Should I order a H140 25th Anniversary?

[conorb]

Well, the title pretty much states it.

 

I talked to my local Heritage dealer and they've check on the H140 25th anniversary model availability for me and I can get one if I want one.

 

On the pro side it's a Heritage, hand made, limited edition model. It's got a few extras over the regular H140 with the ebony fretboard and fully bound headstock being the most obvious. I asked about the pickups but the local dealer forgot to ask. On the website it says the model comes with SD '59's. Honestly, I have no idea what that means. I also totally dig the different shaped horn and the silver-burst.

 

On the con side I've already got an H150 and I really don't know if the tone differences between the tone are going to be that vast. Maybe I should be looking at a Prospect or H110 or H170 or ???

 

The other con and this is purely aesthetics for me are the dot inlays rather than traps. I asked the dealer to check and see if I can get traps with it. If I can't and I decide to get traps installed by a Luthier will that adversely affect value/etc./etc.? I'm not a flipper and I generally tend to keep things like this, but it doesn't hurt to check.

 

Are these anniversary models worth it; tone, craftsmanship, playability - over the regular, normal models?

 

Cost is right at $2300.00.

 

Anyway my enabling brethren, let me know what you think.

 

Thanks,

 

conorb

[barrymclark]

As a 140 owner, yes.

 

These are just wonderful guitars. I am so happy to see they are back.

[FredZepp]

 

 

 

140's rock !!! ... the SD59 is a Seymour Duncan '59 pickups... which I like for classic rock type music .

 

As for the traps hopefully they can do it, but if you have it done, that shouldn't hurt value if well done.

 

For a limited edition , this one is a cool blast from the past , for sure.

[conorb]

 

 

 

140's rock !!! ... the SD59 is a Seymour Duncan '59 pickups... which I like for classic rock type music .

 

As for the traps hopefully they can do it, but if you have it done, that shouldn't hurt value if well done.

 

For a limited edition , this one is a cool blast from the past , for sure.

 

I can't get over that silver-burst.

 

You taunt me with the photo.

 

conorb

[slider313]

Nice looking guitar! I like the silverburst. My 150 is louder than my 140 and it has a bit more ring to it. The 140 is lighter, more comfortable to play and has a more focused sound. You may want to consider pearl block inlay.

 

[tulk1]

I once asked a luthier about adding inlays after the build. If I recall correctly: Remove neck; possibly remove fretboard; remove the frets; remove the dots; route for the new inlays; relevel the fretboard after installing new inlays; refret the fretboard; reattached fretboard if removed; reattach neck; dress the frets. Wow!!

 

Hope they'll build you one with traps.

[conorb]

I once asked a luthier about adding inlays after the build. If I recall correctly: Remove neck; possibly remove fretboard; remove the frets; remove the dots; route for the new inlays; relevel the fretboard after installing new inlays; refret the fretboard; reattached fretboard if removed; reattach neck; dress the frets. Wow!!

 

Hope they'll build you one with traps.

 

I hope they will as well. That's a lot of work! Honestly I had no idea.

 

Nice looking guitar! I like the silverburst. My 150 is louder than my 140 and it has a bit more ring to it. The 140 is lighter, more comfortable to play and has a more focused sound. You may want to consider pearl block inlay.

 

 

Thanks for the comparison notes. The blocks are very cool on that. Either way, though, probably isn't a bad choice.

 

Why is it lighter; are the body sizes that different?

 

conorb

[Spectrum13]

Will they make one for you with Traps? If not, is that a deal breaker? You can always get a Prospect, 110 and a 170 but that is one very nice limited edition.

[brentrocks]

that guitar with blocks would be the berries!!!

[blueox]

"The other con and this is purely aesthetics for me are the dot inlays rather than traps. I asked the dealer to check and see if I can get traps with it. If I can't and I decide to get traps installed by a Luthier will that adversely affect value/etc./etc.?

 

Are these anniversary models worth it; tone, craftsmanship, playability - over the regular, normal models?"

