Concerning Heritage archtops

[Guest HRB853370]

I am reading a book on the ES-175, by Adrian Ingram. Here is what he has to say about the Heritage company and their archtops:

 

"It is hardly surprising that the H575 has the sound and feel of a good ES-175, for the Heritage guitar company started out as a cooperative of ex-Gibson employees.

 

By 1985, Heritage had started to produce Gibson equivalents. These guitars were, in many respects, improved Gibson's, for Heritage knew that the quality of materials and attention to finishing had been compromised under Norlin's control. Consequently, everyone at Heritage was anxious to prove that the quality and workmanship, for which Gibson was renowned, could still be obtained, albeit under a new brand name.

 

Whilst the H575 is a much plainer guitar than the ES-175, it is made from solid, rather than laminated woods and is, as a result, tonally superior. This use of solid timbers enabled Heritage to reduce the body depth by almost an inch without sacrificing tone. This reduction in depth also makes the H575 a more comfortable instrument to play.

 

If the 575 evolved from Gibson's 175, Heritage's Sweet 16 might be considered a direct decendant of the L4C. Ostensibly an "up-market" 575, the Sweet 16 has a degree of ornamentation similar to that found on Gibson's premier instruments such as the Johnny Smith and Super 400. Like Gibson's L4C, the Sweet 16 was conceived as a totally acoustic instrument, although it comes with a detachable pickguard mounted pickup.

 

Unfortunately, because Gibson has a long established name, whilst Heritage remains a relative newcomer, there appears to be an irrational consumer resistance to their product. Time could prove, however, that this says more about the prejudice of consumers than it does about the quality of Heritage Guitars."

[Spectrum13]

Will,

 

Are you sure that book is about the 175?

 

Sounds like Adrian just posted something on the HOC.

[tsp17]

Will,

 

Are you sure that book is about the 175?

 

Sounds like Adrian just posted something on the HOC.

LOL

[Steiner]

Hurrumph!

[yoslate]

So...! Kuz's pen name is "Adrian Ingram." Very interesting revelation!

[jazzrat]

A couple fuzzy points for sure. "Tonally superior"? I completely love my 575 but a 175 can sound great, just different.

[DetroitBlues]

Great quote.... Sort of wish there was more awareness of such statements...

[Guest HRB853370]

Will,

 

Are you sure that book is about the 175?

 

Sounds like Adrian just posted something on the HOC.

 

The book is entitled, "The Gibson 175, it's history and it's players"

 

That was one small excerpt from the book that I posted as the book covers 175 copies, both foreign and domestic, as well as equivalents and similar models from other manufacturerers.

[Spectrum13]

 

The book is entitled, "The Gibson 175, it's history and it's players"

 

That was one small excerpt from the book that I posted as the book covers 175 copies, both foreign and domestic, as well as equivalents and similar models from other manufacturerers.

 

Nope. I has been decided by noted members of this forum you are reading a blog from Kuz.