DetroitBlues

Planned to sell? Otherwise, I’m not worried about it. Yet. I’m more curious to see scammers trying to pose these as USA models. But the neck heel and belly cuts give it away. Sellers could sand away serial numbers and some older Heritages have three screw truss rod covers, so swapping with a blank is possible

My guess is someone trying to mark it up as a profit. It is a preorder listing

Found the first advertisement for the new Ascent+ H150. Seller is asking just shy of $1000 for the new Chinese import. Rather pricey, but way cheaper than a new USA H150. Doesn’t seem that long ago, you could find a decent H150 for just around a $1000 and a H140 for under $1000. It had me wondering why Heritage would do this and it dawned on me. A few California based guitar companies such as ESP and Schecter do make USA guitars, but they are purely custom shop. Similar models are imported from Asian manufacturers to fit the need of everyday consumers for best value for the money. Maybe this is what Heritage is doing. Making USA made Heritages Custom Core only as they have a bigger price tag. Take the focus away from the $2500 H150 to a $4000 H150 CC. Makes sense I guess to free up the factory to focus on the expensive guitars and move away from the cheaper ones. Wouldn’t be surprised if Harmony is slowly phased out for their import models. This maybe why we are seeing the evolution of Heritage to be more of a modern guitar company and not what many of us knew from decades ago. It’s been almost ten years now since the owners sold the company. No surprise anymore this is what it takes to keep the name on the headstock. Right or wrong, this is what it is.

Glad to see this thread going strong. Even at a small gig, I really enjoy a tube amp. Think it sounds just a hair better has a 2x12 instead of a 1x12 cab. Still amazing to hear playing live!

Is the label the only way to tell it’s an Ascent?

Other than artists and social media in influencers, I’ve never heard anyone able to use the bespoke program ever since they announced it.

Knowing Greg, the selector change is probably a lot to do with volume swells. I’ve known about him for many years, even met him in person a few time since he has an artist model(s) with Reverend guitars. By no small coincidence, Heritage and Reverend do have some deep connections, so it doesn’t surprise me Greg has a custom model H535.

That a headstock break by the tuner? Nice find, especially interesting to read it has a big neck.

Now you can custom relic what you have... You can shoot holes into them now. Somewhere, there are YouTube videos of them.

Excellent eye! Never would in a million years watched anything by the Bangles, but its nice to see early adopters. Wonder if the folks of Heritage knew about them or not interested.

Reading this article this morning in Guitar World that Celestion is coming out with an "ear-saving" Peacekeeping speaker that allows you to crank your tube amp to its natural saturation level, but the speaker has a built-in attenuation to keep the volume levels down. Maybe this means I can use a 4x12 cabinet as a bedroom amp? Celestion’s ear-saving Peacekeeper speaker lets you dial in the “sweet spot” of a driven amp at modest volumes

One heck of an upgrade, pickups, hardware, etc. Double Creams are definitely Brentrocks approved! Hopefully this one stays in the family. Congrats!

I've more or less was thinking the multi-ply necks meant less chance of a headstock break.

Do it! Do it now! Do it or someone else gets it!

How much more does it cost to make a 555 over a 535? Little extra binding and inlay work. Cost savings over previous design. No laminated 3/5 piece necks, no small split diamond/arrow inlay work. No binding on the f-holes (I've been told that was a very difficult process)

Guess there was a lot of cost saving measures here to bring back the 555. Easier inlays, regular mahogany necks, no bound F-Holes. They've made them closer to the G brand design that OG Heritage design. This is pound for pound a direct copy of the ES-355 Gibson makes today. Mahogany neck, unbound F-hole, and full block inlays. Other than artist models, the newest ES-355 does not have a stereo output or varitone selector. I did make a comment that Heritage missed the opportunity to use a bound Tortise pickguard instead of solid bound black.

I had just about forgotten what the OG’s looked like.

I wonder if the F Hole being unbound was an oversight?

I’m glad they brought them back. Expensive, but that’s not surprising. Using the same custom shop hot Alnico 5 pickups as the H157’s. Love it!

One of my favorite singer/ song writers, Drake White, had a recent video on Country Rebel. His electric guitarist was using a beautiful H535.

This article was more about the direct to PA style systems. I actually like the Tone Master series, although I don't know how long they'd last. Most older tube amps can be serviced. Can't say the same about a digital modeler like the Tone Master. When I was in Nashville three years ago, I did a back stage tour of the Grand Ol Opry. Because it was an early Sunday tour, it was just me and my wife on a tour. I had noticed every single amp on the stage was a Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb. Now the difference here really is, if an amp goes bad, they could easily get another and not think twice about it. However, the average guitarist probably couldn't do the same thing....

I read an article this morning from Guitar World on MSN. They provided some compelling information arguments stating five reasons why someone should switch (citing touring artists switched, so why not you?) "While sound quality was once something that held modelers back, it is now a big reason to buy": Five reasons you’re better off with an amp modeler than a tube amp Portable Reliable Price Flexibility Sound Great Can't get myself to do it. to me I find modelers to be finicky, prone to fail, and won't last in the long run. Tube amps are heavy, so digital modelers win there. I started using a separate head/cabinet. But really, I use a cart to move stuff around. Hardest lift is in/out of the truck. None of it is that heavy, its not like I'm lifting a 100w 2x12 Fender Twin. Reliability is subjective, digital modelers are great now, until the software becomes outdated, until fails, and there is no way to fix it. Digital modelers are disposable items that do not retain value in the long run. Price is also subjective. To achieve the high-end tube-like sound, you are paying way more than most tube amps. Sure, there are cheaper alternatives, but they aren't as good. Plus you still have to get a monitor system, my band asked me to look into going direct. I asked if they are buying me a monitor system so I can hear my guitar? Going to front of house doesn't help me, if I can't hear anything beyond the vocalists monitor. Flexibility. The right tube amp in combination with the right pedals, you can achieve nearly anything sound you want. Even rolling back the volume on your guitar to clean up the sound makes a huge difference. Sounds great. Tube amps sound great, modelers can, but you buy a modeler, then have to spend more on a monitor system for it. There are pros to modeling of which I won't deny, but I have yet to feel (yes, feel) a modeling amp that feels like a fire breathing tube amp. There is something about the sound and the feel when you have a 50w/100w head pushing a 2x12 or a 4x12 cabinet.

I believe the Marshall name was licensed out for the headphones, speakers, etc. But perhaps Chinese ownership could help Marshall the same way Bandlab has infused into Heritage to become a viable manufacture and widely recognized brand.

Marshall acquired by China’s HongShan in $1bn+ deal While Jim Marshall's family retains 20% of the company, the majority stake was sold awhile ago to some European investors. Those investors have since sold their shares to a Chinese firm for $1.16 Billion. HongShan Capital Group (HSG) is now the majority shareholder of Marshall. Will we see more higher end Marshall's made in China? Who knows... Curious to see what changes with the brand.

Congratulations! Looks awesome!