Heritage Question

[shonc]

Ok, so I am new (first post) to the HOC and I have (imagine that) a question. I have the chance to purchase a Heritage. I know that they are really great guitars and a bit pricey, which is why I am posting this. The Heritage I have the chance to snag is a LP style, with a Kahler. I'm not sure what year it is, but the pitting on the pups and the rust (as well as the natural wear and tear) tell me it's not new. I'm guessing this to be an 80's model. I do NOT have access to it right this moment for pictures as it is in a shop that I happened to go into today.

 

Here's what stopped me. The price. It's selling for $329.00 I can haggle that down to $300. That's what concerns me. I've seen these go VERY high in price. So, I guess my question is what should I be looking for to make damned sure this is a legit Heritage? It looks the part, but for $300, I'm leery about picking it up. The Kahler is, I believe, a 7200.

 

Any help you can give me would be helpful. Also, I didn't notice if there was a serial number on the back of the headstock. I really only looked at it for about 30 seconds.

 

Or, have I just found a hell of a deal?

[golferwave]

This is a good one. $300.00 for a Heritage? A great score but I would look on the back to see if it says "Made in China"

[shonc]

This is a good one. $300.00 for a Heritage? A great score but I would look on the back to see if it says "Made in China"

 

Yeah, I wish I had stopped and paid more attention. All I did when I saw it was stop talking and pick it up. It's got some good wear and tear on it, but I wish I had thought to write the serial down.

[Steiner]

Snatch it! You'll never spend a better $300!

[TalismanRich]

Check the serial number, plug it it and make sure it works, and that the neck isn't whacked or anything. Check the nut and frets for serious wear.

 

The serial number will start with a letter... A for 1984, B for 1985, C 1986, D 1987, etc. That will tell you vintage.

 

If everything is working and the "mechanics" are in good shape, WRITE THE CHECK! To get a Heritage for the price of a used chinese Epi is a steal! Just consider it one of those new "road worn" series that people spend big money for!

[shonc]

Check the serial number, plug it it and make sure it works, and that the neck isn't whacked or anything. Check the nut and frets for serious wear.

 

The serial number will start with a letter... A for 1984, B for 1985, C 1986, D 1987, etc. That will tell you vintage.

 

If everything is working and the "mechanics" are in good shape, WRITE THE CHECK! To get a Heritage for the price of a used chinese Epi is a steal! Just consider it one of those new "road worn" series that people spend big money for!

 

Yeah, I've decided to go ahead and snag it. What REALLY sucks is I have to wait until Tuesday, lol. Pics will be coming then.

[cod65]

I dunno. A Les Paul shape with a Kahler ? I dont recall too many Heritage like that (if any?) Is it a flat top on the body, or is it carved ? Is the neck bolt on ? Is it a solid color or sunburst ? does it have hardshell case with the words 'The Heritage' in gold paint ? Look for signs of neck repair (not that that would be a 'deal-killer' at that price).

 

If it is an Heritage, I would buy it.

[cod65]

oh , and look inside the control cavity if you can for a paper sticker. Also, the serial number is stamped on the back, often rather sloppily , in paint, under the finish. It should say ' made in Kalamazoo' on the back of the headstock, below the serial #.

[shonc]

I dunno. A Les Paul shape with a Kahler ? I dont recall too many Heritage like that (if any?) Is it a flat top on the body, or is it carved ? Is the neck bolt on ? Is it a solid color or sunburst ? does it have hardshell case with the words 'The Heritage' in gold paint ? Look for signs of neck repair (not that that would be a 'deal-killer' at that price).

 

If it is an Heritage, I would buy it.

 

Set neck. I believe Grover tuners. Sunburst (think Ace Frehley's LP minus the mid pup). Carved/Arch top. It DOES have a hard shell case (although I did NOT get to see it at the time). Pup adj. screws are, and I am trying to do all this from memory, two on the left and one on the right I think. Cream pup rings. The back is red with the back of the HS painted black into a point at the bottom of the HS. I should have grabbed it today, but I know it'll be there on Tuesday.

[cod65]

huh. the volute sounds like a Heritage, as does the Grovers. It might be a 150 -170 that suffered the ravages of the hairmetal 80's, with some sort of EMG pickups and a post-installed Kahler. Still sounds worth it.

[shonc]

huh. the volute sounds like a Heritage, as does the Grovers. It might be a 150 -170 that suffered the ravages of the hairmetal 80's, with some sort of EMG pickups and a post-installed Kahler. Still sounds worth it.

 

Here's the mockup in photoshop. THis is the closest I can remember it. Not sure on the knobs though.

