Jazzpunk Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 I've read all the folklore and am aware of the history behind Heritage guitars. While I found the Gibson tie in intriguing it had nothing to do with why I actually bought my Heritage guitars. I see a lot of comments out there on the 'ol intraweb regarding Heritage and Gibson stating things like, 'It's the original Gibson guys still making the same guitars' or 'Heritage is a division of Gibson ( )' etc. So how many people who used to build guitars for Gibson are still building Heritage guitars? What is the involvement of the original Gibson employees with the current Heritage line up? I would like to start educating people about these guitars and help them to understand that Heritage guitars shine independently of their Gibson 'roots'. Just want to make sure I have my facts straight before posting any info!
GuitArtMan Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 http://www.heritageguitar.com/company/owners.htm I'm not sure how many of the other employees worked for Gibson originally, but I'm sure it's quite a few.
Gitfiddler Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 This thread includes some great factoids that might help demystify the Gibson-Heritage information... http://www.heritageownersclub.com/forums/i...?showtopic=4711
fxdx99 Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 In addition to GuitArtMan's owners link (where you see Marv and Jim that started at Gibson in the 50s), Ren Wall is another key member of the Heritage team. Not sure when he started w/Gibson, but the below link identifiies some of Ren's contributions to both companies. (need to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page) http://www.heritageguitar.com/Custom%20Fea.../HRW-pickup.htm
Kuz Posted May 20, 2009 Posted May 20, 2009 I have set it before so I'll say it again.... What Gibson did to it's former employees.... It would be like if your 70 year old rich Mom moved 600 miles South, left you with nothing, and then got a boob job!
mars_hall Posted May 20, 2009 Posted May 20, 2009 I have set it before so I'll say it again.... What Gibson did to it's former employees.... It would be like if your 70 year old rich Mom moved 600 miles South, left you with nothing, and then got a boob job! Nice analogy!
Jazzpunk Posted May 20, 2009 Author Posted May 20, 2009 Thanks for the info guys (minus the disturbing image of my mom at 70 with a boob job )
backline Posted May 21, 2009 Posted May 21, 2009 ...It would be like if your 70 year old rich Mom moved 600 miles South, left you with nothing... Didn't the Heritage guys get to buy the tooling and old facility? Whatever the deal was, I'm certainly glad they stayed behind to continue making guitars in the Kalamazoo tradition. I talked with somebody on the phone once on the factory floor (maybe it was Rendall, can't remember) in the late '90's. I asked if Henry Juszkiewicz had moved Gibson to Nashville to bust Union labor. They said no, they just had homes and kids in school.
pro-fusion Posted May 21, 2009 Posted May 21, 2009 Didn't the Heritage guys get to buy the tooling and old facility? Whatever the deal was, I'm certainly glad they stayed behind to continue making guitars in the Kalamazoo tradition. I talked with somebody on the phone once on the factory floor (maybe it was Rendall, can't remember) in the late '90's. I asked if Henry Juszkiewicz had moved Gibson to Nashville to bust Union labor. They said no, they just had homes and kids in school. Gibson moved to Nashville long before Henry J. got involved. Besides union-busting, it could be that the overall cost of doing business in Tennessee in the '70s and '80s was lower than in Michigan. Wasn't Norlin headquartered in Tenn., too?
