FredZepp Posted May 28, 2011 Posted May 28, 2011 I just found these at Lashing Guitars ( I don't know anything about them). But there are some cool Parsons St. Factory pics..... Heritage Factory Tour Pics>>>>> Lashing Guitars..>>>
Guest HRB853370 Posted May 28, 2011 Posted May 28, 2011 I just found these at Lashing Guitars ( I don't know anything about them). But there are some cool Parsons St. Factory pics..... Heritage Factory Tour Pics>>>>> Lashing Guitars..>>> Frickin awesome!! Now I cannot wait until August 5th!! Thanks Fred!!!
FredZepp Posted May 28, 2011 Author Posted May 28, 2011 I like the last photo and the caption... ( though I'm not sure if the 1952 date is correct.... ) How the old gal looks from outside today. No CNC, just nice wood and clever hands. One of Heritage's founders has been there since 1952. Those seeking the old style 59 burst etc might want to consider having him build one. After all - he built them in '59.
blueox Posted May 29, 2011 Posted May 29, 2011 While I would not buy a Lashing guitar, he made a nice photo tour of Heritage.
yoslate Posted May 29, 2011 Posted May 29, 2011 I think Marv started there in '56, at the age of eighteen or nineteen. Don't quote me on that, though.
FredZepp Posted May 29, 2011 Author Posted May 29, 2011 I think Marv started there in '56, at the age of eighteen or nineteen. Don't quote me on that, though. It was 1956, his father was working there and got him hired. (there are a couple of sources that say '58,but that is incorrect ) Jim Deurloo, JP Moats and Marv Lamb all started between '56-'58. I don't know Bill Paige's history, but I don't think that it was before that. http://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/james-deurloo<<<< great video of the guys Here is Marv saying it was 1956 and he was 16 years old !! http://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/marvin-lamb
High Flying Bird Posted June 2, 2011 Posted June 2, 2011 I think Marv started there in '56, at the age of eighteen or nineteen. Don't quote me on that, though. Sorry to quote you Rob, so to type.... If I remember correctly Marv said he worked at a Bakery for a few months and got off work at 5:00 am. He would get a "sammich" for lunch and hang out at the door of 225 Parsons. On day in April 1956 they finally got tired of turning him down and hired him. Other than that, all I know is that JP is back in North Alabama and is tornado bait just like the rest of us.
blueox Posted June 2, 2011 Posted June 2, 2011 Interesting link. Just for further info, Shafer Bakeries where Marv worked was a huge factory-type bakery located on the southern end of Kalamazoo, not to be confused with a small retail store bakery.
chico Posted June 2, 2011 Posted June 2, 2011 I ate many a sandwich made of Schafer's bread as a kid growing up in W Mich.
blueox Posted June 2, 2011 Posted June 2, 2011 "I ate many a sandwich made of Schafer's bread as a kid growing up in W Mich." Along with a healthy dose of BE-MO Potato Chips (also made in Kalamazoo until the early '80s)?
Jimbob Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Just gotta say.....it makes a guy feel pretty proud to own a Heritage guitar, doesn't it? Thanks for sharing the pics!
High Flying Bird Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 I ate many a sandwich made of Schafer's bread as a kid growing up in W Mich. Along with a healthy dose of BE-MO Potato Chips (also made in Kalamazoo until the early '80s)? Damn. I knew about the BE-Mo chips. Now the Schafer's Bread. I know where the Bigsby plant is and the Gibson Amp factory is. Both of the later just down the road from our hotel. Kzoo is becoming a second home town. You want to get to Plainwell? Sonny Boy, I can take you to Plainwell and show you where the Redtailed Hawks sit on the power poles on the way there. I am a proud Heritage Guitar owner since 1990.
zookroo1 Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Very cool. Modern history is what it is. (I think the cleaning lady forgot to dust that week...)
koula901 Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Did they ever change the letters on the smoke stack from 'Gibson' to Heritage?
