Too Many Heritages!

[schundog]

I know, how could there be TOO many Heritage guitars?! Only when opportunities to buy them come up faster than you can raise the money to buy them, it seems. I thought too long before emailing Smurph1 I would buy his 140 at his low buying price, I missed that H-535 I decribed in the "Missed it by THAT much!" thread, BUT.....

 

I made a deal Friday night for a guitar I saw at PSPIII; I sold a parts Telecaster Friday in anticipation of making the deal, and not wanting to take money out of the family account to pay for it. I'm not legally bound to send the guy his check or go through with the deal, but to me, a deal is a deal, so I have no intention of backing out of it. Besides, the guitar, as you will see in a week or so, is killer.

 

So today, I drop my wife and daughters off at the Peoria outdoor Mall (what Einstein came up with the idea of outdoor malls out in the middle of a cornfield, that gets VERY windy and cold this time of year?!) and I head over to GC to pick up some tubes for a buddy. Nothing for me, of course, I'm set for now, having just made a deal on a Heritage the night before. WRONG!! After NEVER seeing a Heritage in the store in 5 years, I now see 2 in one week!! There, before my eyes, is a stunning trans-black 535 with black hardware. BADASS!! I plugged it in and TRIED to run it through it's paces (the place sounds like a 747 on takeoff on Saturday afternoons!!LOL) and try to figure out it's knob/dip switch combinations. Schaller PUs. I asked if they would deal, and he said no, because they just got it in, which I believe to be true. He DID let me put it on layaway, however, and come back on Black Friday and get 15% off. Or, I can cancel the layaway and get my 10% back. No brainer. I pulled the trigger on layaway, and will make a final decision by next Friday as to whether or not to go through with the deal. Sooo, I'm asking you, Heritage bretheren, either talk me down or talk me through this deal!!! Here are the obligatory crappy cell phone pics...

 

 

 

 

[mars_hall]

Before I help you through these troubled times, I need to know which guitar you saw a PSP III. It may make all the difference in the world ;P

[golferwave]

AWESOME!! With the switching system on the guitar I'd bet it's got HRW pickups. Congrats! No way I'll talk you down. Buy it!!

[mtpatty]

Damn nice and a great price...BUY IT!

[schundog]

Before I help you through these troubled times, I need to know which guitar you saw a PSP III. It may make all the difference in the world ;P

 

 

LOL, Mark; OK, I'll fess up; the korina 137 in this video. I just can't play like him!

 

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[FredZepp]

It sounds like it'll end up being just over $1K... pretty good deal.

 

It is unusual in a couple of ways, black Schaller hardware and a VIP system. ( and the trans black finish on a semi...)

 

With the black friday discount you have a nice bargain if you like the features and the condition is ok.

[schundog]

Here is the link I was TRYING to post on the FIRST deal I got this week;

 

[mars_hall]

Link didn't come through right but judging by the deep situation you are in, looks like Granny doesn't get her Christmas wish this year ;P

 

What guitar do you have that you think you could turn?

[Patrick]

OK schundog. It's times like this when I get myself in big trouble. People ask me to be honest with my opinion, I do so, and I wind up offending someone. Because you didn't ask me directly, I could be a wimp, not say anything and escape any possible trouble. But, that's not me . . . so here goes;; I think you should pass on the trans black 535 unless there is something you absolutely love about it. If there is something you absolutely love about it . . . I would certainly respect your opinion . . . somewhat. But, it's definitely a strange, unique, radically altered version of a beautiful guitar. About the same time you discover that you can't figure out what the hell all of those strange switches are for, you're going to realize that the black hardware on such a classic guitar design is an.. . umm . .acquired taste. Then when you try to sell it, you're going to realize that no one wants to buy it and you're going to need to trade it in to a guitar store for a huge loss . . . just like the guy before you did. That's why it's at the store. The previous owner couldn't find anyone to buy it. As I said, it's an acquired taste. Everybody's different. If you love it and you have to have it . . . then go for it. But, plan on keeping it for ever . . . or taking a real hair cut on it when you sell it. If you need to buy a 535 . . . be patient. There are others that you will appreciate more out there just waiting for you to find them. I apologize for my bluntness.

[schundog]

Link didn't come through right but judging by the deep situation you are in, looks like Granny doesn't get her Christmas wish this year ;P

 

What guitar do you have that you think you could turn?