yngwie308 Posted July 22, 2009 Posted July 22, 2009 Not that I expect any love for our Heritage's on the LPF, I think old TW got it wrong recently when he referred to the Heritage guys as 'not being the original 1950's builders and referring to them as 'Norlin era' guys, which is not entirely correct, but have you ever tried to correct old man Witterock... ;) ! I feel my GM models were built on the same machines used in the fifties and in the same location and these guys know what they are doing... yngwie308
tulk1 Posted July 22, 2009 Posted July 22, 2009 Not that I expect any love for our Heritage's on the LPF, I think old TW got it wrong recently when he referred to the Heritage guys as 'not being the original 1950's builders and referring to them as 'Norlin era' guys, which is not entirely correct, but have you ever tried to correct old man Witterock... !I feel my GM models were built on the same machines used in the fifties and in the same location and these guys know what they are doing... yngwie308 Well, truth is they were Norlin era guys, as well as pre-Norlin era guys. We do have a pic floating around of Marv working on a '59 ES175. Not sure where it is. But we know they worked the Norlin guitars as well. Spent a great deal of time at the picnic last year discussing these very things. They weren't happy doing it, but it's what they had to do. Until they all had the chance to build their own guitars. Personally, to me it's not worth the hassle trying to convince anyone on the LPF on the quality and history of the Heritage. Fanatic doesn't even come close to describing some of those ... uh ... fans over there.
smurph1 Posted July 22, 2009 Posted July 22, 2009 Well, truth is they were Norlin era guys, as well as pre-Norlin era guys. We do have a pic floating around of Marv working on a '59 ES175. Not sure where it is. But we know they worked the Norlin guitars as well. Spent a great deal of time at the picnic last year discussing these very things. They weren't happy doing it, but it's what they had to do. Until they all had the chance to build their own guitars. Personally, to me it's not worth the hassle trying to convince anyone on the LPF on the quality and history of the Heritage. Fanatic doesn't even come close to describing some of those ... uh ... fans over there.Before I got my 140, I had a Les Paul BFG..I loved the P-90 on that thing...But I registered on the LP forum, and the members were..HMMMM what's the word.."apathetic" towards me..I got a definite feeling my guitar wasn't a "real" LP..so I really didn't post much..But anyway, purchasing my 140 was the best thing I ever did..As far as guitars go..
yngwie308 Posted July 23, 2009 Posted July 23, 2009 Agreed gentlemen ! I don't even try and mention my 'non-Gibson' guitars on LPF, but when certain PG/GM threads I started went backstage and I had to pay them $30 for the 'privilege' of going backstage, I felt it was safe to mention my GM Heritages! I was flamed by a member so badly, he is a know 'hater' to them, he stated he would love to see the expression on my face as the guitars were smashed to pieces before my eyes!! He was given a forum rest and I stated in no uncertain terms what he could do with himself and where he could place his real LP guitar, which is not like me, but I have never had such a comment before. Thanks for welcoming me here..my Heritages will live with me forever, they are among my top favorite guitars of all time!! yngwie308
golferwave Posted July 23, 2009 Posted July 23, 2009 It seems as though many of the posters on the LPF have issues that go way beyond guitars. Here we all seem to love talking about our Heritages and the fun and pleasure we get from owning and playing them. When someone talks about their Tele's or Hamers do we flame them? Nope the usual reaction is ooh! and ahh! The real guitar guys are here so this is the place for me.
Thundersteel Posted July 23, 2009 Posted July 23, 2009 I used to be a member of the LP Forum, but found most of the members over there are nothing but cork-sniffing, elitist snobs. If you don't own an original 50s-era LP, or aren't willing to shell out $500 for an original TRC, then "you're not worthy!" Over here at the HOC, everyone is more like family. And that's the way it oughta be!
yoslate Posted July 23, 2009 Posted July 23, 2009 Didn't the Heritage guys get to buy the tooling and old facility? Knew, of course, just what they wanted and needed, and bought that at auction, according to Ren. And I have no experience with the LP forum; as well, I have no interest in critiquing it here....
Rude Dog Posted July 23, 2009 Posted July 23, 2009 I'm a member @ the LPF. There's an abundance of great information and knowledgeable folks about the old Kalamazoo Gibsons that I have not found to existanywhere else and I find that very enjoyable. That being said, I love this place!
