Finally played some Heritages, there was good and bad...

[pcovers]

On the subject of fret ends. Some prefer theirs to be dressed this way:

 

 

That looks like the work of Tuttle.

[Kuz]

Let me offer this explanation.....

 

It is possible the guitar left the factory that way.

 

It is also possible that some fretwork was done to the guitars AFTER they left the factory.

 

It is also possible that is the guitar was PLEK'd that the computer trimmed the nubs off. I have had 4 Heritages Plek'd after they left the factory by a local luthier. He told me that the binding may get a little trimmed and not match up perfect to the ends of the frets. I told him I didn't care. I just looked at all the binding & nubs of the guitars that I had Plek'd. I would say 3 or 4 of the frets, especially higher up the neck have the metal showing above the nub. The Plek cut the frets at an angle to where the metal of the frets are just above where the nub ends on only a few frets per guitar.

 

So it could be possible when Heritage was Pleking their own guitars that they weren't careful enough (Heritage used the Plek from '03-'06), or someone else Plek'd the guitar, or some fret leveling was done later...... or Heritage leveled the frets during the final setup and weren't careful enough.

 

To be honest, and PLEASE don't take this the wrong way, but that is the first time I looked to see if my Heritages even had the nubs from the binding. But everyone has their pet peeve and goodness knows I have my share when it comes to guitars.

[koula901]

I wonder if these were factory irregulars. The serial number would indicate that.

[Blunote]

 

 

That looks like the work of Tuttle.

I remembered this picture from an old thread. The picture was originally posted by GuitArtMan and is an example of Mike Tuttle's work.

[DetroitBlues]

 

 

To be honest, and PLEASE don't take this the wrong way, but that is the first time I looked to see if my Heritages even had the nubs from the binding. But everyone has their pet peeve and goodness knows I have my share when it comes to guitars.

 

I did a double take on my 150 last night because up until this thread I never thought about it either.

[Comancheplayer]

I wonder if these were factory irregulars. The serial number would indicate that.

 

From what I understand these guitars do not have neither a 2 meaning factory 2nd or a BGN in the S/n meaning a blemished bargain guitar that is to be sold for a reduced rate. So they are supposed to be a standard production finished guitar.

[TalismanRich]

When I get home, I'll take some shots of the Mille LE and my 157 and post. You can tell me if they look like the ones you played.

 

I'm curious now.

 

As for the fretwork that Bluenote posted, my Melancon has frets that look just like that. Gerard does excellent work. Most of his guitars have stainless steel frets, too, although mine has 6105 wire. Its probably the only thing that I would change if I had the chance. If I ever wear the frets out, thats the way it will go.

[Comancheplayer]

When I get home, I'll take some shots of the Mille LE and my 157 and post. You can tell me if they look like the ones you played.

 

I'm curious now.

 

As for the fretwork that Bluenote posted, my Melancon has frets that look just like that. Gerard does excellent work. Most of his guitars have stainless steel frets, too, although mine has 6105 wire. Its probably the only thing that I would change if I had the chance. If I ever wear the frets out, thats the way it will go.

 

I'd be interested to see yours, if you can take a pic of what you would consider the worst offending nub. Or 2 or 3, I'm guessing they won't be close to the guitars in question.

[TalismanRich]

Unfortunately, it will be Friday night before I get home. I'm on the road this week. Spent yesterday in Spartanburg, tonight I'm sitting in Lynchburg Va overlooking Liberty Univ. and watching the sun go down behind the Blue Ridge Mtns, while playing my ASAT. It was FINE!

[Guest HRB853370]

Unfortunately, it will be Friday night before I get home. I'm on the road this week. Spent yesterday in Spartanburg, tonight I'm sitting in Lynchburg Va overlooking Liberty Univ. and watching the sun go down behind the Blue Ridge Mtns, while playing my ASAT. It was FINE!

 

Spartanburg? What you doing in the upstate man?

[iim7v7im7]

Gentlemen,

 

The terms is nibs not nubs

 

http://www.philtone.com/nibs.html

 

nub said,

 

:-)

[TalismanRich]

My company has a plant and customer there. I had to stop in at the customer's to discuss some testing changes, and do some safety training at the plant. I'm down that way most every month for a day or two. Didn't really have time to try to get together with Rusty this time. I'm hoping maybe July will give me more time.

[Comancheplayer]

Sounds like a nice time Rich.

