PanaDP Posted May 15, 2009 Posted May 15, 2009 Hi, everyone! I'm new here. I registered to ask a specific question. Does anyone here have and play a heritage mandolin? How does it compare to other mandolins you have played? I'm considering buying a heritage H-50 (the A model with fancier wood) and I can't find much information about them. It's a 1986 model and looks to be a nice instrument, but I'm not very familiar with the company and $850 seems like a lot of money to spend on an "unknown."
zydecosoultrain Posted May 15, 2009 Posted May 15, 2009 Hi, everyone! I'm new here. I registered to ask a specific question. Does anyone here have and play a heritage mandolin? How does it compare to other mandolins you have played? I'm considering buying a heritage H-50 (the A model with fancier wood) and I can't find much information about them. It's a 1986 model and looks to be a nice instrument, but I'm not very familiar with the company and $850 seems like a lot of money to spend on an "unknown." Welcome PanDP, I don't know about Heritage mandolins but the guitars are absolutely awesome. It is more than likely that some of the original luthiers who made the Gibson mondolins still reside at the Heritage Factory in Kalamozoo. You could approach them directly via their website - Ren Wall is very obliging. Good luck with it, Z
martintj Posted May 15, 2009 Posted May 15, 2009 I was interested in a Heritage mandolin during the 1980's and they were priced at about $800 at that time. But that price is not excessive for a solid wood American made instrument by todays standards;especially if it is in really good condition. I hope that helps. TJ
tulk1 Posted May 15, 2009 Posted May 15, 2009 We've seen the Heritage Mando's go in the $2k range, depending on the exact model. It's a bit tough on the madolins and acoustics since they no longer make them. But considering the history behind the company, I'd say it's going to be a very good mandolin. Would love to see pictures of it when you get it. And welcome to the HoC.
Kuz Posted May 15, 2009 Posted May 15, 2009 We've seen the Heritage Mando's go in the $2k range, depending on the exact model. It's a bit tough on the madolins and acoustics since they no longer make them. But considering the history behind the company, I'd say it's going to be a very good mandolin. Would love to see pictures of it when you get it. And welcome to the HoC. +1 Heritage Mandolins are hard to find and usually are much higher priced than $800. You better keep that source to yourself, as others might try to snatch that baby up!
PanaDP Posted May 15, 2009 Author Posted May 15, 2009 Well, I told the seller that I'd like to buy it. Even if I don't like it, it seems I can sell it relatively easily for what I paid. Here are some photos the seller provided. Now I just have to wait a week for him to take a few additional photos I requested before finalizing. He's on a trip right now.
tulk1 Posted May 15, 2009 Posted May 15, 2009 Well, I told the seller that I'd like to buy it. Even if I don't like it, it seems I can sell it relatively easily for what I paid. Here are some photos the seller provided. Now I just have to wait a week for him to take a few additional photos I requested before finalizing. He's on a trip right now. Mmmmm, that is nice. Once you get it you'll need to put pics of it in the Gallery. We don't get many Mando's thru here. Or regular posters that have them. BTW, that is one gorgeous instrument right there.
smurph1 Posted May 15, 2009 Posted May 15, 2009 Sure Is...Enjoy and Welcome to the HOC..And I will bet ya, once you get it that thought of re-selling it will go out the window!! They are amazing instuments!!
PanaDP Posted May 15, 2009 Author Posted May 15, 2009 ALso, now that those pictures are available here I have a question. What do you think that white line is that follows the edge of where the neck meets the body? Is that just a sign of some aging or is it a problem of some sort?
smurph1 Posted May 15, 2009 Posted May 15, 2009 I Can't really see anything on my computer..The binding maybe? I dunno..
PanaDP Posted May 19, 2009 Author Posted May 19, 2009 I just wanted to bump this back up to the top and see if anyone else had any information or experience. Thanks to all of you who already helped me out!
tulk1 Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 Are you talking about the line starting at about the 13th or 14th fret? Could just be a reflection. Could be a less than stellar spray job. Could be age. How's that?
AnH555 Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 PanaDP, I see what you are asking about and it looks to me like the neck has shifted where it joins the body. The finish is cracked all around the neck heel. You might ask the seller about it. It's probably still an excellent instrument anyway. Don't know if you can find it with the search engine, but about a year ago a member paid four grand for this mandolin. He said it was magic. A couple pics of it.
PanaDP Posted May 23, 2009 Author Posted May 23, 2009 I'm still waiting to see those additional photos from the seller before I bite. In the meantime I've been trying to track down more information and here are some nice tidbits I got from Aaron Cowles, who built all of the mandolins at Heritage: "Every Heritage mandolin was made by me. The "C" in the serial number means the 3rd year they were in business, which was indeed 1986. And yes, that would be the H-50. The process of crafting them is, they are all hand-made. The rims are hand-bent, the top and back are either hand-carved, or were left-over Gibson stock that was purchased by Heritage. I also made the fingerboard and head veneer. It has nitro-cellulose lacquer for finish. I have records of how many were made but I would have to dig through my records to find it. They were discontinued because I ran out of time to make instruments for Heritage and my own line of Jubal instruments at the same time. Aaron" and in another e-mail later: "According to my records, I made 26 L5 style and 67 A-style, some were 40's and some were 50's but I don't have an accurate count of the breakdown. Aaron"
PanaDP Posted May 23, 2009 Author Posted May 23, 2009 I've decided not to buy the heritage mandolin. It seems nice but I don't know if I should spend the money. I thought I'd do the seller a favor and point to his ad on mandolin cafe.
Steiner Posted May 24, 2009 Posted May 24, 2009 Nice diggin' PanaDP. I'd love to pick up an F Style Heritage Mandy for the Wife. I've just never seen one You did your homework in depth! Thank you for the posts; very interesting
pjoshh Posted May 26, 2009 Posted May 26, 2009 PanaDP, I see what you are asking about and it looks to me like the neck has shifted where it joins the body. The finish is cracked all around the neck heel. You might ask the seller about it. It's probably still an excellent instrument anyway. Don't know if you can find it with the search engine, but about a year ago a member paid four grand for this mandolin. He said it was magic. A couple pics of it. Hi I bought the Heritage H5 mentioned above. I rate it as exceptional. I have a number of mandolins including a Gibson A40, Errington electric custom, two eastern european pre 1940s and the Heritage knocks the spots off the lot!!! It is my main mandolin and is in constant use for bluegrass and celtic music. The only problem is that the player doesn't do it justice!! I also own a H150, H535 and a H 575 so you may say that I'm biased. To readdress the balance, I also own Gibson ES330, Paul Firebrand, J45/50and LJ12. Heritage instruments are second to none. They are also appreciating assets, a rareity in this age of credit crunch!!
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