Soliciting your input

[Gitfiddler]

In view of the OP's request for constructive suggestions, comments and recommendations about the future of Heritage Guitars, let's try to avoid personal attacks on current Heritage employees...or one another. It never ends well.

 

A tiny bit of decorum goes a long way.

[JeffB]

All I can say is at the end of the day I really like my H150. Doesnt matter to me what happens to the company and how its run or how it changes after the day I got mine, in 2007.

The original owners did things their own way and I have a lot of respect for men that do that.

Over the years on the HOC Ive read many posts by many guys who know how it should be done better. Like sports enthusiasts yelling at the players and umpires from the arm chair in front of the tv in their living room.

Seriously, if I was buying or starting a company of any sort I would already have already researched the market and formulated a game plan well before getting into negotiations and would not be calling on ideas from enthusiasts on a guitar forum.

Keeping future clients engaged in the brand I totally get, its essential but this all seems slightly amateurish and a little beyond keeping customers engaged in the brand. Is it a new way of doing business? Have the people looking to buy into the company have any history with the company or are they new at running a guitar building business? Theyre not an investment firm are they?

 

So, best of luck to the old guys. They done real good. I hope the new owners do The Heritage justice.

[Kuz]

Jeff, I completely agree with post above. Hopefully they have done their homework and research, or it's going to be a long difficult road.

 

With that said this group on the HOC is the perfect focus group for polling ideas. So let's hope they know what they are doing.

[Polo]

Have the people looking to buy into the company have any history with the company or are they new at running a guitar building business? Theyre not an investment firm are they?

 

 

 

As a "sentimental stockholder", I feel the answer to these 2 questions are incredibly important.

 

Have any other dealers been invited to this "strategy meeting"?

[big bob]

As a "sentimental stockholder", I feel the answer to these 2 questions are incredibly important.

 

Have any other dealers been invited to this "strategy meeting"?

 

This is reminiscent of the price increase rumor from last December?

[FredZepp]

 

Have the people looking to buy into the company have any history with the company or are they new at running a guitar building business? Theyre not an investment firm are they?

 

So, best of luck to the old guys. They done real good. I hope the new owners do The Heritage justice.

If I were to venture a guess...... I'd say they are very experienced in manufacturing guitars and know the people at Heritage to some degree. Just my guess...

[jaywolfe]

This is reminiscent of the price increase rumor from last December?

They had a LARGE price increase last year. They told us about it in Dec. & it's dated Jan 2015.

[jaywolfe]

 

Have any other dealers been invited to this "strategy meeting"?

 

I know of at least 1 other.

[jaywolfe]

In view of the OP's request for constructive suggestions, comments and recommendations about the future of Heritage Guitars, let's try to avoid personal attacks on current Heritage employees...or one another. It never ends well.

 

A tiny bit of decorum goes a long way.

Thanks for that. My purpose is to have those that would like to, to have some input, and I have received with gratitude some really excellent suggestions from some. I appreciate the input and will print it & bring them to the meeting.

Jay Wolfe

[DetroitBlues]

Proper customer service that includes email and website inquires. I just remembered after ready a new thread where as people new to Heritage don't understand the factory has little response to digital requests. We shouldn't have to tell people not to email the company but call during the week...

[Blunote]

I haven't read all three pages of comments so maybe some of these ideas have been expressed:

• I agree that Heritage should position itself as a competitor to Gibson's Custom Shop (not their main production business). To that end, change the name to "Heritage Custom Guitars".
• The company ought to carry a certain panache, or prestige. Challenge the prospective customer to be a 'real guitarist' that can feel the difference -or something to that effect.
• I like that my guitars were hand crafted in the tradition of the golden era of Gibson Electrics. They can still be hand-crafted and incorporate more automated machining. Capitalize on the idea of "Vintage built".
• G&L may be the best operating model for a re-tooled "Heritage Custom Guitar Company". Just steer clear of foreign tribute models.

Whatever happens, make sure the new owners understand that Heritage has the product. What they don't have is brand awareness and mind-share, or placement as a premium brand in the minds of consumers. Capitalize on the former to get the latter.

 

And always remember that most companies only get to ruin their brand once.

[heritagefan7]

Kitty---I agree w/ the SG option.

