How long does it take to make a Heritage?

[Laz]

New member,

Just wanted to know if other members have had the same experience that I had when I ordered my guitar. The store told me it would take 6-8 weeks, but it took 8 months go get my guitar. Love the guitar, just didn't expect to wait 8 months.

Has any one else had this experience when they ordered a guitar from Heritage?

Its a H157 and I changed the neck and hardware to silver. Not a big fan of gold and block pearl inlays.

thanks

[brentrocks]

a 157 with dots...never seen that, pretty cool!

 

how long ago did you recieve the guitar?

[NoNameBand]

Nice guitar. In answer to your question, "How long does it take to make a Heritage?". Some might say over a Hundred years. Yours took much less. Eight months may seem like a long time, but when you consider all of the steps involved, it's only a moment in time. It looks like it was well worth the wait.

Good luck and welcome to the club.

[fxdx99]

Nice guitar - really a looker you have there. Congrats! 8 months does seem a bit long for current production... although 6-8 weeks seems too short. I've not ordered new, so don't have anything to compare, tho.

[FredZepp]

Nice 157 custom !

It varies on the length of time.. there are some that have waited longer than you and some didn't have as long of a wait.

More recently the wait has been shorter , but that can still vary. It depends on many factors, including how many pending orders they have. ( And we know that they have received some large orders lately)

 

But I'm glad that you're no longer waiting and now can enjoy that " crafted in Kalamazoo" custom guitar. It is a beauty.

[DetroitBlues]

KBP810's seems to be progressing rather quickly. Lots of custom features on his too. Yours looks like a mix of a H-140, H-150, and H-157. Cool!

[Spectrum13]

Last I was told 12-16 weeks.

I expect that could be as early as 3 months and as long as 6 months.

If something goes wrong with the build or they are waiting for parts, like an ebony fingerboard with dots, add a couple.

[High Flying Bird]

That's a nice one. What a finish!

[NoNameBand]

Ah yes, hints of Mahogany and Maple with notes of tobacco, very creamy around the edges, changing character as it moves front to back, great color and a long smooth classic finish, Cheers.

[Hfan]

Is it possible the dealer gave the short build time estimate in order to get your business?

 

Welcome to the club as well.

[yoslate]

New member,

Just wanted to know if other members have had the same experience that I had when I ordered my guitar. The store told me it would take 6-8 weeks, but it took 8 months go get my guitar. Love the guitar, just didn't expect to wait 8 months.

Has any one else had this experience when they ordered a guitar from Heritage?

Its a H157 and I changed the neck and hardware to silver. Not a big fan of gold and block pearl inlays.

thanks

 

My Super Eagle took thirteen months! Worth every day of the wait! Lovely plank yo have there!

[Kuz]

Last I was told 12-16 weeks.

I expect that could be as early as 3 months and as long as 6 months.

If something goes wrong with the build or they are waiting for parts, like an ebony fingerboard with dots, add a couple.

 

BINGO!!!!

[blueox]

Welcome to the club. You have a great looking H-157. Did you specify pickups with your custom?

 

Last year, my custom H-110 took about two weeks from the time I submitted my ideas to the dealer to the time I heard back from the dealer with a price, and then it took six weeks to actually build. Heritage makes superb instruments, but it seems that they do not have a strict procedure when it comes to various aspects of dealing with a customer, so things can vary from person to person, depending upon their production volume, and other factors. Now this year around March 06, I submitted some ideas for another custom guitar order through the same dealer I used last year, and as I write, I still haven't heard a word back from Heritage . . .

[Assumer]

Long time but a great looking guitar.

[Kuz]

Welcome to the club. You have a great looking H-157. Did you specify pickups with your custom?

 

Last year, my custom H-110 took about two weeks from the time I submitted my ideas to the dealer to the time I heard back from the dealer with a price, and then it took six weeks to actually build. Heritage makes superb instruments, but it seems that they do not have a strict procedure when it comes to various aspects of dealing with a customer, so things can vary from person to person, depending upon their production volume, and other factors. Now this year around March 06, I submitted some ideas for another custom guitar order through the same dealer I used last year, and as I write, I still haven't heard a word back from Heritage . . .

