unikh550 Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 After visiting the factory, and looking at those splendid pics of the new Coffee table Book, I'm a little worried that so many principals and workers are on the north side of 60. Love the experience and all, but I read that they sold their Plek machine. Also, how old is the tooling that Gibson left behind, and has some of it been replaced? Read recently that they make about 1,000 guitars annually. Considering that they've been in business since '85, I wonder if production has dropped a little? Want to keep the hope alive. Yesterday, at a club, as I came off of the stage, a guy in the front row asked how long I had my Heritage. It was nice to know that the word has spread a little.- Charley Bevell
High Flying Bird Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 You just have to take it for what it is and enjoy it now. We are living in a golden time for these guitars. It won't last forever but nothing does.
y2kc Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 After visiting the factory, and looking at those splendid pics of the new Coffee table Book, I'm a little worried that so many principals and workers are on the north side of 60. Love the experience and all, but I read that they sold their Plek machine. Also, how old is the tooling that Gibson left behind, and has some of it been replaced? Read recently that they make about 1,000 guitars annually. Considering that they've been in business since '85, I wonder if production has dropped a little? Want to keep the hope alive. Yesterday, at a club, as I came off of the stage, a guy in the front row asked how long I had my Heritage. It was nice to know that the word has spread a little.- Charley Bevell Charley 60 is the new 40 and after meeting with those guy's last week, I firmly feel they could easily kick my ass if they wanted to. Ren told my wife and myself that the only computer they owned at the plant was the iPhone in his pocket. He then presented me with a guitar that was on par with the best in the world. As a woodworker by trade for over 30 years, I can tell when a craftsman is still motivated by his work. That is not an issue at 225 Parsons Street. It is good to hear that your Heritage was recognized. The guitar savvy public knows what Heritage is and understands what sets them apart from other brands. y2kc
skydog52 Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 Production has dropped some but not by design. They can handle the orders. Every business has taken a hit recently as we all know. These guys have serious mettle when you realize Marv, Jim, Bill & Ren have been coming to the same place to work for over 50years! Supermen. They have some great people in place creating these great instruments with them. I'm not worried.
DetroitBlues Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 There will be a day where they have to hand the reins off to the next generation. Could be soon, could be later. Either way, enjoy it while it lasts. I hope that in the next couple of years, I may order my first custom order and pick it up from those guys. I would love my son to meet the guys that helped shape the music world with their craftsmanship...
yoslate Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 I'm a little worried that so many principals and workers are on the north side of 60. Love the experience and all, but I read that they sold their Plek machine. Kind of like worrying that a 000-18, Tele, or Paul is on "the north side of 60." That wasn't a Plek machine, it was a coat rack that was sold....
t0aj15 Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 Keep in mind also that these folks (the principle owners) didn't even begin learning their craft at Gibson until Gibson was already in it's 6th decade in Kalamazoo. Let's just hope whoever they hand the company down to loves the craft as much as they do and that it doesn't end up in the hands of F^$%*r or G^$&%n.
big bob Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 When it's their time the next generation at Heritage is going to kick some ass. Just like they have been for the last 25 years. Kate, Chris, curly, Ernie, Patrick, all those youngsters (cough,cough) are more than ready!
DetroitBlues Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 Keep in mind also that these folks (the principle owners) didn't even begin learning their craft at Gibson until Gibson was already in it's 6th decade in Kalamazoo. Let's just hope whoever they hand the company down to loves the craft as much as they do and that it doesn't end up in the hands of F^$%*r or G^$&%n. AMEN!
kidsmoke Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 That wasn't a Plek machine, it was a coat rack that was sold.... well said.
Guest HRB853370 Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 I wish your thread was titled differently, but I see what you are asking. One partner retired a few years ago, JP Moats. As was echoed above, these guys are committed to their craft and I highly doubt they would just close shop when they eventually retire. The folks that work there are highly trained craftsmen and I believe the torch will continue to burn.
MartyGrass Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 Get whatever custom work you want right now. Age isn't the only factor. Nuff said.
kidsmoke Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 i don't know how the organization is currently structured, but as I understand it, they are no longer the owners, Vince is. And he's got a crew of skilled people there, supporting their families, most of whom have decades ahead of them prior to retirement. One thing that club has shown them is that a fire burns for what they do. PSP has grown exponentially year after year. I think the viability of Heritage remaining will rely on Vince's ability to navigate a super competitive market, moreso than Marv Ren and Jim's ability to remain in the shop. Don't get me wrong. There presence their is incalculable, and I would venture to say that a Heritage built post 2000 pre 2025 (speculating here) will one day be considered among the finest wooden electrics a player could hope to own. Any "shop" has to consider succession planning of it's craftsman. This is literally an age old issue. Can't stop time.
Gitfiddler Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 Ever since Vince Margol took over the reigns at Heritage I worried less about the long term viability of the company. Sure they've lost a couple of folks over the years and brought in a couple of newbies, but those that remain seem to still love what they do. I'm a firm believer that if you do what you love for a living, you get paid twice! Maybe that's what keeps those amazing men coming back through the doors of 225 Parsons Street every day. (4 days a week, so I've been told). Finally, like many of you, I wish that I could have one or more custom made instruments put together by these aging masters.
MartyGrass Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 Vince is not the sole owner. It is more complicated than that.
JeffB Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 Kinda bit more worried about my own mortality and legacy. More so about the mortality aspect than the legacy thing.
2bornot2bop Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 Worried? No. I live in the present moment. I know the mind wants to go into the past or future to avoid the present. Don't participate.
MartyGrass Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 Worried? No. I live in the present moment. I know the mind wants to go into the past or future to avoid the present. Don't participate. The buddha has spoken.
skydog52 Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 Vince is not the sole owner. It is more complicated than that. A lot more complicated!
big bob Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 My bad in my earlier post The name Ernie was an auto correct mistake, it should have read "Arnie"
bolero Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 !!! Big Bob let the cat out of the bag....the silent partners:
Guest HRB853370 Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 Don't fugget about Patrick-I think he is a shareholder too..
MartyGrass Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 There are no shares. There are only owners.
smaj Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 I don't lose sleep over it, I think Heritage is in fine hands. I am having Marv make me one more 357 as he is the only one doing it. He won't make them forever after all.
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