How to get a Heritage

[mooonpi]

Hello all,

 

I'm a long time lurker/new poster here with a few questions about best way/advice on how to end up with a Heritage guitar. Okay first off...my dream machine would be an H530 w/p90s, black (like a les paul custom inky black...I think I'm the only guy who isn't all that interested in flamey), bound body, neck & head. Skydog52 has a sweet 530 w/bound head in the Gallery! I've been looking at 330s & Casinos as I'm looking for that hollow w/p90s combo but am interested in the 530 as I already have an early 80's Japan Epi Riviera which makes me less interested in Casinos (variety). So how does a guy look for something like that? Or get an idea of pricing? I've seen several online outfits selling Heritage, but they only seem to have what they have and not what I'd be interested enough in to pull the trigger. It would also be nice if there was any recommendations on good to work with sites??? Can a guy order from Heritage itself. Looking over their site I can't tell. They do have a contact link to the custom shop? Do you have to work thru a dealer to get something specific out of Heritage? I checked the dealer listing on Heritage's site and there are two dealers in MN (I'm in Mpls), one that I called said they didn't deal Heritage any more, the other had none in stock and I haven't called or visited them yet. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

Kurt

 

ps> if this topic has been covered in other threads, point me at them. I looked, but didn't find anything...

[Patrick]

Hello all,

 

I'm a long time lurker/new poster here with a few questions about best way/advice on how to end up with a Heritage guitar. Okay first off...my dream machine would be an H530 w/p90s, black (like a les paul custom inky black...I think I'm the only guy who isn't all that interested in flamey), bound body, neck & head. Skydog52 has a sweet 530 w/bound head in the Gallery! I've been looking at 330s & Casinos as I'm looking for that hollow w/p90s combo but am interested in the 530 as I already have an early 80's Japan Epi Riviera which makes me less interested in Casinos (variety). So how does a guy look for something like that? Or get an idea of pricing? I've seen several online outfits selling Heritage, but they only seem to have what they have and not what I'd be interested enough in to pull the trigger. It would also be nice if there was any recommendations on good to work with sites??? Can a guy order from Heritage itself. Looking over their site I can't tell. They do have a contact link to the custom shop? Do you have to work thru a dealer to get something specific out of Heritage? I checked the dealer listing on Heritage's site and there are two dealers in MN (I'm in Mpls), one that I called said they didn't deal Heritage any more, the other had none in stock and I haven't called or visited them yet. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

Kurt

 

ps> if this topic has been covered in other threads, point me at them. I looked, but didn't find anything...

 

Hi moonpi. Nice to have you contributing here. My compliments to you for knowing exactly what you want. Some people post the question "what should I get" which troubles ans confuses me. The only real and good advice anyone will be able to offer you, giving the specifics you seek . . . is a new custom build. That's going to be dictated by your willingness and/or capability to pay new guitar prices. You will only find what you seek going that route. Otherwise, you'll need to temper you hopes with the reality that you just aren't going to find a guitar like you described .. . as a used piece. As for dealers, if you look on the right hand side of the "Portal" page, you'll see several listed. They are all pretty good. Where are you located?

[mooonpi]

Patrick, Thanks for your response. I'm in Minneapolis, MN. Of the two dealers listed in MN, one has stopped dealing Heritage, and the other (although I've only checked their website) doesn't seem to have any in stock at least. Yeah, I know what I want, but to live in this world you have to be a bit flexible...H530's don't seem as common as other models though. I wish I new if you had to go thru a dealer to work with Heritage, or just contact the custom shop thru the Heritage website??? - Kurt

[H]

Hi Kurt, welcome to the HOC

 

You'll need to go through a dealer for your order.

[mooonpi]

Hi Kurt, welcome to the HOC

 

You'll need to go through a dealer for your order.

 

 

Thanks for the input H. I'm looking at the Wolfe website. I assume since they made the portal they have HOC 'approval'...they've treated everyone right. I'm still a paranoid internet-er. Haha...

[yoslate]

Thanks for the input H. I'm looking at the Wolfe website. I assume since they made the portal they have HOC 'approval'...they've treated everyone right. I'm still a paranoid internet-er. Haha...

 

 

Wolfe is the largest Heritage dealer in the world. Jay Wolfe has quite a bit of pull with the good people on Parsons Street. His selection is very good, and Jay and his product guy, Graham Zebedee, are more than happy to work with you on a custom order, as are many dealers. Many of us on the HOC have done custom orders through a variety of dealers. You can find someone who may have some kind of beef with any dealer. That's retail. I'm sure some of the folks here will respond to your post, over the next few days, with a variety of suggestions. I did a custom order through Jay, there were extenuating circumstances (not Jay's fault), and the process took a while, but it's a gorgeous instrument, and I got a good deal.

[FredZepp]

Thanks for the input H. I'm looking at the Wolfe website. I assume since they made the portal they have HOC 'approval'...they've treated everyone right. I'm still a paranoid internet-er. Haha...

Welcome...

 

It's nice to have a dealer that is reasonably close to you, but if they aren't really doing business with Heritage much it raises some concerns.