GuitArtMan Posted July 23, 2009 Posted July 23, 2009 I used to be a member of the LP Forum, but found most of the members over there are nothing but cork-sniffing, elitist snobs. If you don't own an original 50s-era LP, or aren't willing to shell out $500 for an original TRC, then "you're not worthy!" Over here at the HOC, everyone is more like family. And that's the way it oughta be! I found the same thing. What cracks me up is those guys will spend thousands dollars for a Historic Les Paul and then immediately replace the pickups, the electronics, in same cases the truss rod and fingerboard (yep they are that anal), have it refinished by Tom Murphy and yet still swear up and down that "Only a Gword is good enough". Bah!
tulk1 Posted July 23, 2009 Posted July 23, 2009 I'm a member @ the LPF. There's an abundance of great information and knowledgeable folks about the old Kalamazoo Gibsons that I have not found to existanywhere else and I find that very enjoyable. That being said, I love this place! I think we tend to speak in generalizations when we say "everyone over there". Obviously it doesn't really apply - witness the fact that you're a member there. As far as I know, I am still. Which should prove a point that not "all" of them there are fanatics. They do, tho', have their somewhat vocal group of members that just can't see past the "G" on the headstock. Which is a shame if not soley for what you said - they have an abundance of Kalamazoo history to pass on. We should be more like cousins, rather than hated crazy step-children.
Rude Dog Posted July 23, 2009 Posted July 23, 2009 I think we tend to speak in generalizations when we say "everyone over there". Obviously it doesn't really apply - witness the fact that you're a member there. As far as I know, I am still. Which should prove a point that not "all" of them there are fanatics. They do, tho', have their somewhat vocal group of members that just can't see past the "G" on the headstock. Which is a shame if not soley for what you said - they have an abundance of Kalamazoo history to pass on. We should be more like cousins, rather than hated crazy step-children. All good points Tulk. I forgot to mention that I learned about this place over at the LPF, through some positive comments about this forum.
smurph1 Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 I think we tend to speak in generalizations when we say "everyone over there". Obviously it doesn't really apply - witness the fact that you're a member there. As far as I know, I am still. Which should prove a point that not "all" of them there are fanatics. They do, tho', have their somewhat vocal group of members that just can't see past the "G" on the headstock. Which is a shame if not soley for what you said - they have an abundance of Kalamazoo history to pass on. We should be more like cousins, rather than hated crazy step-children. That's the dream, but in the real world it doesn't work that way..I wish it did, but unfortunately it doesn't..Let's just enjoy the brotherhood we have here at the HOC..
Thundersteel Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 I didn't say "everyone"--I said "most." They were discussing an original 50s-era TRC, pickguard, or pickup ring on Ebay for roughly $500, and I suggested that is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much for just a piece of plastic that, to me, is worth about $25. I was shot down in flames big time! That convinced me to cease being a member there. Poo-poo on them!
ledzef Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 IMO a Gibson is bought by a player because of reputation and the magic of the past. Heritages are bought for the simple reason you are going to keep them for life and pass them on to your kids/grandkids. To me that's the Magic of a Heritage! Now with that being said I don't want to be a Heritage snob because I do own a Gibson Les Paul. I do like both guitars and both are special to me because my wife bought my Heritage and my best man bought my Les Paul as wedding gifts. I feel like I could rant all day about this subject. I don't care for the way Gibson snobbed the mom/pops stores that carried their guitars for years to cater to Guitar Center, and I wish Heritage would better support their dealers with more advertisement to get the word out to more players about the great product they have. Anyways that's how I feel and sorry if I rambled on.
mark555 Posted August 6, 2009 Posted August 6, 2009 Before I got my 140, I had a Les Paul BFG..I loved the P-90 on that thing...But I registered on the LP forum, and the members were..HMMMM what's the word.."apathetic" towards me..I got a definite feeling my guitar wasn't a "real" LP..so I really didn't post much..But anyway, purchasing my 140 was the best thing I ever did..As far as guitars go.. Having owned two les paul's, I also joined the LPF. I found the comments of many arrogant and not too welcoming. I suppose eventually a place develops an atmosphere and after making four posts I never went back. Each to their own I suppose. Not a nice forum in my opinion though.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.