Demos in the Dark // The Heritage Guitars H-535 Standard // Guitar Review

[@frankenstein4106]

Just picked up a mint used H-535 in original sunburst. What an amazing instrument! The fit, finish and tones are great. I really like that the input jack is on the side of the guitar and not on top like an ES-335.

[@johnsikora6043]

One of my favorite things on this guitar is having the input jack on the side. I always felt that the cord was always in the way on Gibson guitars.

[@DP-hn6rl]

With the world going full corporatist there’s a very real need for folks to support small businesses and American made products. This guitar sounds absolutely gorgeous and as you said I love the history and tradition of the story behind these instruments. In the last year I’ve made the transition to deliberately buy products from local business owners and look for American made alternatives wherever I can.

[@DemosInTheDark]

we’re eye to eye here! 🤝

[@MrKevbo82]

To be fair heritage was sold to a larger corporation a few years back 🤷🏻‍♂️bandlab technologies out of Singapore

[@SpencerP96]

Heritage really isn't a "small business" anymore. You'd be looking at more niche builders who have a very large price premium I.e. Collings.

[@erickmo1188]

Getting my 535 today. Very excited- the search for an ES 335 style guitar will finally be over for me…. Played it for 5 minutes and immediately knew it was the right one.

[@DemosInTheDark]

you are going to enjoy the hell out of it!

[@erickmo1188]

I’ve bought 3 since I posted this. 2 535’s. And one 530. The one 535 has Seth lovers instead of 59’s. It’s an incredible difference. The Seth’s are open and more sensitive to touch. The 59’s are more punchy and direct.

[@whistlingskull]

This is wonderful. You didn’t mention that Heritage is better than Custom Shop at a fraction of the price. 👍

[@Panic42000]

Haha!! Wrong!

[@reverb508]

That’s not true at all. I’ve played Heritage guitars as well as Gibson USA and Custom Shop. You can argue that Heritage builds a more consistent guitar than the USA factory, but the Gibson Custom Shop is in a different league.

[@CBGypsy03]

Eastman guitars are a fraction of the cost and are incredible and well built. :) they all rock.

[@Clive007]

@@CBGypsy03 having tried both, the Heritage wins by a mile for me. The Eastmans are really good but the Heritage is of a much higher quality.

[@jamestonguet1737]

I have two custom shop Gibsons and a '12 H 575C the quality is equal if not superior , as a luthier I admire their work

[@CraigRMerriman]

Gorgeous guitars, quality craftsmanship! Thanks Ryan!

[@matthewellis4449]

I’ve always hated Hollowbodys but I now the only fiddle I play are my Epiphone Sheraton’s. Great vid keep them coming

[@DemosInTheDark]

hey thanks!

[@Tonetwisters]

My 1973 ES-355 came from that 225 Parsons Street plant ... I LIKE those Heritage headstocks. And if you apply a light sandpaper on the Gibson nut slot corners (gently!) and keep them lubed as well, they will stay in tune.

[@Naughtez]

Well, that's a beautiful guitar. In the right hands it's versatile, and sounds incredible. Definitely worth a look before going for a 335.

[@DemosInTheDark]

thanks for the kind words! and yes, absolutely worth checking out when you’re in the market!

[@dms5154]

Just bought my H-535 and H-150, love them both. Might be selling everything else soon! And your playing is so fine, thanks!!

[@zakpatten7631]

I got the h-530 about 4 months ago now. The honey moon period hasn’t died off, every time I pick it up I’m just so great full to have such a beautiful guitar visually and sonically. Been playing for over 20 years now and played a lot of guitars, but this guitar is probably as good as it gets. Honestly, if you are thinking of getting a heritage you definitely won’t be disappointed. I don’t think I’ll ever buy another Gibson.

[@DemosInTheDark]

awesome insight! thanks for that!

[@jamestonguet1737]

Just bought one ... . love the craftsmanship, tone and quality ...and Nitro finish

[@aidenmohrmann1850]

335 style guitars are soooo versatile. For one thing they're so frickin beautiful and yet if you need it they totally have the rock'n roll vibe

[@jasonporritt87]

Great to see more people enjoying Heritage guitars. They make great instruments and as a West Michigan resident I love the connections to local history.

[@DemosInTheDark]

heck yeah!

[@briano.1503]

I used to live in Kalamazoo.
I'm now about 30 miles north of there now. But I have been to the factory. And done some utility work there.

[@deepwater2652]

Love my H-535 sunburst - plays like a dream!

