John E Lawrence

[tbonesullivan]

So, while at PSP I noticed two NICE H-555's in the buffing room, both of which were marked "artist deal" with John E. Lawrence.

 

They had ultra tops, SD 59 pickups with coil taps, "finger" tail pieces, gold hardware, and custom "J E L" inlays on the 17th frets.

 

So, I finally remembered today, and went to find out who John E. Lawrence is.

 

http://johnelawrence.org/about.asp

 

Looks like he's a local michigan player. Most of the recent pictures I could find of him have him holding a heritage guitar.

 

http://www.melbay.com/authors.asp?author=137

[skydog52]

I took a class at WCC he taught. One great person.

He plays guitar as well as he lives life.

 

[Fernando]

We are on a break, but he's still my teacher.

[heritagefan7]

What a great sounding guy. Awesome that he plays H!

[DetroitBlues]

I saw those guitars, but didn't think anything of it.... Which brings to mind something I saw at the factory... There was a letter from Roy Clarke about loving his Heritages... I've been told that Heritage Artists are not given their guitars, they must buy them, that's why some artists have been turned down... Yet, Roy mentions he was "given" his signature models.... So does Heritage in fact give them to their artists or do they not?

[Guest HRB853370]

I saw those guitars, but didn't think anything of it.... Which brings to mind something I saw at the factory... There was a letter from Roy Clarke about loving his Heritages... I've been told that Heritage Artists are not given their guitars, they must buy them, that's why some artists have been turned down... Yet, Roy mentions he was "given" his signature models.... So does Heritage in fact give them to their artists or do they not?

 

Where did you see this letter DB? Ren's or Marv's office? Or was it tacked on the wall? Just curious. I would think Heritage might make exceptions for certain artists. It's their call.

[DavesNotHere]

 

Where did you see this letter DB? Ren's or Marv's office? Or was it tacked on the wall? Just curious. I would think Heritage might make exceptions for certain artists. It's their call.

Someone got a picture of it. I can't remember who it was, I've looked at so many pictures in the last 24 hours.

[yoslate]

Someone got a picture of it. I can't remember who it was, I've looked at so many pictures in the last 24 hours.

 

Pretty sure it was one of Brian's (schundog) pix. Regarding Roy Clark's "deal" with Heritage, I think Roy has a special relationship with the shop, beyond just "endorsement." I know Roy and Ren are very tight.

[Gitfiddler]

...also Roy Clarke was one of the first Heritage endorsees. His black and white photos are in their original catalogues.

 

John E. Lawrence is a true heavyweight guitarist!! Those of you who are or have taken lessons from him are very fortunate.

[Tim]

He just played free here in Canton last Friday. Of course I missed it. Saw him last year though. Great jazzy guitar player. He teaches at Wayne County Community College.

[Guest HRB853370]

...also Roy Clarke was one of the first Heritage endorsees. His black and white photos are in their original catalogues.

 

John E. Lawrence is a true heavyweight guitarist!! Those of you who are or have taken lessons from him are very fortunate.

 

How do YOU know of him Gitfiddler? He seems to be a local Michigan guy. Not that it makes him any less of a monster player!

[Guest HRB853370]

He just played free here in Canton last Friday. Of course I missed it. Saw him last year though. Great jazzy guitar player. He teaches at Wayne County Community College.

 

Correction Tim, he teaches at Washtenaw Community College in Ypsilanti, Mi.

 

http://johnelawrence.org/about.asp

[Guest HRB853370]

We are on a break, but he's still my teacher.

 

Fernando, clear your mailbox, I just tried to PM you and could not get through!!

 

Anyhow, it was great seeing you last week. I wish we could have spent more time together. I just talked with your teacher, John E Lawrence. He said you are The Great Fernando! Real nice guy!! I encouraged him to join the forum, which he did not know about, and he said he would love to come out next year to perform at PSPVI !

 

He has three 555's on order right now at Heritage. A blue one, a silverburst, and a wineburst. I told him that we saw two of his guitars in the buffing area.

[Kuz]

I saw those guitars, but didn't think anything of it.... Which brings to mind something I saw at the factory... There was a letter from Roy Clarke about loving his Heritages... I've been told that Heritage Artists are not given their guitars, they must buy them, that's why some artists have been turned down... Yet, Roy mentions he was "given" his signature models.... So does Heritage in fact give them to their artists or do they not?

