Prospect vs Millie

[lachiron]

All right, now that you guys have convinced me that a Heritage guitar is in the same class as a custom builder's guitar...the last question is which one to purchase??

Again, it is difficult to hold or play these models at the store...and a few of each are up on ebay...a Prospect Blues Deluxe for 1,600 w inlays and rosewood fingerboard and limited ed 2000 Millie w ebony fretboard for same price. My son wants a semi hollowbody that can be heard in a through a band and will be a replacement guitar for his Les Paul which he didn't like the feel of the neck and the angle of his hand was strained compared to his Fender Strat; I don't play guitar so this is just a which one do we get question. te

I am a percussionist so I do know instruments and usually the solid wood body should be a slam dunk as to which one...but in Heritage world seems the Prospect a special guitar. He plays mainly blues and rock and the 335 is managable but a bit large and neck is a little to fat for him as was the Les Paul. Any suggestions??? Here is a link w my son playing so you can tell what type of sound he is looking for. I just buy the stuff and need some help from the Hertage people who know and play these instruments.

 

[blueox]

I got a kick out of seeing and hearing your son play. You'll get a lot of differing opinions on which Heritage guitar to buy. It would be best of course if your son could go and try out several Heritage models, if you have a well-stocked dealer within an hour's drive or so. Just buying one from eBay would be a gamble if your son has defined likes and dislikes as to the neck, weight, size, etc. The ultimate might be the H-535, but if that body is too big for him, I would recommend a chambered H-110-LW for the semi-hollow tone without the f-holes. For that kind of money you mentioned, it might be worth a call to Marv at the factory, explaining what your son wants, and ordering a new custom instrument built to his neck, body, etc. specs. http://www.heritageg...com/indexb.html

[TalismanRich]

I hopped on Youtube to check you your son. Very talented! Its great to see a young man with TASTE.

 

I also suspect he's at a point where he's understanding the nuances of a guitar, how it plays, how it fits, the tonal range. With the range of customization that Heritage guitars have, he might pick up a guitar doesn't meet his needs, when another one of the same model might fit better.

 

From the videos, it looks like you are in the Atlanta area. Heritage lists two dealers in Atlanta, have you checked out those dealers? Also, you could think about a drive up to Brentwood TN. Jay stocks bunches of Heritage guitars and that might give him a better feel for what he likes. It could make for a nice weekend trip, visit some shops in Nashville, stop at Gruhns just to drool at his collection, stuff like that. Also, we have some Atlanta area members. Maybe you could hook up with one of them. (any of you guys on here want to step up?)

 

Now, to the guitars. The Mille on Ebay is LE #17. I have LE #22. The neck on mine is relatively slim, slightly thinner feeling than my 535. The shoulders on it aren't as rounded as my 535, which also contributes to the slim feel. My H140, which is from '88 is between the two, but closer to the 535 in roundness. My 157 is closer to my Mille. Like I said earlier, they will carve it the way you want.

 

The Prospect will have the advantage in upper fret access, like a 535. I haven't played the Prospect, but there are a bunch of folks on here who have them and really love them.

 

In terms of comfort, I think my 535 is my "go to" guitar. It just seems to fit me. Second place would be between the Mille and the 140. Then it's a mood thing... what sound do I want. The 157 is great, but it's heavy at almost 10lbs. If I had to stand for a 2 hour show, there's no way I could do it with the 157 (bad backs suck). If I was younger, it might be different. Lots of guys here like heavy! If I was going to order a new one, it would be a 157 LW. I'm not sure if they make such a beast but I bet I could talk them into it.

 

Good luck in your hunt.

[Bonefish]

I'm in Atlanta but only have an H150. So, unfortunately I don't think I have much to offer. I can say that I've had it for nearly 10 ys and still love it.

[Spectrum13]

I'm in Atlanta (Sandy Springs) between a Millie and a Prospect was not an either/or for me so I have both. where are you guys?

[lachiron]

Well, given my son's tastes and our budget given he is only 13, give me your thoughts about which guitar would fill the void for a solid body Les Paul style guitar...in a semi hollowbody. Or better yet, which guitar is a better buy for $1,600 or thereabouts or if neither are worth purchasing. A new Millie or Prospect are around 2.2K according to local dealers. So what do you guys think...his teacher has a Heritage Eagle archtop and he loves the thinner neck and he loved the CP Thornton Professional >3K. If we are going to purchase a Heritage new at 2.5K we would probably go used CP Thornton. So new is an option but used is better deal for Heritage as you all know. So we want to be in low teens with either a Millie or Prospect.

[tulk1]

Just so happens I have had custom builds on both the Millie and the Prospect. Unequivocally, it's the Millie. No .. wait, the Prospect. I mean the Millie .... Prospect, Mil/Pros ... uh ....

