the jayce Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Just wondering why heritage doesnt design thier own line of guitars with totally new and original styling, while still making thier gibson styled models. Just would be cool to see a hole new line of thier own design. I know in the past they have stepped outside the box here and there but a whole new original styled launch-- such as 6 to 8 models, solid and hollow bodied might draw some new clientel. Just a thought, whats your opinion?
DetroitBlues Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Why mess with a good thing? There are a few models that are not Gibson. Prospect is one of them off the top of my head.
the jayce Posted November 1, 2011 Author Posted November 1, 2011 Why mess with a good thing? There are a few models that are not Gibson. Prospect is one of them off the top of my head. I agree, they should still make what they are currently but just a whole new wave of styling of thier own making would't be bad. We all like 57 chevy's and thier iconic but who here is against a 2011 chevy corvette with all its newness and styling??? Thats all im saying. Variety and originality is what draws the most attention. Yes I firmly believe it's time the boys get out the ole drawing board and start designing... Sooner or later lp and 335 styles are going to where out thier welcome with the public, why not get the jump on things with new offerings.... Maybe they will someday I hope.
Guest HRB853370 Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 also, the h110 is pretty unique . . . And the 170....
DetroitBlues Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Gibson tried several new varients of their Les Paul's over the years. All of which have since been discontinued after a short time. GT Series, Goddess, etc. What sells is Tribute and Reissues. Classic guitar designs and appointments are what people want in mass, not a facelift on them.
mars_hall Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Time, money, and resources may be a reasonable answer.
Bulldog Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 To me, Heritage is the real deal and most of their body styles are Kalamazoo based in design and production. So, with current staffing and company focus why go in a different direction? Maybe that would cause some branding confusion from a marketing perspective.
the jayce Posted November 1, 2011 Author Posted November 1, 2011 Gibson tried several new varients of their Les Paul's over the years. All of which have since been discontinued after a short time. GT Series, Goddess, etc. What sells is Tribute and Reissues. Classic guitar designs and appointments are what people want in mass, not a facelift on them. Agreed to a point. PRS seemed to nail a new concept pretty nicely. As did rks guitars, dean guitars, parker ect. Just somthing that screams what it is a mile away without having to see it's headstock. Dont get me wrong fellas there would be no prying my h 157 out of my hands period but I hate it when someone says nice guitar for lp copy.( I to thought the 170 was an heritage original yet to find out its modled from a gibby as well.)---> 1961 gibson melody maker double cutaway. Just trying to see what others thought about heritage designing distinctly heritage styles. Not trying to throw them under the bus. I know where all loyal heritage fans here so please dont be reading my original post out of context. They got the craftsmanship down pat , just would like to see some more originality is all.
JackBaruth Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 There's a "prototype room" at Kalamazoo. It's chock-full of new ideas that the dealers didn't want, or that didn't sell. I would venture to guess that Heritage has come up with two dozen new guitars since they opened their doors. Like it or not, $1000+ guitars tend to be bought by older players, and they like their classic styles. Schecter and ESP knock a lot of $399 Chinese specials out the door to Avenged Sevenfold fans but those people don't yet have enough money to look at a Heritage --- and when they do, chances are they'll want an H-555. Same goes for PRS. They've come up with one original guitar in their history. The singlecuts are fundamentally ESP copies.
MartyGrass Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 The most different guitar is their Little One.
the jayce Posted November 1, 2011 Author Posted November 1, 2011 There's a "prototype room" at Kalamazoo. It's chock-full of new ideas that the dealers didn't want, or that didn't sell. I would venture to guess that Heritage has come up with two dozen new guitars since they opened their doors. Like it or not, $1000+ guitars tend to be bought by older players, and they like their classic styles. Schecter and ESP knock a lot of $399 Chinese specials out the door to Avenged Sevenfold fans but those people don't yet have enough money to look at a Heritage --- and when they do, chances are they'll want an H-555. Same goes for PRS. They've come up with one original guitar in their history. The singlecuts are fundamentally ESP copies. Id sure hate to think it's just boils down to money just like everything else. Prs knocked it out of the park with thier style, and so will heritage if they keep trying. I want to see at least one body style take off thats just as unique as the heritage the headstock. Keep them protoypes a coming!
the jayce Posted November 1, 2011 Author Posted November 1, 2011 The most different guitar is their Little One. No arguments thier my friend. Very cool concept indeed! Have they ever built a full sized solid body with that wood configuration? If not they should! I'd buy one in a second...
MartyGrass Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 If Heritage made something like this Klein, I'd be interested. These Kleins fetch a lot of money now.
