Heritage Guitars

[kidsmoke]

Anyone here have personal experience with these guitars, particularly the H-535? Came across one recently and it is stunning. Did the requisite search and came across interesting info. Wondering if any fretters have first hand experience?

 

[FrankenFretter]

I do know that the company was started by employees of Gibson that didn't want to move from Kalamazoo, so they formed their own company. The quality is said to be at least that of a Gibson, and perhaps better. I do think that we have some Fretters here that have some.

 

[oldguy]

A quick search and I found this......http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php/13533-NGD...x4!!!?highlight=heritage+guitars

 

[kidsmoke]

Thanks OG, I had done a search, but somehow missed that.

These seem like the real deal. Poor mans Gibson, in some cases, better even, if you believe the press. Interesting note on the H-535, they're a 335 ish build however they are thinner. The one that I saw was curly maple TS, with a maple pickguard, open SD humbuckers. Just a beast. Hoping to get back there this weekend and play it through an amph.

 

[wingsdad]

My favorite Local GAS Station is a Heritage dealer, which is to say: if someone wants one he orders it, but most often, the buyer will customize their order rather than go with the 'base model'.

A couple of years ago, one of the regulars (this store is like an old-time barbershop) had ordered an H-535 in the finish he wanted (anitque violin burst kinda thing) with pickup and switching upgrade options. A few others of the regular clientele happened to be there when it arrived. So after its unveiling and plugging into a Peavey Delta Blues, he passed it around for the rest of us to check out, but also, so he could step back and hear it played in various styles.

After we'd all done our thing, all of us agreed: it kicks the living ***** out of any Gibson 335, and at a cost about 30% less than one on the used market. That's how you can 'steal' one.

I liken Heritage to G&L in that way. Both companies are the reincarnations of the founders of the original companies, less mucked-up by the corporate infection, but sadly (or not), their products seem to drop dramatically in resale value compared to the Gibson and Fender, and that's all about their modesty.

Serious guitar players know how good they are; those influenced by hype, hoopla and a brand's reputation made 60 or so years ago have no clue.

 

[hubberjub]

At one point I had six Heritage guitars. I currently have four. I will always be a Heritage owner.

 

[FrankenFretter]

At one point I had six Heritage guitars. I currently have four. I will always be a Heritage owner.

Oh wow...that is cool. I'd love to own a Heritage. Maybe someday...

 

[Brian Krashpad]

Never had the chance to play one. But definitely would.

 

[kidsmoke]

this is the same as the guitar I saw, simply beautiful. Heading back there with a pick and a familiar amp to play it. Even if I don't make a play for it, I'd like to have some first hand experience playing one.

Just freakin' gorgeous! :drool

hubberjub, thanks to OG I read your post on the LP types that you picked up. As you also own a Gibson, speaking from personal experience, are the Heritage models every bit as good as the Gibson's they emulate?

 

[Eric]

How much do these run in terms of cost, both new and used? I've been interested in them for a while, but it's not easy to find a price anywhere online.

 

[kidsmoke]

I don't know enough to know if there is a preferred vintage, etc. And of course they make many different models. This one I saw is being sold by a knowledgeable seller, and listed at $1100.00. I don't know the vintage, etc.

 

[Duffy]

Heritage

I had a chance to buy a used "Kahuna" model LP style, solid body Heritage for 1000 cash, used. It was less than two years old. It is a signature model. "The Kahuna" is a local blues muscian that I know that told me about the deal from a guy he knows. The guy decided not to sell it, but 1000 for a mint used LP style rare one was supposed to be a real good deal. The type of thing that wouldn't have sat around long, supposedly.

 

[kidsmoke]

BIG mistake. I went and played this guitar. Now I'm considering minimizing my carbon footprint and selling my car.

2002, Almond Sunburst is what they call it, Curly maple body and a flamed, bound pickguard

iPhone pics.....

 

[marnold]

BIG mistake. I went and played this guitar. Now I'm considering minimizing my carbon footprint and selling my car.

Now that's dedication. Or insanity. Or both.

 

[hubberjub]

Tio, I view Heritages as being on par with the Gibson Custom Shop guitars in terms of quality. $1100 for the guitar you are showing is a great deal. The pickups and tail piece have been swapped, but that doesn't detract from it's value.

