Why are Prospects called Prospects?

[Guest HRB853370]

The only guitar in the Heritage product line without an H-XXX numerical designation (aside from the artist models such as Roy Clarks, Johnny Smith's, Skolnicks and Burrells, etc.)

 

I just cannot get used to that "skinny waist" body shape! And how could the tone be any different than a 535? The weight difference has to be miniscule too.

 

So?

[DetroitBlues]

I believe the prospect is not a true semi-hollow body unlike the semi hollow 535. The prospect has a floating center block. At some angles it does appear to be odd, but also I think the smaller design makes it a little more comfortable to play. Not sure how long its been around, but the only other one not designated would probably be the "Little One" as well...

[bolero]

Yup...plus the body size is nice & LP comfy sized

[DavesNotHere]

The only CURRENT guitar in the Heritage product line without an H-XXX numerical designation (aside from the artist models such as Roy Clarks, Johnny Smith's, Skolnicks and Burrells, etc.)

 

I just cannot get used to that "skinny waist" body shape! And how could the tone be any different than a 535? The weight difference has to be miniscule too.

 

So?

 

My two non-H-XXX Heritages.

 

[Gitfiddler]

The Prospect's single cutaway 'sister' guitar was the Academy and Academy Custom. Both were original Heritage designs that some folks love and others avoid. I love the basic concept of a smaller bodied semi-hollow.

[eljay]

prospects don't photograph all that well for some reason. they look great in person. also, my bias is that pickguards improve their appearance. pic of prospect & gibby cs-336 to follow. eljay

[eljay]

as promised: http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt262/eljayski/prospect336bb-1.jpg[/img]"]http://

[Spectrum13]

Will, they are a lot lighter, more comfortable and better looking in person than you think. Must be short for Prospector - the design struck gold.

[schundog]

Millenium? Centurion? (OK, there's only one of those, but still...)

 

My guess is that we are overthinking the nameing process. Marv probably showed a drawing of the idea on a napkin and said to Jim and JP, "What do you think of THIS prospect for a new model..." or something like that.

 

A lot of people dig them because the size is more akin to a 150, VS a 535. Basically, if Fred played a Prospect and I played my 535 right next to him, the guitars would look proportional. 535s work for this Big Guy.

[tulk1]

You gotta get your hands on a Prospect to appreciate them. And no, they do not photo well. For whatever reason. But the feel of that guitar is a major WOW factor. Played Curly's Blues Deluxe at PSPI and was hooked. Not sure I've ever said this, but the Prospect is my favorite Heritage guitar.

[SouthpawGuy]

The Prospect is very comfortable to play, nice and light but boxes way above it's weight. You need to try one to fully appreciate them.

 

 

 

 

 

Mine has Seth Lovers, those pickups sound extra fine in this guitar !

[Guest HRB853370]

Maybe its the "mouse ear" looking horns that make it look out of proportion; kind of looks like they took a 535 and shaved the rim off so the F holes are much closer to the edge. I guess next time I visit Wolfe guitars I will check one out. That might be when I make my trip up to see Bird.

[dr_iggi]

 

Nice pic! Indeed, rather elongated body, but it fits the longer headstock. I truly like the design!

[dr_iggi]

The Prospect's single cutaway 'sister' guitar was the Academy and Academy Custom. Both were original Heritage designs that some folks love and others avoid. I love the basic concept of a smaller bodied semi-hollow.

 

Do we have pics of the Academy / Academy Custom? Would love to see them.

[111518]

Guild experimented quite a bit with smaller-bodied hollowbodies/chambered guitars, like the Aristocrat, M75, and the Bluesbird. I've always wondered if there was a connection between Jim Duerloo's time with Guild and Heritage's experimentation with these sorts of guitars,which, to the best of my knowledge, Gibson did not really begin to produce until much later. One of those questions that I loved to ask, if I ever get to meet the guys. Really a drag that the first weekend in August is both the pilgrimage and one of two times in the year when I see my family.

