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Heritage Owners Club

Has anyone played a Super Kenny Burrell?


MartyGrass

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Posted

I know some members have smaller versions, but I haven't seen the Super discussed by an owner here.

 

I handled a couple at the Heritage plant. They are basically Florentine cut Super Eagles.

 

I can't promise anything, but one may be heading back to Kalamazoo. Before anything is final, I'd love to get some input from those who've played one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventory11ESs031.jpg

Posted

Not a KB... but super sized with Florentine. An 18" archtop has a girth to the tone that eliminates any boxiness to the tone. Rich and full.

 

But mine will be a bit different, less warm but more defined, with a maple top instead of a spruce.

 

And they are physically different, just because of the dimensions, depending on what you are used to playing.

 

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Posted

Never played one. What a beauty though!

 

Inventory11ESs031.jpg

Posted

I checked one over at a local store that was big and blue and had a single mounted neck position pickup. Didn't plug it in though.

 

Seemed a lot like a Gibson Super 400 (go figure).

 

It kinda bugs me a little how there's so much binding on the neck that the frets don't even reach the edge. Not sure I noticed it when playing but seems sorta inefficient to have unused width to the fretboard. Maybe Kenny Burrell specified it that way?

 

Not for me, but I can appreciate such guitars as works of art. I tend to like 16" bodies and shorter scale length. I've had a couple 17" archtops and that was enough.

 

18" is a whole 'nuther class of instrument. Beautiful, but they won't fit in the passenger side of my Ranger. There's just something that ain't gonna work if you go to putting a Cadillac type guitar in a Ford Ranger. The jazz police would bust me and make me use my wife's Buick. I'm not sure there's a parking space in this town that could handle that boat.

Posted

I checked one over at a local store that was big and blue and had a single mounted neck position pickup. Didn't plug it in though.

 

Seemed a lot like a Gibson Super 400 (go figure).

 

It kinda bugs me a little how there's so much binding on the neck that the frets don't even reach the edge. Not sure I noticed it when playing but seems sorta inefficient to have unused width to the fretboard. Maybe Kenny Burrell specified it that way?

 

Not for me, but I can appreciate such guitars as works of art. I tend to like 16" bodies and shorter scale length. I've had a couple 17" archtops and that was enough.

 

18" is a whole 'nuther class of instrument. Beautiful, but they won't fit in the passenger side of my Ranger. There's just something that ain't gonna work if you go to putting a Cadillac type guitar in a Ford Ranger. The jazz police would bust me and make me use my wife's Buick. I'm not sure there's a parking space in this town that could handle that boat.

LOL!

Posted

I have one of the prototypes in ASB with the upgraded woods package, played by Kenny himself. Bought it from Jay about 10 years ago back when he sold 'em out of his house! He said Kenny wanted it opaque (not transparent) blue...why, who knows? I love mine, 2 built-in Seth Lovers and a huge voice when lightly amplified. It's surprisingly resistant to feedback, too. I don't know why, but it's amazingly easy to hold and play, also. Don't let the size intimidate you, it's as easy to play as any L-5, and easier than a Super 400. The neck is really comfy- and flamed like a barber pole.

I say get it if you can...that's a stunning example! (wish mine had the fingered tailpiece!)

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