Gitfiddler Posted April 6, 2011 Posted April 6, 2011 OK, ya'll heard about the '04 N.O.S. H-155 Millenium I scored a few months ago. The honeymoon was wonderful...until I noticed some rather strange wear on the back of the neck. I cleaned and polished it with Virtuosso but the back of the neck still looked like it was peeling. Also it felt a little rough, no matter how much cleaner/polish I applied. The honeymoon was nearing an end, especially after contacting the dealer about it with no satisfaction. Basically it was 'shop worn' from years of hanging around and being handled and probably wiped down with a rougher than necessary cloth. I started to sell it, even posting it in the For Sale section here (at a financial los). Fortunately there were no takers. I considered taking her to Gary Brawer since he's the local Bay Area guru to the stars and guitar maker. Brawer is a great guy and expert craftsman but I'm sure he would have charged me a pretty good chunk of change, or more than I wanted to spend, to refin the neck. So I called another local tech, personal friend and monster player, Terry Hiatt. He said all it needed was a good cleaning with a very mild abrasive and some other magic stuff he had in his shop. No need for a refin!!! Woo Hoo!!! So he set her up with a fresh set of nickel 11's and did his thing with the back of the neck. Terry called me today and said my 155 was ready to be picked up. I can't believe how smooth the neck is now! It like........a brand new gitfiddle!! THANKS, TERRY! Terry Hiatt Guitars The honeymoon is back on, baby! Her neck feels like glass! I ain't selling this Seth Lover loaded beauty any time soon. Sometimes we think the worst of dealers and others but I just wanted to share some good news with you guys. Oh...here she is, all shiny and new...again!
Guest HRB853370 Posted April 6, 2011 Posted April 6, 2011 OK, ya'll heard about the '04 N.O.S. H-155 Millenium I scored a few months ago. The honeymoon was wonderful...until I noticed some rather strange wear on the back of the neck. I cleaned and polished it with Virtuosso but the back of the neck still looked like it was peeling. Also it felt a little rough, no matter how much cleaner/polish I applied. The honeymoon was nearing an end, especially after contacting the dealer about it with no satisfaction. Basically it was 'shop worn' from years of hanging around and being handled and probably wiped down with a rougher than necessary cloth. I started to sell it, even posting it in the For Sale section here (at a financial los). Fortunately there were no takers. I considered taking her to Gary Brawer since he's the local Bay Area guru to the stars and guitar maker. Brawer is a great guy and expert craftsman but I'm sure he would have charged me a pretty good chunk of change, or more than I wanted to spend, to refin the neck. So I called another local tech, personal friend and monster player, Terry Hiatt. He said all it needed was a good cleaning with a very mild abrasive and some other magic stuff he had in his shop. No need for a refin!!! Woo Hoo!!! So he set her up with a fresh set of nickel 11's and did his thing with the back of the neck. Terry called me today and said my 155 was ready to be picked up. I can't believe how smooth the neck is now! It like........a brand new gitfiddle!! THANKS, TERRY! Terry Hiatt Guitars The honeymoon is back on, baby! Her neck feels like glass! I ain't selling this Seth Lover loaded beauty any time soon. Sometimes we think the worst of dealers and others but I just wanted to share some good news with you guys. Oh...here she is, all shiny and new...again! You better not rid yourself of that beauty! What a nice addition to your Heritage family. Whats the approximate weight on that Tim? Are Millies chambered?
yoslate Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 Patience is a virtue, eh, Tim? Not much a talented luthier can't do. Congrats on the "new" stick! Play it in good health...'tis a beauty!
schundog Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 I'm glad you "came to your senses!" haha. I was starting to feel guilty for recommending a 155 to you after I saw you had it for sale so quickly after acquiring it! Yours is one of the best looking one's I've ever seen.
Kuz Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 Congrats on getting reacquainted!!!! Did that myself recently and it can re very rewarding.
High Flying Bird Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 With the luck you have had with some dealers it wouldn't be hard to hate them. Good customer service will get my return business every time. It is a looker but I have never seen you post an ugly guitar yet.
Blunote Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 Nitro Cellulose Lacquer finishes are much easier to repair than others. Your luthier probably smoothed the area out with some fine grit sandpaper, or steel wool. A light coating of lacquer, then buffed with steel wool, followed by maybe a second coat of lacquer & buff, polish with jewelers rouge, and viola problem fixed.
FredZepp Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 It's great that this one is back to a sweet playing condition.. it looks like some fun. That is a great looking Heritage.
skydog52 Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 That is one fine Millie. Congrats on finding someone honest and good enough to bring this baby back in your fold! These days that is hard to find.
kbp810 Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 Glad to hear it worked out! A beauty like that was worth saving and in need of playing.
Hfan Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 Good to hear of the positive outcome. That guitar is too beautiful to have any issues that would detract from it's mojo. BTY, what pick ups?
blueox Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 That's one classy instrument! With Seth Lovers, that should sound (and now play) as good as it looks.
tulk1 Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 That neck is kinda shiny now, isn't it? Good job by your luthier!
Gitfiddler Posted April 7, 2011 Author Posted April 7, 2011 You guys are too sweet! (And I mean that in the most manly way!) Yes, thankfully I came back to my senses, and trusted an honest man to work his magic. Here's the kicker...Terry Hiatt did not charge me for the work on the neck, since I had a complete set-up done at the same time. What a class act!! I did check in with Schundog and Millenium Maestro in advance of the purchase and they were correct...It is a great guitar. The Seth Lovers absolutely sing in this chambered body. It weighs in at just over 7lbs. and hangs perfectly and painlessly from my lanky frame. I love the tone of this one so much that I decided to have Seths installed in my chambered Gibson LP Supreme. Maybe it will spend less time in the closet after the upgrade. Terry Hiatt already has it in his capable hands.
rjsanders Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 ... Terry Hiatt already has it in his capable hands. i was gonna recommend Kent Perkins, but glad you found Terry (who's closer to you anyway). Terry's a heckuva nice fella and has long been one of my favorite players. more props (T.H. on the Trini Lopez w/Terry Haggerty & Garth Webber):
BobN Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 Gitfiddler - do you know what product he used to buff this out? I've got the same thing on my 150 and don't know any local techs that might have a fix (I live in Charlotte, NC if anyone has a name of a good tech.) Thanks!
smurph1 Posted April 7, 2011 Posted April 7, 2011 Awesome!! i LOVE a story with a happy ending! Especially a Heritage story!!
Gitfiddler Posted April 7, 2011 Author Posted April 7, 2011 Gitfiddler - do you know what product he used to buff this out? I've got the same thing on my 150 and don't know any local techs that might have a fix (I live in Charlotte, NC if anyone has a name of a good tech.) Thanks! I will get the product name and get back to you. It was a very mild abrasive polish/cleaner. My staining looked as if some type of adhesive was applied and later removed. Very wierd. He also mentioned that naptha (lighter fluid) might work on certain types of nitro staining...but be careful and spot check...and while not smoking a cigarette.
Dasherdave Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 What a great story and an even greater Heritage guitar!! That is truly beautiful....please keep and play it forever!
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