Does Heritage make a a model like the Johnny A Sig?

[Jazzerous]

If this has been asked before please send me a link please!

 

thanks Mike

[Gitfiddler]

Mike, the closest Heritage model is the Millenium. However, there are major differences in the construction of the two guitars.

 

Here are the JA specs:

 

Gibson Johnny A. Signature

 

The JA's back and sides are carved from a single piece of Mahogany. The top is solid flame Maple. The other difference is that the JA is a 25.5 scale.

It is a very unique instrument, but if one wanted to have a customized Millie, then Heritage could come pretty close.

[Jazzerous]

Thanks brother

[big bob]

you could order a 170 light weight, or a 150 lightweight with a 25.5 scale neck..

[Flat]

I was thinking along these very same lines recently...after I saw Johnny A playing his Sig in this video (an awesome instrumental version of Wichita Lineman).

 

 

Instantly became a big fan. Bought the CD. Loved it. Lots of great tracks.

 

Bought Johnny's instructional DVD (Taste Space Tone, or something). Really nice! Great DVD. Includes PDFs of many tracks. Johnny talks about his Sig.

 

So of course...I need a Johnny A Sig now! But could I find a Heritage that could do all of that?

 

I then checked the liner notes on his first CD and read a couple interviews. Apparently, (I could be mistaken), but on his first album he played an ES-295, a Les Paul, and a 335. The Signature came later.

 

But the Sig seems pretty amazing if it can cover all of those tones!

 

On the other hand, I guess I could assemble my own private "Heritage Johnny A Signature Tone Collection" and get maybe an H-550 with a Bigbsy, an H-150, and a H-535...

[Gitfiddler]

I bet a call to Marv or Ren with details about the JA specs would generate an interesting response from them.

 

Whatever instrument configuration they come up with would be a whole lot better than paying roughly $4,000+, the cost of JA's these days, AND be one killer guitar.

 

I was very fortunate to score a Johnny A. Signature when they first came out in early 2004. In fact, the color of it (Sunset Glow) is similar to what I was looking for in my Heritage H525 Custom (Sunset Burst) but a little darker!

 

 

 

[Jazzpunk]

The Johnny A is a cool looking guitar. Really well thought out aesthetically from the f holes to the pick guard to the inlays.

 

It's a little to new school to request from Heritage imo. Seems they might actually be a little offended!

[Guest mgoetting]

Johnny A is technically a master. But he's not a flamboyant player, at least in the recent videos I've seen. Instead, he's thoughtful, restrained and melodic. Gabor Szabo, Carlos Santana, Wes Montgomery and Bill Frisell have/had some of the same qualities. These are all musicians/artists first and guitarists second.

 

My Millie with Seths sounds very close to what I heard on the video as far as tone goes. My 555 with HRWs is also in the ballpark.

 

As an aside, I used to really hate fake f holes. Now I'm not sure f holes serve much purpose in a semi-hollow anyway, so I'm not as bothered anymore. AS bothered....

 

But that Gibson looks really nice.

[Guest mgoetting]

I'll bet he uses heavy strings also. Does anyone here know? My guess is 12s, at least 11s.

[Guest mgoetting]

From an interview a few years ago:

 

I use D'Addario strings, the XL series. I use different gauges depending on the guitar; some are .11s, some are .10s, some .09s. I also use the D'Addario Chromes, which are flatwound. My picks are Planet Waves.

[big bob]

From an interview a few years ago:

 

I use D'Addario strings, the XL series. I use different gauges depending on the guitar; some are .11s, some are .10s, some .09s. I also use the D'Addario Chromes, which are flatwound. My picks are Planet Waves.

 

?????

[Jazzpunk]

As an aside, I used to really hate fake f holes. Now I'm not sure f holes serve much purpose in a semi-hollow anyway, so I'm not as bothered anymore. AS bothered....

 

But that Gibson looks really nice.

 

Which guitar are you referring to in regards to the fake f-holes?

[Flat]

Are the f-holes fake? I thought they were cut-out...but in that photo above, the bass side looks like a cut-out, albeit an unusual shape, but the treble side is too dark to tell. Is one of the f-holes painted on?

 

Also, does Gibson refer to it as a semi-hollow or a thin hollowbody? There's no center block in the body like there is in a 335/535, is there?

 

The thing that impressed me about Johnny's playing was just how clean and precise he was in his execution. Plus a great control of dynamics.

 

I wish he'd come out to Cali for some shows.

[Guest mgoetting]

Maybe the f holes aren't fake. Gitfiddler?

[Thundersteel]

To me, it looks like the treble-side f-hole is painted on.

[H]

To me, it looks like the treble-side f-hole is painted on.

 

I've had a liitle look round on the web and both f-holes are real. This pic may have been photoshopped to hide all those nasty wires

[Gitfiddler]

Both F-holes are definitely real and the JA is considered a full hollow body archtop. The photo was taken by a pro buddy of mine and he may have touched it up or photo shopped it.

 

The Johnny A. overall construction is very similar to the Gibson CS336/356 models, but 25.5 scale vs. 24.75.

 

 

Here's a shot of it before I removed the white protective pickguard covering. You can see some light in the treble side F-hole.

 

 

 

And another shot:

 

[Guest mgoetting]

Gitfiddler:

 

Wow! That is one fine guitar.

 

How deep is the body on the JA?

 

I get frustrated reading the Gibson descriptions of their guitars. It would help if there were a table of measurements, woods, pups, finishes, etc.

 

I feel better knowing those are real f holes.

 

You're right, there's not a Heritage equivalent. The Roy Clark might be close. It is a hollowbody with full neck access. And it also has f holes.

[Gitfiddler]

Gitfiddler:

 

Wow! That is one fine guitar.

 

How deep is the body on the JA?

 

I get frustrated reading the Gibson descriptions of their guitars. It would help if there were a table of measurements, woods, pups, finishes, etc.

 

I feel better knowing those are real f holes.

 

You're right, there's not a Heritage equivalent. The Roy Clark might be close. It is a hollowbody with full neck access. And it also has f holes.

 

 

Mark, I think it is just over an inch thick. Sorry, I'm at work now, but will check later this evening. In the meantime, here's a cool link that will hopefully answer more questions.

You are correct. Gibson does not give adequate specs for their instruments.

 

Johnny A. Registry

[Guest mgoetting]

Here's my answer to the Johnny A.

 

It's not as duded up as the Gibson, but it does let you clearly know it's custom. The Johnny A. doesn't quite mention that, does it?

 

Plus if a truck runs over it I won't cry quite as hard as I would if it were a Johnny A.

 

Don't get me started on all the ways this Millie is superior to that Gibson.

 

Did I mention that it is more size efficient? And the volume controls go up to 11.

[Jazzpunk]

Here's my answer to the Johnny A.

 

Never seen a millie with a bigsby. Too cool!