 

[brentrocks]

sounds like a 1-off to me....custom order

 

Welcome!!!

 

cant wait to see it!!!

[tulk1]

sounds like a 1-off to me....custom order

 

Welcome!!!

 

cant wait to see it!!!

 

Yeppers.

[pushover]

Ok, so I am new (first post) to the HOC and I have (imagine that) a question. I have the chance to purchase a Heritage. I know that they are really great guitars and a bit pricey, which is why I am posting this. The Heritage I have the chance to snag is a LP style, with a Kahler. I'm not sure what year it is, but the pitting on the pups and the rust (as well as the natural wear and tear) tell me it's not new. I'm guessing this to be an 80's model. I do NOT have access to it right this moment for pictures as it is in a shop that I happened to go into today.

 

Here's what stopped me. The price. It's selling for $329.00 I can haggle that down to $300. That's what concerns me. I've seen these go VERY high in price. So, I guess my question is what should I be looking for to make damned sure this is a legit Heritage? It looks the part, but for $300, I'm leery about picking it up. The Kahler is, I believe, a 7200.

 

Any help you can give me would be helpful. Also, I didn't notice if there was a serial number on the back of the headstock. I really only looked at it for about 30 seconds.

 

Or, have I just found a hell of a deal?

 

I'm certainly not the Heritage expert around here, but I haven't seen anyone else come right out and say it yet.. If it's a real Heritage, then you have found yourself a "hell of a deal". Occasionally you run across people who don't know what they've got and think they're selling an off brand LP clone, but even if it needs some TLC, I'd still expect it to go for closer to the $500 range rather than the $300 range you mention. The issues for you seem to be "is it a real one", and "are there any" issues with it.

 

I'm gonna guess that it's not a chineese clone (these seem to have recently surfaced) because they probably wouldn't bother to clone a relic'd one with rust etc. As far as understanding whether there is anything wrong with it, what you really care about is whether there are any neck issues. What is the action like? You can look visibly down the neck and see if there are any signs of humps, or twists, but ultimately these things will manifest themselves as buzzing when playing the strings up the neck. Also take a look at the frets? How much wear is on them, how much fret height is left (to support a crown and polish if it needs it). Obviously, also, plug it in and make sure it sounds o.k. with no major humming, noise, etc.

 

Overall, for $300 on a Heritage I would expect a guitar with blemishes and signs of wear. If there are no fundamental flaws with it (i.e. neck, or it needs a complete refet) then you'll have gotten yourself a great guitar that you can grow with. People change out pickups all of the time (often just for personal preference), guitars that are loved and played will eventually need a full or partial refret, and all of these things can be done over time as you keep it. Basically, if it's for real and has no structural issues, then you'll almost always be able to get your money back if you choose to update it to a new shinier model at some later stage.

 

In the mean time, of you want to post pix, or give us the serial number, or look for a sticker that has the mdoel number inside the Pickup cover, there are people here who can help you figure out what you're buying. Best of luck.

[mark555]

for $300 'd take the chance and buy it - even if it's beaten to heck, sometimes a guitar you don't need to worry about getting a few dings is great - what's the worst thing that could happen?

[barrymclark]

300? What ever model it is, it is worth it. If it is like a 150 or 140, the money that would make up the difference between the 300 and what one would normally go for on the used market could easily go for fixing up any issues it might have.

[shonc]

Yeah, I'm picking it up on Tuesday. It's beat up, but I prefer my guitars to NOT be pristine so if someone dings it or what not, it's not going to drive me crazy. I figure for $300 I'm getting a hell of a deal on it anyway, so I would be insane not to snag it. Tuesday can't get here fast enough.

[FredZepp]

It should be a great deal on that one. It will be fun to see it.

 

I assume that this is in a music store and they have good reason to be careful about selling a Chinese knock-off.

You can remove the back plate covering the controls and verify that it has a Heritage Label... ( although, who knows, maybe they put them on the fake ones too )

 

I would think that you would be able to tell that it is a quality instument after handling it for a bit.

 

There are some model years that won't have the serial on the headstock, but inside the control cavity . ( my 140 is like this)

[GrandpaLarry]

does it have hardshell case with the words 'The Heritage' in gold paint ?

 

If it is an Heritage, I would buy it.

 

I wouldn't worry about what the case looks like. It could be a Heritage in a non original case. Also, my H535 came in a case without any markings.

 

It's about the axe.

[SouthpawGuy]

from the HOC Gallery .... a 140 with a Kahler "Floyd"

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.heritageownersclub.com/forums/i...si&img=1726

 

Pickups look like they might be high output Schallers.