[Beagle216]

I haven't read all three pages of comments so maybe some of these ideas have been expressed:

• I agree that Heritage should position itself as a competitor to Gibson's Custom Shop (not their main production business). To that end, change the name to "Heritage Custom Guitars".
• The company ought to carry a certain panache, or prestige. Challenge the prospective customer to be a 'real guitarist' that can feel the difference -or something to that effect.
• I like that my guitars were hand crafted in the tradition of the golden era of Gibson Electrics. They can still be hand-crafted and incorporate more automated machining. Capitalize on the idea of "Vintage built".
• G&L may be the best operating model for a re-tooled "Heritage Custom Guitar Company". Just steer clear of foreign tribute models.

Whatever happens, make sure the new owners understand that Heritage has the product. What they don't have is brand awareness and mind-share, or placement as a premium brand in the minds of consumers. Capitalize on the former to get the latter.

 

And always remember that most companies only get to ruin their brand once.

THIS!! +1000000

[brentrocks]

don'y hire brent!

That's right. I don't know how to build a guitar!!! I'm a heck of a salesman though.

[Hfan]

I would make this a standard production model

 

Everyone who sees this guitar loves it ( including the headstock haters ). So I bet it would be a seller

 

It has similarities to the Les Paul Custom....as the LPC has a headstock from a Super 400, which is larger than the standard LP headstock

 

And this has the headstock from a Super Eagle

 

 

 

you could make it an upgrade option, as it's more blinged out?

 

At some point I want to order one with P90's too!

 

+1 to no CNC and keeping the 100% handmade heritage at Heritage.

I like that headstock shape for one. The narrow snakehead style headstock, especially with no binding, seems to turn off many folks. I'm fine with it but, to be honest, it took me time to get used to it.. Maybe it's superficial, but how many negatives have we heard regarding the headstock? Cosmetics matter.

 

Regarding weights, Gibson CS LP types seem to have gotten lighter on average around when they started using mahogany from Fiji. I'm no wood expert though. I've often wondered where Heritage sources theirs mahogany and from where it originates.

 

Any transition would have been easier if the brand had been marketed better to begin with. Any new owners almost have to play catch up now. I wish them much success. And I thank the original owners for all they have given us. They did it their way. The lack of marketing is almost refreshing in this day and age when so much marketing is crammed down our throats.

[Gitfiddler]

The HOC has been the Heritage Guitars marketing department for years...and we've done a fine job.

[tbonesullivan]

I'd go for a Heritage SG, as long as it has the longer, stronger late 60s neck joints like the SG standard used to have.

 

Also, more special runs and things aimed at specific markets. Like maybe a run of simple H137s with metallic flip/flop paint.

 

But, I wager a lot of what would need to "change" is just basic modernization of the way the company works, and maybe some more modern production techniques.

 

Getting more dealers involved and better QC is also a definite.

[Polo]

No bells and whistles please!!!!

 

[TalismanRich]

No bells and whistles please!!!!

 

 

 

I concur wholeheartedly!

 

Things I hope to see continue at Heritage:

 

1) The fantastic finishes. I think Heritage has some great ones!

2) Custom orders Being able to customize is a nice draw for the higher end, seasoned buyer.

3) A high degree of human craftsmanship. CNC can make many identical things faster but isn't always the best way. The last guitar I bought was made in a 1 man shop in Louisiana.

4) Avoid gimmicks. Just make excellent instruments for guitar players.

5) The headstock We need something to piss off the Gibson guys who sneer at anything not made by Henry J.

 

Things to change:

1) Improve the setups and fretwork fnishing. Pleking isn't necessary to have great setup, just a quicker way to get there.

2) New dealerships. Wider availability is the way to increasing sales. People won't buy what they don't know exists.

3) Improved marketing This goes with #2. Yes, the website could be improved, but what would be more important is updated info (dealers etc)

 

They are never going to compete with Gibson, Fender or even PRS, but they can compete with G&L, Anderson, GJ2, Music Man.

 

[Hfan]

No bells and whistles please!!!!

 

Mods please delete this post as it has made me lose my breakfast..

[tsp17]

A lot has been said by many folks here more knowledgeable and insightful than I- so I'll just emphasize retention of the quality and character of "The Heritage". It is called "Heritage" for a reason. The instruments they make reflect that.

[DetroitBlues]

I concur wholeheartedly!

 

Things I hope to see continue at Heritage:

 

1) The fantastic finishes. I think Heritage has some great ones!

2) Custom orders Being able to customize is a nice draw for the higher end, seasoned buyer.

3) A high degree of human craftsmanship. CNC can make many identical things faster but isn't always the best way. The last guitar I bought was made in a 1 man shop in Louisiana.

