Which 150's are chambered?

[skydog]

I am curious as to which year/model 150's are either chambered or weight relieved and what an average weight would be?

[Kuz]

Only the solid bodies that are designed LW (light weight) are weight relieved. I think they started this process in 2008.

 

I am not a big fan of wt relieved guitars so I don't know the average weight, but I think I remember Ren saying 6 to 6.5 to 7lbs (approximately).

[Dick Seacup]

Kuz covered it, so I'll just chime in and say that I am not a fan of what should be solid body guitars being "weight relieved." I understand why manufacturers (and craftsmen like the guys and gals in K'zoo) do it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. In my half-vast experience, the chambering/relieving does affect the tonal qualities of the guitar. It's not a bad thing, it's just a purist thing with me, I guess.

[FredZepp]

It's kind of the opposite of Gibby... they do weight relief on all of theirs , unless you buy a couple of particular models.

 

Heritage does not weight relieve any 140/150/157 models .. unless you buy a LW model.

 

( It's hard to find a true solidbody Gibby anymore )

[Kuz]

Kuz covered it, so I'll just chime in and say that I am not a fan of what should be solid body guitars being "weight relieved." I understand why manufacturers (and craftsmen like the guys and gals in K'zoo) do it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. In my half-vast experience, the chambering/relieving does affect the tonal qualities of the guitar. It's not a bad thing, it's just a purist thing with me, I guess.

 

+100000

 

It is all the recent trend and I think Heritage is kind of been dragged down that road.

 

FWIW, Ren really likes the LW models and said it amplifies the highs and make the lows more focused (read "less low end")

 

I don't begrudge anyone that wants a LW 150, but I already have a great Tele, thank you very much.

[big bob]

As someone who has a LW, I can say Kuz is dead wrong. The LW is for light weight, not weight relieved. the 150 LW, 170 chambered and the 110. are all constructed like a millie. they have a center block sorta, but are hollow. they do not have a bunch of screwy chambers or random wood removed.They are built the same as the H-155 but instead of having a front back and rim, the back and rim are carved from one piece, So if you like the sound of the millie you will like the sound of the LW. And believe me brother your tele only wishes it sounds like my Popsicle.

[big bob]

[GuitArtMan]

Only the solid bodies that are designed LW (light weight) are weight relieved. I think they started this process in 2008.

 

I am not a big fan of wt relieved guitars so I don't know the average weight, but I think I remember Ren saying 6 to 6.5 to 7lbs (approximately).

6 - 6.5 lbs?!? That's featherweight. My Gibson CS-336 is 6.5 lbs, but that's a semi-hollow and considered very,very light. Did Heritage really achieve that much weight relief by chambering? I ask because I find their solid bodies tend to be on the heavy side, at least in my experience.

[Kuz]

To far to Bob, I have only played few Gibbies and PRS singlecut guitars that were weight relieved. I even briefly own a PRS 245 that was weight relieved. Tone is in the ears of the beholder, but I know in those guitars that there was a dramatic lose in low end, low mids, and mids.

 

I have never played a weight relieved guitar that had the grunt and growl (from lows & low mids) that my four (completely solid) 150s have.

 

YMMV

[Kuz]

As someone who has a LW, I can say Kuz is dead wrong. The LW is for light weight, not weight relieved. the 150 LW, 170 chambered and the 110. are all constructed like a millie. they have a center block sorta, but are hollow. they do not have a bunch of screwy chambers or random wood removed.They are built the same as the H-155 but instead of having a front back and rim, the back and rim are carved from one piece, So if you like the sound of the millie you will like the sound of the LW. And believe me brother your tele only wishes it sounds like my Popsicle.

 

I love the sound of a Milli, but I don't think they sound like a solid body 150. That was my only point. No disrespect intended.

[erictheweasel]

6 - 6.5 lbs?!? That's featherweight. My Gibson CS-336 is 6.5 lbs, but that's a semi-hollow and considered very,very light. Did Heritage really achieve that much weight relief by chambering? I ask because I find their solid bodies tend to be on the heavy side, at least in my experience.

