Chinese Made Heritages - Diminished the value?

[zguitar71]

I can’t complain about making the line in China or elsewhere since I own two Eastmans. I do wish they could make the quality more like an Eastman or the PRS SE guitars. Maybe they will offer a mid level with more traditional build and woods. I’m not into marketing so they might understand the market better than I do but starting with a mid level first then going to the entry level could be a better plan. Of course that could be just because I would have interest in one like that but I don’t have any interest in a low end guitar. 

[DetroitBlues]

3 hours ago, zguitar71 said:

I can’t complain about making the line in China or elsewhere since I own two Eastmans. I do wish they could make the quality more like an Eastman or the PRS SE guitars. Maybe they will offer a mid level with more traditional build and woods. I’m not into marketing so they might understand the market better than I do but starting with a mid level first then going to the entry level could be a better plan. Of course that could be just because I would have interest in one like that but I don’t have any interest in a low end guitar. 

When Thomann can produce some excellent guitars for $160-$300 that have stainless steel frets, roasted maple necks, and decent hardware from Wilkenson, you'd think Heritage would do better.  Who knows, maybe they are being made by the same people as Trump Guitars.

[TalismanRich]

For the US, it's pretty much a moot point.   The only place that it appears you can buy an Ascent is from Manny's mail order which Bandlab owns.   They aren't available from places like Sweetwater, CME, Daves or Musicians Friend.   

It's much more likely you'll find them in Asia.   Swee Lee is selling a beginners pack, similar to the Fender Squire packs.   A 137,  Fender Frontman 10 amp,  gigbag, cable, strap, picks, and a tuner for $449 Singapore dollars, which is $335 US.  The H150 bundle is $589.   A Squire Affinity Tele bundle is $519. 

That's the market the Ascent line aims for.

 

 

 

I was thinking that if I bought a few,  tied them to the bumper of my car and drove through a gravel parking lot a few times,  I could relic them and sell 'em for 3 times what I paid.    Might be a nice way to supplement my Social Security checks.  🤔

 

[bolero]

I have friends who only buy cheap inexpensive bottom tier guitars. Maybe they too can be proud Heritage owners now

It's probably the biggest market share anyway, makes sense to have a product line in that segment.

[DetroitBlues]

9 hours ago, bolero said:

I have friends who only buy cheap inexpensive bottom tier guitars. Maybe they too can be proud Heritage owners now

It's probably the biggest market share anyway, makes sense to have a product line in that segment.

I will buy some bottom end guitars on occasion, usually I have a purpose, such as it a model type I am interested in but don't want to spend a lot on an occasional use or recently, its a guitar I can keep at my bassist's house knowing its going to be used and abused by him and his kids.

[Spectrum13]

Diminished the value?  

 

As the OP asked, I don't think Squire diminished the value of Fender nor Epiphone, Gibson. 

Smart business move for brand awareness.

If I remember correctly, with GM you first car was a Chevy with the next promotion a Buick. When you moved into management an Oldsmobile and when the kids graduate college and move out, Caddy.

Marketing 101

[bolero]

I'm still rocking a Yugo

[Spectrum13]

51 minutes ago, bolero said:

I'm still rocking a Yugo

With your next promotion your choices are.... Pinto - Maverick or Vega

[TalismanRich]

I thought it was   Corvair..... Nova.....  Camaro.... Impala....  Monte Carlo.....  Corvette!

 

Dad drove the Oldmobile!   It was a fine ride!   Just look at those rockets.

 

[bolero]

That's a sweet ride!

Reminds me of the Monkeemobile

Edited December 11 by bolero

[bolero]

Oh, the monkeemobile was more extreme. A friend of mine as a kid had a toy of the thing he'd inherited once his brother grew up

Wow it was actually a GTO

Edited December 11 by bolero

[TalismanRich]

Ah yes.   Those were the days of the custom car builders.  George Barris built the Batman car, KITT,  and the Munster Mobiles.    Dean Jeffries did the Monkeemobile and the Black Hornet.    Ed Roth was another builder,  who did the some really weird cars.

Those things would always show up at the custom car shows back in the 60s and 70s.  

 

When I first started to drive,  Dad still had the Olds wagon, and I used to haul band equipment in there.   It held a bunch of stuff!   The Kustom PA cabs,  my amp,  guitars,  drums.   It would all fit in there like a Tetris puzzle.

[Genericmusic]

I still have the bargain guitar my father bought me 60 years ago to learn on. 😉

[TalismanRich]

G,  I'm sure that's made of the finest tone wood available...  old growth masonite.

 

Am I right?

[bolero]

According to Jimmy Page it is ;)

[bolero]

On 12/11/2024 at 3:52 PM, TalismanRich said:

Ah yes.   Those were the days of the custom car builders.  George Barris built the Batman car, KITT,  and the Munster Mobiles.    Dean Jeffries did the Monkeemobile and the Black Hornet.    Ed Roth was another builder,  who did the some really weird cars.

Those things would always show up at the custom car shows back in the 60s and 70s.  

 

When I first started to drive,  Dad still had the Olds wagon, and I used to haul band equipment in there.   It held a bunch of stuff!   The Kustom PA cabs,  my amp,  guitars,  drums.   It would all fit in there like a Tetris puzzle.

Hey if you have any pics of that car loaded up with band equipment, it would be awesome!

[TalismanRich]

I wish I had pics of our band in that era.   That was the 7 man band,  "Objection Overruled" with the brass section,  guitar, organ, bass, and drums.    Those were the days when you didn't waste film on stuff like the car, unless your girlfriend was in the shot!   Taking pictures was expensive back then.   A couple of bucks for the film,  another 3 for developing and prints.   You got 12 to 24 pics from your 110 Instamatic camera with the 1/2" negative.      When you were getting $10-15 for a 3 hour gig, you didn't waste money on pictures!

Something that many people don't realize is how little the dollar buys with many things today, and how some things have become incredibly cheap.   I often look at how many hours do we need to work to buy something.    (I'm pulling out my old man rant now!) 

When I started working in the late 60s,  I was making $1.40/hour.   I don't know what my dad was making in '66 but to buy my Kent guitar would have taken 2 full weeks of pay.   That $400 Gibson ES335 I wanted would have taken more than 2 months wages!    That obviously wouldn't happen when you have a family with 3 kids, a house, food, car, etc.

Considering that you can work at McD's for $12/hr,   an Ascent H-137 would be 3 days work, even after taxes.   When I see people not blink as they shell out $300 to $1000 for an I-phone, it makes buying a guitar almost an impulse buy!   If the Ascents are anywhere close to my Tribute ASAT in playability,  then that's a really easy way to get into playing guitar,  or even grabbing a "beater" guitar to take along without having to worry about it getting stolen or busted.  

Things are probably a lot different if you're in Vietnam or the Philippines making about $2 an hour,  it's like the US in the 1960-70s.    There,  buying an Ascent is a lot more realistic than buying a Custom Core H-150.

[bolero]

Yeah good points