4) Avoid gimmicks. Just make excellent instruments for guitar players.

5) The headstock We need something to piss off the Gibson guys who sneer at anything not made by Henry J.

 

Things to change:

1) Improve the setups and fretwork fnishing. Pleking isn't necessary to have great setup, just a quicker way to get there.

2) New dealerships. Wider availability is the way to increasing sales. People won't buy what they don't know exists.

3) Improved marketing This goes with #2. Yes, the website could be improved, but what would be more important is updated info (dealers etc)

 

They are never going to compete with Gibson, Fender or even PRS, but they can compete with G&L, Anderson, GJ2, Music Man.

 

Excellent points... Paying for a couple ads wouldn't hurt... Demos are nice too. Why aren't they asking Frankie Ballard to demo more stuff? He is hot in country right now and no Hertiage Marketing yet.... Having a 157 signature model would be a great idea.

[HANGAR18]

 

 

Here's what I would personally bring up in a "Strategy Meeting".

- Invest in a new website ASAP.

- Create a standardized product line that would be sold in batches to the brick and mortar dealers.

- Develop an itemized ordering system thru the company website and sell the "customized guitars" direct to customers.

- Create a viewable S/N registry. (This would reinforce the exclusivity of the brand)

- (re) Invest in a PLEK machine and place a higher focus on doing better set-ups. a world class guitar shouldn't need fretwork and a set-up right out of the box.

- Reboot the signature artists, Retain a few artists that might actually generate some interest in the product from the folks that typically purchase these guitars.

- Focus on Marketing the product as a direct competitor to the G brand Custom Shop guitars or Collins, PRS ect.

- Go back to stenciling serial numbers, the hand written S/N's usually look pretty sad IMHO.

 

 

- Invest in a new website ASAP.

Agree. But, I've offered web site support. Never got anywhere.

 

- Create a standardized product line that would be sold in batches to the brick and mortar dealers.

Agree.

 

- Develop an itemized ordering system thru the company website and sell the "customized guitars" direct to customers.

I seriously thought about designing one for them but then took a step back and asked myself why I would be delivering such a game changing and valuable tool for free to their company at my own great effort and expense? I deemed to be an out of balance arrangement and therefore improper. But I do agree, they need that.

 

- Create a viewable S/N registry. (This would reinforce the exclusivity of the brand)

Disagree. I don't see the advantage of that and it would be expensive to build.

 

- (re) Invest in a PLEK machine and place a higher focus on doing better set-ups. a world class guitar shouldn't need fretwork and a set-up right out of the box.

YES. Gibson NEEDS to Plek their guitars to make them right and so does Heritage. They should also just buy TUSQ nuts and quit trying to cut them on their own.

 

- Reboot the signature artists, Retain a few artists that might actually generate some interest in the product from the folks that typically purchase these guitars.

Signature artists are fine BUT they should abandon the whole practice of giving away guitars for free to signature artists. PRS doesn't give away guitars. He builds a guitar for an artist exactly how they specify. Then he presents it to the artist. The artist must either LOVE IT or return it. If the artist LOVES it (not just like it) then the artist pays cash money for it and is happy to do so.

 

- Focus on Marketing the product as a direct competitor to the G brand Custom Shop guitars or Collins, PRS ect.

Agreed.

 

- Go back to stenciling serial numbers, the hand written S/N's usually look pretty sad IMHO.

Disagree. Just find someone who has good handwriting (usually a girl) and have that individual use a sharp gold paint marker (just like PRS does).

[samwheat]

I'm diggin' that Super Eagle headstock on the H157

[unikh550]

Mr. Wolfe, The only one, besides maintaining quality, and a 1/3 reduction in price over comparable models from G (company), would be to allow customers to actually buy a custom model. For example, in '98, i ordered a H-550 with no pickups, v/t knobs, pots, or caps, pickguard, or fretboard inlays. I also specified extra support under the top to put in a Charlie Christian pickup, its assembly, and three screws through the top. They did this for $1,500, and I've been happy with it ever since. I plan to order through you, if Heritage will ever make it, the body of a G (company) Artist Model, with the exact same deletions. Of course, I would expect to pay more, but I want that same freedom with the new Heritage. When I brought it up to be refinished (didn't need it; just wanted to change colors), in '12 (They had Pete Moreno do it.), Marv said, "Hey, it's come back home! We always wondered who bought it". That they would remember a single guitar is what would be nice with the new Heritage. Thanks.- Charles Bevell