Help with my model?

[PeteD]

When I was in High School I got to purchase my Heritage at the factory. I lived a few miles down the road in a small town outside of K'zoo. I'll never forget that day...I went in for a tour, then they rolled in a cart full of guitars and I got to pick the one I purchased directly from them. Later I ended up taking a few lessons from Ren Wall. Fun thinking about those good old days.

 

I can't remember specifically the model, but I'm thinking it is a 140? It is a thin body mahogany with no maple top plate. It is a nice guitar, albeit a little plain looking. Nice cherry sunburst, but on a fairly non-descript mahogany top. Its serial starts with 'C', so I think that is 1985 or 1986?

 

it has spent far too many years in its dark case as I have forgotten about playing until just recently. I pulled it out and cleaned it up to start teaching my son on it. Cool to pass it down to the next generation.

 

Any rate, was this a specific model designation (the thin body mahogany single cutaway?). Any help is much appreciated!

 

Incidentally, 25 years later as I've started getting into building acoustic guitars, I look back on those days and kick myself for not offering to work in the factory for free after school. Heck, I'd probably pay them to work there now!

[DetroitBlues]

A "C" would indicate you have a 1986. Do you have any pics? If the guitar is a single cutaway, most likely a 140. Do you have any pic's? Does it look a little like this?

 

[Steiner]

A "C" would indicate you have a 1986. Do you have any pics? If the guitar is a single cutaway, most likely a 140. Do you have any pic's? Does it look a little like this?

 

 

Blues, why does that guitar look vaguely familiar?

 

To avoid the dreaded hook associated with hijacking so early on... Did Heritage make a 137 in the early days?

[PeteD]

It's a scaled down version of what you posted. It does not have the quilted or flamed top, no block inlays on the fretboard, and without the pickup covers. I'm sure it is a 140, but is there another designation for a 140 thin body without the maple top? I'm just curious.

 

I'll try to grab a picture of it to post shortly.

[DetroitBlues]

The very first Heritage was a bound slab mahogany body. Yours may be just like it. Take off the electronics cover on the back and look inside. Should be a label in it.

[DetroitBlues]

 

Blues, why does that guitar look vaguely familiar?

 

To avoid the dreaded hook associated with hijacking so early on... Did Heritage make a 137 in the early days?

 

That's a good question... I know the first 140 was all mahogany... Wonder if they made a couple more?

[FredZepp]

Yes... check the label ... and post a pic if you can..

[PeteD]

Ok thanks, the label says H140CM ACB and then below that either an 'e' or a 'c' 24803. I wonder if the maple top was an option then, or if this is just a different variation from the base model. Either way, after 26 years and probably the better part of 10 years just sitting in its case, it still plays like a dream after I polished the frets and fretboard a bit. Action is still great.

 

The lower bout cutaway is pointed rather than rounded off, for whatever that is worth. Getting late, but I'll try to post a picture tomorrow.

[FredZepp]

Ok thanks, the label says H140CM ACB and then below that either an 'e' or a 'c' 24803. I wonder if the maple top was an option then, or if this is just a different variation from the base model. Either way, after 26 years and probably the better part of 10 years just sitting in its case, it still plays like a dream after I polished the frets and fretboard a bit. Action is still great.

 

The lower bout cutaway is pointed rather than rounded off, for whatever that is worth. Getting late, but I'll try to post a picture tomorrow.

The label is saying the it is a 140 with a curly maple top in Antique Cherry Sunburst. .. but they were just starting out in 1986 and may have mislabeled or had someone order a different option on this one.

A pic would be interesting... thanks.

( pics are easiest to post if you link to the pic on a site like Photobucket or Picassa or something like that.. )

[DetroitBlues]

A more rounded horn is like the Gibson style too... Love to see some pics. We don't see a lot of the early year models...

[PeteD]

Finally got around to snapping a few bad pics of my baby...again, it was indicated as a curly maple top, but is really a mahogany top. It is an inch and a half thick at the edge, but obviously is a carved top. It may not be the most flamboyant guitar out there, but it still plays great after all of these years with NO setup work done since day 1.

[PeteD]

Heres' another...

[PeteD]

And finally, the serial number which is C18403 if you can't read it from the pic (and sorry if I didn't post these pics the best way....not so good at the whole picture posting thing)...

[PeteD]

Sorry, seeing if this posts better

[H]

You've got a little piece of history in your hands, Pete

[PeteD]

I know. I almost considered selling it a few years back when I just wasn't into playing at all. Glad I didn't! I may not every be worth much in terms of dollars, but it is a nice connection to my youth and watching my son play it makes it all worth it. I may take it in and have it professionally cleaned up one of these days.

[FredZepp]

The Serial number reflects that it was the 3rd instrument made on June 30, 1986.

 

It's strange that the number on the inside label is not the same (the label says H140CM ACB and then below that either an 'e' or a 'c' 24803), but that doesn't really mean anything.

 

It's kind of a neat feature to have the mahogany top, especially to those who have seen the one hanging as you walk in the plant...

[bolero]

wow that is a beauty!!

 

I always wondered how a mahogany top would look with a burst finish instead of maple....I like it!!

 

extra cool points for having the same features as the first gtr Heritage ever made, hanging on the wall at the plant

[blueox]

That's a nice story, being able to pick out a new Heritage from the rack, getting some lessons from Ren, and so on. Looks like you selected a good one back then. As you teach your son, who knows--you may want to order another one. The factory is still here and going strong!

[TalismanRich]

Pete. that looks just like a standard H140CM. I've got a very similar one, picked up used a couple of years ago. Mine has a D serial number, 1987. I'm guessing yours has a stinger on the back as well.

 

 

Welcome to the HOC, Pete.

[PeteD]

Sorry...a 'stinger'? Is that a reference to the black point where the headstock joins the neck? If so, then yes, mine has a stinger. My brother has a 140CM that also has this, so I assumed it is standard.

 

I would love to buy another one someday, but I've been building guitars for a few years now, and I'm more likely to build rather than buy now. Just finishing two acoustics, one for each daughter. Have not done an electric yet, so that is likely to be next. I always wanted a black Explorer as a kid....hmmm. Next time I'm back home I'm going to try to run by the factory again. Maybe when I hit the lottery I can go back and work there as a luthier in training....