 

Unless you wind up with someone's custom ordered guitar, the standard Heritage neck is going to be a medium-slim. Extremely comfortable neck. Early (80's or so) necks were much slimmer than the late 2007's and up. They've become slightly larger since then, but nothing extreme. As for which guitar, sight unseen is always a gamble, especially for teenagers. Well, adults, too. In all honesty, if your boy liked the 335, the Heritage equiv is the H535. The Prospect will come in just slightly smaller, body-wise. It's my favorite Heritage. Just something about it - fits the body well, is light, can hang with any semi out there. What would bother me is you say the angle of his hand on the neck of his LP was a bid fit. Not sure exactly what the problem is, but the Heritage angle will be very similar - they are born out of the same background.

 

Hope you get to put hands on before you buy. If not, ask for a return policy/trial period. Have you looked in our For Sale section? Sometimes you can get some great buys there. And from Forum Members. :thumbsups:

[Bonefish]

I'm in Atlanta (Sandy Springs) between a Millie and a Prospect was not an either/or for me so I have both. where are you guys?

 

I'm located in Suwanee. Not too far from Sandy Springs.

[Guest HRB853370]

All right, now that you guys have convinced me that a Heritage guitar is in the same class as a custom builder's guitar...the last question is which one to purchase??

Again, it is difficult to hold or play these models at the store...and a few of each are up on ebay...a Prospect Blues Deluxe for 1,600 w inlays and rosewood fingerboard and limited ed 2000 Millie w ebony fretboard for same price. My son wants a semi hollowbody that can be heard in a through a band and will be a replacement guitar for his Les Paul which he didn't like the feel of the neck and the angle of his hand was strained compared to his Fender Strat; I don't play guitar so this is just a which one do we get question. te

I am a percussionist so I do know instruments and usually the solid wood body should be a slam dunk as to which one...but in Heritage world seems the Prospect a special guitar. He plays mainly blues and rock and the 335 is managable but a bit large and neck is a little to fat for him as was the Les Paul. Any suggestions??? Here is a link w my son playing so you can tell what type of sound he is looking for. I just buy the stuff and need some help from the Hertage people who know and play these instruments.

 

 

You are such a good "Daddy"! I am in the Conyers Covington area but I only have 150 and 535. Good to have another local member for our inaugaral SE HOC jam!

[bolero]

prospect is a great guitar

 

millennium is a great guitar

 

if I had to choose between them it would be hard

 

 

best to try them out in person

[Kuz]

Honestly, it sounds like you are more looking for a group of people to talk you out of buying the Thotrton verse settling for a Heritage. By all accounts Thortons are incredible guitars, but I would not "settle" for a Heritage because you will always be second guessing yourself. It is like the guy that can't afford a $4,500 LP Historic that he REALLY want so he settles for a Heritage 150 instead.

 

So I guess what I am saying is IF you really want a Heritage you will get an incredible guitar ( so is the Thortorn) but want to buy a Heritage don't just settle for a Heritage.

[tsp17]

I'm pining for a Millie these days myself.

[Guest HRB853370]

I'm pining for a Millie these days myself.

 

I have one on the way to me!!!!

[tsp17]

I have one on the way to me!!!!

 

awesome! specifics please, so i can live vicariously.

[DetroitBlues]

I'd rather have a millie over a prospect, but I'd rather have a 535 over a millie. At lot of preference here, but the 535 might be a tad thinner, but broader than a Millie. Tone wise, they might be similiar depending on the woods being used. If he likes the Les Paul, then a Millie might be better, but if he's worried about the neck size, why wouldn't you look for something else like a 140 or a 150P? A gentlement has a Goldtop 150 that is a tad bit thinner in the body and has a thinner "60's" profile neck that your son might find more comfortable for his hands and his shoulders. Plus, you'll save a little coin for other items he may want.

[tulk1]

There is an absolutely, amazingly gorgeous Millie 155 (no f-holes) on the bay this morning. If only ..... !!! Someone needs to snatch that one up.

[Guest HRB853370]

There is an absolutely, amazingly gorgeous Millie 155 (no f-holes) on the bay this morning. If only ..... !!! Someone needs to snatch that one up.

 

Its going to get tainted in that G LP case!

[Gitfiddler]

 

Its going to get tainted in that G LP case!

 

 

I hope Millies can't get tainted if shipped to Georgia in a Gibson box!

[tulk1]

 

 

I hope Millies can't get tainted if shipped to Georgia in a Gibson box!

Does that mean ............ ???

 

Oh, wait. You're in SF. Hmmmm, I'm confused.

[DetroitBlues]

Sounds like you'll have to play the "taint" out of it Will...

[Guest HRB853370]

It 'taint tainted just cuz of the box!

[Gitfiddler]

Taint that the truth!

[Spectrum13]

The kid liked the Millie. Let's see if Will is planning to keep his.

[TalismanRich]

The kid liked the Millie. Let's see if Will is planning to keep his.

 

I take it you folks were able to get together for a session? Josh looks to be quite a player.

 

That's one of the nice things about this group.

[Spectrum13]

Josh could Play... jazz, classical, rock & blues. He has talent and only plays three hours a week. He has one of the best teachers in Atlanta as well. Turned out he lives a few miles from me and we have friends in common. His dad had reservation about contacting me as my profile indicates I.m only 11. He got to play my 155, Prospect, 150 and 137. Liked the Millie.