My Heritage H150

[rockabilly69]

 

Well I've had it for about a week now. Three gigs down with it. A little cosmetic modding. Damn

I really like this guitar! I thought I would use it to just record some fat LP type solos that sit nicely

with my acoustic guitar based songs. But today I backed up the preamps on my amplifiers, turned

up the masters and really started to examine the clean side of this instrument and how it could

be used more in rhythm situation. I originally thought I preferred the neck pickup, but I'm actually

more intrigued by the middle and bridge positions. I love the very slight crunch tones I'm getting

when fingerpicking. I'm setting my amp to distort only when I pick hard, and when I do, I get some

killer overtones. What I originally thought was a cheaper substitute for a historic, turned out to be

a guitar that suits me better than the 3 historics that I've owned and modded.

 

The tonepros hardware seeems very stable, and I haven't noticed any buzzes of rattles associated

with it. The nut is cut very nice on this guitar. The pickups had the D string poles a little high, and

the B string, a little low. But with a little tweaking, I got the Seth's sounding very good. I was amazed

at the low end of this guitar (not to be confused with MUD), and I really need to bring my whole

gigging rig home and adapt the pres I'm using to the signal. If I can't tame it, I'll just replace the

neck pickup with a Tom Short Marc Ford model which really suits what I do well, but I don't think

that will be necessary, and frankly the middle position sounds so good that I wouldn't want to risk

losing that. A rock player would LOVE the amount of lowend coming off of this guitar, especially

an old school 4X12 cab player. I personally split my signal between acoustic style processing

and a 1964 Deluxe Reverb.

 

I play guitar for a living so I am ruthless about modding guitars till they fit me the best they can.

I play at least 5 days a week, and sometimes up to 3 gigs a day. The gigs vary from sit down

hotel gigs, to flying all over the country for private shows, or playing for festivals for thousands.

 

I also own alot of guitars, so when I walk out the door and load up my car with a guitar, it has to be

a pretty damn good one to make the cut. Well the fact that this guitar has already been to 3 of my

gigs says alot about it. In the next few days I'm going to experiment with some of my favorite string

sets (Pyramid, Thomastik, DR, and yes ERNIE BALL), to see what brings out the most clarity in

the neck position. It's important for me to have a very clean low E as I fingerpick more than 50%

of the time and that could easily turn mushy when using an electric guitar.

 

Oh, by the way, I LOVE THE HEADSTOCK SHAPE!!! And down the road I may have a custom

model built for me, with the only changes being a 1 piece back, Tom Short pickups, RS pots,

and Pigtail hardware. As for the neck tenon, the neck on this one is ROCK EFFIN SOLID!!!

 

Dan

 

If this is how all Heritages are built, I'm impressed.

[H]

Dan, you have now been assimilated into the HOC Prepare to own more Heritages than you ever thought possible!

[rockabilly69]

Well H, we have similiar tastes in guitars, my main acoustic is a Gibson, and my favorite electric is my Chet Atkins Gretsch.

I also have a 50's reissue Tele with Van Zandt pickups. And yes, with the possibility that Heritage would most likely build

a guitar to my spec for a reasonable price I could see owning another, but to tell you the truth, even spec'd the way I would

ask I'd have to wonder would it be any better than my current H150. After all it's all in the wood, and maybe this one's just

special:)

[H]

Ah, guitars! What would we do without them? You can't beat having a variety of tones in your arsenal and it looks like we both have them covered Mind you, I'm a bedroom guitar hero not a gigging artiste so I guess you have more reason to 'cover the bases'. Got any clips of your work, Dan?

 

I believe you when you say your 150 is special. However, reading through the older posts on this forum you'll find literally hundreds of references to 'playing like buttah', 'one of a kind', etc. Are we all deluded or do Heritage put out amazing guitars on a regular basis? I know what I believe based on the three I own (and the other excellent brands I sold to get them) so I'd recommend you get your hands on a few more and tell us how many 'specials' you have in a year or so

 

It's a beautiful sunny morning here in the UK. Hope you wake up to something similar

[rockabilly69]

No Heritage clips, but here's one with a Firebird, my Parkwood LE061 acoustic, and a bastard reso that I pieced together.