 

 

If my bathroom scale is to be believed my 157 checks in at a he-he-he-he-he-fty 11 lbs. But it's worth it!

[big bob]

To far to Bob, I have only played few Gibbies and PRS singlecut guitars that were weight relieved. I even briefly own a PRS 245 that was weight relieved. Tone is in the ears of the beholder, but I know in those guitars that there was a dramatic lose in low end, low mids, and mids.

 

I have never played a weight relieved guitar that had the grunt and growl (from lows & low mids) that my four (completely solid) 150s have.

 

YMMV

 

No loss of mids and lows, plenty of grunt, and extra sustain. You should play one before you make any outrageous claims.

There will be at least two at psp111 my psychedelic Popsicle made by our own Kate flamm, and the red burst that Chris made, Steiner just bought and should have a tone report up soon...

 

It's ok to like/love a solid guitar. But hey, don't run something down just because you aren't familiar with it. Geese next thing ya know you guys are going to be saying that Heritage hollow bodies lack low end..

[tulk1]

......the 150 LW, 170 chambered and the 110. are all constructed like a millie. they have a center block sorta, but are hollow.

Lance, you know this for certain? I seem to recall Ren saying at PSPII they wouldn't divulge how they weight relieved the 150s. A Heritage secret, much like the HRWs. That's how I remember it, anyway.

[Kuz]

No loss of mids and lows, plenty of grunt, and extra sustain. You should play one before you make any outrageous claims.

There will be at least two at psp111 my psychedelic Popsicle made by our own Kate flamm, and the red burst that Chris made, Steiner just bought and should have a tone report up soon... [/b]

It's ok to like/love a solid guitar. But hey, don't run something down just because you aren't familiar with it. Geese next thing ya know you guys are going to be saying that Heritage hollow bodies lack low end..

 

Good. Then I will bring Greeny to PSP3 and we can see/compare which guitar has more lows & mids.

 

I was just relaying the description that Ren gave at the facory. He must need to change his outragous claims.... LOL

 

But I will acknowledge the Tele comparison was a poor comparison and a bad attempt of a little humor!

[yoslate]

Good. Then I will bring Greeny to PSP3 and we can see/compare which guitar has more lows & mids.

 

 

Oh boy! This ought to be fun!

[golferwave]

Lance, you know this for certain? I seem to recall Ren saying at PSPII they wouldn't divulge how they weight relieved the 150s. A Heritage secret, much like the HRWs. That's how I remember it, anyway.

 

 

A quick trip to an X-Ray machine will divulge their secret. Fender did this with old 50's Telecasters to accurately recreate them in the custom shop. It would be fun to see the differences in the weight relieving techniques between the Millies, and H-150's etc.

[big bob]

Lance, you know this for certain? I seem to recall Ren saying at PSPII they wouldn't divulge how they weight relieved the 150s. A Heritage secret, much like the HRWs. That's how I remember it, anyway.

I don't know about all of them, but mine is.. I know this because I have opened up the body ie removed the control cover, toggle cover and pups and looked inside with a dental mirror, same as My millie.

Heritage uses a jig to rout out the chamber (I can't say how I know this yet, but I do) I can't imagine they create a new jig for every guitar. I do know that some pickup configurations will not work with the chamber jig.

 

 

And Kuz. I'll take that bet, at pspiii we can have an old fashioned showdown of sorts, looser buys the first two rounds.....

[TalismanRich]

And Kuz. I'll take that bet, at pspiii we can have an old fashioned showdown of sorts, looser buys the first two rounds.....

 

ALRIGHT! Looks like we're gonna be cuttin' heads in the barn!

 

 

FWIW, chambering isn't new at all. The Guild Bluesbird has had chambers for 30 years or more. It was done to enhance the sound quality.

 

I guess it all depends on what you are looking for.