 

 

Hi Mark, check the 2nd link; it should work, or goto PSPIII videos and check out "Old Love." Unfortunately, I'm running out of guitars I'm willing to part with WILLINGLY!! The only somewhat easy choice is an Asian Hamer XT P90 doublecut that will take a backseat to the incoming 137, for sure. Unfortunately, only worth 150 to $200. Least favorite Heritages? That's like asking which kid is my favorite. I've got a 155 Millenium, a 525, and a red 535. I can't see them going anywhere. For a moment, I've flirted with unloading my Gibson ES335 Memphis Reissue, as I play my 535 more often. I just can't bring myself to do it... yet. I may have to have the black 535 on my GC card for a few months until I save up the balance. Not my favorite choice, but I hate to pass up the deal. I'd just better get the MRS. a real nice Christmas gift!!

[schundog]

OK schundog. It's times like this when I get myself in big trouble. People ask me to be honest with my opinion, I do so, and I wind up offending someone. Because you didn't ask me directly, I could be a wimp, not say anything and escape any possible trouble. But, that's not me . . . so here goes;; I think you should pass on the trans black 535 unless there is something you absolutely love about it. If there is something you absolutely love about it . . . I would certainly respect your opinion . . . somewhat. But, it's definitely a strange, unique, radically altered version of a beautiful guitar. About the same time you discover that you can't figure out what the hell all of those strange switches are for, you're going to realize that the black hardware on such a classic guitar design is an.. . umm . .acquired taste. Then when you try to sell it, you're going to realize that no one wants to buy it and you're going to need to trade it in to a guitar store for a huge loss . . . just like the guy before you did. That's why it's at the store. The previous owner couldn't find anyone to buy it. As I said, it's an acquired taste. Everybody's different. If you love it and you have to have it . . . then go for it. But, plan on keeping it for ever . . . or taking a real hair cut on it when you sell it. If you need to buy a 535 . . . be patient. There are others that you will appreciate more out there just waiting for you to find them. I apologize for my bluntness.

 

Hey man, I appreciate your input. Of course many are going to cheer me on, but I DO want to hear any suggestions to the opposite. You make some good points, and I do already have a 535, AND a Gibson 335. I dug the Trans-Black on MGoetting's 140 a couple months ago, and it stuck with me, I guess. I've NEVER seen a translucent black finish on a 535/335 type, and, as I stated, it looks badass to me. My bad boy/Metallica Jekyll/Hyde thing coming through, I guess!! The VIP switches were awkward for me at first to figure out, what with all the noise in there. The first 2 are coil taps, and the third is a kill switch. Again, not REALLY my choice if a custom build, but hey, it's gonna be around $1000?! I haven't said "I DO" yet, but I've got a week to consider it, and it's not available for sale until then. Besides, what if something goes wrong with my other buy?! My Goodness, I'd have to make-do with the stack of guitars I have already!!

[Patrick]

Hey man, I appreciate your input. Of course many are going to cheer me on, but I DO want to hear any suggestions to the opposite. You make some good points, and I do already have a 535, AND a Gibson 335. I dug the Trans-Black on MGoetting's 140 a couple months ago, and it stuck with me, I guess. I've NEVER seen a translucent black finish on a 535/335 type, and, as I stated, it looks badass to me. My bad boy/Metallica Jekyll/Hyde thing coming through, I guess!! The VIP switches were awkward for me at first to figure out, what with all the noise in there. The first 2 are coil taps, and the third is a kill switch. Again, not REALLY my choice if a custom build, but hey, it's gonna be around $1000?! I haven't said "I DO" yet, but I've got a week to consider it, and it's not available for sale until then. Besides, what if something goes wrong with my other buy?! My Goodness, I'd have to make-do with the stack of guitars I have already!!

 

Like I said, if you love it, then go for it. But, I think you only became interested in it because you happened to stumble across it in a place you never expected to. I'm definitely the wrong guy to try to make an assessment on a guitar like that. I'm just too much of a vintage traditionalist. Hell, I sold Mark Goetting an absolutely gorgeous mint condition Heritage Johnny Smith because I couldn't get beyond the black hardware. And all those switches... That would keep me awake at night. I think it's a good thing leaving it there on lay a way for a while. You'll probably go there frequently to revisit it. Then you're either going to grow to love it, or grow to hate it. It's just not my style guitar.

[mars_hall]

If it was me, I would turn the 525 or the 137. You need a solid body, but I have never bonded with a 137 and would view it as a placeholder on my way to something more feature-rich. Don't know what kind of music you are in to, but the 525 would be bulky and relegated to quieter, more acoustic moments. What this means is while it's a piece of art, it probably wouldn't get the traffic it needs, and someone else may have better use of it.

 

Definitely keep the Millie. As far as finding the guitar at GC because someone traded it there, not all people are patient and want to try to turn a guitar on their own. If the guitar had been in the general market for sale, it would have been on CL, TGP, HC, or the bay and no one in the HOC has seen it there. It just came on the GC listings today and I search most sources I know daily.

