Heritage newbie questions

[dougfloyd]

Hi everybody, new member here just learning about Heritage guitars and I have lots of questions and I'm hoping you all can help answer a few for me. I've always been a big fan of Les Paul guitars and have had a few Epiphones and now have a Gibson. I wanted to look at getting another guitar this summer and had been considering a PRS singlecut but just learned about Heritage guitars about a month ago. I wish I had known about the history of Heritage a long time ago!

I've been reading as much as I can on this forum and other places on the internet trying to learn about Heritage guitars and also learned of the recent change in company ownership. With those recent changes still underway, perhaps nobody knows yet how that will impact the way operations will change at Parsons but thought I'd ask. All these questions are primarily for the H150 model.

Are there price increases coming (or already happened) with the change in ownership?

Is there a current MSRP or "list" price for a H150?

What is the ballpark price for ordering a H150 to your own specs? Nothing too out of the ordinary, just picking your own finish, neck shape, pickups, etc.

Is the price of a plain top H150pm less than a curly top H150cm?

Roughly how long does it take for a custom order?

Is there a list or order form somewhere of what options are available to choose from on a H150 or do you just tell a dealer what you want and they'll say yes/no? Is there a list of standard included features?

Sorry for all the questions, just like to do a lot of research before I buy anything. I'm not ready to purchase anything just yet, I'm getting ready to move next month and need to get through that first but hoping to buy something this summer. I'm not sure if it would be better to order exactly what I'm looking for or just search the used market for something close and then swap out parts.

Anyway, long winded first post, but glad to have found this website and learned about Heritage guitars. I'll be up in Michigan this summer for vacation and now plan on taking a tour of the factory, looking forward to it!

[kidsmoke]

Welcome aboard. As you probably know from lurking here, there are a couple of dealers among us who can a) answer all those questions and b ) help you place that order once they're answered. I'll leave it to them.

 

 

Just think, you can buy a new Heritage, and when it comes, sell that LP now that you've got the real deal, and end up with a net win, a better guitar and cash in your pocket!

 

Cheers!

[dougfloyd]

Yes, or sell the Gibson and get another H150, right? I'll just have to wait and see on that.

 

I did notice that there are a couple of dealers on here but I didn't want to bother anyone just yet since I'm not looking to buy something right now. I'd also still consider going the ebay/reverb route since it would cheaper, just not sure what I want to do yet. But thanks for the advice, that would probably be a good next step.

[gary0313]

Yes, or sell the Gibson and get another H150, right? I'll just have to wait and see on that.

 

I did notice that there are a couple of dealers on here but I didn't want to bother anyone just yet since I'm not looking to buy something right now. I'd also still consider going the ebay/reverb route since it would cheaper, just not sure what I want to do yet. But thanks for the advice, that would probably be a good next step.

Of course I can't speak for them but it is my impression that any of the dealers on the forum would be happy to answer your questions as they are passionate about Heritage guitars and play them themselves. If that isn't the vibe you get when you talk to them, just move on to the next one.

[kidsmoke]

Yes, or sell the Gibson and get another H150, right? I'll just have to wait and see on that.

 

I did notice that there are a couple of dealers on here but I didn't want to bother anyone just yet since I'm not looking to buy something right now. I'd also still consider going the ebay/reverb route since it would cheaper, just not sure what I want to do yet. But thanks for the advice, that would probably be a good next step.

 

if you're not dead set on a custom, finding a used H-150 isn't difficult, and you can get a fantastic guitar in the 1300 - 1800 dollar range. For some reason you don't bond, you should be able sell it and recoup every penny. But more than likely, you'll sell said G****n and used the proceeds on your custom H-150. Once you have THAT in hand, you can sell the first used H-150, and flip it for a H-535 or a Millie, at which point, you are well on your way, my friend.

 

[robbg]

I'll tell you my experience as I was in your own situation just some weeks ago: there's something magic around Heritage guitars, probably they aren't perfect under every aspect but it is always so glad to put it into the case, I just can't stop playing my H150! I have had many guitars such PRS, SUHR and I never felt this way!

Moreover, I noticed that anyone that have seen my Heritage (starting from the luthier, but also a seller in a Gibson point,professional musician as well as the sunday's axeman) had a great respect for Heritage. My very humble advice is to look after a secon hand guitar and then eventually decide how to custom it (if necessary) or to move toward a different type of guitar. Good luck, I hope you'll experience the heritage world!

[dougfloyd]

Thanks for the input. I think I know what you mean. I've tried out a few PRS guitars at Sweetwater and I know they are very well made guitars and they felt nice but I don't think it will have that same feeling. Obviously in addition to the build quality of the guitar, there is also the attraction of getting a guitar made from the same building and the same people that made all those sought after guitars from the 50's. It's like getting a PRS would be buying a new Corvette and getting the Heritage would be getting a nice restored 69 Camaro if that makes sense.

 

I'll keep my eyes out on the used market for a while and see what pops up and also try to get somewhere to play some Heritage guitars. I'm also still doing some research to try to decide what options and finish I would want to choose if I decide to order a new one. I know I could get a used one a lot cheaper so I'll have to think some more on that.

 

Can anyone speak to what the neck size/shape on the H150 compares to?