Has anything about you changed since Heritage?

[barrymclark]

What I mean is, has your music style, your approach to playing or how you care for your instruments changed as a result of getting into Heritage?

 

What brought that up for me was I was putting Armor All on my Heritage CASES this morning. I mean really. All my playing life I had always seen the case as an item to be abused and I just did my best with the instrument inside of it but even that got minimal care.

 

Since I got my first Heritage (the blue 140) I found myself taking a bit more care of the instrument and case. They were both already so worn though, that I can't say there was a HUGE change in my behavior but it was definitely there.

 

Fast forward to a few months ago when I got the 575 I had been long lusting after. Since then, and my wife pointed it out, that I clean the guitar and polish it at least every two weeks depending on how much I play it. I ARMOR ALL THE CASE. This is a HUGE behavior shift for me.

 

Now I see the case as part of the guitar and it gets similar care.

 

Anyone else notice a shift in their own behavior?

[H]

The biggest change for me is that I'm willing to swap out parts on my Heritages to make them feel 'mine'. I had never done that with any of the Gibsons I had aside from loading a K&K Pure Western Mini pickup into my Hummingbird. I'm also less worried about the little dings and scratches that get picked up from time to time.

 

I suppose my player:collector ratio is shifting to the correct value

[barrymclark]

The biggest change for me is that I'm willing to swap out parts on my Heritages to make them feel 'mine'. I had never done that with any of the Gibsons I had aside from loading a K&K Pure Western Mini pickup into my Hummingbird. I'm also less worried about the little dings and scratches that get picked up from time to time.

 

I suppose my player:collector ratio is shifting to the correct value

Which is funny cause I went the opposite. I once bought guitars with a slew of changes that would be done before I even got home with the guitar. Now, I leave it alone unless I have a damn fine reason to mess with it. I make it my own in my own way I guess. I will play it the way I play and that makes it mine.

 

...if that makes any sense.

 

The only thing I could EVER see doing to one of my Heritages would be to the 140. It could use a refinish. If I did that, I might go for having the pickups and hardware updated to what might go into a 140 now. That's about it. Even that I am not chomping at the bit to do.

[Guest HRB853370]

Interesting discussion; since my first Heritage in 2000, I have always treated that 150 as something special. I had no idea of the craftmanship that went into making that guitar, but something told me it was extra special. I only took it out on special occassions. It sat proudly in it's ((un-Armoralled)case, safe and sound, until I played it on occassion. Its weird, I always seemed to NOT want to play my most cherished guitars. It was the same way when I bought my 01 Gibson Goldtop. I put it away and played it maybe 6 times in 7 years. Then, when I needed money and sold it, a year later I missed it so bad (missed not playing maybe?) that I had to replace it which I did earlier this year. I was lucky to find one in the same condition mine was in. It was like I separated my arsenal into two categories; those that were players and those that were lookers. However, since I have joined HOC my mindset has changed and I have come to realize that these fine instruments are MEANT to be played, designed to be played, they crave to be played. That is not to say I want to take my gorgeous 555 to the local blues jam, but I love taking it out of the case and playing it. Same goes for all my Heritages now, as well as my other non Heritage guitars. Life is short, enjoy what we have, is my motto now.

 

And by the way Barry, I think a Detroit Red Wings sticker would look gorgeous on that Armoralled 575 case, except it probably would not stick now!

[tulk1]

I don't think I treat my Heritages any different than I did my PRSi or my Fenders or my Gibs. They are instruments to be used, but not abused. I do try to take good care of them, making sure they are on proper stands, get wiped down when needed, etc. But no "special" care. What I can say that has changed is I have a whole lot more of one manufacturer than I've ever had before. At most it'd been 2 Gibs, 2 PRS, 2 Fenders - tops ..... I now have 4 Heritages and have a jones on for 2 more. One other thing that has changed is I have a lot less money.