[@DemosInTheDark]

darn right!

[@adamswanson8216]

Beautiful guitar I agree on the change in the headstock and love it just bought a 335 and I am trading it back in right now on a heritage 535 actually going tomorrow. I also found another one because I need a second guitar as well it’s a 90s model excellent condition bought by a collector now put back out for $2500 and it is gorgeous. They have the greatest dirty lemon finishes, something that Gibson does not do as many of and it is my favorite finish. Truly, I am glad to see great demos on this guitar and see that people are realizing just how great they are and with the pick up market being what it is, we can really put some great pick ups, and these guitars truly lust for tone Throwback. There is just a lot of amazing choices whiz either way continue on your journey and so will I great great demo thanks again for honoring such a great guitar. Glad somebody is starting to notice and by the comments I can see you’re getting some positive feedback to love these guys Man and Virginia Peace They also use a much better net, nut material and injected with Tessalon. They really do have great tuning stability and I love what you did on the tuning upgrade. Those are my choice too for every guitar even Gibson’s. 6: 7:03 35 6:41 6:53

[@crammojophilter]

I have a Heritage H-140 Florentine dirty lemon-burst that I absolutely LOVE. I want an H-150 goldtop in the worst way.

[@DemosInTheDark]

i have that 150 tobacco burst. best lp i own. 🏄‍♂️

[@cromBumny]

I think the one way they did innovate was the style of burst. Theirs often start on the outer edge and fade to the center (most of them) . I think it looks hot. Their Dirty Lemon Burst is consistently better than anyone elses

[@aderrrt]

I bought a 535 back in 1989 in London. It had just arrived from the USA. I had gone in to buy a Guild 12 string......when I saw the 535 and then played it I was completely sold on it. Biggest mistake I made was selling it a few years ago to fund another project.....but I made the buyer promise to contact me if he ever sells it.

[@trevorhart2009]

Anyone else have a mild panic attack when the puppers was about to knock over the Heritage LP?

[@darrenofdrivers]

I can’t relax….

[@rob28781]

That sound!! 🙌

[@bluesman97]

The consistency and fit and finish is why I left the competitor years ago. Heritage is a wonderful guitar.

[@DemosInTheDark]

hard agree!

[@topografer]

This guitar with the amp you're using are a really good match man

[@davidohara6515]

One of these has shown up at my local guitar shop . Man , I've got to get it ! Great demo.

[@DemosInTheDark]

GO GO GO!

[@1111undici1111]

That Heritage snake head headstock is really cool!!

[@jamescashin288]

I have the very same model/finish. It is one of my favorite Guitars in my collection. Superb instrument. Thanks for the great vid!

[@mateuszt6498]

I love my Gibsons, own 4 (2 high end Les Pauls, one budget one and an SG standard), but despite always loving 335s and wanting to get one - for some reason every single one I've tried made by them was terrible. I've decided to order a Heritage to satisfy that "itch". Wish me luck! I'm sure I'll love it.

[@DemosInTheDark]

yessir! i have a handful of vintage gibson's as well. i stand by my decision. 😎

[@R1GAMBLER]

beautiful.

[@DemosInTheDark]

hey thanks!

[@Hikaru109Ichijyo]

I got a H150 its just awesome . . . the H 535 is next up for electrics

[@DemosInTheDark]

totally. i have both. no regrets!

[@Rustocaps]

Sooooo close to being able to get one. Few more bucks saved and then for the right one to pop up on Reverb. Really think Antique Natural will be what I go with.

[@DemosInTheDark]

worth the wait!

[@wheresallthezombies]

I love that you have dogs in your videos. Lol. My girlfriend and I are in debates trying to decide a doggy sibling for my rescue pup and a pug is in the running.
Anyway, more video related, I had the chance to get one of these guitars in a trade for a Mesa tc50 but ended up trading for a PRS McCarty single cut. Kind of wish I would’ve gotten one of these instead.

[@mralgebro]

I don’t get the intonation problems with the Gibson headstock everyone talks about. I have 3 and they are all my best intonated guitars.

[@Jodeanson.23]

Hey Ryan! Great Demo. Which specific locking Gotohs did you use as replacement tuners? Thanks!

[@DemosInTheDark]

hey man, i don’t remember exactly cuz i swapped them for some grover locking tuners that i like WAY more on that guitar.

[@Arthagnou]

I have a new Gibson 50s standard, an Epiphone Modern LP, and a CCH150....the Heritage is more often in my hand.

