The American Eagle has landed

[MartyGrass]

I quickly snapped some crappy pix.

 

The guitar is light with a medium-thin neck. The pickup is fuller sounding (more mids) than the Floating #3.

 

It is as good as any archtop I've handled with a rich acoustic tone. The spruce grain is very tight.

 

No complaints. Not even the 4th of July decor. OMG, even the side fret markers are abalone!

 

I'll fill you in on the story that's on the label later.

 

 

Here's the link to the pix.

 

http://s796.photobucket.com/user/mgoetting/library/American%20Eagle?sort=3&page=1

 

 

Here's some samples.

 

[Steiner]

Whoa... Very nice! Congrats.

[FredZepp]

4th of July details ...indeed. And some fine lumber there to elevate the total effect.

 

That is a fun one to have a HNGD with... Congrats.

[Billgelder]

Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[bolero]

Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

what he said.....

[Gitfiddler]

Marty, I could stare at the backside of that AE for hours! What a gorgeous archtop!!

[SouthpawGuy]

Very nice !

[skydog52]

Mother Nature sure gives us beautiful things!

[SouthpawGuy]

 

In this photo ... is that an ebony cap on the heel of the neck ?

[MartyGrass]

Yes, that's an ebony cap. The jumped the shark on the AE.

[Genericmusic]

Very nice! Congratulations.

[SouthpawGuy]

Yes, that's an ebony cap. The jumped the shark on the AE.

 

They certainly did.

[Ned]

Very nice. The spruce and the multi-bound f holes. Amazing

[MartyGrass]

I read the label last night. It is too big to photograph. In fact, the only way to read it is to look at it from different parts of the f hole. It states that JP Moats is the man behind the concept. It lists everyone who worked on the guitar, and there's about 12 folks.

 

 

......................There is an interesting explanation of the guitar that's philosophical and patriotic. The guitar is a symbol of what Heritage can do as a company. The three stars represent the three founders. The patriotic theme is a tip of the hat to free enterprise in America. And the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, and the Challenger illustrate the accomplishments and history of the US..........................Yes, it's a bit sappy. But underneath it all there's a fine instrument........................I think I'll put a comped bridge saddle on it and leave it alone. The only other upgrade could be a Liberty Bell shaped Bigsby with Obama's face engraved.

[bsck1]

What a beauty. The back is hypnotic! I can really sense the passion of all involved in the design and build of this beauty. Congratulations again on the acquisition and thank you for the care you are bestowing on this piece of Heritage history.

 

(Ok, Full disclosure, I am extremely jealous)!

 

Well done MG, well done.

[DetroitBlues]

That guitar does make quite a statement, politically or not. Very nice snag. Congrats.

[Yooper]

 

I could stare at the backside of that AE for hours!

 

That has the most hypnotic and beautiful quilt and grain patterns I've seen. This instrument would require a two-sided display case.

[H]

The only other upgrade could be a Liberty Bell shaped Bigsby with Obama's face engraved.

How about getting a mini Mt Rushmore tailpiece instead?

[Keith7940236]

Beautiful Guitar, congragulations

[MartyGrass]

In broad strokes, this was made in 1994 with a 17" lower bout, 3" depth x-braced tap tuned guitar. The tonewoods are first rate................................

 

Aaron Cowles, who built many of the high end Gibson archtops in the 70s and early 80s along with Jim Hutchins, did the tap tuning.

 

...................

What makes the American Eagle is the ornation. The inlay work is very detailed and was done by Maudie Moore of Gibson fame.

 

http://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/maudie-moore

http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/meet-maudie-moore.aspx

.........................

The neck is medium-thin. The tone is on the bright side with D'Addario Chromes.

 

The pickup is proprietary to Heritage and is not their Floating #3. It's a decent pup, and there is no need to swap it out.

[kidsmoke]

well, as a Heritage fan, I can't imagine a finer piece. And given your affinity for jazz boxes...and residence in Kalamazoo, seems this guitar found its way home.

 

for once, I can't argue with any of the superlatives used to describe the quilt on this guitar. The grain lines remind me of a high quality topographical map...made from Tiger eye or something. Just amazing.

[2bornot2bop]

Marty, I could stare at the backside of that AE for hours! What a gorgeous archtop!!

 

U too huh?

 

She's gorgeous Mark. Mega congrats!!!