"The Storm" is just a gentle breeze

[Guido]

Hi Folks!

 

So finally I opened the case but: disappointment.

What's up with the quality control at Heritage?

Personally I think this guitar should have been a factory 2nd. Here is why:

 

The binding! This picture shows the biggest flaw in the binding. There are a few smaller flaws along the top.

 

The finish! This big black mark is under the finish. But it's definitely not from the wood. Another smaller mark like that is near the tone control of the bridge pup.

 

The electronics compartment! The wood and even the wiring got hit by the soldering iron.

 

The nut! I have never seen a nut like this. Usually the nut at the low e side (6th string) is higher than at the high e side. Here it's the other way around.

The bridge at the low e side needs to be raised like hell to compensate for the nut. There's no way to get a good setup with this nut.

 

So what shall I do now? I guess I will send the guitar back. The guitar was made on a friday. Maybe everybody just wanted to go into the weekend?!

[Guido]

I forgot to mention that the guitars finish is ALSB!

A SD '59 in the neck and a SD Jazz in the bridge.

 

 

Here's a pic of the guitar. Looks really great from the distance. The high e string broke during tuning.

 

[brentrocks]

Did you say that came from Wolfe?

[Guido]

Did you say that came from Wolfe?

No the guitar is from a dealer in Europe.

I know that Wolfe has good contacts to Heritage and would have found a solution.

[brentrocks]

No the guitar is from a dealer in Europe.

I know that Wolfe has good contacts to Heritage and would have found a solution.

 

if you are not happy...you need to take it back to your dealer ASAP, make them make it right!

[Guido]

if you are not happy...you need to take it back to your dealer ASAP, make them make it right!

Would you be happy?

[JeffB]

 

 

It looks great. I really like that finish. I think that would be my ideal as it is. But honestly Im pretty much over unrealistic dealer glam shots.

 

Where is that Black line? I cant see it on the full frontal pic.

[bebove64]

I agrre with Brent, if you're not happy don't wait a second take it back to your dealer!

Anyway a factory 2nd should be marked with evrything that goes with it

[Guido]

Where is that Black line? I cant see it on the full frontal pic.

It at the bottom of the top. You can't see it in the normal pictures. Only if you're close to the guitar.

The binding bothers me the most. Because it's right at the horn and you can see that really good.

Maybe a luthier can make it look better.

The nut is replaceable. But it shouldn't happen in the first place.

 

The finish is really awesome! The guitar looks just great.

[bebove64]

It at the bottom of the top. You can't see it in the normal pictures. Only if you're close to the guitar.

The binding bothers me the most. Because it's right at the horn and you can see that really good.

Maybe a luthier can make it look better.

The nut is replaceable. But it shouldn't happen in the first place.

 

The finish is really awesome! The guitar looks just great.

A luthier may not be necessary

Well I'd use this:

and save money

 

binding and nut must be repaired

marks could come from the dealer

Anyway is a great guitar!

[Guido]

Ok guys I really need your help here!

Am I overdoing it?

I just plugged her in and there was the storm I was expecting!

What a great tone. Unbelievable!!!

I did a hell of a job to my '93 VSB 150 to get the tone I wanted: new pups, new caps, new wiring.

And you know what? "The Storm" has it all and even more.

I thought the SD Jazz is more a neck pup but it's really great in the bridge.

The nut can be fixed.

And honestly I can't take my eyes of this beauty.

So what to do????

[big bob]

Would you be happy?

Not with the binding like that.. Take it back to the dealer.

[schundog]

Ok guys I really need your help here!

Am I overdoing it?

I just plugged her in and there was the storm I was expecting!

What a great tone. Unbelievable!!!

I did a hell of a job to my '93 VSB 150 to get the tone I wanted: new pups, new caps, new wiring.

And you know what? "The Storm" has it all and even more.

I thought the SD Jazz is more a neck pup but it's really great in the bridge.

The nut can be fixed.

And honestly I can't take my eyes of this beauty.

So what to do????

 

+1 on using the warranty to get the nut, binding, and wiring fixed. Keep the guitar, just get these errors corrected, or they (ESPECIALLY the binding!) will start to bug you even more once the honeymoon phase is over.

