JDM Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 Hi guys, I am new here and I might soon be the owner of my first Heritage! The guitar in question is the Academy Standard. Does anybody know anything about it? I am going to check it out on Saturday, but would like some Heritage folks thoughts on this guitar. I can't really find any info on it. The only thing I know for sure is that it is indeed a Heritage lol. That of course is why I am interested. I love Heritage guitars like no other but haven't been able to afford one until now. Actually, if I wasn't such an idiot, I would have saved my money and bought a nice Heritage to begin with instead of a bunch of cheap imports. In all honesty, I probably could have bought 3 or more. :sigh: Anyway.... The gentleman states that it is mint with the OHSC and is asking $995. Assuming I really like the guitar and want to buy it from him, is that a good deal if it is indeed mint? thanks, Jeremy
Halowords Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 Hey Jeremy. The Academy is, from what I've been able to find out, pretty much (slight dimension differences aside) a single-cut Prospect. So, it's a semi-hollow likely with a floating block (although probably depends), a bit smaller (and thus likely more comfortable) than a 535, but similar sound. There are a few reviews/chats on them on the Internet, and they seem mainly pretty positive. Price . . . That is totally subjective. I would think that would be a nice price if the guitar checks out alright. You could always ask if there is any wiggle room and how low he'd be willing to go. Those seem kind of uncommon (for better or worse), and are probably not that sought after (again, for better or worse). On the one hand, the relative rarity could drive up the price while the relative lack-of-popularity could bring it down. Thus, it's hard to say. Still, a mint American-made, hand-build Academy with OHSC that is going to give you a nice semi-hollow sound with a very comfortable construction for under a grand seems like it would be pretty hard to go wrong. I have a Prospect "Blues Deluxe" (essentially a double-cut Academy, or smaller-sized H-535/ES-335, only with a full center block), that I like a lot. I paid a few hundred more than your Academy will cost you if you get it. So, overall I would have to say if it checks out it is worth it.
JDM Posted March 9, 2011 Author Posted March 9, 2011 Thank you very much for that! I am very excited to check it out on Saturday. I definitely don't mind a smaller guitar than the 535 though I must admit that the 535 is the nicest semi (at least to me) I have ever seen or played lol. I have read about the "floating center block" but really don't know exactly what it is. I assume it is a "block" that runs accross the bottom and doesn't touch the top leaving the top free to vibrate? Again, thank you very much! Hey Jeremy. The Academy is, from what I've been able to find out, pretty much (slight dimension differences aside) a single-cut Prospect. So, it's a semi-hollow likely with a floating block (although probably depends), a bit smaller (and thus likely more comfortable) than a 535, but similar sound. There are a few reviews/chats on them on the Internet, and they seem mainly pretty positive. Price . . . That is totally subjective. I would think that would be a nice price if the guitar checks out alright. You could always ask if there is any wiggle room and how low he'd be willing to go. Those seem kind of uncommon (for better or worse), and are probably not that sought after (again, for better or worse). On the one hand, the relative rarity could drive up the price while the relative lack-of-popularity could bring it down. Thus, it's hard to say. Still, a mint American-made, hand-build Academy with OHSC that is going to give you a nice semi-hollow sound with a very comfortable construction for under a grand seems like it would be pretty hard to go wrong. I have a Prospect "Blues Deluxe" (essentially a double-cut Academy, or smaller-sized H-535/ES-335, only with a full center block), that I like a lot. I paid a few hundred more than your Academy will cost you if you get it. So, overall I would have to say if it checks out it is worth it.