[@DemosInTheDark]

yeah man, it happens!

[@Clive007]

Great review, and I've ordered this exact same spec, beautiful colour. I seem to be the only one, but I love the Heritage headstock! Would like to know the part number for the locking tuners, are they a straight drop in replacement? (I wouldn't want any holes showing if they're not).

[@DemosInTheDark]

i do not have a problem with the headstocks either. i think they're great. i have come across better tuners for that guitar since i shot this. grab yourself some Grover 502C's. they drop right in with no problems or extra holes. you're basically replacing non-locking grovers with locking grovers.

[@Clive007]

@@DemosInTheDark great news, thank you so much,I havent been able to find this out anywhere, so that suggests the factory fitted Grovers are the 102 version. One minor point, the 502C is chrome, I think the hardware on the new 535s is nickel so I'm guessing it would need 502N, but tbh I'm not sure how different the two are in colour.

[@alexmojcher9]

Very torn between this setup or one with Seth Lover pickups in it

[@DemosInTheDark]

you know, i actually installed some righteous sound RAF pickups in mine after the video and WOW, it really made the guitar shine even more than i thought possible!

[@topografer]

Did you end up buying one of the two?

[@alexmojcher9]

@@topografer I did, I visited their headquarters and picked up one with the Duncan 59s!

[@topografer]

@@alexmojcher9 picking one up for the source. Awesome! I got one like 2 3 months ago. After a few days the price went from 2899 to 3899 here in the EU. Good timing

[@crimsonsabbath6489]

It's a great guitar, endless sustain and tender tone. Never wanted semi hollow body guitar, but it was given to me because the owner commited suicide =(
The headstock is not so good or much improved because it breaks like the Gibson original. Got it fixed and reinforced by a wooden plate, sound only got better.

[@DemosInTheDark]

wow, that’s the first i’ve heard of a heritage headstock snap! good to know!

[@crimsonsabbath6489]

@@DemosInTheDark as a single mahagony piece it's not something unusual

[@DemosInTheDark]

true. true.

[@gregfelice1969]

IT SOUNDS SO MUCH BETTER THAN A LATE MODEL GIBSON

[@williamlewis6615]

These are killer axes they blow the gibsons away I own both and there is no comparison

[@DemosInTheDark]

i agree!

[@zollicreative894]

What color is the one you are playing? Is it amber or the antique natural! I am so getting one of these

[@DemosInTheDark]

yesssss! antique natural.

[@jameshanmer4418]

Re:Gotoh locking tuners on Heritage - do they fit perfectly or do you need to drill etc…? Thank you.

[@DemosInTheDark]

drop in replacement, but after filming, i discovered that grover makes a killer locking tuner that works better!

[@jameshanmer4418]

@@DemosInTheDark - thanks amigo- appreciate it.

[@cromBumny]

Great guitars I own a new H150... no better looking guitar to be found

[@carmineanastasio]

Hi…great demo & structure of your videos! Could you please tell me what pickups are in this? Thank you!

[@DemosInTheDark]

hey thanks! they’re duncan 59’s

[@carmineanastasio]

Thank you for the quick response.

[@slynnk08]

Which RAF humbuckers did you go with, the RAF or RAF 2?

[@DemosInTheDark]

RAF in the 535. i put RAF2 in my 150. also great!

[@ianhenkel7157]

These slick demos do nothing to judge the sound. The arrangement and delay mask the tone. Not to mention the compression and post processing

[@DemosInTheDark]

oh cool, next time i’ll just use my phone.

[@DemosInTheDark]

let’s take this further… am i allowed to use an amp? does it have to be your amp or will any amp do? oh and i’ll have to mic said amp and that opens a whole new can of worms. on top of that the mic will need a preamp and, boy, now we’re in the weeds. how do you suggest i convey the sound to you without using the tools necessary to do so?

[@Panic42000]

Heritage should stop using the Gibson name to sell guitars! Those Gibson employees don’t even work there anymore. I don’t think they even own the company anymore. If there guitars are so good they should stop using the Gibson story in every ad.

[@whistlingskull]

I just gotta say, this is a tough argument to make when you are comparing a business like Heritage, who are now owned by a larger music company and Gibson, who is owned by KKR, a hedge fund and private equity firm. It's not exactly the hill you want to be dying on.

[@engelsjn]

They do have Edwin Wilson running their custom shop who came from Gibson so that’s not entirely true. Also, I think their guitars sell on their own. Play one and compare it to a standard Gibson and you’ll see the difference.