[Guido]

+1 on using the warranty to get the nut, binding, and wiring fixed. Keep the guitar, just get these errors corrected, or they (ESPECIALLY the binding!) will start to bug you even more once the honeymoon phase is over.

I am from Germany!

Shall I send the guitar all the way to Kalamazoo?

The dealer I bought the guitar from is from Poland. He is a new authorized Heritage dealer.

I need to ship the guitar again. And before I ship it to Poland I can also ship to Michigan.

But the best thing is to give it to my luthier. I don't see the wring in the compartment. That doesn't bother me.

The nut I can replace myself. I have very good experiences with the Graph Tech Tusq nuts.

The only issue is the binding. He doesn't need to fix it completely. Just to make it look better, 'cause it looks really bad at the horn.

[schundog]

I am from Germany!

Shall I send the guitar all the way to Kalamazoo?

The dealer I bought the guitar from is from Poland. He is a new authorized Heritage dealer.

I need to ship the guitar again. And before I ship it to Poland I can also ship to Michigan.

But the best thing is to give it to my luthier. I don't see the wring in the compartment. That doesn't bother me.

The nut I can replace myself. I have very good experiences with the Graph Tech Tusq nuts.

The only issue is the binding. He doesn't need to fix it completely. Just to make it look better, 'cause it looks really bad at the horn.

 

Well, it sounds like you answered your own question. I agree, shipping it back across the pond would be a pain. It sounds like you really like the guitar, so I guess I'd do the same thing you have suggested.

 

To the rest of the forum; Resist, as I did, from telling Polish Heritage Dealer jokes....

[rooster]

Just relating to my experiences, there have been little quirks with all 3 of my H150s. I've never found a factory nut on any guitar I liked, so I generally replace those right off the bat; these days I just use Earvana shelf nuts, and they work amazingly well. Can't say enough about them. As far as wiring, I don't like the look of that solder job, but I replace the volume pots with RS superpots, and the tone caps with paper-in-oil caps, so that takes care of that. As to the bleedover on the finish, either your local guy can fix that up for you, or you can live with it. I certainly wouldn't risk a guitar that plays and sounds great twice through the post. But that's me. The little quirks that the guitars came with do not come close to outweighing the playability, sound, and overall vibe of the guitar.

 

My opinion, anyway. I'll keep buying Heritage, and don't think I'll ever get one from anybody else. They keep sounding better with every ding, bash, and gig I put them through. Wonderful instruments.

 

rooster.

 

Oh, BTW, beautiful guitar you got there!

[MartyGrass]

Sorry for your trouble.

 

You still can get a good setup with that nut if you have room to file, assuming you don't like the current setup. A black teflon nut would look good on it if necessary.

 

Personally, I'd pursue a partial refund since you like the guitar functionally. If you can't tolerate the imperfections, send it back for a full refund.

 

I wouldn't return it for repairs. Your money will be tied up a long time. Get a different one.

 

There are commonly used H150s available from HOC members. I've shipped to Europe a few times and others have as well.

[tulk1]

I would think that Heritage would cover the warranty with your luthier. Couldn't help to ask. Or perhaps they have an authorized repair they use in Germany. Here's another thought. You might have whomever repairs your guitar to pull the pickups and verify you have what the label says. That is not a typical Heritage soldering job, from what I can see. Looks .... messed with.

[JeffB]

This is how it would work in Australia. If I sold a Heritage to some one in NSW (4136km's away) and they had a problem, they could send it to their preferred luthier or the stores preferred repairer in that location as long as there was proof of something wrong and that it was workmanship and not the new owners fault. The repairer would bill the distributor and get paid by them.

Dont know how far you have to send it but the store you bought it from should be able to do something similar. There is no reason they cant.

Communicate rationally, calmly and friendly with the store you bought it from and Im pretty sure you will get it sorted no problems.

 

I know probably puts me in the minority, but my thoughts on the situation and your complaints. Id just fix the nut and play the guitar to death. The binding and what looks to be a mineral stain just wouldnt phase me in the slightest. That is a sensational looking guitar.

[JeffB]

Does Europe have a main distributor for Heritage or are there different distributors for each country?