 

[Eric]

$1100 for the guitar you are showing is a great deal.

Care to weigh in on the general price range for new and used ones? I know you're quite a fan, so I figure you'd know.

The pickups and tail piece have been swapped, but that doesn't detract from it's value.

How can you tell? Just that the pups are uncovered?

 

[wingsdad]

I have the 2008 edition of Vintage Guitar Magazine's Price Guide. It shows an H-535, 2000-2006 in Excellent Condition fetching from a Low of $1,250 to a High of $1,350. Like any such guide, those prices can be +/- a bit lower or higher depending on the supply & demand conditions of the specific market the guitar is selling in. -- brick & mortar store ot private party in a geographic area, or, online retailer or auction, like e-bay.

I'd say $1,100 for that axe in Chi-Town, a metropolitan market with lots of guitars, is probably a really good deal.

Looks a lot like the one I described in my previous post. Not sure what the guy paid new, since we don't divulge to each other the prices our GAS Station owner cuts with us 1-on-1 when we factory order a new piece like he did, or I did with my G&L ASAT Bluesboy.

 

[kidsmoke]

Tio, I view Heritages as being on par with the Gibson Custom Shop guitars in terms of quality. $1100 for the guitar you are showing is a great deal. The pickups and tail piece have been swapped, but that doesn't detract from it's value.

Two points. I misquoted the asking price, (I'd looked at several guitars, it was an Ibanez that had that number...) It looks like $1200.00 would bring it home. It's on the wall at $1395.00

Looking at the Heritage info I can find, the 535 appear to have a standard Tone Pros style bridge, what leads you to believe this has been changed? And for the p'ups, could these have been spec'd by the buyer? FYI, I don't know what model of duncans these are.

for reference: http://www.heritageguitar.com/models/h535almsb_specs.html

 

[kidsmoke]

Now that's dedication. Or insanity. Or both.

Tongue only slightly planted in cheek. It's a sweet guitar. Action so low, great neck, a bit deeper profile than my HB-35 (also a 335 style guitar) Nice tones, closer between the neck and bridge than I'd expect. Thinner than my other guitars. Loved it.

 

[hubberjub]

Tio, most Heritage guitars come from the factory with covered Schaller pickups. Many are ordered with Seymour Duncan pickups, but those are also usually covered. If they aren't covered they probably wouldn't have a visible logo on them (as those in the picture have). Also, most would have a Schaller tail piece. Here's a picture of my H535 when it was stock.

Notice how it is larger and has squared edges. Some people like them and leave them, others swap them out for something different. It's just personal preference.

 

[kidsmoke]

Cool. I see what you're saying. Clearly any changes are simply straight out swaps, not "mods" per se.
thanks for the info, HJ
Sweet axe BTW, matte finish on that guitar? Custom? the grain is very much like what this guitar I'm eyeing has.

 

[hubberjub]

Yep, just a swap. No new holes drilled or anything like that. My guitar is a glossy transparent black. It's just the light that makes it look flat. I saw that you joined over at the HOC. They are a very good resource for Heritage guitars.

 

[ZMAN]

I went to their site and they have some pretty sweet looking guitars. The only thing I can't get past is the pick guard. I know it is their signature thing, and maybe if it was more rounded and less "batwing" like it might grow on me.
But that would be an easy fix.
What would be a factory new price for the solid body double cut H170, and I am really digging the H110.
They have the 110 listed under semi hollow, so it must be chambered. When you factor in USA made, they are preetty sweet.
I might have missed it, but no mention of cases included?

 

[Eric]

What would be a factory new price for the solid body double cut H170, and I am really digging the H110.
They have the 110 listed under semi hollow, so it must be chambered. When you factor in USA made, they are preetty sweet.
I might have missed it, but no mention of cases included?

I have similar questions, and I think it might be easies to either join a forum for it or contact a dealer. If you find any info, I'd like to know as well.

 

[hubberjub]

I went to their site and they have some pretty sweet looking guitars. The only thing I can't get past is the pick guard. I know it is their signature thing, and maybe if it was more rounded and less "batwing" like it might grow on me.
But that would be an easy fix.
What would be a factory new price for the solid body double cut H170, and I am really digging the H110.
They have the 110 listed under semi hollow, so it must be chambered. When you factor in USA made, they are pretty sweet.
I might have missed it, but no mention of cases included?

