tsp17

Just spotted these Lollar Gold Foil ….they may be just the ticket. https://www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-gold-foil-pickups/gold-foil-surface-mount

Thanks much. I’ve heard good things about them. I have Lollar Imperials in most of my guitars. Terrific design and sound. Just ran across Tom Brantley Rewind pickups….anyone tried one of these? Looks like a specific attempt at what I’m talking about: https://tombrantleyrewinds.com/newpickups/dearmond-style-goldfoil-in-humbucker-size

Hey all- Happy New Year. I love the sound of the old Dearmond Rhythm Chief 1000 and 1100. I played a Guild Artist Award with that pickup a while back and was blown away with that sound. I was thinking about putting a Kent Armstrong single coil in my incoming Eagle Classic. I’ll give the already installed PAF style humbucker a chance, but I’d like to explore the single coil sound in this archtop. Everything else I’ve got has a humbucker. I do need something that stays pretty clean. Thoughts? Other ideas?

Very sorry to hear it.

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

Thanks. Yes, certainly I will play it first. Like I said in the original post - I’ve been surprised before by pickups that I “knew” from prior experience weren’t right for me- but in a different guitar I found them to be terrific. I didn’t think I liked Duncan ‘59s - then I got a 575 with them in it, and it was a great combination in that specific instrument. Lesson learned there.

That’s great to hear. Thanks. Always a little bit of a crap shoot when buying on line. But Jay and team at Wolfe are super professional, reliable and they have the really good stuff (like HOC member owned Green Oak). They have never steered me wrong. I always have confidence buying from them.

Always wanted one of these. I have a 550, 575 and SKB- so this one slots nicely in a missing spot as a 17 inch solid wood spruce top masterwork that I can gig with since I don't play my SKB at clubs/restaurants/bars. Nice bonus- comes with fitted Doug's Plugs to make it all the more gig-worthy without feedback issues. Should arrive late next week. Pickups are Schaller Golden 50's, which I've never played but the guys at Jay Wolfe's shop tell me they are on the bright and articulate side, kind of like HRWs. Will probably swap them out, but we'll see. I've been surprised before by pickups that I thought I wouldn't like, but turned out to be great in a specific guitar. More to come.... Anyone here have experience with Golden 50's? If so, please let me know your thoughts. Picture from the guys at Wolfe:

Jazz guy. His lessons are excellent.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=9I8x1qvgtG4&si=dZJp39wWA_JoK1qC Happy Holidays to all!

Nice!

Welcome!

I had the same experience but in reverse. Everyone is different…My first Heritage 25 years ago was an amazing 535. Gorgeous!!!! But just too big for me and didn’t sit right on my lap or against my body due to where the contours were. Got a 575MH and was in love. Now a 575 custom, 550 custom and an Skb. All feel ‘just right’.

Thx @skydog52 I played it this morning. I played it this morning. I was deeply rewarded. I’ll try to record some samples over the weekend and post them.

Serial No. starts with T, so looks like 2003 according to the chart. Also has a 011 stamped above the serial no., which I've always taken to mean it was number 11 from the limited run, but I've never tested that theory. @skydog52 @MartyGrass @Gitfiddler is that right? anyone else?

Great Pedal!!! I had one for a while. Loved it.

i have number 011. How many are out there in the wild?

Nicely done my friend. Again, you have a way of finding the great instruments.

some of the very coolest hippest Heritages ever have come through this shop. One of the ones I wish I'd never ever sold.....ahhh yes, the Duaneburst Custom H150....Even as an archtop hollow body loving jazz guy - I still pine for that one. I've never seen or played anything like it. One of our own here at HOC designed that masterpiece.

Very cool. Thanks for posting.

That says it all!

True that. From the newer H guitars I’ve seen/played in the wild (full disclosure- i have not purchased one manufactured under new management), QC and consistency has improved with modern methods and technology. They are very good guitars. However…. Maybe I’ve just gotten lucky, but of the 10 or so Heritage models I’ve owned over time (i currently have three) and the dozens i have found in store or private hands and tried out of curiosity or thinking to buy, I have never played or owned a bad older one. Yes, even on the extra special ones and the keepers Ive spotted some inconsistencies or minor imperfections due to the nature of the process, or there might be a loose wire, faulty switch, or other fixable issue, but I’ll tolerate that (to a point) for the craftsmanship and overall human quality of the instrument. Maybe it is the appeal of the Heritage lore and history, maybe it is the community I’ve found with you all, but like most of us here at HOC there is something about the story and minor imperfections that come with the human artisan/craft touch that i love. I know it sounds romanticized, but It adds something, a warmth, a life quality, or some other better word descriptor that one might imagine. Besides, the more modern, slimmer necks are not for me. Maybe I’m just an old guy who prefers older styles. I have a Korean made Comins chambered/semi-hollow that is a superb instrument, flawless in many ways in terms of the fit and finish (Bill Comins does the final set up and QC check himself- a very good guy based on my interactions with him), consistency of the neck carve, binding, etc. but that one too has had problems with selector switch, tuners, and pickup wiring. Bottom line is that the H’s get the by far most play in my house and gigs. Plus i love telling the H story when people ask about the guitar - it happens at every gig. All of my Heritages are from decades gone by. None are made in the last 20 or so years. Just one person’s story…