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Thinking of Ordering an H-137


bluesgolfer

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Posted

Thinking of ordering a Heritage H-137, 2 P90's.

Anybody played the above configuration in a Korina vs Mahogany? If so, please state your preference, if any, and tonal/performance characteristics of each wood. Thanks in advance.

Also, may order it with neck binding. Any thoughts in that regard? Again, thanks in advance.

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Guest HRB853370
Posted

Brent could help you with that, he has had both (what hasn't Brent had). I have the mahogany and I love it.

Posted

+1 to mahog. mine is such and has 2 p90s and it is a fine, fine axe.

 

i like the notion of binding on a 137, also. good luck with your quest.

Posted

I had a mahogany 137 and it was awesome. Personally, I don't think Korina adds anything other than aesthetics, as it's just another variation of Mahogany. My .02

Posted

Hmm, interesting idea on the binding - to me the 137's magic is in it's simplicity, a raw lean mean tone machine. I'm having a hard time visualizing what it might look like with a bound neck. So I guess my vote leans towards no binding - for whatever my opinion on the matter would be worth, lol.

 

The only two opinions that count are yours and Heritages's - if Heritage doesn't think it will work out or look good, they ain't going to build it!

 

On that note, perhaps one nice personal touch that wouldn't take much away from the traditional simple design would be to go with a MOP "The Heritage" inlay on the headstock?

 

Either way, stop thinking about it and hurry up and get that 137 ordered! The sooner you pull the trigger, the sooner they can start building it for you!

Posted

I'm a huge fan of binding... But the 137 usually doesn't have it. Would be interesting to see. Keeping the dot inlays and rosewood fretboard?

 

Yes, Rosewood and dots. Do the 137's come standard with rolled edges or is that something I would have to request?

Posted

I wonder if korina would be lighter than mahogany, if that's an issue for you. My 137 is made of mahogany and is light enough. with fralin noisless P90s, it screams.

Posted

I wonder if korina would be lighter than mahogany, if that's an issue for you. My 137 is made of mahogany and is light enough. with fralin noisless P90s, it screams.

 

No, not worried about the weight. My concern regarding Korina versus mahogany was purely from a tonal perspective.

Posted

Korina is African Limba, and is in the Mahogany family. It can be heavy, but is considered a fine tonewood, similar to Mahogany.

 

I'd go with Korina for its beauty and since it is less common. Plus in some circles it is considered an upgrade.

 

As for neck binding it would look better with a bound headstock...which looks better with a pearl inlayed Heritage logo...all which pushes up the price.

 

I say go for the gusto if you are having it built. Only you can decide what suits your personal taste. The one constant is that Heritage will build one fine H137, whatever options you come up with.

Posted

 

 

Yes, Rosewood and dots. Do the 137's come standard with rolled edges or is that something I would have to request?

 

Never heard of rolled edges other than maple board strats...

Posted

post-408-0-55174500-1355885468_thumb.jpg

 

 

 

 

Click on this! Korina and P90s.

 

I find it lighter than mahagony. I would advise a MOP "the Heritage" and if ou bind the neck, bind the headstock too.

Posted

I'd go with Korina so JackBaruth would buy it from you when you get tired of it ;)

Posted

In my opinion a 137 with neck and headstock binding, plus trap or block inlays will start to look like a 150 / P-90s minus the maple cap.

 

I'd keep it simple, maybe have the headstock inlay in mop. My own 137 is mahogany in old style burst fitted with Fralin hum free P-90s.

 

gallery_328_8_71836.jpg

Posted

Bound headstock without a bound neck might look like Donald Duck (i.e. shirt with no pants).

 

That's pretty much my sentiment as well after giving it a little more thought. I have decided against binding altogether. Now, I'm pretty much back to whether I should go Korina or Mahogany. Still waiting to hear Brentrocks' or anybody else's opinion and insight in that regard. I like blues and will be getting into jazz a little in the future. Not too much into rock except maybe stuff like Floyd. Not into banging chords loudly.

Posted

mahogany's come to be a sweeping label for a number of unrelated species, none of which is korina (white/black limba). so, hard to say, cuz i don't know what Heritage means when they say "mahogany". here's a useful reference:

 

http://www.wood-database.com/

 

since what's used for mahogany is of different genera than korina, they're not considered related. but since they have similar tonal and workability characteristics and appearance, they're often lumped together. my co-favorite guitar has a mahogany (Indian, i think) body and *big* black limba neck. love it.

 

gist: Les Pauls are where i came from originally and kind of define my base sound. so if i already had a mahogany guitar, i'd go all-korina for a 2nd and order natural finish. this guitar i got is well suited for any style of guitbox musix.

Posted

My concern about getting mahogany is that it may sound too much like my 157 or Gibson Les Paul. But, I have never heard a 137 in Korina or Mahogany, which is why I am trying to pick the brains here of those who have experienced both.

 

Here is what I have read or heard about the pros and cons of both:

 

KORINA

 

Pros: Articulate, cuts through the mix, clarity, snap

Cons: Bright, lacks warmth

 

Mahogany:

 

Pros: Warm, more sustain

Cons: less articulate, especially on the low end, can be too dark especially on the neck pickup

 

 

Any thoughts on the above?

Posted

I don't think that the difference between the two woods will make near the difference that the maple cap on the 157 and LP would make. The 137 will be much more akin to a Jr or an SG in wood construction. Part of the reason for the maple cap was to add brightness to the mahogany.

 

The Korina should be lighter than the mahogany.

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