I'm not sure what they go for but cases are definitely included.

 

[kidsmoke]

I went to their site and they have some pretty sweet looking guitars. The only thing I can't get past is the pick guard.

Funny, the pickguard on the 535 is one of the things that puts it over the top for me, although, in black that may be different.

I suggest viewing the forum. They have a good "for sale" section which may give some indication of prices, or just call a distributor. From my brief searchig and reading, etc, it seems the factory really cultivates a cult mentality, through ample access to the shop and customization options. The more I find out, the more I like the idea of supporting the brand.

 

[NWBasser]

The is an LP Goldtop on the local CL for $1,000. It looks like one very sweet guitar.

Well out of my current budget though.

 

[wingsdad]

..... it seems the factory really cultivates a cult mentality, through ample access to the shop and customization options. The more I find out, the more I like the idea of supporting the brand.

You've hit the nail on the head, Tio.

As I described in my earlier post, I've been fortunate (?) to have played and examined closely a few Heritages...besides that H535 I described, my local dealer has had a few others over the years that he'd ordered for guys and they came back on consignment as their owners fell on harder financial times and just had to give them up. A Sweet 16, a Golden Eagle, and an H150. Also, my dealer and his 2 partners just rave about the company, a pleasure to deal with, solid people.

Geezer that I am, I've often mentioned here my first 'good' guitar I got when I was 13: a Gibson Kalamazoo ES330. In the 70's, I owned 3 different Gibson Kalamazoo LP Customs. The only post-Kalamazoo Gibson I've owned was a '99 BluesHawk. I have absolutley NO desire to own a post-Kalamzoo Gibson. It's not about the money, although there's no way I could afford one again; it's the company's kharma, the attitude. It disgusts me.

The same is the case for Fender. I own 2, a '78 and an '81. All the silly overpriced incarnations of Strats and Teles today are just that: silly. Gimmicky. OTH, G&L, founded by Leo Fender and George Fullerton, with their guitars designed and built 'Leo & George's way', in 'Leo's old Fender House' in Fullerton, CA. They have that 'kharma'. Genuine. Authentic. No Bull Feces. Just great guitars at a fair price.

As I said before, I liken Heritage to G&L, and it's for the same reasoning. OK, so I'm old-school. Living in the past? Perhaps.

If my dealer ever gets an H535, or an H530 (equivalent to the ES330/Epi Casino), maybe an H150 again...I'd take my Epi Sheraton II and Casino and my Washburn Idol and work a trade for the Heritage. Without blinking, hesitation or regret.

 

[Duffy]

Heritage

I agree Wingsdad. I really wish I could have grabbed that Heritage "Kahuna" LP style when I had the chance. It was in mint condition and only about two years out of the showroom.

I have been playing a couple G & L's lately that I like a lot. I really like the natural finish S500. It's a Tribute series, but a really nice guitar. I have an ASAT semi hollow Tribute tele that is super nice. I bought that from Chris Bovard - "The Kahuna", used in mint condition for a really decent price. He is a Heritage dealer himself, as well as G & L. I see on Heritage's web page that they have a Chris Bovard signature guitar still, custom made.

This is just like mine:

 

[wingsdad]

... He is a Heritage dealer himself, as well as G & L. ...

Another dealer for these 2 brands with the common 'back to the future' vibe...hmmmm.

There's no 'buts' about Tributes, Duffy. It was a new Tribute ASAT Special that introduced me to G&L and led me to trade it to get my first previously-owned USA ASAT, a Special Semi-Hollow...which led to a previously owned USA Comanche, and then to finally custom order my Bluesboy. So I had 3 at one time, but finances vs. the sheer luxury of duplicating the BB and my STRAT that led me to sell, with regrets, the first 2.

Correction to my above post, though: I have 3, not 2, Fender Ave., Fullerton, CA Fenders, to go with the Fender Ave., Fullerton, CA G&L...I somehow forgot about my '56 Studio Pro Lap Steel that reeks of Leo's ingenuity using a Tele bridge pup, knobs and tuners, and truncated mic stands for it's 3 screw-in legs.

But let us not stray any further OT here...Tio's got GAS for a Heritage and trying to scheme into a cure...as do you...and I.