Custom Orders: List Prices & Features?

[Halowords]

I generally prefer to buy gently used, and if the right one comes across the same time I have funds for it (maybe you guys can relate) I'd definitely go that route. That said, I have toyed with the idea of getting a new Heritage custom made with a few modifications. Nothing outlandish really, just a few pretty modest upgrades and a specific finish I've got in mind. Anyway . . .

 

Just wondering, is there a list of the base price on custom models (from Heritage a/o Wolfe or the like)?

 

Also, just for kicks, what custom order options have you guys found worth tacking onto your orders?

 

FWIW, I'm mainly considering this because the few things I'm interested in seem kind of unlikely to end up on the same guitar and for sale. Not sure if I'll actually go through with it or not, but I'd be interested to hear how much it'll set me back if I do so I can play with the numbers a bit and see if it's worth it (or realistic).

 

-Cheers

[GuitArtMan]

The custom order costs what the custom features cost. There is no charge for it simply being a custom order. For instance, unless things have changed, there is no up-charge to have a neck made to your specs (within reason). Things that would incur extra costs would be special wood, different pickups/electronics, binding, custom in-lays, gold plated parts, etc.

[jmc7581]

GuitArtMan has it right. Price is the same regardless - there's no up-charge just for custom ordering. If there's any up-charge, it'd be there anyway - for a premium finish of some sort, or highly flamed wood, or special pickups, or what have you.

 

I just went through this myself, custom ordering a 535 because I wanted some particular things. I ordered through Jeff Hale - http://www.jhalemusic.com/ - because of his terrific and (I can tell you) well-deserved reputation (not that he's the only one with such a reputation, I'm sure). I wanted a bone nut, Seth Lover p/u's, a specific chunky neck carve, a particular finish, a different pickguard, and different control knobs. All of this was within the base price (even the bone nut, I'm pretty sure), no different than if I bought a standard 535 new off the shelf. Took awhile, mind you - they predicted 6-8 weeks, but it ended up being 6 months - but really that was due to Heritage's being very very picky, which in the end is a good thing.

 

This is one of the great things about Heritage, of course, as distinct from the big makers. And the beauty of it is I got exactly what I wanted, everything just right ... And it really is wonderful to have no nagging little things you wish were different, or that you feel like you want to modify, or whatever. It is perfect.

[Halowords]

GuitArtMan has it right. Price is the same regardless - there's no up-charge just for custom ordering. If there's any up-charge, it'd be there anyway - for a premium finish of some sort, or highly flamed wood, or special pickups, or what have you.

 

I just went through this myself, custom ordering a 535 because I wanted some particular things. I ordered through Jeff Hale - http://www.jhalemusic.com/ - because of his terrific and (I can tell you) well-deserved reputation (not that he's the only one with such a reputation, I'm sure).

 

That's pretty cool! I'm in Wisconsin, so Jeff Hale might be a pretty viable option with the geography and all.

 

-Cheers

[jmc7581]

Well, if you decide to do this, I can't recommend Jeff highly enough. A total pleasure to deal with, low-key, knowledgeable, good listener, a musician and a gentleman. And part of what you get with Jeff, besides his own care and professionalism, is that he has all of his Heritages (others too, I assume) set up by Denny Rauen at Rauen Guitars in Milwaukee - so it arrives ready to tune up and play, right out of the box. No mediocre "average" set-up. It's a really wonderful additional value.

[Spectrum13]

I second Jeff.

 

I purchased a D'Angelico from Jeff in 2007 and the set up was perfect. A few weeks ago I opened the case and the tailpiece was busted. Told Jeff about it and he made sure I received a new one free. He is a class act.

[602a]

Do you have to go thru a dealer or can you just go thru the factory? Does the price usually run the same as list ? I want a pretty standard 150 with a thinner neck.

[tulk1]

Do you have to go thru a dealer or can you just go thru the factory? Does the price usually run the same as list ? I want a pretty standard 150 with a thinner neck.

 

Heritage has a dealer network and prefer you go thru them. What I've done on my two custom orders was to put my specs together, then call Heritage and discuss it with them. I've talked to Vince, Ren and Marv on different occasions, and they always have great insite on a custom orders. They'll tell you if your specs are good, or what you should/shouldn't try. Then once you've got your specs up to ....... uh .... specs!, go to do your dealer of choice and start working with them. Let your dealer know that you've talked to Heritage AND that you are an HOC member - they need to tell Vince that when getting your cost. You should get a good discount being a member. Sometimes, upgrades have no up charges. It just kind of depends.

[big bob]

I would disagree, I had my 170 custom quoted by a large volume dealer, not comfortable saying names on the forum, pm me if you want to know. They quoted me over 3400.00 for my 170 custom.

thats more than a sweet 16 .. for a solid body.. and because heritage will only quote a custom order through one dealer, I did kinda fell like I was being taken advantage of.

Thank god Kate decided to trade me a build for her Popsicle back.

[Kuz]

I would disagree, I had my 170 custom quoted by a large volume dealer, not comfortable saying names on the forum, pm me if you want to know. They quoted me over 3400.00 for my 170 custom.

thats more than a sweet 16 .. for a solid body.. and because heritage will only quote a custom order through one dealer, I did kinda fell like I was being taken advantage of.

 

 

Sorry, but that is not true. I priced my customs through two dealers.