[drfie]

I've wondered if the Prospect and Academy names originated with something local to Kalamazoo. One theory I have is that they wer named for Prospect and Academy, two streets in the West Main Hill area of town. Academy is basically the main thoroughfare of Kalamazoo College and runs roughly east-west. Prospect street intersects West Main on the north side running roughly north south and then to the south of west main it becomes Prospect Place I believe and meanders back to the east. The two streets never actually intersect, but with the two being in such close proximity I wonder if it is more than coincidence?

 

I always thought the Millenium was named for the new millenium since it came out around 2000?

 

dan

[DetroitBlues]

Millenium? Centurion? (OK, there's only one of those, but still...)

 

My guess is that we are overthinking the nameing process. Marv probably showed a drawing of the idea on a napkin and said to Jim and JP, "What do you think of THIS prospect for a new model..." or something like that.

 

A lot of people dig them because the size is more akin to a 150, VS a 535. Basically, if Fred played a Prospect and I played my 535 right next to him, the guitars would look proportional. 535s work for this Big Guy.

 

Millie still has an H designation, H-155... You just have an Ultra and DC model....

[blueox]

"I've wondered if the Prospect and Academy names originated with something local to Kalamazoo. One theory I have is that they wer named for Prospect and Academy, two streets in the West Main Hill area of town. Academy is basically the main thoroughfare of Kalamazoo College and runs roughly east-west. Prospect street intersects West Main on the north side running roughly north south and then to the south of west main it becomes Prospect Place I believe and meanders back to the east. The two streets never actually intersect, but with the two being in such close proximity I wonder if it is more than coincidence? . . . "

 

As far as the naming process goes, I think you've got a point there.

As far as the guitar itself goes, I enjoy the Heritage models that are a little different from the "norm", whatever that is.

[SouthpawGuy]

I've wondered if the Prospect and Academy names originated with something local to Kalamazoo. One theory I have is that they wer named for Prospect and Academy, two streets in the West Main Hill area of town. Academy is basically the main thoroughfare of Kalamazoo College and runs roughly east-west. Prospect street intersects West Main on the north side running roughly north south and then to the south of west main it becomes Prospect Place I believe and meanders back to the east. The two streets never actually intersect, but with the two being in such close proximity I wonder if it is more than coincidence?

 

I always thought the Millenium was named for the new millenium since it came out around 2000?

 

dan

 

Highly possible. A little known fact, the Yamaha Pacifica and Weddington models of the '90s were so named due to the proximity of the Yamaha USA building in LA to those streets.

[BrianToth]

The Eagle series have no "H" numbers do they? Also the Sweet 16.

 

My Prospect is by far my #1 guitar and I kinda like the way it looks....blends in with this group. I also love the smaller body size.

[DetroitBlues]

The Eagle series have no "H" numbers do they? Also the Sweet 16.

 

My Prospect is by far my #1 guitar and I kinda like the way it looks....blends in with this group. I also love the smaller body size.

 

Tasty guitars you have! Love the split block inlays!

[chaze]

may be a bit off topic....

I am from HongKong. I want to know any online shop sell Prospect? IT IS SUPER HARD TO FIND!!!

[Gitfiddler]

 

Do we have pics of the Academy / Academy Custom? Would love to see them.

 

Here's a lefty Academy Custom:

 

[TalismanRich]

may be a bit off topic....

I am from HongKong. I want to know any online shop sell Prospect? IT IS SUPER HARD TO FIND!!!

Welcome Chaze.

 

The Heritage site lists Tom Lee Music in Hong Kong as a dealer. I don't know if they are active or not. You might give them a call.

 

Your best bet might be to work through Wolfe Guitars. He will ship around the world and his guitars are usually listed on Gbase. There aren't any "online" dealers like Musicians Friend that carry Heritage.

 

The next step is Ebay, although the Prospect isn't a common model compared to the H150 or H535.

 

Good luck with your hunt.

[tulk1]

Well, got to post a couple pics of my Prospect, if that's okay.