SofaPlayer Posted February 28, 2013 Posted February 28, 2013 Ghee, that Heritage virus is as contagious as it is powerful! I've stumbled across an offer for a used Golden Eagle that I couldn't refuse. I always dreamt of owning an L5 and what a sweet redemption this is. However I have two questions that I am sure you can help me with. 1. It came in a case that's way too big. Is that normal or is that a case for a Super Eagle? http://www.mbuc.de/HGE.avi 2. It seems the bridge base could use a bit of sanding. I hate to say it but this seems to be sloppy work from Heritage. Would it improve the tone if that is done properly so that the base really fits the top of the guitar? Thanks in advance for your comments.
MartyGrass Posted February 28, 2013 Posted February 28, 2013 You should expect to need to fit the bridge base, smooth the saddle notches, recut the nut, level the frets, adjust the pickups and truss rod, and restring. Not all Heritage archtops need this much attention, but most need some.
58super Posted February 28, 2013 Posted February 28, 2013 Nice guitar! Before you start sanding try turning the bridge base so the treble side is now the bass side. I learned from experience how big a difference this can make in fit.
SofaPlayer Posted February 28, 2013 Author Posted February 28, 2013 Thanks all! You should expect to need to fit the bridge base, smooth the saddle notches, recut the nut, level the frets, adjust the pickups and truss rod, and restring. Not all Heritage archtops need this much attention, but most need some. Holy cow! Thanks for clearing that up. Nice guitar! Before you start sanding try turning the bridge base so the treble side is now the bass side. I learned from experience how big a difference this can make in fit. Thanks, I'll give it a try. Any comments about the case?
MartyGrass Posted February 28, 2013 Posted February 28, 2013 The appropriate case fits snugly. A Super Eagle case should have a padded handle and would be loose. Nonetheless, it should do the job. Just put some rags in it. Do not use any plastics for padding because of potential harm to the finish. I've had two Heritage thinlines that came in full sized cases from the company. TKL just added some padding. I agree that it's a good idea to rotate the bridge to see if it fits better. But most archtops don't have a flush fitted base though. It takes too much time (15-20 mins as an estimate). And there is doubt whether it affects tone much anyway.
MartyGrass Posted February 28, 2013 Posted February 28, 2013 That's a sharp GE. The TRC is very nice. The bridge, tuners and tailpiece are not typical, but anything goes with Heritage.
SofaPlayer Posted February 28, 2013 Author Posted February 28, 2013 Thanks MartyGrass, your comments have been very helpful!
2bornot2bop Posted February 28, 2013 Posted February 28, 2013 Clearly a fabulous custom Eagle. I don't know if it would classify as a GE with its appointment's but a hot archtop just the same. Congrat's on your acquisition. Some say they're as good or better than L5's....just sayin
houndhome Posted February 28, 2013 Posted February 28, 2013 Case on my Super Eagle(1998) is a very snug fit,and having Heritage on the outside top I assume is original.
Steiner Posted February 28, 2013 Posted February 28, 2013 That's a big girl. I bet she sounds sweet! Congrats.
2bornot2bop Posted February 28, 2013 Posted February 28, 2013 Case on my Super Eagle(1998) is a very snug fit,and having Heritage on the outside top I assume is original. Yes, they're nicely snug fits!
hinesarchtop Posted March 1, 2013 Posted March 1, 2013 My favorite finish. OSB or old style burst. The Golden eagle I used to own was this color and is currently for sale at archtop..com MartyGrass is correct.they all need some tweeking. Ebony is sensitive to climate changes too. I don't believe your bridge left the factory like that. Someone relieved the bridge in the center. I've seen this on other Eagles that had devoloped a flat spot in the arching under the bridge at the center seem. Beautiful guitar. Congrats.
Keith7940236 Posted March 1, 2013 Posted March 1, 2013 I really like the nickle hardware, very nice contrast. That is a real beauty that you have there, I hope that you enjoy it.
bolero Posted March 1, 2013 Posted March 1, 2013 a real work of art.....love the big hollowbodies congratulations! that's a nice H155 too
2bornot2bop Posted March 1, 2013 Posted March 1, 2013 My favorite finish. OSB or old style burst. The Golden eagle I used to own was this color and is currently for sale at archtop..com MartyGrass is correct.they all need some tweeking. Ebony is sensitive to climate changes too. I don't believe your bridge left the factory like that. Someone relieved the bridge in the center. I've seen this on other Eagles that had devoloped a flat spot in the arching under the bridge at the center seem. Beautiful guitar. Congrats. So that hot GE with the handwound KA pup is yours? I spoke to Joe about it a few weeks back...no budging...and since I'm local I get hit with state tax so it's a no go. ha, it would be cheaper to have someone buy it and ship it to me! beautiful GE. why'd U sell it?
SofaPlayer Posted March 1, 2013 Author Posted March 1, 2013 Thanks for all your comments. I enjoy this guitar tremendously, it clearly is the queen of my stable. And I will enjoy her even more after the tweeking. I'll show her to a friend who is a luthier soon, let's see what he thinks needs to be done.
SofaPlayer Posted March 1, 2013 Author Posted March 1, 2013 By the way, turning around the bridge may not be possible. This bridge seems to slightly lean backwards and may not be compatible the other way round. I'll see.
hinesarchtop Posted March 1, 2013 Posted March 1, 2013 So that hot GE with the handwound KA pup is yours? I spoke to Joe about it a few weeks back...no budging...and since I'm local I get hit with state tax so it's a no go. ha, it would be cheaper to have someone buy it and ship it to me! beautiful GE. why'd U sell it? I custom ordered that guitar new and kept it for about 11 years. I sold it to a local player who had it for about another 5 years. It then got traded to a guy who lived at the coast. This is who consigned it with Joe. I was reading the Baywatch forum one day and read that one of the members here saw an OSB Golden Eagle with a Kent Armstrong pickup, and a blem on the back for sale in Astoria at a repair shop. I knew it had to be my old guitar, so I did some research and actually found the shop that had it. It was no longer there. He had the current owner call me and we played phone tag and then I saw it at Joe's site. That is a fantastic instrument with a sweet neck. I put some significant wear on the frets as I played it every day. I think I dressed them twice myself. It had a few bumps and scratches but was a great guitar. If you need an out of state buyer to help let me know. If he takes it off consignment I could probably help you get it for less.
2bornot2bop Posted March 1, 2013 Posted March 1, 2013 I custom ordered that guitar new and kept it for about 11 years. I sold it to a local player who had it for about another 5 years. It then got traded to a guy who lived at the coast. This is who consigned it with Joe. I was reading the Baywatch forum one day and read that one of the members here saw an OSB Golden Eagle with a Kent Armstrong pickup, and a blem on the back for sale in Astoria at a repair shop. I knew it had to be my old guitar, so I did some research and actually found the shop that had it. It was no longer there. He had the current owner call me and we played phone tag and then I saw it at Joe's site. That is a fantastic instrument with a sweet neck. I put some significant wear on the frets as I played it every day. I think I dressed them twice myself. It had a few bumps and scratches but was a great guitar. If you need an out of state buyer to help let me know. If he takes it off consignment I could probably help you get it for less. priceless info on that OSB GE, thx! tried to PM you but said your box was full. if the seller reads this and knows someone is interested in his guitar that would be nice.
rockabilly69 Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 You should expect to need to fit the bridge base, smooth the saddle notches, recut the nut, level the frets, adjust the pickups and truss rod, and restring. Not all Heritage archtops need this much attention, but most need some.Although I love both of my H150's, they both needed serious tweaking of trussrod, nut, frets, and bridge, to get them where they played the way I wanted.
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