Donelson Posted June 21, 2011 Posted June 21, 2011 Unlike so many here, I only own one Heritage, a H575 Custom jazz box. Bought as "new old stock" three years ago. I believe it's from 2004. I took it to a luthier for a setup before I ever played a note on it, as I could see that the nut slots were too high, etc. Once I got it back, I was amazed at the beauteous tone & even sustain or decay time. Also the feedback when played fairly loud was pretty even, not just one "hotspot" like so many other archtops I've had. I was disappointed however, that the unplugged volume seemed much less than I would have expected from a large-body carved top axe. I had for years a Gibson ES175, 1953, & that thing had a quite loud acoustic sound. Anyway, fast forward to now (June 2011). I have gradually been noticing that the acoustic volume seems to be louder than before, to the point to where I can shed on it with no amp & hear the low strings quite well, even outside with traffic sounds etc. I did change string type about a year ago, from Labella flatwounds to bronze roundwounds, and adjusted the PU's to work with that. But that did not make an immediate huge increase in acoustic volume; just changed the tone to more of an older-style jazz sound, like Barney Kessel, e.g. Which I like. So, just wondering if anyone else has experienced a gradual but noticeable increase in acoustic volume from their Heritage, similar to this. Is it magic, getting "broken-in", or some mental thing from the player?
big bob Posted June 21, 2011 Posted June 21, 2011 My 575, my first Heritage, was quite loud acoustically when I brought her home. I did however play her with acoustic 13's for a while, what a great sound.
kbp810 Posted June 21, 2011 Posted June 21, 2011 Mine plays fairly loud acostically is well. Doesn't quite keep up with my 445 acoustic, but I've played her unplugged many a time and 'twas quite enjoyable. There could be different factors coming into play about how/why it could have gotten louder; wood aging, changes in humidity, playing style, or even the acoustics in the room you are playing in... or maybe you've just really been enjoying the tone that much so you are just listening in a lot closer
schundog Posted June 21, 2011 Posted June 21, 2011 I'm sorry I don't have an answer, but I just wanted to say, "Wow, Beautiful Heritage you have there!" I love the split parallelogram inlays. I am curious about a couple things; why the tape on the neck pickup, and is there a problem with one of the pole-pieces on that pickup? It looks like it's missing. I'm also curious why you have the piece of foam under the tailpiece. Is it close enough to the body of the guitar to cause rattling, or are you concerned that it might hit the body of the guitar? And finally, and please don't think I'm nit-picking, just curious, but why are you wrapping the strap around the headstock of the guitar? I know many don't like the way a guitar hangs when using the strap button on the back of the guitar; it makes the guitar seem to "fall away" from you. You may have a hard time only having ONE Heritage, since Jay Wolfe opened shop in your neighborhood. Have you ventured in there yet? I'm curious to hear a first hand report of the place.
Donelson Posted June 21, 2011 Author Posted June 21, 2011 I'm sorry I don't have an answer, but I just wanted to say, "Wow, Beautiful Heritage you have there!" I love the split parallelogram inlays. I am curious about a couple things; why the tape on the neck pickup, and is there a problem with one of the pole-pieces on that pickup? It looks like it's missing. I'm also curious why you have the piece of foam under the tailpiece. Is it close enough to the body of the guitar to cause rattling, or are you concerned that it might hit the body of the guitar? And finally, and please don't think I'm nit-picking, just curious, but why are you wrapping the strap around the headstock of the guitar? I know many don't like the way a guitar hangs when using the strap button on the back of the guitar; it makes the guitar seem to "fall away" from you. You may have a hard time only having ONE Heritage, since Jay Wolfe opened shop in your neighborhood. Have you ventured in there yet? I'm curious to hear a first hand report of the place. Glad to respond, as I'm a true guitar nerd for too long to say. The thing on the neck PU is a cut-up piece of a Hallmark beverage coaster. I put those on the neck PU's on all my electric guitars. Ugly yet works: minimizes or eliminates the clicking sound when you accidentally hit the PU while playing. Stuck on with adhesive putty. I tried several things & this happens to work. The tailpiece foam I hated to put there but same thing--I could hear the tailpiece ringing when recording direct, so this dampens it. I've had to do that to most every archtop I've ever had. PU screws are there but screwed way down, so I could get a string balance with bronze strings. A lot of hassle but now sounds great. Works well with the neck PU; not so well with the bridge PU. And, I attach the strap onto the headstock because it hangs forward badly with the regular way. I'm the idiot who told the luthier to put the strap button into the heel cap, as the axe had none when I got it. Should have told him to put it into the upper bought (more hassle and $$$ but better). Someday I'll get that done. Never heard of Jay Wolfe, but I'll investigate. Last time I checked there was not a Heritage dealer within hundreds of miles of Nashville TN.
tulk1 Posted June 21, 2011 Posted June 21, 2011 Hollow body guitar = basically an arch top acoustic with pickups. Would seem just about right to me that 7yrs on the wood starts to open up. Just like acoustics. And what a stunning guitar, too.
FredZepp Posted June 21, 2011 Posted June 21, 2011 That is a beauty.. it has classic Heritage features.
Spectrum13 Posted June 21, 2011 Posted June 21, 2011 Never heard of Jay Wolfe, but I'll investigate. Last time I checked there was not a Heritage dealer within hundreds of miles of Nashville TN. Jay Wolfe open up a store in Brentwood TN but its only open a few months. That is a pretty cool split block rosewood boarded 575 you got yourself, a real working mans 16" archtop.
zguitar71 Posted June 22, 2011 Posted June 22, 2011 The more you play the better it will sound, I love that aspect of acoustics. Of course the less you play the more they will close back up and loose tone.