I'm playing everything and singing.

 

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=7511026

[rockabilly69]

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=7505686 Here's another with a Martin, a custom mando, and a National Model D.

 

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=7505686

[H]

I listened to all your stuff, Dan. You've got a good thing going on there! Nice playing

[Genericmusic]

Very nice!

[golferwave]

I really like your sound! Do you have an album out yet? BTW very nice H-150...you'll soon own more Heritages...they're hard to resist.

[H555rocks]

I like what you've got goin on in your music. As golferwave said, do you have an album, cause i'd probably buy a copy. Nice h150 and best of luck

[DetroitBlues]

That is a beautiful guitar. Its nice to see more professionals discovering a fantastic guitar company that isn't overhyped by media and marketing of the big three. (Gibson, Fender, & PRS).

[yoslate]

 

What I originally thought was a cheaper substitute for a historic, turned out to be

a guitar that suits me better than the 3 historics that I've owned and modded.

 

 

Heh...! Nice testimonial, Dan. And interesting that you're hip to Tom's p'ups. There are several converts here. I have a pair of the Fords (underwound) in my 150. Exquisite tone through...everything. Dug the links, too! Welcome to the fold, and I hope you'll chime in as you're able. Yours is a beautiful 150! But then...most of them are!

[tulk1]

Beautiful guitar. Nice clips. Welcome to the HOC.

[tsp17]

So sweet. very cool.

[Guest HRB853370]

Dan, that is an amazing and riveting testimonial. The one that resonates and we hear often on this forum, is where you said you originally thought this would be a cheaper substitute for a Historic, and your surprised that it was actually as good or better. Gotta love stuff like this. I don't understand why Heritage doesn't have a testimonial section on their website, as this coming from a professional guitar player is really really meaningful. Have fun with it. I have one in the same finish with Seths.

[Guest HRB853370]

That is a beautiful guitar. Its nice to see more professionals discovering a fantastic guitar company that isn't overhyped by media and marketing of the big three. (Gibson, Fender, & PRS).

 

+1000,000

[DetroitBlues]

BTW, I really love that pickguard. I don't think I've ever seen one like that. Obviously, that one did not come from Heritage.

[FredZepp]

Very nice 150 there.. I really like the Seths in a couple of my Heritages.

 

And thanks for the music samples... they sound great. I liked them a lot.

 

We can't wait to hear what you create with your Heritage.....

[rockabilly69]

Thanks for the kind words everybody. In a week, I'm going on vacation (to write music) then maybe I can use my Heritage

to record as that is what I bought it for. I bought some new recording equipment that I'm dying to use but I did like 90 gigs

in 90 days so I haven't even turned it on yet!!! I'm only bringing an acoustic guitar with me so I won't be touching the

Heritage while away.

 

Detroit blues, if you want that Pearloid pickguard I will just send it to you. On the right color guitar it would probably look great,

I don't think it blended well with the sunburst on mine. I used the Heritage hardware to mount my new guard so you 'll have to

use your own hardware. PM your address if you want it.

 

As for the Tom Short pickups I love what he does, and he is an awesome dude ta boot.

 

I do have CD's available (I've recorded three), but just sell them direct as I don't want them available as digital downloads.

I sell them for 10 dollars and whatever it costs to ship them:)

[totonka]

Nice clips - great sound and welcome aboard. Hope to hear some sounds with you and the 150 soon.

[Blunote]

Dan, I've also got an H150 in a similar finish with Seths. Sounds like you found out what a great combination that is. The Seths sound great clean and give lot of vintage growl when you want it. I know what you mean about the overtones when their on the verge of breaking up. Kind of like walking a mean dog.

 

Welcome to the club.

 

BTW, loved the clips.

 

[rockabilly69]

Nice looking guitar BluNote!

[DetroitBlues]

Dan, I've also got an H150 in a similar finish with Seths. Sounds like you found out what a great combination that is. The Seths sound great clean and give lot of vintage growl when you want it. I know what you mean about the overtones when their on the verge of breaking up. Kind of like walking a mean dog.

 

Welcome to the club.

 

BTW, loved the clips.

 

 

Heritage sure does make some pretty guitars!