[koula901]

AWESOME!! With the switching system on the guitar I'd bet it's got HRW pickups. Congrats! No way I'll talk you down. Buy it!!

 

What he said. That's what I thought: HRW's -- and the price is great for GC or anyone, don't you think?

[koula901]

Btw, name of the tune they 're playing in the video? Or is it just some chords someone threw together?

[Steiner]

Too many Heritages?!!! Bull. One can never have too many!!! Go for it, I say. Have at thee!

 

It looks like a sweet deal and a mighty fine ax. Heritage has a page dedicated to the VIP system. Print it out and go back to GC to see if it still floats your boat. You may like it better than the red one!

 

I have to disagree vehemently with Mars Hall (it was bound to happen). The 137, in the vernacular of the fine professor, is a badassed spank plank! The 525? Well... Anything with Lollars is worth a place in the Heritage collection! Enjoy!

[Patrick]

Btw, name of the tune they 're playing in the video? Or is it just some chords someone threw together?

 

Old Love . . . Robert Cray or Eric Clapton . . . take your pick

[mars_hall]

I had to switch to IE to see the 137 Korina you were referencing. Firefox wasn't letting it play. Nice guitar and the P90s a plus

[schundog]

Is there anything in the serial numbers to denote HRWs? I just assumed regular Schallers because of the double screws per side. If it's HRWs, I think I'm a buyer, for sure. Mark, O' divine player of everything 4 and 6 stringed, while saying very little, I'll have to see about the 137; I really liked the neck on this one, and Lyle let me play his on a southern rockin' tune at PSPIII. Hell, you probably played Bass on that song! My 525 is gorgeous, and can handle a fair bit of volume/sustain, but doesn't get as snotty as a solidbody P90 does. Jury's still out, but I don't see it leaving FIRST. The hardest one I've had to bond to is the 155 Millenium. I don't know if it's the ebony board, thinner neck at the nut, the feel of the large blocks under my fingers, or the smaller body (I DO like 535 size bodies, hides my big a$$ gut,) but I do love the Seth Lovers in it. Most likely, ANYTHING else I have will find a new home before any of the current Heritages, if it indeed comes to that. As I mentioned, I may just have to ride some plastic on the Black one for a bit. Maybe I can ask them for their 1 year no interest deal I've gotten before... If that's not possible, fine, it will just get paid off all that much quicker, as I don't like having much debt, especially on my "toys."

[mars_hall]

Serial number doesn't indicate whether HRWs are present. Your 155 looks a lot like Lyles, which is possibly the nicest Millie I've seen.

 

Play each of your guitars with your eyes closed and try not to think about what is in your hands from a hardware standpoint. If it sounds good to your ear and responds to your touch, it's yours. This includes the one at the store.

[Kuz]

I would definitely get the 137, for the type of music we jammed with it would be a GREAT guitar.

 

I am kinda with Patrick on the 535. Never been a fan of all those switches and if it was my guitar the black hardware would have to be switch to nickel Tonepros.

 

Just out of curiosity was is the color of your other 535?

[Millennium Maestro]

OK schundog. It's times like this when I get myself in big trouble. People ask me to be honest with my opinion, I do so, and I wind up offending someone. Because you didn't ask me directly, I could be a wimp, not say anything and escape any possible trouble. But, that's not me . . . so here goes;; I think you should pass on the trans black 535 unless there is something you absolutely love about it. If there is something you absolutely love about it . . . I would certainly respect your opinion . . . somewhat. But, it's definitely a strange, unique, radically altered version of a beautiful guitar. About the same time you discover that you can't figure out what the hell all of those strange switches are for, you're going to realize that the black hardware on such a classic guitar design is an.. . umm . .acquired taste. Then when you try to sell it, you're going to realize that no one wants to buy it and you're going to need to trade it in to a guitar store for a huge loss . . . just like the guy before you did. That's why it's at the store. The previous owner couldn't find anyone to buy it. As I said, it's an acquired taste. Everybody's different. If you love it and you have to have it . . . then go for it. But, plan on keeping it for ever . . . or taking a real hair cut on it when you sell it. If you need to buy a 535 . . . be patient. There are others that you will appreciate more out there just waiting for you to find them. I apologize for my bluntness.

Patrick can be counted on to be honest, good breakdown I could tell you have been there... The original owner should have yanked the PU covers to finish the effect... I however would not go Black on Black personally and I think Translucent black is not worked with as much because the same piece of wood with an amber finish would pop like a cherry in a high school prom.