 

Many here have gone through Wolfe, he is the largest Heritage dealer I believe. And he stops in here from time to time to add some input on some subjects.

 

... and I see that Yoslate has just posted similiar comments...

[NoNameBand]

I think unless you find a used one which is not completely out of the question. Some of the guys here have some unusual colors and binding configurations and you never know with Brent. Other than that, Wolfe is certainly, a Safe bet. Good luck and Happy Hunting. Be sure to post pics when you land one.

[kbp810]

Patrick, Thanks for your response. I'm in Minneapolis, MN. Of the two dealers listed in MN, one has stopped dealing Heritage, and the other (although I've only checked their website) doesn't seem to have any in stock at least. Yeah, I know what I want, but to live in this world you have to be a bit flexible...H530's don't seem as common as other models though. I wish I new if you had to go thru a dealer to work with Heritage, or just contact the custom shop thru the Heritage website??? - Kurt

The other dealer may be worth giving a call still - I know a lot of smaller shops around where I live and/or work are Heritage dealers, but they just can't really afford to keep stock of high end gutiars. So in other words, they may not carry any on hand, but they will still be more than willing to help you with a custom order. Doing so might even help spark some re-newed local interest from within that shop.

[mooonpi]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Looks like I'll have some thinking and figuring to do...

[Halowords]

As mentioned, you have to deal with a dealer to buy one.

 

Wolfe has lots of fans, a relatively huge in-stock selection, and you can read lots of great things about the guitars & staff on this forum.

 

If you want to stay in the Midwest, Jeff at J. Hale music is a super nice guy who would be worth checking out. He also has a good reputation not only as a reputable salesperson, but great at setting up his guitars. He's in Wisconsin, but that's a shade closer and he's a dealer I would feel comfortable with.

http://www.jhalemusic.com/

 

Anyway, best of luck!

[skydog52]

Thanks for the input H. I'm looking at the Wolfe website. I assume since they made the portal they have HOC 'approval'...they've treated everyone right. I'm still a paranoid internet-er. Haha...

Welcome aboard. You mentioned my H-530. I ordered that one through Wolfe guitars and had a good experience with them.

I normally order through a local dealer but Jay took a guitar in on trade when I ordered.

I ordered a 535 with 555 bindings and inlays and custom finish. Good luck.

[jjkrause84]

Hi moonpi. Nice to have you contributing here. My compliments to you for knowing exactly what you want. Some people post the question "what should I get" which troubles ans confuses me. The only real and good advice anyone will be able to offer you, giving the specifics you seek . . . is a new custom build. That's going to be dictated by your willingness and/or capability to pay new guitar prices. You will only find what you seek going that route. Otherwise, you'll need to temper you hopes with the reality that you just aren't going to find a guitar like you described .. . as a used piece. As for dealers, if you look on the right hand side of the "Portal" page, you'll see several listed. They are all pretty good. Where are you located?

 

This is the fact of the matter.

 

If you've got a clear vision, and if you've got the funds to make it happen, then there's really only one sure way....

[Spectrum13]

Mr. Moooooonpie.

 

You could check gbase for Heritage 530 and lookup the website for each Heritage dealer not on Gbase and see what is available in stock. You might get lucky. Post on various website what you are looking for as well. If you call a dealer and spec a dream 530 with a bound headstock in black with/or not pickguard you get to specify the neck carve and other options with no upcharge. Wait times are not too long and it would come in under the price of a custom shop 330.

 

Most of us on the HOC will be with you as we vicariously live through your excitement in ordering, show sympathy as you wait and grin when you tell us that some brown truck will make delivery.

 

 

 

 

Then we will annoy the heck out of you till you post some pictures.

[brentrocks]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Looks like I'll have some thinking and figuring to do...

Welcome to the HOC...i think a 530 would be the cats ass man!!!! good luck!!!

[Guest HRB853370]

Welcome to the HOC...i think a 530 would be the cats ass man!!!! good luck!!!

 

Welcome Mr. Kurt. Model 530 is very attractive, but do you really want that 60hz hum in your amp from the single coils? I prefer humbucks, but that is just me. Good luck in your decision making. I bet this will stir the pot!

[Kuz]

Welcome Mr. Kurt. Model 530 is very attractive, but do you really want that 60hz hum in your amp from the single coils? I prefer humbucks, but that is just me. Good luck in your decision making. I bet this will stir the pot!

 

Well, we all don't get that 60hz hum to be a problem. I just played my 525 out tonight with nothing but tone & my sloppy playing being heard. Jason Lollar has reduced the hum in his P-90s (who Heritage stock in their P-90 guitars).

 

Now granted, I was playing clean and not playing near florescent beer signs. If your electricity is "clean" then you should have no problems.

 

I get more hum from my Strat & Tele than my P-90 Heritages. I definitely wouldn't shy away from REAL TONE because of a little hum. (I'd say history has made some pretty good music with single coil/P-90 guitars)

[eljay]

mooonpi is a kool handle! i live in colorado and ordered my 530 thru big orange guitar in fla. big orange dennis is a member here, too. eljay

[tulk1]

There is just nothing like custom ordering your own Heritage. You go thru the specs in your mind; write 'em down; change 'em up; "can I live with this, live without this?"; then you hit up your friends and they say "hey you forgot this" or "nope, they won't do that". After hours and hours of putting your specs together you finally call Heritage; hope you catch whomever on a good day (it matters!, from my experience).

