Help Me Decide! Gibson LP vs. Heritage H-535

[papa32203]

I have always wanted a Les Paul.
I have always wanted an ES-335
I do not think I can afford the 335 (I have a budget of about $2000).

Sweetwater has a 2016 Les Paul Trad- no weight relief, plain top. Looks awesome- $1999.

I have also been looking at the Heritage H-535 plain top versions as an alternative to the ES-335 (about $2000).

My other guitars are :Suhr Classic (S-style), MIM '72 RI Tele Thinline (w/ Lollar Regals), '71 Telecaster.

I have various amps- lots of bases covered.

I'm selling a 2011 Gibson SG, and a 2014 Reverend Club King 290. Like both, never really loved them.

I play blues, jazzy-blues, some classics (think Robben Ford, Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard, Larry Carlton, etc).

I am not a pro- do not play out much (would like to- just haven't found the right group of people).

Weigh in- what do you think?

-Shaun

 

[Lobomov]

Both good choices ... that is if the beefy neck on the LP doesnt bother you. Try both and follow your heart

 

[papa32203]

I do like medium to bigger necks. The SG I"m selling has a biigger neck- one of the things I like about it.
Unfortunately, I am probably going to be buying without trying! There are no Heritage dealers here. Sweetwater does have a liberal return policy, but I very rarely send something back unless there is a problem with it.

 

[Stellacaster]

both so i always buy used, get the first one then start saving for the other

a good 335 can be everything you ever need IF you really take the time to learn all it can do, it will make you a better player !! sounds great unplugged too !! BUT mine was large & heavy with a wide flat board & narrow neck (front to back) which this Fender girl cant get used to... it also left a tiny scar on the back of my hand from swapping out a broken toggle switch so i discovered why people call them f holes hahaha LP is easier to work on if that matters to you... i ended up trading my 335 for a great used 336 & love it !!

check out es-339 if you want a smaller body ??

i always wanted a Heritage but never see them... and so many really nice USED Les Pauls & es-335 in the shops. but if you want a new Gibson at that price, you could look into a Gibson STUDIO 2016 for es-335 or es-339.

good luck Shaun

 

[Asmith]

I'm not sure how much experience you've had with 335s/LPs but I'd suggest you attempt to try either if you've never played one before. I thought I wanted a 335 and tried out the Epi Dot and just didn't get on with it at all, the size of the body, the tune-o-matic and the pickup positioning just didn't work for me. I should also mention that I've had no problems with LPs or SGs in the past but I really didn't get on with the 335... on the other hand the new elite thinline was a treat to play.

My point is avoid buying blind unless you know you get on with that type of guitar in advance.

 

[Geoff738]

Couple things about the Heritage. They do not hold their value well. So buying used is highly encouraged. And the pickups in them are all over the place, from Lollars to Dimarzios, etc. So if you have strong opinions on that, be sure to know what you're getting.

As Stella mentioned, Heritages aren't exactly plentiful on the ground in Toronto. But they do show up once in a while. The last couple I tried were simply excellent guitars. Shoulda bought the one with Imperials in it.

Stella, Stellaaaaaaaaaa, there is a place out in Oakville that I believe is a Heritage dealer in the sense that they will order one in. How often the have them in stock is another matter. I think in the 90s either Steves or McQuades or possibly 12th Fret carried them and they were a bit more plentiful then. But not much. But if you're in the market for a 335, I'd definitely consider Heritage.

Cheers,
Geoff

 

[cabra velha]

I'm not sure if Heritage hold their value or not, the Heritage Jazz boxes certainly seem to and any heritage is fairly scarce compared to the Les Paul industry. Ultimately there are going to be sample differences, a great Heritage 535 and a so-so LP or vice versa. I'd dearly love to find a clean Heritage 575 for the right number.

 

[papa32203]

Couple things about the Heritage. They do not hold their value well. So buying used is highly encouraged. And the pickups in them are all over the place, from Lollars to Dimarzios, etc. So if you have strong opinions on that, be sure to know what you're getting.

As Stella mentioned, Heritages aren't exactly plentiful on the ground in Toronto. But they do show up once in a while. The last couple I tried were simply excellent guitars. Shoulda bought the one with Imperials in it.

Stella, Stellaaaaaaaaaa, there is a place out in Oakville that I believe is a Heritage dealer in the sense that they will order one in. How often the have them in stock is another matter. I think in the 90s either Steves or McQuades or possibly 12th Fret carried them and they were a bit more plentiful then. But not much. But if you're in the market for a 335, I'd definitely consider Heritage.

Cheers,
Geoff

I am not too concerned w/ resale value. It is a consideration, but falls further down the list.
Yes, pu's are all over the place on the Heritage 535's. The one's I have been looking at are mostly SD '59s or SD Seth Lovers. Putting in a different set of PAF-styles (probably the Lollar Imperials or Suhr Thornbuckers) would always be an option.