H-140 Crash Course

[WistlessMatt]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the Heritage scene. Despite my best efforts, I can't find too much info on the H-140. So, I have two questions about the guitar. The first is, what can you all tell me about it in general? How does it play, how does it feel? (I know they're vague questions, but like I said, I'm completely new to Heritage and have never even had the chance to see one in person). My second question is, I hear often that these models can be found for around $800-$1,000. Where are people finding these deals? Is it here, or eBay or on somewhere else?

 

Thanks in advance for the help, everyone.

[eljay]

welcome, matt! no pun intended

 

there is not as much buzz about 140s on this forum as one might think--some have commented to this effect.

 

that said, i've seen some posts suggesting that the 140 has the tone of a 150 without as much weight to have to sling around. a great axe, in other words.

 

the lower-priced used 140s "seem" to be the 1st eds. with the sharper cutaway. the 2nd ed. 140s look more like 150s.

 

hope this helps; good luck with your quest. eljay

[WistlessMatt]

welcome, matt! no pun intended

 

there is not as much buzz about 140s on this forum as one might think--some have commented to this effect.

 

that said, i've seen some posts suggesting that the 140 has the tone of a 150 without as much weight to have to sling around. a great axe, in other words.

 

the lower-priced used 140s "seem" to be the 1st eds. with the sharper cutaway. the 2nd ed. 140s look more like 150s.

 

hope this helps; good luck with your quest. eljay

 

I see. I've been lurking all day, and it seems that the 150s and 535s rule the roost. Not that they're bad guitars. But I suffered a back injury in the infamous Nashville flood, and guitars heavier than an SG are pretty much too painful to use other than sitting down. But, I'm not in the market at the moment, I'm just curious as to where to look to keep tabs on the prices.

[Guest HRB853370]

I see. I've been lurking all day, and it seems that the 150s and 535s rule the roost. Not that they're bad guitars. But I suffered a back injury in the infamous Nashville flood, and guitars heavier than an SG are pretty much too painful to use other than sitting down. But, I'm not in the market at the moment, I'm just curious as to where to look to keep tabs on the prices.

 

Matt, welcome. Quite a few pop up on flea bay, and occassionally here on the HOC site. Put out a Wanted ad in the FS section and you never know who might suddenly want to sell theirs.

 

So what happened in the Nashville flood that wrecked your back? Too much paddling?

[WistlessMatt]

Matt, welcome. Quite a few pop up on flea bay, and occassionally here on the HOC site. Put out a Wanted ad in the FS section and you never know who might suddenly want to sell theirs.

 

So what happened in the Nashville flood that wrecked your back? Too much paddling?

 

Haha, luckily it wasn't anything that severe. However, the basement of my parents' house flooded. It was also carpeted. While pulling carpet, I twisted wrong and cracked my back. Nothing so severe that I had to go to the hospital, but I've noticed that extended strain (an hour+) is too much for me now. Maybe therapy or something will help, but I manage.

[TalismanRich]

Haha, luckily it wasn't anything that severe. However, the basement of my parents' house flooded. It was also carpeted. While pulling carpet, I twisted wrong and cracked my back. Nothing so severe that I had to go to the hospital, but I've noticed that extended strain (an hour+) is too much for me now. Maybe therapy or something will help, but I manage.

You have my sympathy on the back issue. I had a flooded basement some years back and pulling out the carpet and hauling out old newspapers and books was AWFUL!

 

For light weight, I can give you a couple of suggestions. The 140 is an obvious choice. It's going to be similar in weight to an SG, maybe a bit more because of the maple cap. The tone on mine is hard to compare to my 157 (blinged 150) because the pickups are fatter, more bassy on the 140.

 

Next choice, would be a 150LW. That's chambered version of the 150. Finally, the Millennium is a semi hollow but similar to a 150 or LP in size. If you are in Nashville, run down to Jay Wolfe's new store in Brentwoood and check them out.

 

Good luck and keep working with the back. Strength exercises help a lot.

[peteraltongreen]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the Heritage scene. Despite my best efforts, I can't find too much info on the H-140. So, I have two questions about the guitar. The first is, what can you all tell me about it in general? How does it play, how does it feel? (I know they're vague questions, but like I said, I'm completely new to Heritage and have never even had the chance to see one in person). My second question is, I hear often that these models can be found for around $800-$1,000. Where are people finding these deals? Is it here, or eBay or on somewhere else?