[tbonesullivan]

is armor all the best thing for cases? Formula 2000 might be better. I've heard that armor all can end up making your cases dependent on armor all, while other protectants/conditioners do a better job of restoring and not creating a need for excessive cleaning/reconditioning.

[koula901]

I don't find my habits have changed all that much since acquiring Heritage guitars except that I tend to baby them more and be extra careful I don't knock it against anything. I'm used to teles and strats, which are indestructable. And when I had that nice 150 I did feel that it was almost too pretty to play! I don't wipe them down, or polish them, but neither do I abuse them or scratch them - my guitars tend to stay in pretty good shape. I did buy special stands and straps for my Heritages, so they get treated more like royalty.

[barrymclark]

Just to be clear, I don't leave them in cases unplayed. Oh no. They get played a rediculous amount. I just do so with kid gloves.

[chico]

I don't mis-treat any of my cases, but I don't pay special attention to them either. Nor do I make them up with stickers, etc. UNLESS..

 

the guitar case already had that thing going, like one of my Strat hard shell cases which had some cool bar stickers on it when it came in my posession. "I support Merrimac Fire and Rescue", along with a few string stickers, a Mackie sticker, and of course a U.S. flag. And, I had one old beat-up Stat that was a pawn shop rescue, the case was even more abused than the guitar! But hey, that's what they're for, right??

 

But ArmorAll? Hmm.

 

good discussion here as is usually the case,

chico

[peteraltongreen]

What I mean is, has your music style, your approach to playing or how you care for your instruments changed as a result of getting into Heritage?

 

What brought that up for me was I was putting Armor All on my Heritage CASES this morning. I mean really. All my playing life I had always seen the case as an item to be abused and I just did my best with the instrument inside of it but even that got minimal care.

 

Since I got my first Heritage (the blue 140) I found myself taking a bit more care of the instrument and case. They were both already so worn though, that I can't say there was a HUGE change in my behavior but it was definitely there.

 

Fast forward to a few months ago when I got the 575 I had been long lusting after. Since then, and my wife pointed it out, that I clean the guitar and polish it at least every two weeks depending on how much I play it. I ARMOR ALL THE CASE. This is a HUGE behavior shift for me.

 

Now I see the case as part of the guitar and it gets similar care.

 

Anyone else notice a shift in their own behavior?

 

I learned very early in my career to look after my instruments.I recall going to a gig by 'Prince Dave 'Baby' Kahn & the Babes',an early English rock band.The Guitarist ( ES335) & Bass ( Fender Precision ) just slid their respective instruments across the stage to each other.Remember,these instruments,at that time were rare in the U.K. & very expensive.I winced ! Next up,I was conned into lending my '61 Strat to a guitarist in Sheffield.He trashed it in less than 6 months.I still owe that guy a punch on the nose,and I deserve a kick up the ass for being so stupid lending him it in the first place ! It went from showroom condition to Rory Gallagher finish ! Next up were the cases.I tried to keep them smart,but in the group van,these got scratched to hell.That all changed when I got my Gibson L5. It didn't come with a case in those days,or if it did,the distributor nicked it.I was faced with buying a specially built job for about $100...in 1968...think how much that is now ! It was half the price of a Tele.That case is still in excellent condition.The other factor was group vans went,and private cars were used for gigs,so I had more control over how it was handled.By 1986,my first Heritage ( C140CM ) was bought,and the road rules I'd learned were well established.I now wince if I knock my guitar cases,and promptly repair any scuffs.The guitars are like new.Fender 'Road Worn' guitars ? Stuff 'em,wouldn't be seen dead with one !

Peter Alton Green

[Horace]

The only change I can think of is that I keep mine out of a case and on a stand all the time so I can see (and play) it every day.

 

Tal

[DetroitBlues]

Ok, the case thing is a little strange to me. As long as it functions, I love the look of a beat up case, loads of stickers, and generally road worn. As for the insides, I prefer them looking like the guitar just got brought home from the shop. But to each its own.

