hokenfloken Posted December 8, 2011 Posted December 8, 2011 Greetings Heritage Fans!I am looking to buy my first Heritage guitar. It will be my second Michigan-made electric guitar. My other Michigan-made electric guitar is a Reverend Rocco Serial #00031. Very early indeed.I have a guitar on Hold at Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI and am going to be checking it out this Saturday to see if I want it. It is a 1990 H-140 being sold AS-IS for $875. It needs some work, which I will do myself. I have attached a link to the guitar itself and would like your feedback regarding the instrument.http://elderly.com/vintage/items/30U-17042.htmIn your opinion, does this seem like a fair price for the condition it is in? The photos make it look pretty clean but I won't know for sure until I see it in person.Please let me know what you think. I really want one of these guitars but am hesitant to pull the trigger since I might find a better deal on one here. Thank you for your assistance.Sincerely,Nathan Schneider
DetroitBlues Posted December 8, 2011 Posted December 8, 2011 It looks to be in great shape. Its got a nice top too. That's a good price for a 140. It looks like a custom order with the stinger vaneer and the matching wood pickguard. I've looked at that guitar a few times, but I already have a cool 140.
hokenfloken Posted December 8, 2011 Author Posted December 8, 2011 Thanks for the quick reply, DetroitBlues. I was disappointed to see you already sold your H-140 Custom. Looks like it was a sweet deal at $750. How does the age affect the value of these things?
DetroitBlues Posted December 8, 2011 Posted December 8, 2011 Thanks for the quick reply, DetroitBlues. I was disappointed to see you already sold your H-140 Custom. Looks like it was a sweet deal at $750. How does the age affect the value of these things? LOL. I sold it to myself. My was a sweet deal because it has a repaired headstock. If it wasn't, it would be much more considering its from the first year of Heritage and all of its custom/rare options for that year.
big bob Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 I paid 850 for mine, that was before the three new pups and the bigsby. Oh and the back on mine was all scared up from some big arse belt buckle, a new clear coat took care of that. I would say the one you are looking at is priced about right, and trans orange is totally cool. Go for it .. here is how mine turned out.
kbp810 Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 Great thing about Elderly is they are just about as forthcoming and honest as a guitar dealer can get when it comes to used gear. You can count on there description to be very accurate - and if you have any questions, give them a call and you will get a reliable answer. If you don't mind... if you get a chance can you take a gander at this 150 as well? - for some reason I've always dug the look of a solid body with a floating tailpiece. (though I don't really plan on jumping on it... gotta keep on track for my Millie!) http://elderly.com/vintage/names/heritage-h150cm-custom-%282009%29--30U-17161.htm
DetroitBlues Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 I paid 850 for mine, that was before the three new pups and the bigsby. Oh and the back on mine was all scared up from some big arse belt buckle, a new clear coat took care of that. I would say the one you are looking at is priced about right, and trans orange is totally cool. Go for it .. here is how mine turned out. That is one killer 140. The hill billy crowbar is tops!
Guest HRB853370 Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 Great thing about Elderly is they are just about as forthcoming and honest as a guitar dealer can get when it comes to used gear. You can count on there description to be very accurate - and if you have any questions, give them a call and you will get a reliable answer. If you don't mind... if you get a chance can you take a gander at this 150 as well? - for some reason I've always dug the look of a solid body with a floating tailpiece. (though I don't really plan on jumping on it... gotta keep on track for my Millie!) http://elderly.com/v...--30U-17161.htm That is just not right, in fact its WRONG! That trapeze on the 150, just doesn't quite get it. So you are in the market soon for a Millie Brian? Another custom order?
kbp810 Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 That is just not right, in fact its WRONG! That trapeze on the 150, just doesn't quite get it. So you are in the market soon for a Millie Brian? Another custom order? Funny thing is... I've never much care for the look of a bigsby... but the trapeze tail just sort of does it for me - I can't quite explain it really. I saw a very old LP many years ago that had one and I just thought it looked really cool. I obviously haven't liked it enough to actively seek a guit with one, put one on an existing guit, or contemplate putting one on a custom order... but if I happen to run across one it always peeks my interest. I've been jonesin for a Millie pretty bad lately... indeed hoping to do a custom order - just have to survive the holiday shopping season first. We have a ton of Nieces and Nephews and we try our darndest to spoil the hell out of each and every one of them.