[totonka]

 

You've got this in your signature line and you're worried about the binding on a NOS Heritage? Just talk the dealer down, tie a chain around it and drag it back home behind your car! Voila! Great playability, great tone through your amp, and you won't even notice the binding anymore. Problem solved.

[the jayce]

I have seen tons of heritages with the eye brow raising "are you kddin me flaws" but that is just how it is with heritage. They are tone monsters with the classic feel and touch, which is there specialty.......Finish on the otherhand well...............................they are what they are. I love them for what they are. But if you want pure perfection with great sound a carvin might be right up your alley but you will be sacrificing a little on the tone you get with heritage. no one guitar is perfect in every way, depends on whats the most important to the player, sound, looks, playability, weight, single , double, hollow, arch, and the list goes on and on! Good luck in your quest, heritage is top notch, just wish there finish work was a little higher on thier list of to-do's.

[Guest HRB853370]

I have a few Heritages and there are absolutely zero finish issues with any of them. The only comment I can make is some of their finishes appear glossier than others. My 2000 ACB H150 has a more matte looking finish than, say, my 2009 VWB 150 which almost looks wet. Perhaps I do not have an eagle eye, but I cannot spot anything that would appear to be a flaw or indication of sloppiness. That said, there is no such thing as zero percent defects, in any industry.

[DetroitBlues]

 

From what I understand these guitars do not have neither a 2 meaning factory 2nd or a BGN in the S/n meaning a blemished bargain guitar that is to be sold for a reduced rate. So they are supposed to be a standard production finished guitar.

 

My 150 is a factory second because there is a groove in the wood under the finish in the back. But the serial number doesn't show it. The big oversized "2" stamped above it shows its a factory 2nd.

[Kuz]

I have seen tons of heritages with the eye brow raising "are you kddin me flaws" but that is just how it is with heritage. They are tone monsters with the classic feel and touch, which is there specialty.......Finish on the otherhand well...............................they are what they are. I love them for what they are. But if you want pure perfection with great sound a carvin might be right up your alley but you will be sacrificing a little on the tone you get with heritage. no one guitar is perfect in every way, depends on whats the most important to the player, sound, looks, playability, weight, single , double, hollow, arch, and the list goes on and on! Good luck in your quest, heritage is top notch, just wish there finish work was a little higher on thier list of to-do's.

 

I am trying to not be judgmental on this whole thread, but this post is stereotyping at it's best. 9 out 10 of my Heritages are perfect in fit in finish and the other one has a tiny tiny tiny blemish (it also happens to be my oldest Heritage and was at the dealer's the longest).

 

SO my question are:

 

1. What dealership have you seen TONS of Heritages, because I would like to shop there. Wolfe has the most, and everywhere else they just have 3-5 Heritages?

 

Since Vince became an owner back in mid-late '07, the quality control has gotten A LOT BETTER (not perfect, the occasional blemish will get through, but MUCH better than years past).

2. What years were the TONS of Heritages you say that had flawed finishes?

 

I really think this thread is quite silly and very undefined because I really am not exactly sure what the OP is talking about and we don't have any pics to see what the issue really is. But to stereotype that Heritage doesn't care about their finish and TONS of them are made that way is just a very big exaggeration.

[tulk1]

Wow, wish more guitars were dressed like that!

 

 

That looks like the work of Tuttle.

And I'd be willing to bet that is GuitarArtMan's picture. Which, of course, would make it Michael's work. Beautiful, isn't it?

[Comancheplayer]

 

You've got this in your signature line and you're worried about the binding on a NOS Heritage? Just talk the dealer down, tie a chain around it and drag it back home behind your car! Voila! Great playability, great tone through your amp, and you won't even notice the binding anymore. Problem solved.

 

Yea this is a guitar I built out of used parts so I would have something to drag around to friends houses and not have to worry about pets, or kids screwing up one of my nicer instruments. Some have a beater car for bad weather, I have a beater guitar.

[Comancheplayer]

 

I am trying to not be judgmental on this whole thread, but this post is stereotyping at it's best. 9 out 10 of my Heritages are perfect in fit in finish and the other one has a tiny tiny tiny blemish (it also happens to be my oldest Heritage and was at the dealer's the longest).

 

SO my question are:

 

1. What dealership have you seen TONS of Heritages, because I would like to shop there. Wolfe has the most, and everywhere else they just have 3-5 Heritages?

 

Since Vince became an owner back in mid-late '07, the quality control has gotten A LOT BETTER (not perfect, the occasional blemish will get through, but MUCH better than years past).

