Jazzpunk Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 First off, it sucks that you've had to wait so long but sh*t happens. Neither Heritage nor their dealers are perfect so chalk it up to bad luck and move on. Secondly, how cool is it that you get to go down to the factory, meet the builders and hand select your wood?! That rocks man! If I was told I could have a guitar in 3 months sight unseen, or I could wait a little longer and meet the builders and hand pick the wood I wanted, I'd definitely choose the second option! Lemons to lemonade my friend!
blueox Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 "My Dealer tells me that this list "must have scared Heritage" and that's why I need to partcipate in the build. The Dealer says "Heritage is trying to make me happy". Which is cool.This is a dealer I have worked with since 1990 - 21 years. I stop by the shop at least once a week, sometimes a lot more. I think I have a good relationship with them. But, of course, nobody's perfect." I'm sorry to hear of your delayed custom build. If your dealer is who I think he is (from your location), I've been in that shop a few times, and he seems to be on the ball--more so than many. He once mentioned to me that he has a "spy" inside the factory to keep him up on things. You should get everything straightened out with your visit to the Heritage factory, and put the 4+ months delay behind you, anticipating an awesome instrument when your custom order is completed. With the economy improving in some sectors, it seems Heritage has had some large orders lately, and an individual "fussy" order might get overlooked. That said, I find that while Heritage does a great job building guitars, the business end of things sometimes gets extremely laid back. This can be very disappointing to say the least. I had high hopes that the lawyer/owner that came into the business a few years ago would have helped step up their business end of things further than it has.
donnie Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 I'm sorry to hear of your delayed custom build. If your dealer is who I think he is (from your location), I've been in that shop a few times, and he seems to be on the ball--more so than many. He once mentioned to me that he has a "spy" inside the factory to keep him up on things. You should get everything straightened out with your visit to the Heritage factory, and put the 4+ months delay behind you, anticipating an awesome instrument when your custom order is completed. With the economy improving in some sectors, it seems Heritage has had some large orders lately, and an individual "fussy" order might get overlooked. That said, I find that while Heritage does a great job building guitars, the business end of things sometimes gets extremely laid back. This can be very disappointing to say the least. I had high hopes that the lawyer/owner that came into the business a few years ago would have helped step up their business end of things further than it has. +1 on this...
TalismanRich Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 Remembering back to when I ordered my 157 (2003) I think I placed the order around January to get there by July. They were early, got it in May. It only had a few special order things, mostly specifying the color, pickups etc. It looks like some of the things you speced might have caused some delay. Followup on their end is probably the weakest point. Until they figure out what they have questions about, get back to the dealer, have him get back to you, seems that is breaks down along that path. Now that you're dealing with the guys directly, I'm sure Marv will make sure it meets all of your expectations. BTW, I'm jealous. They never asked me to come pick out the wood for MY guitar!!!!! (oh wait... I wasn't an HOC member yet. Then again, nobody was!)
pro-fusion Posted June 11, 2011 Posted June 11, 2011 For custom guitar orders almost anywhere else, you're usually going to be waiting a lot longer than four months. My KXK 7-string took well over a year, and even a bigger builder like Jackson rarely gets custom orders to the customer in less than a year. I think it's awesome that you get to go to the factory and pick out the woods!
Laz Posted June 11, 2011 Posted June 11, 2011 I ordered a H157 from Wolf in Florida thinking they knew the people at Heritage. It took 8 months to get the guitar. I did change the specs and am nery pleased with it. Just have to be patient, it's worth it in the end. You just wonder if you should of bought one already made and you would be up and running, Good luck
Kuz Posted June 11, 2011 Posted June 11, 2011 I ordered a H157 from Wolf in Florida thinking they knew the people at Heritage. It took 8 months to get the guitar. I did change the specs and am nery pleased with it. Just have to be patient, it's worth it in the end. You just wonder if you should of bought one already made and you would be up and running, Good luck It depends how long ago you ordered the guitar. They had a fire about 4 years ago and it set them back 6 months at least for orders. I ordered a Cust 555 in late '06 (right in the middle of the fire issue) and it took 8-10 months. But I have ordered 3 custom Heritages since then and (with follow-up calling Heritage about once a month to insure they got the order, got the pickups, got the hardware) all three came in at 12 weeks. I won't say Heritage is completely innocent of any blame, but ALMOST ALWAYS the issue lays with the dealer. The have no incentive to move quickly. If they take a down payment (most dealers do) then they have their profit paid early. Plus they don't owe Heritage until the guitar is finished, SO no reason to take their time to follow up at Heritage for you. NOW if you want to buy something that they have in their current inventory, where they have ALREADY paid for it, well now they can't ship it to you soon enough ( they need the money for they profit and keep the lights on). But for a custom order they are not out any money up front.
