Leaderboard

The guitar and case survived intact. It came with a lot of documentation from 9 years ago that the guy I sold it to obtained. The guy I got it from obtained it from Don Dean, the king of 18" archtops (sorta). Heritage noted that they did only make two of these guitars. Both were made exactly the way they built them at Gibson except the size. I forgot how low the action will go without buzzing. It's very impressive. I put TI 12s Jazz. The guitar is pretty loud and sounds great. There is a signed label by Johnny Smith, and there is a second label handwritten saying it is an 18" Johnny Smith and is signed by the four original Heritage Company orders. I included some quick photos to show the impressive woods. The grain is tighter in the middle and widens at the side. So I had to research as to whether the opinion that tight grain is more responsive. The Heritage old timers and Aaron Cowles said it's a myth. A review of the Internet opinions by good luthiers say no tonal differences, probably because thickness and carving dwarfs any grain tightness factor. Anyway, I'm happy.

I don't know about going back to the old business model. It may have something to do with actually making a profit (silly concept, I know). I'm not privy to the financial status of the old company, but I had heard several times that things were indeed often on a "shoestring budget". There were times that I wondered if the owners even paid themselves. It seemed to be more a labor of love. This isn't Jim and Marv building a few guitars. I'm sure that they make a lot more guitars today than they did 15 years ago. Sweetwater alone has 65 guitars listed. CME has 22 listed. Jay Wolfe has 25. That's just 3 dealers. You didn't really see those numbers years ago. Have you visited the factory? The "big money" helped pay for a new dust collection system that makes the place safer, a humidity and temperature control system, a new spray booth where you don't really have to worry about dust contaminating your fresh lacquer, the Plek machine and more. The old factory, while quaint, was really pretty scary from a EHS standpoint. Lots of dust and wood laying around. The spray booth upstairs was open air, so dirt and dust was floating around. It was also quite dangerous, with nitrocellulose coating the entire booth. That stuff is a lot more flammable than some people realize. The business will need to pay for that upgraded equipment. It wasn't free! To their credit, Heritage is still making archtops (the 575 and Eagle Classic). Try to get a new archtop from Gibson. The last one listed was the Chuck Berry ES 350, but it's discontinued. There are a few dozen people making teles and strats. Fender, G&L, Suhr, LSR, PRS, and ton of low cost import versions.

(IMO) I don’t really believe that any years of the “Pre-Plaza” era H-150s’ were any better or worse. You really have to take them on a case by case basis.

Thanks so much. Would love to chat with her about her guitars and previous PSP's. Can't wait for the one this year and an opportunity to meet you folks.

Welcome LL. The resident "expert" on lefty guitars would be Lefty Alicia. She has been at most of our PSPs with various guitars. Here's her Millennium.

Tim Pierce's CC was chambered also. At 7.5 lbs, that's an interesting guitar.

I think the fret wire is standard Jesco stuff. It's pretty much used industry wide, unless you go with stainless. I don't remember the number, though. The caps in most Heritages are Vishay MKT metalized film. They are yellow axial capacitors and are good caps. The pots can vary over the years, depending on availability. They use standard audio taper pots. I have tried changing pots and to be honest, sonically there was no change. I had one that was scratchy, so I replaced all 4 with CTS pots. The only difference was in the feel, as I used low torque CTS with a 15% taper which changes the rate of volume change as you turn the knob. They also made it easier to turn, which might be good or bad, depending on your style. Wire is wire... You can get nice cloth covered vintage style wire, but it won't change the sound. It's pretty and if you want it to look like 1959, then go for it. Jacks and switches are pretty much generic. If they are clean and work, they're good. If they get dirty and noisy, or cut out, then change them out. I've used Switchcraft and cheapos from China and as long as they are quiet and solid, they're fine. Depending on how you like to roll off volume, I added a treble bleed to my 157 for a while. I liked it's effect more than 50s wiring or standard wiring. Here's my 157 control cavity with treble bleeds and the stock pots and caps. As I had changed a noisy switch, I changed the cable running up to the switch with a shielded cable. (the grey stuff).

Hey everyone. It is a different guitar journey when you're left handed. Going into a Guitar store maybe you'll get to try one or two guitars but normally there low level guitars. I have mostly purchased online in various ways and hoped for the feel and in person sound. (after much research of course) Fortunately I have found some really awesome guitars over the years. Two weeks ago I found a H-535 lefty in Grand Rapids MI. and wow have I hit pay dirt. The neck was a bit chunkier then I have had previously but man it has settled in and feels so solid. Please reply with a story and pic of your lefty Heritages. (and sure your righties too) Thanks. I look forward to being a part of this community.