 

Kenny, priced his through two and I got another quote for him.

 

Bottom line is that once Vince gets the specs, he gives the dealer a price quote for the order. It then is up to the dealer to charge over that quote what they want. NOW, once the quote is given to a dealer UNDER YOUR NAME, a different dealer will have to call Heritage to ask for the quote UNDER YOUR NAME.

[big bob]

Sorry, but that is not true. I priced my customs through two dealers.

 

Kenny, priced his through two and I got another quote for him.

 

Bottom line is that once Vince gets the specs he gives the dealer a price. It then is up to the dealer to charge over that quote what they want. NOW, once the quote is given to a dealer UNDER YOUR NAME, a different dealer will have to call Heritage to ask for the quote UNDER YOUR NAME.

I did not know that. I was mis informed by..ummm. well a dealer.

 

good to know..

[Kuz]

I did not know that. I was mis informed by..ummm. well a dealer.

 

good to know..

 

No problem, Lance.

 

Now that you say a dealer told you that.... I can see how you were mislead.

 

Pretty SH!TY on that dealer's part!!!

[big bob]

No problem, Lance.

 

Now that you say a dealer told you that.... I can see how you were mislead.

 

Pretty SH!TY on that dealer's part!!!

When I got the quote, steiner told me he thought the price was way too high. I told the dealer I was interested in asking around. His sales associate told me that once heritage quoted a price to a dealer the same guitar could not be specked through another dealer. Then Kate made me an offer I could not refuse.. So I never called to find out..

Although in the end Kate did not make me a guitar to my specs, ie not the same as the dealer specs. I told her what I liked and let her build what she wanted. all the way down to the finish. In the end the guitar she made for me was far better than the one I had envisioned at the start. I guess it just goes to prove that you should never tell an expert what to do, just what you like.

[koula901]

I did not know that. I was mis informed by..ummm. well a dealer.

 

good to know..

 

BigBob, I love the finish on your, is it a 170? Is that a cherry burst?

[koula901]

Halowords,

 

Just my two cents. I've had 2 guitars ordered with chunky necks - no extra charge.

I did get an upcharge on the veneer on my 137.

[big bob]

BigBob, I love the finish on your, is it a 170? Is that a cherry burst?

 

Curly & Pete Dubed it a "cherry tomato" burst. Kate made it up.

 

Curly, Pete and Kate are the new guard at Heritage. you probably know that.

[koula901]

Curly & Pete Dubed it a "cherry tomato" burst. Kate made it up.

 

Curly, Pete and Kate are the new guard at Heritage. you probably know that.

 

Actually, I didn't know that. Kind of like our own Curly, Larry, and Mo! ; )

[big bob]

Actually, I didn't know that. Kind of like our own Curly, Larry, and Mo! ; )

Curly

 

 

 

Pete

 

Kate

[schundog]

Lance, it sounds like you were a victim of soicumstances!! Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk!!

[unikh550]

Sorry, but that is not true. I priced my customs through two dealers.

 

Kenny, priced his through two and I got another quote for him.

 

Bottom line is that once Vince gets the specs, he gives the dealer a price quote for the order. It then is up to the dealer to charge over that quote what they want. NOW, once the quote is given to a dealer UNDER YOUR NAME, a different dealer will have to call Heritage to ask for the quote UNDER YOUR NAME.

Hi, Kuz! What is the color on your 575 that you have pictured? Is it antique natural? Is it lighter in bright light? Love that it shows all of the figure! Thanks!- Charles Bevell

[Spectrum13]

Lance, it sounds like you were a victim of soicumstances!! Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk!!

 

 

Oils well dat ends well.

[big bob]

Lance, it sounds like you were a victim of soicumstances!! Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk!!

Just a lucky guy I guess, standing in the right place at the right time.. and having a guitar someone wants back real bad never hurts.

[Halowords]

Question, does anybody know if Heritage will do a blended heel at the neck joint for more comfortable upper fret access? If I end up going this route, I'll definitely ask, just thought I'd inquire here to see if anybody had ever gotten, seen, or heard of one. I always thought it was kind of a cool design idea when I've seen it, but you usually don't see except on some of the smaller companies.

 

-Cheers

[tulk1]

Question, does anybody know if Heritage will do a blended heel at the neck joint for more comfortable upper fret access? If I end up going this route, I'll definitely ask, just thought I'd inquire here to see if anybody had ever gotten, seen, or heard of one. I always thought it was kind of a cool design idea when I've seen it, but you usually don't see except on some of the smaller companies.

 

-Cheers

 

Best way to find out is to call them and ask. And of course, let us know what they say.

[Guest HRB853370]

When I got the quote, steiner told me he thought the price was way too high. I told the dealer I was interested in asking around. His sales associate told me that once heritage quoted a price to a dealer the same guitar could not be specked through another dealer. Then Kate made me an offer I could not refuse.. So I never called to find out..

Although in the end Kate did not make me a guitar to my specs, ie not the same as the dealer specs. I told her what I liked and let her build what she wanted. all the way down to the finish. In the end the guitar she made for me was far better than the one I had envisioned at the start. I guess it just goes to prove that you should never tell an expert what to do, just what you like.

 

This thread was VERY insightful, should I ever choose to walk down that road. I do have one question, having never attended a PSP event yet-this person Kate, sounds like she is the HIGHER AUTHORITY when it comes to building custom guitars!