Is it a big birthday @TheMadman_tobyjenner ? If youāre looking for something really special, that would look great next to your Gibsonsā¦
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What, that canoe paddle, I wouldnāt denigrate my lovely Guitar with such a thing. 
R
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Youāre a very naughty boy (in my best Python accent). Only 68 so nowt special. Just as well I donāt do blue ! But I really do Sunburst 
I need to block Thomann from my browser. 
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A quick scan of the whole thread and it seems only one mention by Rob about fretboard radius.
I suggest learning about it more and considering the fretboard geometry as one of the most important pieces as to how a guitar plays and feels.
Tone is a variable and easily influenced aspect, leading to nuanced differences in guitars that can be easily accommodated.
Raw size and shape (and weight) are obvious concerns. Like the difference between a dreadnaught and a telecaster. Among specific and similar types of guitars this is another nuance.
But then you have the fretboard, with so many important variables that really affect how the guitar feels.
- Nut width affects string spacing, reach, technique and articulation of notes.
- Radius affects ease of cords, strumming, movement and articulation. Flatter fretboards are considered āfasterā and better at not separation. Tight, highly radiused better for rhythm and strumming.
- Scale length affects string tension, fret spacing, reach for notes and finger crowding.
- Neck profile affects how the neck feels in your hand as well as reach.
Just what I can think of off the top of my head.
There is a reason classical guitars have flat fretboards with wide nuts. It allows for rapid and separate articulation of notes as often found in classical music. But, it makes other aspects like barre and power cords, hard strumming and so on less ideal.
A Stratocaster with a 9.5ā radius and a 42mm neck will not be easy to play if you want to play like a typical classical guitar player.
The list of guitars above all have 10ā or 12ā radius fretboards, so a good middle ground. Might think about what you want to do more, rhythm or lead.
Similar with nut width. Too narrow will be harder to pick out notes. Too wide harder to reach. I like wide, in spite of smallish hands, playing classical, and my steel string is a 46mm nut.
Neck profile is the hardest for me to consider. You can describe a profile all you want and I wonāt have a clue how it feels or if I like it. I know I have picked up the occasional guitar and felt it was better or worse than others, but donāt know what the profiles were like and all my guitars were bought without trying them and are fine. Just keep it in mind and if your hands are small, maybe stay away from things described as larger profiles.
I am not big and like short scales, although my classical is 660mm (25.98ā) and is fine.
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Indeed, I only briefly mentioned the metrics you have explained more broadly here. I agree that these specs are quite significant in the experiences but also ātoneā and character of the instrument!
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I suspect some of both but, predominantly rythem. By the looks of things i suspect my list will get quickly whittled down because of issues I dont like or cant handle.
IE: Gretch Broadkaster, Iām not sure about having a bigbsy and , the 335 has a chunky neck which I donāt think iāll be able to handle. Etcā¦
R
EEEkkkk Looks like its sponsored by Gillette !
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Yep, so it must be the, best a man can get. 
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errrā¦ ABSOLUTELY NO. ! Dont do it lol
My other half just told me that chap just had the entire upper half of his body tatooed in black , nut job, and the fack that someone would do that kind of work 
R
Specs for that pic i posted.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Body Material | Laminated Ultra Figured Curly Maple |
|---|---|
| Body Color | Dark Cherry Sunburst |
| Body Finish | Nitrocellulose with Vintage Gloss |
| Rim Wood | Solid Curly Maple |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Fretboard Radius | 12" |
| Fret Size | Jescar Medium/Jumbo |
| Nut Material | Bone |
| Neck Profile | 50s C (.8910" ā .9805ā) |
| Headstock | Holly veneer, āHeritageā logo with Twin Arrow Inlay |
| Neck Wood | Genuine Mahogany |
| Scale Length | 24-3/4" |
| No. of Frets | 22 |
| Fretboard Inlays | Blocks |
| Pickups | Heritage Custom Shop 225 Classic Humbuckers (Neck & Bridge) |
| Controls | 2 x Volume, 2 x Tone, 3-Way Toggle |
| Electronics | CTS 500K Potentiometers, Vishay .022uF Capacitors, Switchcraft Toggle Switch and Pure Tone Input Jack |
| Bridge | Locking Bridge and Trapeze Tailpiece |
| Pickguard | Plastic |
| Strings | Elixir |
| Tuning Machines | Heritage Custom Shop Tuners |
| Hardware Finish | Nickel |
| Control Knobs | Black Top Hat |
| Switch Tip | Black |
| Case | Custom Shop Case and Case Candies |
So Rachelā¦
this is funny because as I read your latest post here I had just a few moments before been watching this:
Heritage H-530 with their P-90 pickups sounds & looks amazing! I havenāt ever seen a Heritage guitar in person but sure would like to give one a try! Theyāre so appealing & their an iconic brand. Love that theyāre built in Gibsonās old factory in Kalamazoo Michigan USA!
Good luck with your search for āThe Oneā!!!
Tod
P.S. I just realized that the link above takes you to the web page on Heritageās siteā¦ you have to click on the video to hear the P-90ās sweet tone!
, Yes, they both have great sounds.
I do love that Dark Cherry though, I had spotted a lovely 335 Ice T burst at peach guitars which I thought would be a great choice but that model has a very large neck. The Heritage on the other hand is similar (near as) to my current guitar so makes more sense.
Iām off to Andertons next week to try the one they have there, fingers xād it will still be there lolā¦
Iāve been trying to get my partner to take me for over a month now
R.
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Had a day out yesterday and a good 2 hours in Andertons.
I tried the Suona Thinline strat and to be perfectly honest, although I like what I see and hear I really didnāt like the feel.
I was supposed to try a PRS(Tigers Eye or some such thing) but time for parking was getting short. Maybe next time.
Surprisingly both the Gibson 335 and Heritage 535 both felt easy to get along with. I was a little concerned that they may feel BIG ! but I managed just fine.
I was able to play a piece right off the bat that I have played a lot and another with just minor finger placement issues with slightly faster chord changes. I tried the most difficult F on these two and found both to be playable but both needed minor hand adjustments. Iām certain this is simply to do with guitar size as Iām judging agianst my Epi ES 339 and Les Paul standard.
All in all , pleased with both . 
R
Not decided yet, OK
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So decisions decisions. I attended the Club last night. Very insightful, a few things learned about guitars which helped me understand more. Thanks @LievenDV
Iāve been waiting last night club to happen before I decide on where to head with this LAST guitar.
I have a hankering for the 535, It looks great and was fine to play , my fears about it being to big was put aside after playing one at Andertons. So, I think this should be the direction I head.
R
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sounds like a plan
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