 

Your Dealer is dropping the ball.

 

I have had the same thing happen, and I called my Dealer who said they couldn't get through to Heritage. SO.. I called Heritage directly (7-9:30AM EST) and firmly requested that Heritage call my dealer and give him a quote immediately. Next day I get a call from my dealer.

 

I am no way defending this action by Heritage, but if you REALLY want the quote, insist your dealer call immediately or take it in your own hands.

[DavesNotHere]

"How long does it take to make a Heritage?"

 

Three!!

[blueox]

"Your Dealer is dropping the ball.

I have had the same thing happen, and I called my Dealer who said they couldn't get through to Heritage. SO.. I called Heritage directly (7-9:30AM EST) and firmly requested that Heritage call my dealer and give him a quote immediately. Next day I get a call from my dealer.

I am no way defending this action by Heritage, but if you REALLY want the quote, insist your dealer call immediately or take it in your own hands."

 

Your point is well taken. I did send Heritage an email about this last week, but have heard nothing yet. A phone call would be more direct. Sometimes one can be too nice. As the old saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets oiled. Also, I wonder if there is some resentment by a key figure at Heritage, as this "dealer" does not actually stock Heritage guitars, even though one of the head guys pointed him out to me originally?

[Kuz]

Your point is well taken. I did send Heritage an email about this last week, but have heard nothing yet. A phone call would be more direct. Sometimes one can be too nice. As the old saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets oiled. Also, I wonder if there is some resentment by a key figure at Heritage, as this "dealer" does not actually stock Heritage guitars, even though one of the head guys pointed him out to me originally?

 

Again, I think we are all aware of Heritage's poor response to e-mails. Again, not condoning the behavior, just saying...

 

Also keep this in mind on special orders. The dealer has an incentive to sell the stock he has in house (Heritage or non-Heritage), they have already paid for that inventory. So those pieces are the first they want to sell. After a quote on a special order, the dealer will charge a down payment (which is essentially their profit margin up front), so they have VERY LITTLE incentive to keep up/check on the order because they have already made their money. I have had to check on the status, double check the custom specs, ship special pickups to Heritage,ect..... all myself because if you want it done right (and it is MY ORDER & MY MONEY) I have done all this talking straight with Heritage directly. And I have used two dealers (one is world famous here) and it doesn't matter.... it's your guitar, your order, and you want it done on time..... frankly the dealer doesn't care as much as you.

[DavesNotHere]

Again, I think we are all aware of Heritage's poor response to e-mails. Again, not condoning the behavior, just saying...

 

Also keep this in mind on special orders. The dealer has an incentive to sell the stock he has in house (Heritage or non-Heritage), they have already paid for that inventory. So those pieces are the first they want to sell. After a quote on a special order, the dealer will charge a down payment (which is essentially their profit margin up front), so they have VERY LITTLE incentive to keep up/check on the order because they have already made their money. I have had to check on the status, double check the custom specs, ship special pickups to Heritage,ect..... all myself because if you want it done right (and it is MY ORDER & MY MONEY) I have done all this talking straight with Heritage directly. And I have used two dealers (one is world famous here) and it doesn't matter.... it's your guitar, your order, and you want it done on time..... frankly the dealer doesn't care as much as you.

I agree whole heartedly.

Not to make light of this, you have a lot of money invested, but the truth is if you want it done correctly, you have to do it yourself.

[High Flying Bird]

Not to make light of this, you have a lot of money invested, but the truth is if you want it done correctly, you have to do it yourself.

You are learning well Grasshopper.

 

Blue, are in Kzoo? Drive down to the shop and axe them about this. I have to drive 11 hours to get to 225 Parsons.

 

Before I called the vendor I used, to order the Firebird, I called Heritage.... early in the morning. I told Marv what I wanted and he called the dealer. Get your custom orders confirmed with Heritage then place your orders with the dealer. You will not get a price quote from 225 Parsons but you will get the guitar you order. I am sure Ren would be glad to help as well.