Guest HRB853370 Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 There's a "prototype room" at Kalamazoo. It's chock-full of new ideas that the dealers didn't want, or that didn't sell. I would venture to guess that Heritage has come up with two dozen new guitars since they opened their doors. Like it or not, $1000+ guitars tend to be bought by older players, and they like their classic styles. Schecter and ESP knock a lot of $399 Chinese specials out the door to Avenged Sevenfold fans but those people don't yet have enough money to look at a Heritage --- and when they do, chances are they'll want an H-555. Same goes for PRS. They've come up with one original guitar in their history. The singlecuts are fundamentally ESP copies. Don't forget Ibanez and Jackson, Jack, when it comes to that "shredder" fanbase!
Hfan Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Don't forget Ibanez and Jackson, Jack, when it comes to that "shredder" fanbase! Hamer also got into shredders in the 80s then returned to their roots and more vintage designs. I'm definitely in the vintage style camp.
heritagefan7 Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 I'd never have considered even looking at an H357 style guitar b/c I like the classics...BUT Heritage make it!!!---That's all I need to know! I like what I like, but as those guys let the creativity happen--I might discover that I like something that I didn't even know I liked--B/C it's a Heritage!!!! Tradition is good--Creativity is good---BUT QUALITY RULES!!!!
Gitfiddler Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Interesting thread topic. It made me think of some of the other original Heritage designs, some already named above. H170 H110 Prospect Millenium 155 series Academy Custom Kahuna As with any business, Heritage has to make decisions based on the balance between profitability, market demands, competition and risk. They are too small to take huge risks. That may explain why some models are still around and others are gone from their catalogue. If Marv gets the urge, however, he can drop another 357 just to keep things interesting.
yoslate Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 I don't own one, but I think the Millies are just terrific instruments and a bit unlike anything else...as much as that's possible without abandoning tradition altogether! I think The Boys and The Girl have found and refined their idiom, and I'd hate to see them do anything risky, just for the sake of "different," which, I also think, is highly overrated.
tbonesullivan Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 what about that ugly looking blue can opener guitar? Heritage also made a fair amount of strat-style guitars, some with double locking trems, as well as some one off guitars. Their Millennium series also anticipated the smaller scale semi-hollows before Gibson got around to them. Then there is the prospect, and the blues deluxe, both of which are scaled down 535 designs, which anticipated gibson. Heritage has done quite a bit in "evolving" the Gibson archetype. Here's some evolution for you:
H555rocks Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Hamer also got into shredders in the 80s then returned to their roots and more vintage designs. I'm definitely in the vintage style camp. +1 to That!
smurph1 Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Agreed to a point. PRS seemed to nail a new concept pretty nicely. As did rks guitars, dean guitars, parker ect. Just somthing that screams what it is a mile away without having to see it's headstock. Dont get me wrong fellas there would be no prying my h 157 out of my hands period but I hate it when someone says nice guitar for lp copy.( I to thought the 170 was an heritage original yet to find out its modled from a gibby as well.)---> 1961 gibson melody maker double cutaway. Just trying to see what others thought about heritage designing distinctly heritage styles. Not trying to throw them under the bus. I know where all loyal heritage fans here so please dont be reading my original post out of context. They got the craftsmanship down pat , just would like to see some more originality is all. You bring up a good topic..It does bother me when someone calls my 535 a copy..It's more original than a Nashville Gibby..but having said that, the whole prototype room comes to mind..It's littered with ideas that just didn't fly..225 Parsons Street is known for only a few guitar styles really, and they are all being made there for the most part..I have to think that when the young guitar slingers grow up they may want to look to the "Classic" guitars..Hopefully at least some of them will turn to Heritage..I hope that makes sense..
Trouble Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 There's a "prototype room" at Kalamazoo. It's chock-full of new ideas that the dealers didn't want, or that didn't sell. I would venture to guess that Heritage has come up with two dozen new guitars since they opened their doors. Like it or not, $1000+ guitars tend to be bought by older players, and they like their classic styles. Schecter and ESP knock a lot of $399 Chinese specials out the door to Avenged Sevenfold fans but those people don't yet have enough money to look at a Heritage --- and when they do, chances are they'll want an H-555. Same goes for PRS. They've come up with one original guitar in their history. The singlecuts are fundamentally ESP copies. Hey man no knockin' Avenged Sevenfold, Shector however is totally cool!
Trouble Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 You bring up a good topic..It does bother me when someone calls my 535 a copy..It's more original than a Nashville Gibby..but having said that, the whole prototype room comes to mind..It's littered with ideas that just didn't fly..225 Parsons Street is known for only a few guitar styles really, and they are all being made there for the most part..I have to think that when the young guitar slingers grow up they may want to look to the "Classic" guitars..Hopefully at least some of them will turn to Heritage..I hope that makes sense.. I honestly can't Imagine the 150 or 535 style guitars, including their Nashville counterparts ever going away. I'm old enough to be realistic, and I could see some of the current brands folding at some point, but the ones I see sticking it out would be Fender, Gibson, G & L, PRS, probably Ibanez, Peavey and Heritage as long as there is a believer running shop and keeping the tradition alive. There are a lot of great manufacturers that I did not name, and the reason is I believe with one slight mistep they would be gone.
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