Jimbob Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 I am a proud Heritage Guitar owner since 1990. Yeah, I bought my first Heritage in 1994, and it was only by chance that a local small town music store had a "like-new" 1992 H-535 in stock. I never even knew the company existed at the time. Upon walking into the store, the owner said something to the effect of "Jim, I've got a guitar with your name on it!" Once he opened the case, I knew it had to become mine. Less than 15 minutes later I was out the door carrying my first Heritage. It's literally been through hell over the last 16 or 17 years, but it's the best-sounding and best-playing 335-style guitar I've ever owned. Upon viewing the photos above, though, I just had goose bumps running down my spine. It really took a lot of nerve and guts for Marv, J.P., and Jim to say "ta hell with Gibson" and to start a new company. But, the real beauty lies in the fact that they continued to build some incredible guitars in the way they should be built.
FredZepp Posted June 3, 2011 Author Posted June 3, 2011 Did they ever change the letters on the smoke stack from 'Gibson' to Heritage? No... since it only has space for 6 letters they'd have to write HERITA on the front and GE on the back.... Ok, I'm kidding, but the answer is no.
High Flying Bird Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Yeah, I bought my first Heritage in 1994, and it was only by chance that a local small town music store had a "like-new" 1992 H-535 in stock. I never even knew the company existed at the time. Upon walking into the store, the owner said something to the effect of "Jim, I've got a guitar with your name on it!" Once he opened the case, I knew it had to become mine. Less than 15 minutes later I was out the door carrying my first Heritage. It's literally been through hell over the last 16 or 17 years, but it's the best-sounding and best-playing 335-style guitar I've ever owned. Hahaha.... That sounds like Mr. Walker. He could smell money on you even if was in your bank. He did me right on a lot of stuff.
Jimbob Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Hahaha.... That sounds like Mr. Walker. He could smell money on you even if was in your bank. He did me right on a lot of stuff. Well...yeah...I suppose so....hehe....but the guy also knew I was looking for a Gibson ES-335, so I think he was pretty sure I'd buy the H-535 the next time I came into the store. At the time I think I paid around $650 or $700 for it, too, so I was more than happy to walk out the door with the 535. I still have it, and while it's been recently refretted and looking like it's been through WWII, it plays like a new guitar! So, perhaps this is a dumb question, but who's Mr. Walker?
heritagefan7 Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 This is so great and it does make me (even more) proud to own a Heritage(s). Love the HOC, love Heritage, love the art they produce...picking any of them up to play just never gets old. Wish I had more to play and more time to play them! Quality and integrity just never go out of style!
DavesNotHere Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 So, perhaps this is a dumb question, but who's Mr. Walker? Mrs. Walker's husband. " It's a boy Mrs. Walker , it's a boy...."
High Flying Bird Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 Well...yeah...I suppose so....hehe....but the guy also knew I was looking for a Gibson ES-335, so I think he was pretty sure I'd buy the H-535 the next time I came into the store. At the time I think I paid around $650 or $700 for it, too, so I was more than happy to walk out the door with the 535. I still have it, and while it's been recently refretted and looking like it's been through WWII, it plays like a new guitar! So, perhaps this is a dumb question, but who's Mr. Walker? R D Walker. He owned a mom and pop music store here in town. One day I went to his store to help a buddy get some parts for an old banjo. When we walked in Mr. Walker's face lit up, "Well, Ron, today's is your lucky day." "We are having our pay the air conditioning bill sale." He took me aside and walked me over to a display case. There was a new HFT-445. I had a cheap amp in his shop on consignment and he informed me that he had just bought it. Then he told me that he would would take $200.00 cash and I could pay the rest over the next few months. He practically gave it to me. I don't know why he wanted me to have that guitar but he did. Mr. Walker and his wife came to my wedding. He is a good man. Thank goodness he isn't selling Heritage any more or I would be in the poor house.
FredZepp Posted June 4, 2011 Author Posted June 4, 2011 I love the story,Ron. What a great way to be introduced to Heritage !!!! ... and yeah Dave , I thought of Tommy also, ... The Pinball Wizard.
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