2. What years were the TONS of Heritages you say that had flawed finishes?

 

I really think this thread is quite silly and very undefined because I really am not exactly sure what the OP is talking about and we don't have any pics to see what the issue really is. But to stereotype that Heritage doesn't care about their finish and TONS of them are made that way is just a very big exaggeration.

 

I hear what your saying, I really wish I would have taken pics, even sitting there with both guitars I was contemplating it, but like I said, I didn't want it to turn into a whole scene with the shop owner. If I get back down there I may do just that as he seems pretty cool now that I have talked to him about the issue. There is a Heritage rep I've been in contact with that wants to address it with both guitars, but after talking to the shop owner, he'll only get them fixed if they're sold.

[Kuz]

 

I hear what your saying, I really wish I would have taken pics, even sitting there with both guitars I was contemplating it, but like I said, I didn't want it to turn into a whole scene with the shop owner. If I get back down there I may do just that as he seems pretty cool now that I have talked to him about the issue. There is a Heritage rep I've been in contact with that wants to address it with both guitars, but after talking to the shop owner, he'll only get them fixed if they're sold.

 

I am not calling you out by any means, I am just trying to get a visual about exactly what the issues is.

 

I got all of my Heritages out today, and honestly the nibs, binding, frets, ect are all perfect.

 

I just think it is strange that for such a rare finish issue, the same story had two guitars with the issue. Just seems like more than a coincidence..... maybe some extra work was done to the frets that someone (either at Heritage or by this dealer) is not fessing up to?????!!!!! I am stumped.

[schundog]

 

I hear what your saying, I really wish I would have taken pics, even sitting there with both guitars I was contemplating it, but like I said, I didn't want it to turn into a whole scene with the shop owner. If I get back down there I may do just that as he seems pretty cool now that I have talked to him about the issue. There is a Heritage rep I've been in contact with that wants to address it with both guitars, but after talking to the shop owner, he'll only get them fixed if they're sold.

 

CommanchePlayer, I don't doubt you saw what you saw, and that's a shame. You were right to not just take it for what it is, and settle for it. I also echo most comments here that this issue is more the exception, rather than the rule. Don't let this experience scare you off from one of the best models (OK, "THE" best, haha) out there.

 

If the Heritage rep you are referring to is who I THINK he is, well, let's just say he's a very strong personality that is very passionate about Heritage guitars, knows them in and out, and WILL see that the defects are rectified. FUGGETABOUTIT!

[DetroitBlues]

 

And I'd be willing to bet that is GuitarArtMan's picture. Which, of course, would make it Michael's work. Beautiful, isn't it?

 

It certainly is!

[the jayce]

 

I am trying to not be judgmental on this whole thread, but this post is stereotyping at it's best. 9 out 10 of my Heritages are perfect in fit in finish and the other one has a tiny tiny tiny blemish (it also happens to be my oldest Heritage and was at the dealer's the longest).

 

SO my question are:

 

1. What dealership have you seen TONS of Heritages, because I would like to shop there. Wolfe has the most, and everywhere else they just have 3-5 Heritages?

 

Since Vince became an owner back in mid-late '07, the quality control has gotten A LOT BETTER (not perfect, the occasional blemish will get through, but MUCH better than years past).

2. What years were the TONS of Heritages you say that had flawed finishes?

 

I really think this thread is quite silly and very undefined because I really am not exactly sure what the OP is talking about and we don't have any pics to see what the issue really is. But to stereotype that Heritage doesn't care about their finish and TONS of them are made that way is just a very big exaggeration.

Been around heritages since they started making them and know lots of folks that have bought and sold lots of them and currently own lots of them, I'm lucky, heritage is very local where i live. I have seen hundreds through out the years and a plenty of finish flaws, but none to serious, just imperfections that should really not be, but i just chalk it up to thier not trying to get 6000 a pop for thier guitars either. To me heritage is everything a guitar should be, and i personally dont care if theres little flaws but alot of folks do.

Kinda like a jeep wrangler club, you love them even though they are natorious for riding like a lumber wagon, i mean what can you say? they ride like a caddy, of course not. But they do what they do the best.

Heritage is the same situation just a different product, and issue. Doesnt subtract at all from what a fine guitar they are. Heck even the last 2 heritages i had personally had some finish work imperfections (off centered truss rod cover, rough filed binding, sealed colored laquer overspray on the binding permenantly sealed with the glossy coat. I'v seen tons of stuff like this on thier guitars and it doesnt bother me in the least, they play and sound awsome to me, and if i want 100% perfection in a finish job id go get a machined guitar like a carvin or prs.