 

A lot of guitar dealers are like construction contractors. They will disappear when you need them. Stay on that ass.....

[tulk1]

Laz, nice guitar! Dots on an H157 sure makes it look unique.

 

Since we're on the topic of "how long", just thought I'd mention that I probably hold the record for the shortest time from placed order to received guitar. 30 days exactly to get my Millie NFH. But, there was a lot of work done upfront not only with the dealer, but with Heritage and more than one person on the HOC! We probably spent more time getting the specs together and getting the quote than it took to build the guitar. On the other hand, my Prospect Custom took the normal "6 - 8 weeks".

 

On dealers and their costs. I feel compelled to mention that my dealer loves special orders. Think about this, we do all the work spec'ing it out, getting the details right. Then we call or visit, place the order and give them $$'s up front. The dealer has minimum input or outlay in terms of shelf space or personal time involve - and it's a guaranteed sale. I'd have to think that if your dealer drops the ball, you need a different dealer. And I'd be very happy to turn anyone here on to my guy. He loves Heritage and the HOC.

[RhoadsScholar]

After my first factory tour (conducted by Marv), we talked about the 'Little One' as they had a bunch of stock )the red white and blue cutting board). He showed me the 110 which was a new design and proceeded to tell him how much I liked my 170 size/shape etc. I said I wish it had block inlays and neck binding. He laughed and showed me the prototype for the 170 Second Addition. I asked him if anybody offered to buy the 1st one. He checked with Vince and said it was mine if I wanted it. I proceeded to order it chambered after he showed me some samples and told him I wanted it 'All Gold' front, back, headstock, etc. They told me it would take 6 months as they needed to tool up to build a run. 3 months later (thanks to Brent I believe), a picture was posted. Marv called me and said they needed to get them going sooner than later so it was ready to be picked up in 3 months.

 

It was a plesant suprise. I got exactly what I wanted and the guitar fills my tone palet for a semi-hollow body due to the chambering and has no feedback issues. The best part is it weighs about 7.5 pounds. The cool thing about custom ordering is the anticipation of getting exactly what you want, then, when it is ready, you realize how special those appointments are in your particular guitar. As Tom Petty would say

 

'The Waiting is the Hardest Part'. I bet your 157 was worth the wait (for me though, that 157 probably wouldn't be 'worth the weight' (bad pun, but have been waiting to use that one).

[blueox]

"Blue, are in Kzoo? Drive down to the shop and axe them about this. I have to drive 11 hours to get to 225 Parsons."

 

Before I called the vendor I used, to order the Firebird, I called Heritage.... early in the morning. I told Marv what I wanted and he called the dealer. Get your custom orders confirmed with Heritage then place your orders with the dealer. You will not get a price quote from 225 Parsons but you will get the guitar you order. I am sure Ren would be glad to help as well.

 

A lot of guitar dealers are like construction contractors. They will disappear when you need them. Stay on that ass....."

 

Yes, I'm about 15 minutes from Heritage. I tend to not (what I think of as) pester the the factory. I feel that if all concerned want my money, they will do the right thing, and we'll all go home happy, as with my 2010 custom order. However, every order is different and every year is different, so one may have to be more aggressive to get the job done.

 

"On dealers and their costs. I feel compelled to mention that my dealer loves special orders. Think about this, we do all the work spec'ing it out, getting the details right. Then we call or visit, place the order and give them $$'s up front. The dealer has minimum input or outlay in terms of shelf space or personal time involve - and it's a guaranteed sale. I'd have to think that if your dealer drops the ball, you need a different dealer."

 

Yes, with custom orders, the dealer is really just an order-taker or go-between who makes money for very little activity on his part. Once Heritage quotes him a price, the dealer can then add any amount that he wants for his "profit" before he gives the customer the final price for the custom order. I know of one dealer who choked and thought it underhanded when someone at Heritage wanted to limit that dealer to $100.00 profit off the custom order, assuming that Heritage would then take more of the profit above the $100.00 that would not be paid to the dealer. Of course, $100.00 is better that nothing--again for "minimum input or outlay".