H 140, 1989

[ekkybedmond]

Hi there,

 

thinking of bying an old H 140, for weight and size considerations (am used to Strats, not LP's).

 

I have one in my sights, 1989 F number, asking roughly US 1300 eq (in EURO). Should be VG/mint condition, 100% frets straight neck, under 8 lbs

 

Which pickups do these have: SD 55?

 

Is asking price real, or not ?

 

Any problems to watch out for with these ?

 

thxs for any input.

[schundog]

I guess it depends where you live, but I've seen them go for $900 or less here in the States, lately. Good luck with your search!

[H]

I guess it depends where you live, but I've seen them go for $900 or less here in the States, lately. Good luck with your search!

Schundog is right about the price premium in Europe, I'm afraid. You can sometimes *save* money by buying from the States and paying shipping and duty charges. It's crazy but true. You get lots more choice that way too.

[FredZepp]

I have one in my sights, 1989 F number, asking roughly US 1300 eq (in EURO). Should be VG/mint condition, 100% frets straight neck, under 8 lbs

 

Does this mean it is. $ 1300 US or am I misreading this line..? That price seems perhaps a bit high even for Europe , but our members across the sea could answer that better than I.

 

I have an '89 H-140CM in a Trans Cherry finish. They came with Schaller pickups , which are pretty good ( some really like them ) but many have replacement pickups added in the 21 years these have been being played. Mine has Dimarzio pickups added long ago, but not stock.

 

Do you have a picture of the guitar that you could post? Not only do we love to see them, but it may get you more answers to your questions about it.

 

Here is my '89 H-140CM >>>>>>>>>

 

[ekkybedmond]

Yep, US 1300.

no idea to post picture, is there a menu or som'tin' ?

[ekkybedmond]

hmm, seem to have managed anyway.

 

THERE IT IS !

[ekkybedmond]

Any clues on fretboard radius on these axes ?

[FredZepp]

Wow, that is great looking trans blue.... I don't remember one of these in that finish, nice.

 

I believe the radius is 12"... ?

 

The 2 screws on each side of the pickup tells us it has Schaller pickups.

 

Some other specs..

 

 

H-140CM Single cutaway, solid mahogany back with carved curly maple top Cream bound top, One-piece mahogany neck , 24.75" scale, 22 frets - Rosewood fretboard, MOP dot markers 17 degree pitch peghead Two exposed-coil humbuckers; two volume, two tone; pickup selector switch Chrome plated hardware;

[H]

Wow, that is great looking trans blue.... I don't remember one of these in that finish, nice.

 

I believe the radius is 12"... ?

 

The 2 screws on each side of the pickup tells us it has Schaller pickups.

 

Some other specs..

 

 

H-140CM Single cutaway, solid mahogany back with carved curly maple top Cream bound top, One-piece mahogany neck , 24.75" scale, 22 frets - Rosewood fretboard, MOP dot markers 17 degree pitch peghead Two exposed-coil humbuckers; two volume, two tone; pickup selector switch Chrome plated hardware;

It's still got the Schaller tailpiece and bridge and the Grover Rotamatics on so it may not have been 'adjusted' too much at all. Is that pickguard stock? Hasn't BarryMClark got something like this?

[ekkybedmond]

The 2 screws on each side of the pickup tells us it has Schaller pickups.

 

Some other specs..

 

 

Would it be easy to swap pickups on this one, wgt 2 screws vs 1 screw on each side of pickup ?

[FredZepp]

Would it be easy to swap pickups on this one, wgt 2 screws vs 1 screw on each side of pickup ?

Oh yeah, no problem. It appears that on mine they used the original pickup ring that was made for the 2 hole per side Schaller.

 

Hey, just curious... on this one , is the serial number printed on the back of the headstock (like usual) or is it inside the cavity...?

[FredZepp]

It's still got the Schaller tailpiece and bridge and the Grover Rotamatics on so it may not have been 'adjusted' too much at all. Is that pickguard stock? Hasn't BarryMClark got something like this?

Yes , Barry's Triple pickup 140 is a trans blue ( you've got a good memory ) ... it seems like his is a bit darker to me, a different shade. Maybe this was a different blue, like a Pelham Blue or something, or maybe just the way the pics are taken...

[ekkybedmond]

Took the plunge and bought it for around US 1130, incl shipping from abroad. Should be in very fine shape, weighing in at about 7.8 lbs, nice and light.

 

Will post pics when it arrives.

 

Any suggestions for replacement pickups are welcome, vintage specs.

 

 

Thanks 4 all input.

[tulk1]

Just wanted to chime in and welcome you to the HoC. And what a stunning guitar that is!! Early model H140. And looks like you got a good deal, even less than you originally thought.

 

As for pickup swaps, there are SO many to choose from. Seems most around here have a favorite, and I'm sure they'll suggest those. For me, I have no issues with the stock Schallers. They're a very good PAF design.

[ekkybedmond]

Oh yeah, no problem. It appears that on mine they used the original pickup ring that was made for the 2 hole per side Schaller.

 

Hey, just curious... on this one , is the serial number printed on the back of the headstock (like usual) or is it inside the cavity...?

 

Serial number is printed at back of headstock, in white.

[ekkybedmond]

It's in.

 

Not as blue as on earlier picture, but great colour nevertheless. I'll try and post some.

 

It's clearly not been played for quite some time. It feels rusted. I'll plug it in later to hear it

(and start thinking about new pickups.....).

[FredZepp]

Great to hear that you got it...

 

I can't wait to see more of the finish. I really like their light tranparent blues.

 

I asked about the serial just because I have one from that year that oddly has the serial in the control cavity and am keeping watch for any others made that way.

 

It sounds like you're sure that you won't like the pickups, before you try them.. so what kind of sound do you want? really hot for metal or a more open vintage sound.. or maybe add some switches and do coil splitting?

 

There are so many pickups and pretty much all have a great sound , in my opinion, it is just that they create a slightly different sound. So it is a upgrade of fine tuning the guitar to your personal tastes.

[ekkybedmond]

The sound is a vintage sound, a la Gary Moore. I'm thinking perhaps one of the PG sets that are available from the various PUP builders, som'tin' like that.

Def no switches and or coil splits.

 

It sure is 'rusty', and needs a bit of work (and new strings...), perhaps new dome knobs.

 

Anyway: pics to follow

 

BTW: are this in nitro finish ?

[FredZepp]

The sound is a vintage sound, a la Gary Moore. I'm thinking perhaps one of the PG sets that are available from the various PUP builders, som'tin' like that.

Def no switches and or coil splits.

 

It sure is 'rusty', and needs a bit of work (and new strings...), perhaps new dome knobs.

 

Anyway: pics to follow

 

BTW: are this in nitro finish ?

Oh yes... all Heritages are done in Nitro.

 

Good Luck with getting it cleaned up proper.

[ekkybedmond]

It's still got the Schaller tailpiece and bridge and the Grover Rotamatics on so it may not have been 'adjusted' too much at all. Is that pickguard stock? Hasn't BarryMClark got something like this?

 

Hardware by Schaller, does that mean metric thread on these ?

 

Does it have a so called Nashville Bridge (or ABR..)

 

Thxs