 

Ren, told me long ago this story..... Heritage approached Roy Clark early when they first formed the company and asked him if he would endorse Heritage guitars. He said "Absolutely, yes.". Ren said he has never asked for a penny so I am sure they have given him a guitar or two.

 

Heritage artists that have "signature guitars" are paid a percent of the sales of their signature guitars (ie Kenny Burrell, Alex Skolnick, ect). But all other Heritage artist pay cost for their guitars.

 

Heritage is too small a company to afford to have too many "signature guitar" artists. They are also very picky about their endorsing artists because they can't give just any artist a guitar at cost. Vince told me that they get about 100 letters a year from players who want to become endorsing artists, but Heritage can't afford it.

[Gitfiddler]

 

How do YOU know of him Gitfiddler? He seems to be a local Michigan guy. Not that it makes him any less of a monster player!

 

I know of him through his work with the long list of artists he's worked with and his amazing chops on YouTube. Never had the pleasure of seeing him live however.

 

Check out his take on Motown hits...

 

[Guest HRB853370]

 

I know of him through his work with the long list of artists he's worked with and his amazing chops on YouTube. Never had the pleasure of seeing him live however.

 

Check out his take on Motown hits...

 

 

He told me over the phone about that release. Very very good! I know he is excited to join us at PSP next year!! He loves 555's!

[DetroitBlues]

 

Ren, told me long ago this story..... Heritage approached Roy Clark early when they first formed the company and asked him if he would endorse Heritage guitars. He said "Absolutely, yes.". Ren said he has never asked for a penny so I am sure they have given him a guitar or two.

 

Heritage artists that have "signature guitars" are paid a percent of the sales of their signature guitars (ie Kenny Burrell, Alex Skolnick, ect). But all other Heritage artist pay cost for their guitars.

 

Heritage is too small a company to afford to have too many "signature guitar" artists. They are also very picky about their endorsing artists because they can't give just any artist a guitar at cost. Vince told me that they get about 100 letters a year from players who want to become endorsing artists, but Heritage can't afford it.

 

I've wondered about that. Perhaps that is why Gary Moore's was a limited edition.

[Kuz]

 

I've wondered about that. Perhaps that is why Gary Moore's was a limited edition.

 

Probably had more to do with Gary being a very difficult person to deal with and he probably wanted more cabbage than Heritage could afford to shell out.

[Fernando]

 

Fernando, clear your mailbox, I just tried to PM you and could not get through!!

 

Anyhow, it was great seeing you last week. I wish we could have spent more time together. I just talked with your teacher, John E Lawrence. He said you are The Great Fernando! Real nice guy!! I encouraged him to join the forum, which he did not know about, and he said he would love to come out next year to perform at PSPVI !

 

He has three 555's on order right now at Heritage. A blue one, a silverburst, and a wineburst. I told him that we saw two of his guitars in the buffing area.

 

Hey Will, I cleaned the mailbox, it should be fine. I wish we spent more time hanging out at PSP this year, but hey, the next one is just around the corner! Now, I did tell John E. about the HOC. He must have forgotten about it, but it would be awesome if he showed up next year. I can't praise him enough, both as a teacher and as a friend.

[skydog52]

 

Hey Will, I cleaned the mailbox, it should be fine. I wish we spent more time hanging out at PSP this year, but hey, the next one is just around the corner! Now, I did tell John E. about the HOC. He must have forgotten about it, but it would be awesome if he showed up next year. I can't praise him enough, both as a teacher and as a friend.

 

 

I know he had a gig on Friday night down in Canton, MI.

[Tim]

 

Correction Tim, he teaches at Washtenaw Community College in Ypsilanti, Mi.

 

http://johnelawrence.org/about.asp

Duly noted! Thanks!

[DetroitBlues]

 

Probably had more to do with Gary being a very difficult person to deal with and he probably wanted more cabbage than Heritage could afford to shell out.

 

That doesn't surprise me.

[Guest HRB853370]

 

Hey Will, I cleaned the mailbox, it should be fine. I wish we spent more time hanging out at PSP this year, but hey, the next one is just around the corner! Now, I did tell John E. about the HOC. He must have forgotten about it, but it would be awesome if he showed up next year. I can't praise him enough, both as a teacher and as a friend.

 

Thanks Fernando. I think I was suffering from exhaustion too from having drove solo all that way nonstop!

[DetroitBlues]

 

Thanks Fernando. I think I was suffering from exhaustion too from having drove solo all that way nonstop!

 

Next time fly up here, I'll take you to PSP.