-You will not get hurt to bad if it is not a keeper!

-Dotted switch is the best indicator of HRW... Without it the shallers can use the toggles to get different sounds but will they be the right sounds?

-Case?

- 1 vol, 2 tones?

 

It is an interesting guitar, I am with Patrick in many ways... But I also say if you got the bucks no harm in spending EM!

 

My final note is i have the coolest Birdseye Gibson twins... I always look at the translucent black thinking its a shame the wood isnt shown in its best light... Maybe I should share an A vS B picture op.

 

I look forward to finding out your final desision.

[Millennium Maestro]

By the way... what is the condition of the guitar... Dents, dings, scratches or boogers? and what year, am I wrong thinking HRWs are a '98 or newer kind of thing?

[SouthpawGuy]

Is there anything in the serial numbers to denote HRWs? I just assumed regular Schallers because of the double screws per side. If it's HRWs, I think I'm a buyer, for sure. Mark, O' divine player of everything 4 and 6 stringed, while saying very little, I'll have to see about the 137; I really liked the neck on this one, and Lyle let me play his on a southern rockin' tune at PSPIII. Hell, you probably played Bass on that song! My 525 is gorgeous, and can handle a fair bit of volume/sustain, but doesn't get as snotty as a solidbody P90 does. Jury's still out, but I don't see it leaving FIRST. The hardest one I've had to bond to is the 155 Millenium. I don't know if it's the ebony board, thinner neck at the nut, the feel of the large blocks under my fingers, or the smaller body (I DO like 535 size bodies, hides my big a$$ gut,) but I do love the Seth Lovers in it. Most likely, ANYTHING else I have will find a new home before any of the current Heritages, if it indeed comes to that. As I mentioned, I may just have to ride some plastic on the Black one for a bit. Maybe I can ask them for their 1 year no interest deal I've gotten before... If that's not possible, fine, it will just get paid off all that much quicker, as I don't like having much debt, especially on my "toys."

 

Check the label inside the f hole, sometimes the pickups are noted on that

 

example from the HOC gallery

 

 

At that price, especially with 15% off, that's a good deal. Plus a hardware change is not difficult.

 

Black tuners with white pearl buttons is also another option. I notice the guitar has three mini switches which usually indicates the older VIP system, the newer D-VIP only uses two switches. That would indicate an older model, possibly pre HRWs.

 

Just trying to be an enabler here !

[schundog]

Thanks for the comments, guys, keep 'em coming. I love/hate going to bed stewing over decisions like this, but it's all part of the fun of the "chase," right?! Here are some thoughts that rattled around in my head all night....

 

Patrick wss the cooler prevailing head, urging caution. But he PERSONALLY doesn't like the black hardware, preferring vintage specs. No offense meant, but I am probably nearly 20 years Patrick's junior, and, while he definitely prefers jazz, I'm more of a Southern/Classic Rock, Country guy, who likes to occasionally put a Boss Metal Zone pedal on my board and tear it up. I certainly don't need black guitars with black hardware to do it, but it's about as bad boy as this mild mannered Midwestern salesman is going to get! HAHA. The bigger concern for me is the knob configuration/switches. I never use coil tap on my PRS, but I'm glad that, if it's going to be in the guitar, it's invisible (pull up pot) vs these unsightly/easy to bump switches. The guitar is in very good condition cosmetically, with a little belt buckle worming in the back, and a small ding or two at the headstock. Not terrible for an "L" year guitar. I guess the HRW question will remain unanswered, since the pickup selector switch is absent. Nothing indicated on the label inside the guitar, other than H535 TransBlack. I didn't see any buggers, Millenium Maestro, but, like I said, it's only been hanging in Guitar Center for 1 day!! The knobs had a little resistance to them, kinda scratchy, not in sound but feel. Along with the wierdness of the configuration, that was a bit of a concern, although not overly so.

 

Kuz, my current 535 is Translucent Red, like Lyle's new one, without a pickguard. His is in a little better shape, and I've got Schallers VS his Seth Lovers. I'll console myself that THAT is the reason his demo of the 535 sounds so much better than my playing. I agree that the 137 is the tool for the type of stuff you were playing with me at PSPIII, and that's pretty much my style of stuff. Tom Petty, Dwight Yokam, Toby Keith, Skynard, Allman Brothers. I NEED this 535 like I need another hole in my head, but, being a salesman, I can justify damn near ANYTHING (according to my wife; she does NOT intend this to be a compliment.) All this to say, it's still obviously on layaway, and I'm not a whole lot closer to making a decision on it. All I know is the 137 is a done deal, and will possibly bring me to my senses. No guarantees, though.