hokenfloken Posted December 9, 2011 Author Posted December 9, 2011 Great thing about Elderly is they are just about as forthcoming and honest as a guitar dealer can get when it comes to used gear. You can count on there description to be very accurate - and if you have any questions, give them a call and you will get a reliable answer. If you don't mind... if you get a chance can you take a gander at this 150 as well? - for some reason I've always dug the look of a solid body with a floating tailpiece. (though I don't really plan on jumping on it... gotta keep on track for my Millie!) http://elderly.com/v...--30U-17161.htm Sure. I'll take a look at it for you. It looks gorgeous from the photos. I have a coworker who owns a very similar H-150. His uncle actually worked at the Parson St. plant before he retired. Heritage supposedly called him back to do some work on the equipment when Gibson left. I actually used to work at Elderly after I graduated from High School. It was a really fun job and perfect for me at that time of life. I have extremely fond memories of my days at Elderly and still have some good friends who work there. It's truly an amazing operation. We had nearly 100 full-time employees when I worked there from '99-'01. Most people in Lansing don't even realize what a gem they have. The inventory of instruments on the salesfloor is about 10% of what they have in stock. Also, what most people don't realize is how crazy the building is. It consists of several building from different eras connect to one another. It's a strange maze. To this day, I have some of the weirdest dreams about that place. It's kind of weird. Anyways, I'll take a look at it and report back to you on the condition.
High Flying Bird Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 Don't buy that guitar.... and let me know when I can.
the jayce Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 Greetings Heritage Fans! I am looking to buy my first Heritage guitar. It will be my second Michigan-made electric guitar. My other Michigan-made electric guitar is a Reverend Rocco Serial #00031. Very early indeed. I have a guitar on Hold at Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI and am going to be checking it out this Saturday to see if I want it. It is a 1990 H-140 being sold AS-IS for $875. It needs some work, which I will do myself. I have attached a link to the guitar itself and would like your feedback regarding the instrument. http://elderly.com/v...s/30U-17042.htm In your opinion, does this seem like a fair price for the condition it is in? The photos make it look pretty clean but I won't know for sure until I see it in person. Please let me know what you think. I really want one of these guitars but am hesitant to pull the trigger since I might find a better deal on one here. Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, Nathan Schneider I,d make sure what type of pickups it has, and check out the wiring in the cavity for botched home done rewiring. As much as heritage owners swap pickups in these guitars it's hard tellin what it has in it. I would just want to make sure it wasnt a cheap set. The guitar is awsome though,,,love the orange! Price sounds fair if all checks out good.
hokenfloken Posted December 9, 2011 Author Posted December 9, 2011 I,d make sure what type of pickups it has, and check out the wiring in the cavity for botched home done rewiring. As much as heritage owners swap pickups in these guitars it's hard tellin what it has in it. I would just want to make sure it wasnt a cheap set. The guitar is awsome though,,,love the orange! Price sounds fair if all checks out good. That's good advice. Do you have any idea of some tell-tale signs of the original pickups? Any shots of what the cavity should look like if it's original? Do the pickups at least "look" right for the era? You guys have all been VERY helpful and I really appreciate it.
Guest HRB853370 Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 Funny thing is... I've never much care for the look of a bigsby... but the trapeze tail just sort of does it for me - I can't quite explain it really. I saw a very old LP many years ago that had one and I just thought it looked really cool. I obviously haven't liked it enough to actively seek a guit with one, put one on an existing guit, or contemplate putting one on a custom order... but if I happen to run across one it always peeks my interest. I've been jonesin for a Millie pretty bad lately... indeed hoping to do a custom order - just have to survive the holiday shopping season first. We have a ton of Nieces and Nephews and we try our darndest to spoil the hell out of each and every one of them. I do all my Holiday shopping on the HOC FS forum!!