Shouldnt imagine it would be a big enough market for more than one or maybe two. Could be the distributor for Poland is also the distributor for Germany and will have preferred repairers every where. Could be Im just speculating.

[H]

Beautiful guitar Guido

 

I'm firmly in the 'fix it up and play it to death' camp here. You'll ding it and introduce play wear yourself over time which will make the minor blemishes you see now fade into nothing. The structural aspects of your problem can be dealt with quickly and cheaply and, most importantly, locally, meaning you can get back to playing the thing as soon as possible. If you can get a little compensation out of the dealer, all the better.

[JeffB]

Does Europe have a main distributor for Heritage or are there different distributors for each country?

Shouldnt imagine it would be a big enough market for more than one or maybe two. Could be the distributor for Poland is also the distributor for Germany and will have preferred repairers every where. Could be Im just speculating.

Edit: so theres about 6 distributors, my bad. Im sure theres an over lap and network there some where.

[Halowords]

I would argue for calling the dealer and seeing what they offer you. Hopefully they'll discount something off of it a/o let your local luthier fix the binding & nut as a warranty issue thus sparing you shipping hassles (and time). Maybe they're uber-apologetic and make some great deal to bolster their reputation. Secondly, I'd call Heritage and see if they offer any recourse (unless the dealer does the right thing).

 

After that, if you're still bothered by it and get nowhere, I'd return it and try for another. It would stink for you in the meanwhile, but another great Heritage will no doubt pop up either at a dealer or in the HOC For Sale section.

 

Once it's all said & done, we'll presume you end up with a great Heritage that you love and can (lovingly) play the thing in aeternum. Best of luck with it.

[MartyGrass]

This is how it would work in Australia. If I sold a Heritage to some one in NSW (4136km's away) and they had a problem, they could send it to their preferred luthier or the stores preferred repairer in that location as long as there was proof of something wrong and that it was workmanship and not the new owners fault. The repairer would bill the distributor and get paid by them.

Dont know how far you have to send it but the store you bought it from should be able to do something similar. There is no reason they cant.

Communicate rationally, calmly and friendly with the store you bought it from and Im pretty sure you will get it sorted no problems.

 

I know probably puts me in the minority, but my thoughts on the situation and your complaints. Id just fix the nut and play the guitar to death. The binding and what looks to be a mineral stain just wouldnt phase me in the slightest. That is a sensational looking guitar.

 

 

Anyone who will wait a few days for a guitar to warm up before opening the case will probably not accept flaws, Tully. I'm not in that group. I'd take a partial refund and be happy. The reason for the refund is that the resale value may be less.

 

It makes sense to have a local luthier replace the nut if that's really needed.

 

Guido notes that the guitar was finished on Friday. Heritage is not open on Fridays, at least not usually.

 

I would not direct your dissatisfaction so much at Heritage. You bought this from the dealer, and he deserves your feedback. Any manufactured guitar will be susceptible to minor glitches. The dealer is the one who represented the individual guitar to you.

 

I have several Heritages that have "endearing" features, like overspray and binding irregularities. I've never complained unless I was misled by the seller. And I won't even mention the f hole buffing compound and spotty finishing except to say that Heritage cheerfully offered to finish those areas off for me. I didn't find it important enough to pursue.

 

I suggest you chat with your dealer. He made money off of you and has a responsibility to work this out.

[JeffB]

I would argue for calling the dealer and seeing what they offer you. Hopefully they'll discount something off of it a/o let your local luthier fix the binding & nut as a warranty issue thus sparing you shipping hassles (and time). Maybe they're uber-apologetic and make some great deal to bolster their reputation. Secondly, I'd call Heritage and see if they offer any recourse (unless the dealer does the right thing).

After that, if you're still bothered by it and get nowhere, I'd return it and try for another. It would stink for you in the meanwhile, but another great Heritage will no doubt pop up either at a dealer or in the HOC For Sale section.

 

Once it's all said & done, we'll presume you end up with a great Heritage that you love and can (lovingly) play the thing in aeternum. Best of luck with it.

My experience with emails to Heritage on behalf of a customers concern has been a very short email saying "contact (insert name) distributor for any further queries. Thankyou".

Your dealer will sort it out.