 

If you want a 25th Anniversary H-140, it would be worth it because it is a Heritage with all the Heritage benefits and because it is a limited edition offering. In "tone, craftsmanship, and playability" it would not be better than a regular H-140, because they are all built to a high standard. However, if you want different inlays, I would not get a luthier involved after purchase, but instead order a custom H-140 through your dealer with your choice of inlays along with pickups, finish, and so on. For my money, I would not alter a factory anniversary model, especially by someone outside the factory.

[slider313]

I hope they will as well. That's a lot of work! Honestly I had no idea.

 

 

 

Thanks for the comparison notes. The blocks are very cool on that. Either way, though, probably isn't a bad choice.

 

Why is it lighter; are the body sizes that different?

 

conorb

 

They will make it. You may have to pay an upcharge.

 

The 140 has less mahogany on the back and is more of a "thinline" solidbody. The graded maple top is the same though.

[FredZepp]

I once asked a luthier about adding inlays after the build. If I recall correctly: Remove neck; possibly remove fretboard; remove the frets; remove the dots; route for the new inlays; relevel the fretboard after installing new inlays; refret the fretboard; reattached fretboard if removed; reattach neck; dress the frets. Wow!!

 

Hope they'll build you one with traps.

Oh , that doesn't sound good. The cost of that would likely be prohibitive...

 

I couldn't get motivated to change the inlays . I've never wished that my 140 were any different than it is...

[Assumer]

You guys are gonna get me divorced

[barrymclark]

I once asked a luthier about adding inlays after the build. If I recall correctly: Remove neck; possibly remove fretboard; remove the frets; remove the dots; route for the new inlays; relevel the fretboard after installing new inlays; refret the fretboard; reattached fretboard if removed; reattach neck; dress the frets. Wow!!

 

Hope they'll build you one with traps.

Oh yeah. This would be an impossibly difficult task and would cost SOOOO much... I wouldn't do it.

 

I am sure they will do just about any reasonable inlay work especially if they already have the inlays for another model. Wouldn't see the issue.

[peteraltongreen]

Hi Conorb.

I must be one of the longest playing C140CM players around.I bought mine in 1986.I had Seymour Duncan '59's fitted instead of the standard pickups,the difference was amazing.The other thing I did was fit a standard stop bar tailpiece,raised to the correct height.The sustain is fantastic.I call it my little grand piano,it's that good.I would choose dots on the neck,why ? Well I have a Gibson L5,which I love,but it has a wonderful ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl inlays.There is not enough 'wooded area' in my opinion,or there is too much inlay.Just my preference. Other good things are the 140 is much lighter than the 150,the cool pointed cutaway,and the 'snake' style headstock.Get it,love it ! ( You can see mine on my album page )

Peter Alton Green ( U.K.)

[barrymclark]

The more I look at this guitar, the more I love it. On the one hand, I, like PAG, like to see the wood on the fretboard but... the blocks on this are very tasteful.

 

Some examples of WAY too much for me... see the Gretsch G100 Synchromatic Archtop.

[111518]

I'm not sure I have much to add, but seems like a good excuse to post a pic of my 140, which I've finally had occasion to play over the last couple of weeks. Pic does demonstrate that the Parsons-Street posse will cook up just about anything you want --mine has traps in ebony. You can perhaps see that the guitar is notably thinner than a standard LP-type guitar.

 

To be honest, I'm not convinced that the anniversary-run Heritage guitars are likely to be especially valuable in the long run, compared to guitars with similar appointments often offered by Wolfe before they were featured on the anniversaries. If you are going to spring for a new guitar, take advantage of the chance to get the look and hardware that you want. (all my 2 cents, of course.)

[barrymclark]

In agreement with 111518, if you are springing that kinda dough for a new one, get what you want! Outside of the Mandolin headstock that FredZep has, there is very little they won't do with their current models.

[conorb]

Hi Conorb.