Halowords Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 Thank you very much for tnat! I am very excited to check it out on Saturday. I definitely don't mind a smaller guitar than the 535 though I must admit that the 535 is maybe the nicest semi I have ever seen or played lol. I had a 535 and the Prospect. The Prospect is a bit smaller and a shade brighter, the 535 is a bit bigger and a bit boomier/bassier. Plugged in, particularly with a bit of tweaking, they sound pretty much the same, although I am a bass-whore so I liked the bassier sound of the 535 a tad more. Still, the Prospect was more comfortable, a bit harder to come by, and prettier (arguably, but it's a bit more figured & flamey than the 535 was). Ultimately, they ended up being redundant, my wife did not like the fact I got them both, and I had somebody who wanted the 535, so I sold it. I'd have been happy with either and would love to have one (or more) of each. I have read about the "floating center block" but really don't know exactly what it is. I assume it is a "block" that runs accross the bottom and doesn't touch the top leaving the top free to vibrate? Again, thank you very much! Others will chime in. The floating center block runs across the top and fills most of the body, but does not touch the back. From what I've read (here & elsewhere), this gives it a more open/woody/hollow sound, a bit more volume, and also perhaps a bit more feedback prone. My Prospect has a full-center block, so it's essentially the guitar that is the precursor to the CS-356, or a smaller ES-335/H-535. The unplugged sound is probably not as good, plugged in I'd imagine very close, the sole advantage is it's probably a bit less feedback prone. That might or might not be an issue depending on your style & volume of playing, and putting some natural sponge between the block & back can help with the feedback from what I've read. tulk1 on here is a good source of info of Prospects, a lot of which will translate to the Academy as far as construction and whatnot. Anyway, try it out. If it speaks to you, I'd say get it! If you're like most of us, you'll get more. Maybe even add an H-535 down the road. If you do not like it, keep in mind your likes & dislikes if/when looking for another guitar. I would have to imagine it is a nice, somewhat uncommon guitar that should play quite nice. Best of luck!
Halowords Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 Being a '92, the neck might be a bit slender. My Prospect has a skinnier neck than my 535 did, presumably because the Prospect is older and the 535 is more recent and the necks have gotten a bit chunkier over time. I liked the 535's neck notably better, but not that I don't have them back-to-back I really like the Prospect's neck. I doubt that will be a huge deal, and I like all three Heritages I've tried. Besides, there are so many custom-jobs that you won't know until you try it. If/when you get it, please post some pics. It should be a cool guitar.
JDM Posted March 9, 2011 Author Posted March 9, 2011 Again, thanks for the info! Don't you worry, if I get it I will proudly post some pics! Regards, Jeremy Being a '92, the neck might be a bit slender. My Prospect has a skinnier neck than my 535 did, presumably because the Prospect is older and the 535 is more recent and the necks have gotten a bit chunkier over time. I liked the 535's neck notably better, but not that I don't have them back-to-back I really like the Prospect's neck. I doubt that will be a huge deal, and I like all three Heritages I've tried. Besides, there are so many custom-jobs that you won't know until you try it. If/when you get it, please post some pics. It should be a cool guitar.
mark555 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Hi Jeremy, just wanted to say hi and welcome. Looking forward to seeing the pictures, which are mandatory here! (it gives us all the chance to drool over a new guitar) Where are you from?
DetroitBlues Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Gotta have pics! We can't live without them. Defeats the whole purpose of the forum... Might as well be an audio only site otherwise...
JDM Posted March 10, 2011 Author Posted March 10, 2011 Hi Jeremy, just wanted to say hi and welcome. Looking forward to seeing the pictures, which are mandatory here! (it gives us all the chance to drool over a new guitar) Where are you from? Pics will be a definite if I buy the guitar on Saturday. If the guitar really is mint as the gentleman says, it will be mine. I am living in Melrose, MA
JDM Posted March 10, 2011 Author Posted March 10, 2011 Gotta have pics! We can't live without them. Defeats the whole purpose of the forum... Might as well be an audio only site otherwise... I agree. Possible pics on Saturday. If the guitar is as nice s claimed, she will be mine lol.
tulk1 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Jeremy, welcome to the HoC. You may find yourself in a very select group when you bring that Academy home. We don't see many of those here. Lot of Prospect owners, just not many Academy owners. Hope to see you Saturday as a new Heritage Owner!
JDM Posted March 10, 2011 Author Posted March 10, 2011 You mean I could be a member of the distinguished few right out of the gate? ha-ha I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas lol. What should I focus on when checking it out. I mean the hardware could always be replaced over time as could the pups, but all the pups I have heard on the heritages have been stellar. I guess neck warp and frets would be the main concern huh? Jeremy, welcome to the HoC. You may find yourself in a very select group when you bring that Academy home. We don't see many of those here. Lot of Prospect owners, just not many Academy owners. Hope to see you Saturday as a new Heritage Owner!
