumero]

On 12/3/2025 at 2:52 PM, TalismanRich said:

Yes,  the 525 IS a nice guitar!

It surprises me that it wasn't more popular.   I actually preferred it to the 575, which for some, is probably sacrilege. 

 

Yeah, I’m still waiting for you to ship yours to me since I paid you for ot 10 years ago

[brentrocks]

1 hour ago, ElNumero said:

Nothing elusive about them I see them all the time.  But congratulations on getting the one you want.

All the time???   I see like maybe 1 a year come up for sale

[skydog52]

On 12/30/2025 at 7:29 AM, brentrocks said:

Dave Teski (lead paint artist for Heritage) is doing a refinish on just the top of my H525!!!

He sent me this pics yesterday.   He’s going to be buffing it out Saturday!! 
 

That's going to buff out real fine! Dave is the best.