 

Then you finally run your specs by Ren or Marv or Vince and find out you forgot something else; or, nope, they just can't do that! You finally decide on the perfect guitar for you. Then it's on to your dealer who is very happy to take a special order since they don't have to do any of the work. Oh, and "don't forget to mention I'm an HOC member when you get my quote". Then ....... wait for the quote, wait for the quote. Yeah, you called your dealer on a Friday, so the best he can do is get it next week! Argh!!!

 

Finally, the quote comes in. Huh?? Thats all? For my custom designed most awesome spectacular Heritage ever built? Wowzers!! Lets' order it ... do you take credit cards? You give your dealer 50% down and then you

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.............. wait. And wait. 12 weeks? Not so bad. Wha'? 14 weeks? I can handle that. And then, when you have totally put the new build on the back burner you get THAT call. "hey, your guitar just came in. we're shipping it out today. you should see it in a couple of days". And the waiting and anticipation starts all over again.

 

Then!! the box arrives. More apoplexy ------- do I open it now, wait some more (nope!! rip it open!!!) And there, right in front of you, finally, is that hand built, mojo encrusted, most marvelous guitar ever! Lovingly made by human hands. And yeah, it was worth the wait. ............ Ain't nothing like it, when it comes to guitars.

 

I say go for it. ....................

[mooonpi]

Wow. What a great site.

 

P90's...I gotta love 'em. I do have and appreciate the 'buckers, but there is a a certain hellfire that gets going with some cranked 90's. I have a early mid 70's les paul special w/dual 90's, and there is something very 'special' about the roar that thing puts out...noisy...yeah, but I ride the vol knob when I play so it's not much of an issue. Plus my Epi Riviera has humbuckers...sounds very sweet, so I'm looking for a hollow, w90's to cover the bases in that area.

 

...again thanks for all the good advice.

[NoNameBand]

Mr. Moooooonpie.

 

You could check gbase for Heritage 530 and lookup the website for each Heritage dealer not on Gbase and see what is available in stock. You might get lucky. Post on various website what you are looking for as well. If you call a dealer and spec a dream 530 with a bound headstock in black with/or not pickguard you get to specify the neck carve and other options with no upcharge. Wait times are not too long and it would come in under the price of a custom shop 330.

 

Most of us on the HOC will be with you as we vicariously live through your excitement in ordering, show sympathy as you wait and grin when you tell us that some brown truck will make delivery.

 

 

 

 

Then we will annoy the heck out of you till you post some pictures.

 

Spectrum13 makes it all sound so wonderful. We are an obnoxious bunch. Very demanding and pushy. When we say we want pictures.... we mean it.

[koula901]

Well, we all don't get that 60hz hum to be a problem. I just played my 525 out tonight with nothing but tone & my sloppy playing being heard. Jason Lollar has reduced the hum in his P-90s (who Heritage stock in their P-90 guitars).

 

Now granted, I was playing clean and not playing near florescent beer signs. If your electricity is "clean" then you should have no problems.

 

I get more hum from my Strat & Tele than my P-90 Heritages. I definitely wouldn't shy away from REAL TONE because of a little hum. (I'd say history has made some pretty good music with single coil/P-90 guitars)

 

Yes, last night I tilted the guitar downard a hair and got rid of the hum and re-discovered the amazing tone of P90s! I live for those moments! I live in an atmosphere of very 'dirty' electricity; but I'm glad Kuz has clean electrity, b/c he loves P90s so much!

[mooonpi]

Okay, so I talked w/Jay Wolfe, and I got a custom order going. H530 w/binding on head & f-holes, black. I'm psyched, anxious, excited etc etc etc and can't wait for March to come around!!! I'm prolly going to be a distracted mess for the winter, but what the hey, I'm in Mpls so there's nothing to do but shovel snow and woodshed in the basement anyway.

[NoNameBand]

Okay, so I talked w/Jay Wolfe, and I got a custom order going. H530 w/binding on head & f-holes, black. I'm psyched, anxious, excited etc etc etc and can't wait for March to come around!!! I'm prolly going to be a distracted mess for the winter, but what the hey, I'm in Mpls so there's nothing to do but shovel snow and woodshed in the basement anyway.

 

That's very exciting Mooonpi. The guitar along with your ideas will be fantastic. Congratulations on your upcoming NGD.

[FredZepp]

Okay, so I talked w/Jay Wolfe, and I got a custom order going. H530 w/binding on head & f-holes, black. I'm psyched, anxious, excited etc etc etc and can't wait for March to come around!!! I'm prolly going to be a distracted mess for the winter, but what the hey, I'm in Mpls so there's nothing to do but shovel snow and woodshed in the basement anyway.

Fantastic...!!! Oh , the anticipation will be a sweet agony. But a 530 crafted at Parsons St to your specs is a wonder that will be worth the wait. Congrats , keep us updated on the progress.