Spectrum13 Posted June 11, 2011 Posted June 11, 2011 I won't say Heritage is completely innocent of any blame, but ALMOST ALWAYS the issue lays with the dealer. The have no incentive to move quickly. If they take a down payment (most dealers do) then they have their profit paid early. Plus they don't owe Heritage until the guitar is finished, SO no reason to take their time to follow up at Heritage for you. NOW if you want to buy something that they have in their current inventory, where they have ALREADY paid for it, well now they can't ship it to you soon enough ( they need the money for they profit and keep the lights on). But for a custom order they are not out any money up front. Plus 1 John. Did not want to SAG it but dealers just might need the cash flow. I learned a lesson back in 1967 when I wanted an reissue goldtop. Eddie Bell was the only dealer in NYC that "would be getting some" Stupid 17 year old I was paid in full up front. Had to go to the BBB and got reamed by my mom. I see Heritage protecting their dealer network. They might not know when or if the dealer placed the order so it would might make good business sense to tell the customer Heritage can't find, lost the order. If they say they never received it that would stir up some dealer-customer trouble. Two custom orders I placed, one dealer wanted 50% down and the other about 25%. You might think this is a wacky idea. An HOC member going to the factory could check on the build status for fellow members. That would be pretty cool. In turn, if a Hertiage is offered for sale on Ebay or Craigs list, a local HOC member could take a look at it and report back. I did this for someone on a Guild and that saved him a 8 hour drive. Just an idea.
DetroitBlues Posted June 11, 2011 Posted June 11, 2011 Come to think about it, a Fender custom shop order takes almost two years...
Buckyrock Posted June 11, 2011 Author Posted June 11, 2011 Hello. Looks like I'm going to 225 Parsons Street on Monday, the 13th of June 2011 to sort lumber. I'll take some pictures. Does anyone have any specific requests - either pictures, or checking on an order, or general questions? Thanks for all the feedback!
gary0313 Posted June 12, 2011 Posted June 12, 2011 Hello. Looks like I'm going to 225 Parsons Street on Monday, the 13th of June 2011 to sort lumber. I'll take some pictures. Does anyone have any specific requests - either pictures, or checking on an order, or general questions? Thanks for all the feedback! Thanks for the offer, I have a 535 in Burnt Amber that I ordered thru Blue Note Music. I'd like to know if they've started it yet. Must be a thrill to be meeting those guys and participating in the build.
Gitfiddler Posted June 12, 2011 Posted June 12, 2011 Thanks for the offer, I have a 535 in Burnt Amber that I ordered thru Blue Note Music. I'd like to know if they've started it yet. Must be a thrill to be meeting those guys and participating in the build. You might also put a bug in Blue Note's James Casella's ear and tell him to give you an update. He has been a huge Heritage supporter for many years.
Buckyrock Posted June 13, 2011 Author Posted June 13, 2011 UPDATE Wow. Went to 225 Parsons Street today. Wow. The amazing guitars everywhere was really something amazing. I think Heritage was interviewing me to see if I deserved having them build me a guitar. Jim told me a story of a Lawyer that wanted a very particular guitar built to a particular schedule, and Heritage declined to build him one. I told Jim repeatedly that my list was a list of "targets" and if they did their best and get close, that was plenty good enough. We went out to the shop and picked out the pieces that will become my guitar. Here is the maple for the top: Here is the neck: Fingerboard/Inlays (the one on the right): Body (single piece): They are going to give me a call when Marv is ready to shape the neck. They want me on-site during neck shaping so that "we get it right". Can you believe this? I can't! I'm in guitar heaven!
golferwave Posted June 13, 2011 Posted June 13, 2011 We all knew you'd be a very happy camper once you arrived at the holy shrine that is 225 Parsons Street. Congratulations on a stellar job of picking your tonewoods. The guitar will be a family heirloom for sure. Br sure to keep us posted!
gary0313 Posted June 14, 2011 Posted June 14, 2011 You might also put a bug in Blue Note's James Casella's ear and tell him to give you an update. He has been a huge Heritage supporter for many years. Thanks, I tried to call him today (forgot they're closed Mondays). By the way, I've noticed in your posts that you play in a funk band here in the Bay Area. Do you have any gigs coming up? Wouldn't mind getting out to here some music sometime.
Gitfiddler Posted June 14, 2011 Posted June 14, 2011 Thanks, I tried to call him today (forgot they're closed Mondays). By the way, I've noticed in your posts that you play in a funk band here in the Bay Area. Do you have any gigs coming up? Wouldn't mind getting out to here some music sometime. @Gary~ No more 9 - 10 pc. funk band at this time. Too many mouths to feed and personalities to deal with. I'm working on a new, small scale project. Know any good keyboard players that are sane? And now back to your regularly scheduled thread.
kbp810 Posted June 14, 2011 Posted June 14, 2011 UPDATE Wow. Went to 225 Parsons Street today. Wow. The amazing guitars everywhere was really something amazing. I think Heritage was interviewing me to see if I deserved having them build me a guitar. Jim told me a story of a Lawyer that wanted a very particular guitar built to a particular schedule, and Heritage declined to build him one. I told Jim repeatedly that my list was a list of "targets" and if they did their best and get close, that was plenty good enough. We went out to the shop and picked out the pieces that will become my guitar. Here is the maple for the top: Here is the neck: Fingerboard/Inlays (the one on the right): Body (single piece): They are going to give me a call when Marv is ready to shape the neck. They want me on-site during neck shaping so that "we get it right". Can you believe this? I can't! I'm in guitar heaven! A trip to Parsons St is always a magical visit Wow that top is going to be AMAZING!
DetroitBlues Posted June 14, 2011 Posted June 14, 2011 So Jealous!!! Amazing stuff! Won't get that kind of service for the money at the big three!
FredZepp Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 What a fantastic post of your trip. It is easy to sense that you "get it". Parsons Street is an incredible place , filled with incredible people, that make... incredible guitars. I love how you changed from bummed to .. awesome. You will have a great day when your new Heritage is done.
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