 

Thanks in advance for the help, everyone.

Welcome to you,Matt from the English branch, of H.O.C.

The H140CM was the first Heritage I bought in 1987. ( see 'Why did you buy a Heritage' entry I made last week ) I took my 140 gigging last week for the first time for ages,and it blew me away.Fantastic ! They are,indeed much lighter than the 150,and a little smaller too.I had a pair of Seymour '59's fitted,as I wasn't too keen on the Schaller pups.personal preference,of course,and a regular stop bar.Great guitar.I have no regrets about buying it.As the other guys have said,e.bay,shop ads,and maybe a call to Jay Wolfe Guitars ? There should be some available around the Nashville area.Commiserations on your floods.We had a similar,but lesser rainstorm here in England,about 5 years ago.I'd only ever seen rain like it in Pennsylvania.My Baby Taylor got filled with water ! The back came off,but,it's now restored & playable again.Thank goodness it wasn't my Heritage !

Good luck in your quest.

Peter Alton Green

[FredZepp]

 

For light weight, I can give you a couple of suggestions. The 140 is an obvious choice. It's going to be similar in weight to an SG, maybe a bit more because of the maple cap.

 

Next choice, would be a 150LW. That's chambered version of the 150. Finally, the Millennium is a semi hollow but similar to a 150 or LP in size. If you are in Nashville, run down to Jay Wolfe's new store in Brentwoood and check them out.

Some good suggestions there.. And if you're near Nashville, you are fortunate because you can go to Wolfes and see a good inventory of Heritages to compare.

 

I've got a 140 (first edition.. sharp cutaway ) and it is a great guitar. Well crafted in Kalamazoo and using great tone wood.

 

[Jimbob]

For light weight, I can give you a couple of suggestions. The 140 is an obvious choice. It's going to be similar in weight to an SG, maybe a bit more because of the maple cap. The tone on mine is hard to compare to my 157 (blinged 150) because the pickups are fatter, more bassy on the 140.

 

Next choice, would be a 150LW. That's chambered version of the 150. Finally, the Millennium is a semi hollow but similar to a 150 or LP in size. If you are in Nashville, run down to Jay Wolfe's new store in Brentwoood and check them out.

 

Just to add to this list might be the chambered H110-LW and the chambered H170-LW 2nd generation. I recently purchased the H110, and it essentially sounds like a 150 or a Les Paul at around seven pounds. It's very well-balanced, too. I loved the 110 so much that I have a similar chambered 170 on the way as well. I've had back issues for over 30 years, so these guitars are truly a blessing for me.

[Hfan]

Matt, Welcome to the club. Sorry to hear about your back. There are floor exercises you can do to build up your core muscles which support the lower back. I've maintained a bad back for years in this manner. Saw multiple chiropractors for years with mixed results (they all seemed to want to see me forever, nothing against chiropractors, just my experience). Finally one of them gave me a list of floor exercises / stretches, if I do them on a somewhat regular basis, my extreme condition (knife in the back type pain, can't get out of bed etc) does not present itself. Knocking wood as I write this.

 

Re 140's I hear they are great. I would love to try an old one and they can be had cheap.Great bang for the buck. I would try to find one here (good folks to deal with) or local CL that you can try local.

[WistlessMatt]

My, such a warm, welcome response. I'm really happy to see how welcoming you all are! Thanks for all of your suggestions. I do very much intend to visit Wolfe Guitars asap. It seems to be only a half hour from my house, and I hope to take a camera to sort of do a walkthrough for my blog. When I do, I'll definitely post the video here. I just recall being struck by a Goldtop H-140 I saw over at The Gear Page and being taken almost immediately.

[DetroitBlues]

Welcome to the forum! As an owner of H-140, you can compare it to something more like a Les Paul Special. It doesn't have the trap inlays and the body is a tad bit smaller than a H-150. Mine is a slight variation from the normal mode. I have an ebony fretboard, floritine cutaway, belly cut, and mini block inlays (like a Les Paul Custom). Bridge and tailpiece combination with dual humbuckers. Neck is 12" radius in a 60's style profile. The new H-140's have the more rounded classic Les Paul cutaway, dot inlays, and no neck or headstock binding. Great guitar for the money, especially considering its American made.

[cod65]

I love my older 140. I could never sell it. 800$ it cost me. For a vintage lefty this is an outrageous bargain.

