Guest HRB853370 Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 It seems like many folks upgrade or replace the electronics in their Heritage guitars, to achieve specific objectives. I started thinking about this after my 535 came in with the Mojotone wiring that was installed by the former owner. In general, what type/brand electronics does Heritage use (pots, caps, wiring, etc) and where do they source it from (USA or foreign)? Harley-Davidsons are still manufactured in the USA (thank God) but I know that many of the components on their bikes are not from the USA.
donnie Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 I'd like to learn more about this too. While we're at it could anyone tell me what HRW stands for in reference to the pickups? I used to know but have forgotten. In fact, along with skinslammer's request perhaps a little tutorial on the different 535 pickups over the years would be useful. Hey skin, on your Harley analogy, I have a 2003 and a 2011 and it's astonishing how much foreign content these bikes have. It gets worse every year. And the accessories? Don't even read the packaging unless you're just looking to depress yourself...
Blunote Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 Donnie HRW stands for Heritage Rendall Wall. Ren is one of the old Gibson employees and is responsible for developing the HRW pups. Some say he personally hand winds them.
Hfan Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 I'd like to learn more about this too. While we're at it could anyone tell me what HRW stands for in reference to the pickups? I used to know but have forgotten. In fact, along with skinslammer's request perhaps a little tutorial on the different 535 pickups over the years would be useful. Hey skin, on your Harley analogy, I have a 2003 and a 2011 and it's astonishing how much foreign content these bikes have. It gets worse every year. And the accessories? Don't even read the packaging unless you're just looking to depress yourself... I'm not a resident expert by a long shot but I believe the HRW stands for Heritage and Rendal Wall. Rendal winds them using his secret recipe. I too have an interest in this threads subject, specifically the use of Schaller pups (why did H use them etc) in many of the earlier Heritages. Lots of guys here swap them out but some like them. I have developed a fondness for the ones in my 157.
rjsanders Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 had to replace vol pots on Millie DC (first one made). CTS but hecho en Mexico. replaced with U.S.-made CTS, IIRC, some years ago & no probs since.
koula901 Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 had to replace vol pots on Millie DC (first one made). CTS but hecho en Mexico. replaced with U.S.-made CTS, IIRC, some years ago & no probs since. rjsanders - just curious about what was going on with the volume pots, that you felt need to replace it, and what was the subsequent improvement?
rjsanders Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 rjsanders - just curious about what was going on with the volume pots, that you felt need to replace it, and what was the subsequent improvement? one day the neck vol. control became intermittent, then within a couple weeks or so stopped working altogether. so, i had 'em checked out (CB Perkins, Heritage dealers) and both replaced. IIRC it was a warranty fix...
Guest HRB853370 Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 I'd like to learn more about this too. While we're at it could anyone tell me what HRW stands for in reference to the pickups? I used to know but have forgotten. In fact, along with skinslammer's request perhaps a little tutorial on the different 535 pickups over the years would be useful. Hey skin, on your Harley analogy, I have a 2003 and a 2011 and it's astonishing how much foreign content these bikes have. It gets worse every year. And the accessories? Don't even read the packaging unless you're just looking to depress yourself... I was unaware of how much Donnie, but maybe I do not really want to know. Both of mine are 2002's (FXDLWG and FLHCI)
smurph1 Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 It seems like many folks upgrade or replace the electronics in their Heritage guitars, to achieve specific objectives. I started thinking about this after my 535 came in with the Mojotone wiring that was installed by the former owner. In general, what type/brand electronics does Heritage use (pots, caps, wiring, etc) and where do they source it from (USA or foreign)? Harley-Davidsons are still manufactured in the USA (thank God) but I know that many of the components on their bikes are not from the USA. i'm really not a tweaker, but all the Heritages I've owned (a total of three) have been totally stock, and I loved each one..But Hey I'm a hillbilly.. To each his own..
bolero Posted February 24, 2011 Posted February 24, 2011 sorta related...I bought a prewired harness/pots/caps from one of the boutique places, installed them on my H150 didn't like them at all, changed back to the stock Heritage parts I did however, mod it to vintage spec wiring
Guest HRB853370 Posted February 24, 2011 Posted February 24, 2011 OK, so nobody replied with an answer to the question, what kind/brand of electronics does Heritage use and where do they get them from, domestic or foreign? Or do they just manufacture their own?
tulk1 Posted February 24, 2011 Posted February 24, 2011 OK, so nobody replied with an answer to the question, what kind/brand of electronics does Heritage use and where do they get them from, domestic or foreign? Or do they just manufacture their own? Here's what I remember from PSPIII. According to Ren they are Mexican pots made to Heritage's own tollerances and specs. As for Schaller hardware, pickups. Schaller has a very respected name and reputation in guitar parts. They've been around for a very long time as OEM equipment. Consider this, when Heritage incorporated in '84/'85 there weren't as many aftermarket choices for hardware/pickups as we have now. Gotoh, Schaller; DiMarzio and SD. It was a budding industry with few choices. Going with an established manufacturer makes sense - Schaller already had the reputation, available stock, and the obvious G-brand wasn't using them. They had to use something different. Once you start a relationship and develop that over the years you want to maintain those relationships. Makes sense to me. Latest skuttle on the HRW's is that Schaller is now winding those for Ren. He used to do the mods himself, but has passed it on -- thats how I remember it going down. Take it all in that context.
Spectrum13 Posted February 24, 2011 Posted February 24, 2011 OK, so nobody replied with an answer to the question, what kind/brand of electronics does Heritage use and where do they get them from, domestic or foreign? Or do they just manufacture their own? So Will, chill! My earliest Heritage is a 2006 and it had WD pots and little yellow barrel caps. They started using CTS in 2009 don't know if they use the same yellow caps. Have no idea where they are manufactured. You could take off the back plate and see what's in your 150s. No way they make their own pots and caps.
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