My First Heritage guitars was a.........

[strings2wood]

I'm a new member from Melbourne Australia.

 

I'm hoping to buy a second hand left handed Heritage H-140- 150 0r 170.

(I actually play lefty's strung right handed).

 

 

Can you please tell me which one of these guitars was your and should be my starting point to join the family?

I have been really impressed with clips/ demos (albeit through computer speakers I know)

and now want a humbucker guitar in light of the fact I already have and will keep the strat and tele (both single coils).

 

I have seen several NOS, and a couple of second hand 140's (one at $1350) and would prefer second hand.

 

I have 100% eBay feedback and LOTS of successful deals on TGP I am pa7ypal verified and would require registered post etc.

 

Thanks for any experience/ ideas/ offers.

 

strings2wood

Supporting Member Join Date: Dec 2006

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posts: 690

 

Re: Successful deals with:

 

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Successful deals with:

Newarkwilder; fatfingers; Idlewilde; Lavely; derek_32999; Jove; this1smyne; Daphil_1; color_tones; albuht813; reverb; trishoot; JukeboxFup; fuzzfoot; fehlupkid; EDS; James M

[strings2wood]

Great start...accidently posted twice- can find edit/ reply- but not delete....doh!!!!

 

 

I'm a new member from Melbourne Australia.

 

I'm hoping to buy a second hand left handed Heritage H-140- 150 0r 170.

(I actually play lefty's strung right handed).

 

 

Can you please tell me which one of these guitars was your and should be my starting point to join the family?

I have been really impressed with clips/ demos (albeit through computer speakers I know)

and now want a humbucker guitar in light of the fact I already have and will keep the strat and tele (both single coils).

 

I have seen several NOS, and a couple of second hand 140's (one at $1350) and would prefer second hand.

 

I have 100% eBay feedback and LOTS of successful deals on TGP I am pa7ypal verified and would require registered post etc.

 

Thanks for any experience/ ideas/ offers.

 

strings2wood

Supporting Member Join Date: Dec 2006

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posts: 690

 

Re: Successful deals with:

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Successful deals with:

Newarkwilder; fatfingers; Idlewilde; Lavely; derek_32999; Jove; this1smyne; Daphil_1; color_tones; albuht813; reverb; trishoot; JukeboxFup; fuzzfoot; fehlupkid; EDS; James M

[FredZepp]

Welcome Strings2Wood , to the HOC.

 

The fine handmade quality of a Heritage runs throughout their line. It comes down to what might feel good to you.

There is a version 1 and 2 of the 140. Both are slightly thinner than a 150, which some like for comfort.

Version 1 is discontinued and has a sharp cutaway. version 2 is similiar to a LP shape , just thinner.

The 150 compares to a vintage LP and the 157 compares to a vintage LP custom.

the 170 gives you a lighter double cutaway version.

 

It would be convenient if you could try the different models , but you will like the quality of all .

 

My first was a 150 followed by another 150, then a 140. then a 157, and finally an archtop Eagle.

[strings2wood]

Thnks Fred and it's nice to be on board.

Interesting that you started on the medium (150) than moved to the thinner body and lighter weight of the 140 then also decided on the heavier/ thicker 157.

How do you find the weight variation bw the 150 and 157 and does the extra weight equate to a closer Les paul tone?

I'm all for a lighter weight and thinnner body! I just need that humbucker fullness when the single coils and a pedal can only get you so far (imo).

 

Welcome Strings2Wood , to the HOC.

 

The fine handmade quality of a Heritage runs throughout their line. It comes down to what might feel good to you.

There is a version 1 and 2 of the 140. Both are slightly thinner than a 150, which some like for comfort.

Version 1 is discontinued and has a sharp cutaway. version 2 is similiar to a LP shape , just thinner.

The 150 compares to a vintage LP and the 157 compares to a vintage LP custom.

the 170 gives you a lighter double cutaway version.

 

It would be convenient if you could try the different models , but you will like the quality of all .

 

My first was a 150 followed by another 150, then a 140. then a 157, and finally an archtop Eagle.

[fxdx99]

If you're looking for a solid body I'd likely (and did) go w/a 150 as I like the LP 'thickness'. Plus it's a popular model so pretty easy to shop/find. My first Heritage was a 535 which I like A LOT. It and my tele are the 2 more common guits I use since a semi and tele cover so much ground. But I use 150 for doing the LP thing and it's a great guitar. Weight does vary and mine's on the lighter side as 150s go - best to ask the seller for the weight... I don't personally think that heavier=better sound in any guitar and prefer under 9 lbs to be comfortable for a full night of playing.

 

Good luck in your search - let us know what you come up with.

[mark555]

My first and so far only Heritage is the 555. Semi solid, it is extremely versatile, any thing from Jazz (not that I can play Jazz much at all) through to blues, which it is superb for, and I use it to play stuff like the Thin Lizzy cover of Rosalie, it really sings when I overdrive it through a valve amp. My next Heritage will be a single cut solid body, but I am governed by what is available over here in the UK as sadly most of the brain dead only want to buy Gibson's, hence the stores won't stock Heritage ( a personal rant of mine) so I will have to get it from the USA.

 

Good luck in finding the one for you, anything built by Heritage is fantastic...