JDM Posted March 10, 2011 Author Posted March 10, 2011 By the way, thanks for the welcome! Jeremy, welcome to the HoC. You may find yourself in a very select group when you bring that Academy home. We don't see many of those here. Lot of Prospect owners, just not many Academy owners. Hope to see you Saturday as a new Heritage Owner!
DetroitBlues Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 Did we ever find some Pic's? I'd love to se 'em!
JDM Posted March 11, 2011 Author Posted March 11, 2011 Pics Saturday if I purchase the guitar. The only way that guitar won't come home with me is if the neck has issues and the frets are crap. The guy says it is mint, so expect some pics! Did we ever find some Pic's? I'd love to se 'em!
DetroitBlues Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 Pics Saturday if I purchase the guitar. The only way that guitar won't come home with me is if the neck has issues and the frets are crap. The guy says it is mint, so expect some pics! Sweet! Hope you get it!
JDM Posted March 12, 2011 Author Posted March 12, 2011 Ok, I didn't buy it. The guitar is far from mint. It has many nicks and scratches. The frets are bad and the neck binding is cracked at every fret. It also looks like there is a hairline fracture near the input. I am bummed out right now.
tulk1 Posted March 12, 2011 Posted March 12, 2011 Wow!! That sucks. Wonder what that guy's definition of "mint" is? Sorry to hear it was a wasted trip.
FredZepp Posted March 12, 2011 Posted March 12, 2011 Keep looking , Jeremy.. There is a Heritage out there for you somewhere.
Hfan Posted March 12, 2011 Posted March 12, 2011 Ok, I didn't buy it. The guitar is far from mint. It has many nicks and scratches. The frets are bad and the neck binding is cracked at every fret. It also looks like there is a hairline fracture near the input. I am bummed out right now. That does stink but good you checked it out. Was it the one on e bay? JDM, Stick around here (welcome by the way) and keep an eye on the for sale section. Many established and trustworthy members here seem to like to wheel and deal. Check out the old threads and get an idea of whats out there. If I was buying another Heritage other than finding one local which can be difficult that is the way I would go. Your Heritage will come.
Halowords Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 On the one hand, that totally blows. On the other . . . that totally blows. What you could do would be decide what Heritage you want then peruse the For Sale section. Prospects & "Blues Deluxe" come up every now & again, 535's and H-150's come up pretty regularly, and there are lots of guys here who have good reputations. I'd probably decide what I want then see if anybody here has what you're looking for. That can be fun as you get to sort of seek out the guitar(s) you're looking for. But if you're looking specifically for a semi-hollow, I think a 535 or Prospect would do great for you. The Academy's sound like they'd be great, but I would tend to think of them as being more-or-less interchangeable and covering the same general range as the 535 or Prospect. So all hope is not lost or anything.
JDM Posted March 13, 2011 Author Posted March 13, 2011 Thanks guys! Yeah, the guy basically said "mint for the age" lol. I have '59 les paul special and a '62 es 330 (both given to me by family members) that are pretty much mint. The guy was an idiot. He was a friend of a friend that said he had a mint heritage that he would sale. It isn't on Craigslist or ebay. I doubt he will ever be put it on ebay, but I wish I would have written down the serial. (It is natural by the way.) Anyway, I am going to figure out what it is exactly I want. I played the guitar anyway, and it sounded really nice. It did have the floating center block, and I think that I am sold on that setup. It definitely seems to ring out a little more acoustically and I think it does sound a little more "woody" amplified. What guitars have the "floating center block"?
tulk1 Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 Thanks guys! Yeah, the guy basically said "mint for the age" lol. I have '59 les paul special and a '62 es 330 (both given to me by family members) that are pretty much mint. The guy was an idiot. He was a friend of a friend that said he had a mint heritage that he would sale. It isn't on Craigslist or ebay. I doubt he will ever be put it on ebay, but I wish I would have written down the serial. (It is natural by the way.) Anyway, I am going to figure out what it is exactly I want. I played the guitar anyway, and it sounded really nice. It did have the floating center block, and I think that I am sold on that setup. It definitely seems to ring out a little more acoustically and I think it does sound a little more "woody" amplified. What guitars have the "floating center block"? That would be the Academy Standard's double cut cousin, the Prospect Standard.
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