single piece backs on solid bodies

[Guest mgoetting]

 

 

The more I stare at that picture, the more I want to stare at it.

 

Parts of it look like film melting from a projector bulb. But in a good way.

 

How in the heck did maple get to look that way? I don't even know how to describe it. Curly flames?

[Gitfiddler]

It appears that Heritage' semi hollow or full hollow LAMINATE models all have one piece Maple backs. Their full hollow, SOLID WOOD archtops have two piece Maple backs. The more rare Mahogany backed archtops look like single piece. I may be wrong but invite those with Mahogany backed archtops to chime in. (Pics are always welcome!)

 

Things seem more inconsistent with their solid body gits. Single piece Mahogany on some and two piece on others. Either way, I can't tell the difference tonally. Asthetically it's all up to personal taste...and resale considerations.

 

I'm more concerned with the weight of a solid body rather than one or two piece backs. Give me nice, dry, high quality Honduran Mahogany.

[FredZepp]

Tulk1 ...with that top that your Millie has, the back is no concern at all. Many here consider that one of the finest looking Heritages that have come from Kalamazoo.....

 

Halowords ... I don't really think that the one piece is a factor for most people in resale, or if so .. it's a very small one. Just like Kuz had to have that quilt 150 because of the top and suddenly the back didn't matter much.

I'd prefer a one piece , but not a big deal at all. And I don't buy into a lot of the better tone ideas that are attributed to minute details, my post was tongue in cheek.

 

mgoetting.. The guitar was designed and built for the head of the Heritage finishing department at the time. And he spend a long time on design and on hand picking the woods for the Centurion. And I agree , that is a wicked piece of quilted maple.. I can't say how he got that... but it is stunning in person for sure.

[Halowords]

Halowords ... I don't really think that the one piece is a factor for most people in resale, or if so .. it's a very small one. Just like Kuz had to have that quilt 150 because of the top and suddenly the back didn't matter much.

 

True, but you do see people try to sell the idea that something is special due to rarity or whatever. This isn't just guitars, but anything that stands out which might impress anybody is usually noted and made to seem like a really big deal (e.g. one piece backs, three-, five-, or even one-piece necks, rare [possibly unpopular?] finishes, etc.).

 

I'd prefer a one piece , but not a big deal at all. And I don't buy into a lot of the better tone ideas that are attributed to minute details, my post was tongue in cheek.

 

Agreed. And I knew you were being tongue-in-cheek. If for no other reason than you sure didn't get something like The Heritage Centurion by accident. I also meant it tongue-in-cheek about you wanting to dump it. I'd imagine it's worth more to you than it is to me to justify to my wife how much I'd have to give you for a one-in-existence guitar. That is a nice piece of quilted maple.

[FredZepp]

True, but you do see people try to sell the idea that something is special due to rarity or whatever. This isn't just guitars, but anything that stands out which might impress anybody is usually noted and made to seem like a really big deal (e.g. one piece backs, three-, five-, or even one-piece necks, rare [possibly unpopular?] finishes, etc.).

Yes, you're quite right about that. I also would list it as a feature when selling , so I can see what you mean.

 

On these type of solidbodies , the look of the maple cap/finish is a big factor often. And pickups / electronic upgrades... but then again often it's hard to get much of a premium even for those upgrades at times.

 

There is a mojo factor , I guess. The instrument just "speaks" to the buyer and is worth more for that reason.

[Guest mgoetting]

 

This is what I think of as quilted. Yours is far less tame.

 

[big bob]

It appears that Heritage' semi hollow or full hollow LAMINATE models all have one piece Maple backs. Their full hollow, SOLID WOOD archtops have two piece Maple backs. The more rare Mahogany backed archtops look like single piece. I may be wrong but invite those with Mahogany backed archtops to chime in. (Pics are always welcome!)

 

Things seem more inconsistent with their solid body gits. Single piece Mahogany on some and two piece on others. Either way, I can't tell the difference tonally. Asthetically it's all up to personal taste...and resale considerations.

 

I'm more concerned with the weight of a solid body rather than one or two piece backs. Give me nice, dry, high quality Honduran Mahogany.

I may be wrong but I believe I have the only 1 piece full hollow (solid/ not lam) back ever made by heritage. It is Honduran mahogany. Was a custom employee build.