[tulk1]

I didn't get to play the popsicle at PSPI. But I did do a sort of "resonance" test on it. Which was comprised of the very scientific plucking of the strings and feeling them die. Took for...ev....er! No clue as to bottom or grit. But it does hold a note quite a while. Now Greeny, I did get to play that one. Friggin' awesome guitar! If it wasn't wired so that the mid position was wrong (ha!! ... kid'n John!) it would be the perfect 150 ... for me. Should be a fun shoot out. And to make it more even, John and Lance should not be the ones playing the guitars. Needs to be an impartial player - I nominate FredZep to play them.

[JeffB]

ALRIGHT! Looks like we're gonna be cuttin' heads in the barn!

 

 

FWIW, chambering isn't new at all. The Guild Bluesbird has had chambers for 30 years or more. It was done to enhance the sound quality.

 

I guess it all depends on what you are looking for.

Gretsch Duo Jet 1950's

[big bob]

I didn't get to play the popsicle at PSPI. But I did do a sort of "resonance" test on it. Which was comprised of the very scientific plucking of the strings and feeling them die. Took for...ev....er! No clue as to bottom or grit. But it does hold a note quite a while. Now Greeny, I did get to play that one. Friggin' awesome guitar! If it wasn't wired so that the mid position was wrong (ha!! ... kid'n John!) it would be the perfect 150 ... for me. Should be a fun shoot out. And to make it more even, John and Lance should not be the ones playing the guitars. Needs to be an impartial player - I nominate FredZep to play them.

yes fred would be a great test driver, but to be fair to both guitars in terms of playing style I think maybe rob should give them a run as well. Then tulk, then mike, then eric, then john, then Brent ect...

 

now the important part, what to drink, a Bells, but which one?

[Millennium Maestro]

I am actually getting a HUGE kick out of this Post!! So much diveristy and personal preferrence here and I shouldnt forget strong opinions.

Every guitar has its place, I dont judge a player by what he/she plays! This is a little off topic... with pickups, there has been so many technical advances over the years.. I dont prefer my guitar to sound like it is caaught in a late 50 rut( i am opening a can of beans here!!) But... pickups can change the tonality of any instrument.

 

Every time I use a different guitar, I have a tone knob and an amp that has tone contrals to assist me in compensating for differences in design, feature and components.

 

I am a solid body guy that prefers mass.... guess what, i get a great tone out of my weight relieved guitars!

 

Hey, this is the rambling of a non-purist... but at least I am not a drummer...LOL

[FredZepp]

I didn't get to play the popsicle at PSPI. But I did do a sort of "resonance" test on it. Which was comprised of the very scientific plucking of the strings and feeling them die. Took for...ev....er! No clue as to bottom or grit. But it does hold a note quite a while. Now Greeny, I did get to play that one. Friggin' awesome guitar! If it wasn't wired so that the mid position was wrong (ha!! ... kid'n John!) it would be the perfect 150 ... for me. Should be a fun shoot out. And to make it more even, John and Lance should not be the ones playing the guitars. Needs to be an impartial player - I nominate FredZep to play them.

I think that I should have a chance to play all of the guitars at PSP III... Not a bad one in the bunch, I'd bet.

 

And tone is rarely as easy as good or bad... just different..

 

and I like to have different tones to play with. You know... a bark to this song and a bite to that one and smooth on this one.

I find most all Heritages that I've played to be quite versatile ...

[Kuz]

I don't know about all of them, but mine is.. I know this because I have opened up the body ie removed the control cover, toggle cover and pups and looked inside with a dental mirror, same as My millie.

Heritage uses a jig to rout out the chamber (I can't say how I know this yet, but I do) I can't imagine they create a new jig for every guitar. I do know that some pickup configurations will not work with the chamber jig.

 

 

And Kuz. I'll take that bet, at pspiii we can have an old fashioned showdown of sorts, looser buys the first two rounds.....

 

 

Well, since I am not allowed to drink due to a rare Pancreatic condition.... I' ll by the first round.

 

How about we change the showdown to who can do the worst rendition of "Autumn Leaves"?

[tulk1]

How about we change the showdown to who can do the worst rendition of "Autumn Leaves"?

Then I've already won this contest. And didn't know I was even in it!