Hfan Posted June 22, 2011 Posted June 22, 2011 The more you play the better it will sound, I love that aspect of acoustics. Of course the less you play the more they will close back up and loose tone. zguitar, I never knew this and I believe you as I have seen your projects and I believe you know your stuff. Worries me as I have most of my guitars stuck in their cases way too much and, for the most part, the solid bodies are the ones that get left out on the stands to be played. Would this apply to hollow and semi hollow bodies mostly? Guess I have to get them into the rotation somehow.
Guest HRB853370 Posted June 22, 2011 Posted June 22, 2011 The more you play the better it will sound, I love that aspect of acoustics. Of course the less you play the more they will close back up and loose tone. Has this theory been scientifically tested? I don't know if I buy into it, particularly the part about the sound closing back up if you don't play them. Being a drummer too, I have always heard that the sound of acoustic drums just gets sweeter with age. I own three drumkits that are between 45 and 50 years old. I think the ageing of the wood does make a difference in the sound of drums, but in archtops, not so sure. But if the ageing of the wood causes them to eventually get louder, whether you play them or not should make no difference.
Teeky Posted June 22, 2011 Posted June 22, 2011 StewMac sell the ToneRite http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Accessories/ToneRite/ToneRite.html which you attach to the guitar and it similates constant playing by vibrating at string frequencies. Luthiers are quoted as saying it devolops tone and response (including Bob Benedetto). On that basis the guitar responds more to vibrations rather than ageing. That said I play my 575 hours every day and I haven't noticed a change in tone or volume. Though as I play it so often I may not notice changes. It's like kids, as they grow you don't tend to notice but old aunts who don't see them so often say "hasn't he grown".
Kuz Posted June 22, 2011 Posted June 22, 2011 StewMac sell the ToneRite http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Accessories/ToneRite/ToneRite.html which you attach to the guitar and it similates constant playing by vibrating at string frequencies. Luthiers are quoted as saying it devolops tone and response (including Bob Benedetto). On that basis the guitar responds more to vibrations rather than ageing. That said I play my 575 hours every day and I haven't noticed a change in tone or volume. Though as I play it so often I may not notice changes. It's like kids, as they grow you don't tend to notice but old aunts who don't see them so often say "hasn't he grown". I have one and say that it really has added about a 15-20% response to sustain of my guitars with only a couple treatments.
Donelson Posted June 22, 2011 Author Posted June 22, 2011 Hey Kuz, I just last night saw your guitars, 555 & Golden Eagle florentine, on another forum & sent those pics to a friend of mine who's thinking of getting a Heritage! Badass for sure. As far as that Tonerite, first I've heard of it. Yet another thing to throw $$ at. The stew-mac user reviews sure are glowing. Now I want one.
Kuz Posted June 22, 2011 Posted June 22, 2011 Hey Kuz, I just last night saw your guitars, 555 & Golden Eagle florentine, on another forum & sent those pics to a friend of mine who's thinking of getting a Heritage! Badass for sure. As far as that Tonerite, first I've heard of it. Yet another thing to throw $$ at. The stew-mac user reviews sure are glowing. Now I want one. Thanks, for the kind words. As far as the Tonerite, you place it between the strings near the bridge and it vibrates (very strongly, but near silently). They recommend that you leave it on continuously for 72 hours and then you can repeat as often as you like. But man, waiting for 72hrs is like leaving a bag of crack in front of an addict. You just can't wait to hear it after 72hrs. Honestly, the response is noticeable but minimal at first, I found after three or more 72hr sessions the response is more apparent. Similar concept to the guys that left their acoustics in front of their stereo speakers when not playing their guitar.
Teeky Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 It's certainly reassuring to hear you've found the ToneRite makes a noticeable difference in response. I must admit I've been a little sceptical but I'm thinking maybe I should get one now - damn the expense!
Hfan Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 Anyone nervous about buying vibrators for their guitars? What if they like the vibrator more than our own attentions? Do they require privacy while using one?
tsp17 Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 well, i don't know about vibrators or volume increase due to age, but this thread prompted me to go play my 575MH acoustically for a while and really listen. set up with TI 13 flatwounds and it sounds fantastic. i do play it unplugged often when practicing (family sleeping), but wasn't really listening to the guitar, just practicing technique. i'd forgotten, what a great sound! as warm and articulate as any. thanks for the reminder of what a great acoustic guitar it is! sometimes when playing or performing i'll roll back the tone control and get some of that acoustic sound. i think i'll do that more often from now on.
Trouble Posted June 23, 2011 Posted June 23, 2011 I have one and say that it really has added about a 15-20% response to sustain of my guitars with only a couple treatments. What does it do for solid body guitars?
Hfan Posted June 25, 2011 Posted June 25, 2011 well, i don't know about vibrators or volume increase due to age, but this thread prompted me to go play my 575MH acoustically for a while and really listen. set up with TI 13 flatwounds and it sounds fantastic. i do play it unplugged often when practicing (family sleeping), but wasn't really listening to the guitar, just practicing technique. i'd forgotten, what a great sound! as warm and articulate as any. thanks for the reminder of what a great acoustic guitar it is! sometimes when playing or performing i'll roll back the tone control and get some of that acoustic sound. i think i'll do that more often from now on. This thread also prompted me to get out my 535 for the first time in a long time. Holy cow, forgot how sweet she was. Now need to get out my closet queen 575.
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