SofaPlayer Posted August 24, 2014 Posted August 24, 2014 The Banshee looks great but currently Kauer is not taking orders for it. Looks like this model guitar is not easily available from small builders.
SofaPlayer Posted August 24, 2014 Posted August 24, 2014 Yep.. And Marv builds what he wants, you can request options, but Marv builds what he wants. Haha, that's too cool, really! Marv is the man!
Billgelder Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 A hand built Kauer Banshee, which I feel is the best current boutique Firebird/357 type guitar on the market (you can order it with pretty much any hardware or electronics), is about $3000. For his stock birds', Kauer uses Klein pickups, Steinberger tuners, and Spanish Cedar which comes in at some good weights that balance perfectly, and has some serious tricks in his bag for balancing them. He also offers real ABR's with lightweight stoptails, vibrola setups, and wraptail bridges. On my Gibson I had to change out all the hardware and electronics to get it there, and I would do the same with a 357 because Marv won't use what I would want (just ask Bill Gelder). So in my IMNSHO that price isn't really that great of a deal. I am not sure what Marv will or will not do, It looks like he is willing to do less customizing with every request he gets. I was able to get him to do about 70% of what I asked for, and I had to ask him very nicely to get that much. But if you asked anyone who has one of his H-357 if they would sell it the answer would be NO. Probably HELL NO. Here are some excellent example of what he CAN do.
Thundersteel Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 I am not sure what Marv will or will not do, It looks like he is willing to do less customizing with every request he gets. I was able to get him to do about 70% of what I asked for, and I had to ask him very nicely to get that much. I'd think they'd be willing to build whatever the customer wants, providing they're willing to pay for it. If I'm spending that kind of $$$ for a guitar, and the builder refuses the options I want, then I'm going elsewhere.
High Flying Bird Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 I love my Heritage Firebird but I usually play my 535. The 535 is a better guitar. I knew that when I ordered the Bird.
rockabilly69 Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 I am not sure what Marv will or will not do, It looks like he is willing to do less customizing with every request he gets. I was able to get him to do about 70% of what I asked for, and I had to ask him very nicely to get that much. But if you asked anyone who has one of his H-357 if they would sell it the answer would be NO. Probably HELL NO. Here are some excellent example of what he CAN do. Great picture!!!
rockabilly69 Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 The Banshee looks great but currently Kauer is not taking orders for it. Looks like this model guitar is not easily available from small builders. He makes them in batches, and I think he going to slightly modify the headstock shape so I think that's why he isn't building them right now. I wonder if Gibson sent him a letter?
HANGAR18 Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 I love my Heritage Firebird but I usually play my 535. The 535 is a better guitar. I knew that when I ordered the Bird. I've seen that photo many times any it is drool-worthy every time. He makes them in batches, and I think he going to slightly modify the headstock shape so I think that's why he isn't building them right now. I wonder if Gibson sent him a letter? In my imagination I see Marv replying to Gibson by sending them two letters, like the letter "F" and the letter "U". But I seriously doubt that would happen because I assume he is drawing a pension from Gibson and besides, that would require buying a vowel and vowels are expensive. hahaha
Kuz Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 A hand built Kauer Banshee, which I feel is the best current boutique Firebird/357 type guitar on the market (you can order it with pretty much any hardware or electronics), is about $3000. For his stock birds', Kauer uses Klein pickups, Steinberger tuners, and Spanish Cedar which comes in at some good weights that balance perfectly, and has some serious tricks in his bag for balancing them. He also offers real ABR's with lightweight stoptails, vibrola setups, and wraptail bridges. On my Gibson I had to change out all the hardware and electronics to get it there, and I would do the same with a 357 because Marv won't use what I would want (just ask Bill Gelder). So in my IMNSHO that price isn't really that great of a deal. The only hardware or electronics that Heritage won't use, to my knowledge, is an ABR bridge. This may be a deal breaker for some, others no big deal. Interestingly, I was watching a 2011 video of the Larry Carlton Trio. Larry was using a nashville bridge on his 335. When I google the specs for his 335, the LC Mr. 335 guitar comes with a nashville bridge as standard hardware requested by Larry himself. So I guess their are some who prefer the nashville bridge.
tulk1 Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 Birdman, you do know how to compose AND take a shot. Just wow!! That is album cover worthy right there.
rstein Posted August 25, 2014 Author Posted August 25, 2014 I didn't realize that this was a hot button topic. I just received my first Heritage about a month ago loved it so much I am working out the details of my next build and I am trying to keep my options open. The 357 is something that caught my eye. I want a 25.5 inch scale neck too.
SofaPlayer Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 25,5" scale on a 357- that's probably asking for trouble. But I love the idea!
SofaPlayer Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 I'd think they'd be willing to build whatever the customer wants, providing they're willing to pay for it. If I'm spending that kind of $$$ for a guitar, and the builder refuses the options I want, then I'm going elsewhere. I guess they see themselves as artists, not assemblers. And I dig that attitude, in fact I fully agree. Carvin assembles guitars to customer specs, a Heritage is something different.
rstein Posted August 25, 2014 Author Posted August 25, 2014 25,5" scale on a 357- that's probably asking for trouble. But I love the idea! Unless I can get it on a 150 or 157
Thundersteel Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 You won't get 25.5 on a 357. Trust me. I tried to get a 357-style bass, aka the Thunderbird. Was told NO. I tried to get an H555 made with "exotic woods" (other than maple)--was told NO. Carvin assembles guitars to customer specs. And luthiers should, too.
Spectrum13 Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 The only hardware or electronics that Heritage won't use, to my knowledge, is an ABR bridge. This may be a deal breaker for some, others no big deal. Interestingly, I was watching a 2011 video of the Larry Carlton Trio. Larry was using a nashville bridge on his 335. When I google the specs for his 335, the LC Mr. 335 guitar comes with a nashville bridge as standard hardware requested by Larry himself. So I guess their are some who prefer the nashville bridge. Jon, on my Prospect they installed a Faber ABR-1 bridge with their large posts. I had it drop shipped.
Kuz Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 Jon, on my Prospect they installed a Faber ABR-1 bridge with their large posts. I had it drop shipped. Yes, a Faber ABR-1 will fit (I have done it) on Nashville posts. Daniel prefers the ABR-1 where the bridge posts go straight into the top wood with out the big metal bushings. The style Daniel likes is my preference too, but it is not as much a deal breaker for me. If I was spending 5K on a handmade guitar, I definitely would want the original Gibson ABR-1 style bridge & bridge posts. I am VERY lucky to have two McInturff Carolina Customs and the original Gibson style bridges is what Terry uses.
Kuz Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 The Nashville post & bridge give you a little more wiggle room to fit (you don't have to be as specific with the measurements as installing the ABR bridge posts straight into the wood). I am sure Heritage feels "if the bridge works and intonates and is easier to install, why would we use an ABR?"
gpuma Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 Jon & Dan, could you please explain why you have the preference for the abr?
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