 

Now back to "anything about you changed"... Interesting question. As a rare HOC member that doesn't actually own a Heritage, here's my take. A friend of mine on here has a couple Heritages, which are beautiful instruments, but not exactly my style. Now his are hollow bodies, and I'm more of a solid body guitar player. A few weeks ago, I played a custom order H-150. Up until that point I have been thinking about either a Gibson LP, PRS SC, or a Heritage H-150. I was leaning to wards the Gibson purely because it was a Gibson. Keep in mind, I was looking for a Gibson made at the K-zoo factory, not made in Nashville. But after picking up that Heritage custom order, Gibson and PRS are off my list. Its Heritage or nothing. Its tone, weight, feel, was absolutely amazing (through my own amp too). I've played a couple of Gibsons, some high end, some low end, even a PRS or two. But after holding that H150, I'm sold. Its a Heritage or bust. So that is how Heritage has changed me. I'm live, work, and play in Michigan, and nothing would make me happier than owning a fine instrument made right here in my home state. Now its just a matter of time and money. I have plenty of time, just no money.

[FredZepp]

I find that I want to have a Heritage on a stand more...

so that I can see it, like while watching TV, and can easily grab it to play without needing to open cases etc.... I like having one ready at hand.

[Guest HRB853370]

is armor all the best thing for cases? Formula 2000 might be better. I've heard that armor all can end up making your cases dependent on armor all, while other protectants/conditioners do a better job of restoring and not creating a need for excessive cleaning/reconditioning.

 

Armor is good for everything, including the guitar!!!

[Halowords]

I actually play my guitar more since getting my Heritage. My first "nice" guitar (unless you count my pretty nice MIM Tele) was a Gibson Les Paul Standard. It was a legitimately nice instrument. Too nice. I was afraid to play it. Just with my playing level vs. the cost of the thing (I got a great deal with it on eBay of all places, but still), I felt almost like it was too risky. What if I [gulp] scratched it or something! Anyway, I got rid of it (actually it went to a friend who loved it but traded it for a Strat & Tele due to the weight) and got a Hamer Studio. I LOVE Hamers, played the heck out of it. Ended up with the Heritage 150 just because I wanted the thicker sound and deeper low end. I still miss the Hamer, but it was not getting played enough (too much was similar).

 

Now, I play the Heritage about every time I can. I am VERY careful and respectful with it still, but don't worry about what might happen to it in large part because it didn't cost more than a decent used car, and because I expect to have it the rest of my life. The Gibson . . . I just felt like it was somehow worth too much for me to justify playing this museum piece. My H-150 is that nice mix of affordable enough for me to quantify using it, nice enough for me to feel special each time I take it out of the case, and my mindset has probably changed so that I feel like it is a tool to be used. It sure is pretty though! I also think of it as something that is nice-yet-practical and know it will be passed down to my child (or children if I have more [children AND guitars for that matter!]).

[yoslate]

I work for the state, so I don't make much, relatively speaking...never have. I'm pretty careful about how I spend money. All of this is to say, I take care of my stuff. Rarely do a get rid of a car with fewer than 150K miles. Had one that had 235K on it. It was in such good shape the dealer whom I traded it to thought it had 135K. Couldn't care less about cases! Caring about what's in 'em precludes abusing the case. I never worry about honest wear on a guitar, nor those little dings that are accidental. I bought all of mine for one reason: to play them. I like to think my Heritages, and my association with this forum have encouraged me to want be a better player than I am. As I approach retirement, I'm inspired to spend the time I haven't had for the last thirty-plus years to finally learn how to play a guitar so that I am able to speak through it. And All Things Heritage have been the catalyst.

[mtpatty]

The only change I can think of is that I keep mine out of a case and on a stand all the time so I can see (and play) it every day.

 

Tal

 

 

Ditto, mine never see the case- they aren't even located in the same room with the cases...

[JeffB]

Great sound. I have a great sound. New phrasing. Desire to dig in further.