[Blunote]

Welcome to the forum Matt. I hope you find a Heritage and stick around to tell us about it.

 

I can't say much about the H140, but from everything I've learned about them, they are a great value. Personally, if I were looking for one, I think I'd like one of the original versions with the Florentine horn.

 

In addition to the H140 and H150LW, you might consider an H-150P. The "P" stands for poplar, which is a less expensive, and light weight tone wood with a more mellow vibe than the maple capped mahogany bodied H-150s. They're not quite as thick in the body and were fitted with dot inlay position markers and an unbound neck like the H-140. They are no longer produced, but you'll find them in the used market. They tend to sell in the $750-900 price range.

 

Mine weighs just over 7 lbs and is very comfortable. I find myself playing it more than my other two more deluxe Heritage guitars for that reason.

[Blunote]

Matt, Welcome to the club. Sorry to hear about your back. There are floor exercises you can do to build up your core muscles which support the lower back. I've maintained a bad back for years in this manner. Saw multiple chiropractors for years with mixed results (they all seemed to want to see me forever, nothing against chiropractors, just my experience). Finally one of them gave me a list of floor exercises / stretches, if I do them on a somewhat regular basis, my extreme condition (knife in the back type pain, can't get out of bed etc) does not present itself. Knocking wood as I write this.

 

I had almost the exact same experience. I've gotten so I can sense when my back is vulnerable to injury, or when it will start bothering me and commence the stretches and exercises. Sure beats surgery.

 

Matt, if you haven't seen a Physical Therapist, you might want to. It could prevent a more serious injury.

[WistlessMatt]

I had almost the exact same experience. I've gotten so I can sense when my back is vulnerable to injury, or when it will start bothering me and commence the stretches and exercises. Sure beats surgery.

 

Matt, if you haven't seen a Physical Therapist, you might want to. It could prevent a more serious injury.

 

I've been thinking about it. But I imagine a set of stretches would be good. Anyway, as for the H-140, I've never been too big on most regular size Les Pauls. Not only are those good for my back, the thinner guitars are a bit cooler looking to me. I do hope there are some over at Wolfe.

[bobmeyrick]

Hello Matt, another model to lookout for is the 150 Special. My second Heritage (one is never enough!) was a 150 Special goldtop and it seems to be very similar to a 140 2nd edition, with the rounded lower horn and a thinner body than a regular 150. It's a comfortable guitar, lighter than my regular 150.

[pressure]

Heritage also made a 150p which is a 150 with a poplar body. Probably lighter than a standard 150 with a mahogany body.

Look at my photos to see what an all gold 150p looks like.

[LK155]

Welcome to the cult club, Matt.

 

I know you asked about the H140 originally, but considering the further comments made about back troubles, you may wish to consider trying an H137. Of my three Heritages, The H137 is often the one I pick up first, simply beacuse it's smaller and lighter than either of the others (H155, H535). Doesn't hurt that it has that great P90 growl, either.

[barrymclark]

I really miss my 140 at times. But... I know it went to a guy (big bob) that would appreciate it for what it was and what made it special whereas I would have spent a LOT of time turning into something else.

[smurph1]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the Heritage scene. Despite my best efforts, I can't find too much info on the H-140. So, I have two questions about the guitar. The first is, what can you all tell me about it in general? How does it play, how does it feel? (I know they're vague questions, but like I said, I'm completely new to Heritage and have never even had the chance to see one in person). My second question is, I hear often that these models can be found for around $800-$1,000. Where are people finding these deals? Is it here, or eBay or on somewhere else?

 

Thanks in advance for the help, everyone.

My first Heritage was a '85 H-140, with all stock hardware and pickups..and an absolute tone MONSTER!! I think it's at the factory being repainted now, but anyway, they are a lighter version of the 150, but don't ever think they lack for anything..Don't forget..It's still a Heritage!!

[DetroitBlues]

My first Heritage was a '85, with all stock hardware and pickups..and an absolute tone MONSTER!! I think it's at the factory being repainted now, but anyway, they are a lighter version of the 150, but don't ever think they lack for anything..Don't forget..It's still a Heritage!!

 

I bet if it was at the Heritage factory being repainted, it would of been completed. weeks, even months ago...

[smurph1]

I bet if it was at the Heritage factory being repainted, it would of been completed. weeks, even months ago...

Ooops..Sorry..My Bad..