DetroitBlues Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 That is just not right, in fact its WRONG! That trapeze on the 150, just doesn't quite get it. So you are in the market soon for a Millie Brian? Another custom order? Obviously, you forgot what the original Les Paul design looked like... 1952 Gibson Les Paul.... Funny thing is... I've never much care for the look of a bigsby... but the trapeze tail just sort of does it for me - I can't quite explain it really. I saw a very old LP many years ago that had one and I just thought it looked really cool. I obviously haven't liked it enough to actively seek a guit with one, put one on an existing guit, or contemplate putting one on a custom order... but if I happen to run across one it always peeks my interest. I've been jonesin for a Millie pretty bad lately... indeed hoping to do a custom order - just have to survive the holiday shopping season first. We have a ton of Nieces and Nephews and we try our darndest to spoil the hell out of each and every one of them. You are very generous Uncle Brian! That's good advice. Do you have any idea of some tell-tale signs of the original pickups? Any shots of what the cavity should look like if it's original? Do the pickups at least "look" right for the era? You guys have all been VERY helpful and I really appreciate it. The four screws on each pickup give the appearance these are open coil Schallers. Its possible they are HRW's, but most likely not.
mark555 Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 Hi and welcome Nathan, just buy the guitar and enjoy it. Age doesn't do much price wise, there are people who pay silly money for older Gibson's that are not half what a new Heritage is. The guitar, like any other quality guitar will just be a nice thing to have, to me their value as a guitar surpasses their monetary worth. But this is the golden age of Heritage guitars, and once the old guys are gone I think the guitars built while they were there will attract more value amongst the faithful. However, that is only my opinion.
hokenfloken Posted December 10, 2011 Author Posted December 10, 2011 Obviously, you forgot what the original Les Paul design looked like... 1952 Gibson Les Paul.... You are very generous Uncle Brian! The four screws on each pickup give the appearance these are open coil Schallers. Its possible they are HRW's, but most likely not. Yes. The Elderly website says that they are Schallers. Does that sound right for a Heritage of this era?
kbp810 Posted December 10, 2011 Posted December 10, 2011 Yes. The Elderly website says that they are Schallers. Does that sound right for a Heritage of this era? Yep, Schallers were the most commonly used during that time. There were also HRW's which was Ren's secret recipe for a re-wound Schaller, guitars with HRW's should have a small dot on the tip of the pickup selector switch. Though with the custom nature of Heritages... and guitar owners tendency to tinker... the only real way to know for sure is to pull em out and take a peek.
Trouble Posted December 10, 2011 Posted December 10, 2011 Great thing about Elderly is they are just about as forthcoming and honest as a guitar dealer can get when it comes to used gear. You can count on there description to be very accurate - and if you have any questions, give them a call and you will get a reliable answer. If you don't mind... if you get a chance can you take a gander at this 150 as well? - for some reason I've always dug the look of a solid body with a floating tailpiece. (though I don't really plan on jumping on it... gotta keep on track for my Millie!) http://elderly.com/v...--30U-17161.htm That's the first time I've seen a 150 with a floating tailpiece, I really dig that! It seems like every 150 that pops up that I like is OSB, which is what my 150 is. I would really like my next one to be a VSB or natural or maybe even black, but seems like there are a lot of OSB guitars that pop up for sale.
SouthpawGuy Posted December 10, 2011 Posted December 10, 2011 Not sure if this has been mentioned but if the guitar had a Bigsby fitted at some point, the trapeze tail piece and Custom Made plate would cover the mounting holes. Just a thought.
Blunote Posted December 10, 2011 Posted December 10, 2011 Great thing about Elderly is they are just about as forthcoming and honest as a guitar dealer can get when it comes to used gear. You can count on there description to be very accurate - and if you have any questions, give them a call and you will get a reliable answer. If you don't mind... if you get a chance can you take a gander at this 150 as well? - for some reason I've always dug the look of a solid body with a floating tailpiece. (though I don't really plan on jumping on it... gotta keep on track for my Millie!) http://elderly.com/v...--30U-17161.htm +1 on the comments above. You can also expect that any guitar sold by Elderly has been looked over thoroughly by Elderly's excellent guitar techs. Any guitars going out their door has been set up. Brian, I spent a few minutes with that guitar when I was in prior to Thanksgiving. It's heavy. IIRC it has an acoustic pickup built into the bridge. I wasn't that impressed with the sound though. For whatever reason, I wasn't able to get it and an amp sounding good together. It is pretty though. Check it out.
TalismanRich Posted December 11, 2011 Posted December 11, 2011 That's good advice. Do you have any idea of some tell-tale signs of the original pickups? Any shots of what the cavity should look like if it's original? Do the pickups at least "look" right for the era? You guys have all been VERY helpful and I really appreciate it. The original Schallers from my 140 look just like those. 2 screws, black bobbins. Most likely they are original.
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