I must be one of the longest playing C140CM players around.I bought mine in 1986.I had Seymour Duncan '59's fitted instead of the standard pickups,the difference was amazing.The other thing I did was fit a standard stop bar tailpiece,raised to the correct height.The sustain is fantastic.I call it my little grand piano,it's that good.I would choose dots on the neck,why ? Well I have a Gibson L5,which I love,but it has a wonderful ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl inlays.There is not enough 'wooded area' in my opinion,or there is too much inlay.Just my preference. Other good things are the 140 is much lighter than the 150,the cool pointed cutaway,and the 'snake' style headstock.Get it,love it ! ( You can see mine on my album page )

Peter Alton Green ( U.K.)

 

Great notes Peter, thanks for taking the time to chime in. I do love my h150 but having something a little lighter could be a real plus in terms of versatility.

 

I understand your reasoning on the dots versus blocks or traps. Personally it's a perceived look for me.

 

 

I'm not sure I have much to add, but seems like a good excuse to post a pic of my 140, which I've finally had occasion to play over the last couple of weeks. Pic does demonstrate that the Parsons-Street posse will cook up just about anything you want --mine has traps in ebony. You can perhaps see that the guitar is notably thinner than a standard LP-type guitar.

 

To be honest, I'm not convinced that the anniversary-run Heritage guitars are likely to be especially valuable in the long run, compared to guitars with similar appointments often offered by Wolfe before they were featured on the anniversaries. If you are going to spring for a new guitar, take advantage of the chance to get the look and hardware that you want. (all my 2 cents, of course.)

 

Nice one. According to the Heritage website the body over a H150 is a bit smaller in every dimension with rim thickness being 3/8" thinner; I guess it adds up.

 

I'm not considering one for long term value or investment - l learned long ago to buy something because you love it not because you think you're going to make money on it. I do believe, however, that the combination of full headstock binding, ebony fretboard and silverburst provides a unique combination that would be special. Even if it's only special to me.

 

 

In agreement with 111518, if you are springing that kinda dough for a new one, get what you want! Outside of the Mandolin headstock that FredZep has, there is very little they won't do with their current models.

 

Definitely. Get what you want, it's your money.

 

I should hear back from the dealer early next week - the guy I was talking to is taking the weekend off and will be back on Monday or so.

 

conorb

[SouthpawGuy]

 

How long now are Heritage doing the Brent Burst ?

 

[barrymclark]

I believe they are only making 25.

[smurph1]

As a 140 owner, yes.

 

These are just wonderful guitars. I am so happy to see they are back.

+1 on that.. I've never played a 150 so I can't speak to that, but I LOVE my 140!!! Very Light and toneful..Really can't ask for much more..

[smurph1]

I once asked a luthier about adding inlays after the build. If I recall correctly: Remove neck; possibly remove fretboard; remove the frets; remove the dots; route for the new inlays; relevel the fretboard after installing new inlays; refret the fretboard; reattached fretboard if removed; reattach neck; dress the frets. Wow!!

 

Hope they'll build you one with traps.

IMHO I would never do that to a guitar for a cosmetic change..Especially a Heritage..My 2 cents..

[tulk1]

I once asked a luthier about adding inlays after the build. If I recall correctly: Remove neck; possibly remove fretboard; remove the frets; remove the dots; route for the new inlays; relevel the fretboard after installing new inlays; refret the fretboard; reattached fretboard if removed; reattach neck; dress the frets. Wow!!

IMHO I would never do that to a guitar for a cosmetic change..Especially a Heritage..My 2 cents..

That came Mr. Chris Stambaugh of Stambaugh Designs, when we were discussing my first ever custom built guitar. I wasn't sure what I wanted on the fretboard and brought up the question of adding better inlays later on. And that was his reply. Once you see it in print, it sheds a whole 'nother light on the subject, doesn't it?

[conorb]

That came Mr. Chris Stambaugh of Stambaugh Designs, when we were discussing my first ever custom built guitar. I wasn't sure what I wanted on the fretboard and brought up the question of adding better inlays later on. And that was his reply. Once you see it in print, it sheds a whole 'nother light on the subject, doesn't it?

 

It sure does. Sounds like major surgery.

 

I'm going to ask for a silver stinger as well. I think that would be totally bitchin.

 

My working assumption is that the back would black.

 

conorb