The mini toggles switch among P-90, thinner single coil, and both (humbucker). Here's the wiring with push-pull knobs. The mini toggles to me are easier. https://www.seymourduncan.com/resources/pickup/wiring-diagrams

I have owned 3 535s over the years. One I sold to Mike Novello. Another I sold to one of my best friends, Jim. When Jim passed away two years ago his sister said to take all of his gear and give it to friends. I sold the gold 535 to another friend, Joe. Originally I gave one guy a H-150, another a Gretcsh Les Paul style guitar and Joe got the Rick 12. I have the Ruby Rick. Where in Indiana do you hail from mate? I have people in Muncie. My cousin's daughter coaches the Daleville High boys basketball team.

Purely my own experience and anecdotes from others. I own a 98 H150 and a late 80s- early 90s 535. Both are incredible guitars and every person who has tried them comments on them, both will be on tour with me for a up coming project. Ive heard a lot of people say about this era being sought after as the best was incredible and the worst just average. However I have also heard of the inconsistency’s of this era but I’d argue that’s down to the hand made nature. Conversely, I’ve played several transition years heritages from across the range and they were all average at best and mediocre at worst. The shop I work for was a UK dealer at the time and could not shift them for this reason. Poor finishing such as bad fret work, poor woods, defects such as incorrect neck angle, electrical issues and just general poor QC when compared to the obvious comparatives. I have heard since the new take over quality has vastly improved again and they are once again the sort after guitars they were.

One problem with trying to nail down the best guitar by year is that they never really seemed to nail down a "spec change" vs year. Lots of 150s were customized to some degree, and parts used were pretty consistent over the years, at least until Schaller exited parts of the market. Schaller pickups and bridge hardware, Vishay caps, Grover tuners, Jesco frets were pretty much standard items until the mid/late 2000s. Then they went with SD59s or Seths, and a TOM bridge style. The CC series were a departure in many regards, based on Edwin Wilson's specs. There were variations in the neck thickness but they would accommodate requests. The necks were rolled by hand. They have some templates to use as guides, but they didn't vary drastically. I have guitars built in 87, 2000, 2003 and 2005. The necks are reasonably close, somewhat thin for some people's taste but I think they are very comfortable. There are guitars built with chunky necks if the person ordering asked for it. As Dave and Kuz said, judge each guitar on a "case by case basis".

Hi, I play Anime song "Bling-Bang-Bang-Bong" with Heritage Sweet16. If you have time, please listen to it.

Flame On. Let us see them!

Thank you Heritage for making these!!

About 10 years ago I bought this guitar from someone in Ohio. He wasn't a player, but a friend of his recommended he invest in a couple of new guitars at a guitar show in Cincinatti, if I recall right. This is a Heritage Johnny Smith with an 18" body. I'd like to tell you a good reason I sold it the next year. I think it was a matter of money. I'm not sure. I sold it to a great guy and a forum member. Later he bought a couple of other Heritages from me. Fortunately for me, he agreed to sell the HJS back. There were two 18" HJS made AFAIK. Both were in Cincinatti. Don Dean, of Scotty Moore and Elvis fame, ended up with one. That one is a natural and is 3 1/4" deep. The incoming is the traditional 3" deep. The natural finish one was owned by a friend of mine who had the Floating #3 pickup rebuilt by Kent Armstrong, making it a little hotter. You can hear a difference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsM3VeXzpVw This is the incoming sister of the natural. It's a rose natural and has the standard Floating #3, which to me sounds warmer. I'm excited!

Nice. Love seeing all the different musical interest of players. Beautiful guitar.

Thanks Hopkinwfg for asking this question as I'm interested in a 150. Yes it is very subjective topic but hearing why folks like their guitars does help form an opinion when coupled with your own preferences. I look forward to reading others responses.

I think they used poplar back in the day, but either one would do.

This...period.

FWIW- I have a 1999 H150-CM that I absolutely love. (I did replace the pickups with Bare Knuckle Rebel Yells and put Sperzel Locking Tuners on it)...

Sounded great! Good to see you rocking out

Here is my 535. I forget what year it was made, close to '98 maybe? It is a rush when I can get this thing howling and feel the air coming out of the top f-hole on my forearm.

What a unique and beautiful specimen!

I agree with Rich, but damn it still makes me miss the old days!

Like Rich I hadn't heard the tune, but it was fun! Very well played! Thanks for posting!

Thanks for listen to it! Yes, this is TikTok's hit tune. Speedy and A minor so good for guitar playing 😂

That's All Folks!

Other than my 80s 357, my oldest is a "J" serial H150 I think. Don't have a lot of gtr pics but here's an old one.

Heritage has some great maple!