[strings2wood]

Thanks for the interesting replies so far. Any other members with their first Heritage purchase experience/ advice most welcome.

Will keep you all posted with the final decision too!

 

Cheers,

 

Simon in Melbourne.

[FredZepp]

Thnks Fred and it's nice to be on board.

Interesting that you started on the medium (150) than moved to the thinner body and lighter weight of the 140 then also decided on the heavier/ thicker 157.

How do you find the weight variation bw the 150 and 157 and does the extra weight equate to a closer Les paul tone?

I'm all for a lighter weight and thinnner body! I just need that humbucker fullness when the single coils and a pedal can only get you so far (imo).

After my first two 150's , I was looking for something different in a Heritage and found a 1st version 140 w a nice flamed top and hot pu's.

I love it but it is a different feel , one that I compare more to a really nice vintage LP Special. Lighter and with a flatter neck/body angle creates that feel and it rocks. I can't say if the version 2- 140's have the flatter angle also... but so far we don't see many 140- 2nd version anyhow.

 

The mahogany makes a difference in the weight... Some will claim that heavier is a better sound and some the opposite. My 150's and 157 weight about the same ( the newer 150 might be the heaviest) and all are a dream to play. Once you are in that quality of guitar, it's probably more about the pick-ups than the wood.

I have handwound Sheptone pick-ups in the 157 , and it is my current go- to axe for that reason.

But I like the tone of the others so well that I wouldn't spend the time changing out the SD 59's in the one... ( the feedback resistance of a potted pu is nice ) and the other 150 has had it's pickups switched out, but I don't know for what.

[TalismanRich]

Welcome to the HOC.

 

My first Heritage was 157 which was my birthday present to myself when I turned 50. Since that time, I've drunk the kool-aid like most of the folks here! I've since added an H-535, and most recently a Milli 2000 LE.

 

I've become more partial to the semis all the time. I've always loved the sound the that style, since the days of listening to guys like Johnny Rivers in the 60's.

[ronalr]

Welcome to the forums....my first Heritage was a 535....(I always wanted a 335 and found the Heritage to be superior) it was a new one in 2006

[SouthpawGuy]

Welcome to the HOC.

 

There are quite a few of those right minded people around here.

 

 

 

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edit: typo, this one can't spell for $h!t !

[Gitfiddler]

Welcome!

 

Either of your picks (150 or 140) would be great, but I'd recommend the 150. Why? Because it has the tone of the 140 plus much more. It's thicker Mahogany body gives it...the TONE. There is nothing wrong with a 140. It has its own thing going on...and it's all good too.

 

 

My first Heritage was a used Sweet 16. I've always been attracted to the fat jazz tones of Wes, Benson, Burrell and others, so a solid wood, high quality, moderately-priced Heritage archtop was the answer to a prayer.

 

My first Heritage SOLID body was a 150 Ultra. MAN, that thing has tone for days!!

 

So my recommendation remains...go with a 150. Another plus, is that they are relatively more abundant than almost any other Heritage model.

 

Good hunting.

[High Flying Bird]

[Dick Seacup]

Welcome to The Club! My first Heritage was an H-137D (out of production now). Not sure what to tell you about choosing one that hasn't already been said. I will agree with others, though, that they're like Lays potato chips...you can't eat just one.

[brentrocks]

G'day Mate!

 

Welcome to the HOC

[strings2wood]

Hi Ron,

 

I've sent a friend of mine some youtube clips including the background story to the Kalamazoo factory.

He is a big Larry Carlton fan and I'm trying to convinvce him he'll do better to sell his current 355- buy a 535 and with the money he'll make from "the headstock", ALSO pick up a 150. Better of both world's in quality and tone and a great extra rock guitar added to his collection!

I'm sure I'm preaching to the converted but here are just some of the clips that caught my attention in the BIGGEST and best way.

 

I'm guessing some of these guys are probably members of the family already.

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAax_AUUJJE

 

great demo of tone variations in P-Rails

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINALLY- A HERITAGE OWNER WHO MAKES ME THINK I SHOULD GIVE UP GUITAR!!!!

 

- and unlike Brent- I am a few thousand million lessons away from sounding like this guy!!!!!!

 

 

Welcome to the forums....my first Heritage was a 535....(I always wanted a 335 and found the Heritage to be superior) it was a new one in 2006

[ledzef]

Welcome to the club. My first and only Heritage is a Blues Deluxe essentially a custom Prospect from a local dealer here in Vegas. Great guitar fun to play. Got to hang out with some fellow members lately and saw some great examples from Millemium Maestro collection. Well have fun with your guitar and hanging out here in our clubhouse.

[hubberjub]

My first was the Eagle then my 535. Then I got the 150s and the 157. You will be happy with any model you choose.

[Kuz]

My first was a 555... then a Custom 555... then a Sweet 16 ... then a Golden Eagle.... then a 150 GT with p-90s .... then a 150 GT .... then a 525 .... then a 535 with p-90s .... then a 150 aka GREENY .... then a 150 quilt/blur....

 

I think that's right, although the order maybe a little off.

 

(the first 555, Sweet 16, and Golden Eagle are all gone now, off to a better life I hope!)