[mark555]

I have always done my best to keep all my guitars as protected and in good condition regardless of them being a cheap one when I was just getting going, right through to my 555, which is immaculate, as most people's guitars here are. Funnily enough, I would love a beat up strat ot tele, but I could not buy a road worn or relic, no could I purposely beat up a guitar as a guy I know does on a regular basis to make them look vintage.

 

I also try to keep my cases in good condition, after all, being from Yorkshire we are knows for being careful with our money (some would say tight) and I don't want to be spending money again, a Heritage case for a 555 is about £200 over here in the UK.

 

However, I don't mind the odd sticker on my strat case, which is not a fender branded case and just a moulded plastic none descript strat case. I look after everything as much as I can - it's all down to money.

[111518]

I like to think my Heritages, and my association with this forum have encouraged me to want be a better player than I am. As I approach retirement, I'm inspired to spend the time I haven't had for the last thirty-plus years to finally learn how to play a guitar so that I am able to speak through it. And All Things Heritage have been the catalyst.

 

Yup. I've been pretty lucky to have had access to nice guitars from a completely undeserved early age, so, the big Heritage influence for me has been the forum, and the ability to reconnect with conversation about music and guitars. That's been pretty inspiring ... if sometimes gear-greed inducing.

 

As for how I treat my guitars ... I've always been careful and protective and --not proud of the fact, but it's true-- possessive about my guitars. I'm now less consistent about wiping down the guitar after every play, or changing strings every week, and more likely to hand my guitar over if someone asks to play, but I still try to keep my stuff in nice shape.

[Kuz]

Everything has changed since I found Heritage....

 

It's like I found the musical home I was always searching for.

 

From this forum,

to the handmade nature of the guitars,

to the philosophy of the owners, to the "you'll get what you give you, because it's what you should have wanted" (and then that turns out to be 100% true)

to my FAVORITE thing...... When at PSP1 someone ask which guitar that neck over there was going on and REN answered "Hell, that a neck to a Gibson Banjo. We haven't made those in 40 years".....

 

Yep, Heritage is like HOME!!!!

[zovanou]

My 3 month old 535 has changed my attitude about worrying about nicks etc.I still do not abuse it but I play it with no reservations

I think that aside from it being a keeper , my attitude is Heritage is a players guitar ,not a museum piece,and to hell with the cosmetic appearances

so I enjoy it and play it more.having owned a 1993 575 ( couldnt bond with it) i am happy I went for the 535.i think fretwork and fretboard of the 2010 535 is superior to my Older 575.

[rooster]

Well, I had to learn to drop my thumb down to play the high frets of my H150s, as I never had the single-cutaway-largish-heel-block before, so I also had to raise my straps up a tad this year to accomodate this. Other than that, I just had to get used to 3 guitars that sound fantastic.

 

rooster.

[smurph1]

I've never bought a guitar as a "project" guitar..i buy em cause I like em and keep em stock..But, because they are better quality instruments than I used to have, I do take better care of them..humidifiers in all the cases, keep em clean etc..but trust me, i play the snot out of em!! Even if its just me, the amp and a bottle of beer..

[Genericmusic]

I work for the state, so I don't make much, relatively speaking...never have. I'm pretty careful about how I spend money. All of this is to say, I take care of my stuff. Rarely do a get rid of a car with fewer than 150K miles. Had one that had 235K on it. It was in such good shape the dealer whom I traded it to thought it had 135K. Couldn't care less about cases! Caring about what's in 'em precludes abusing the case. I never worry about honest wear on a guitar, nor those little dings that are accidental. I bought all of mine for one reason: to play them. I like to think my Heritages, and my association with this forum have encouraged me to want be a better player than I am. As I approach retirement, I'm inspired to spend the time I haven't had for the last thirty-plus years to finally learn how to play a guitar so that I am able to speak through it. And All Things Heritage have been the catalyst.

 

Well said!