tino Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 I was offered an almost mint condition Eagle on Friday evening,after mulling it over for 2 days I just cannot make a decision. On the bass side upper bout there is an abalone dot marker inlaid in to the wall...the seller says it was bought like this and it was put there by Heritage to show where the guitar wall would be thickened by way of an extra block to the inside so a strap pin could be fitted.The guitar otherwise is immaculate. Have any of you chaps ever seen this before,Im inclined to think he possibly fitted a pin here in the past but the wood could not handle it so a dot marker has been inlaid to hide the damage.. Whos correct??? There is a bottom pin but no sign of a pin ever being fitted anywhere else, Any help is appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Seacup Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 As far as I know, the factory's recommended strap button mounting location is in the neck heel. They used to have a page on their old web site about it. Is it possible that they did a custom order with an abalone dot in the side to mark where they'd added a block? Sure, that might have happened. Out of curiosity, is the abalone dot under the lacquer? Any evidence that it was added post-factory as a way to cover a hole someone else put there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartyGrass Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 That's a strange story. A dental mirror could help. It doesn't make sense for them to reinforce an area of the guitar for a strap button then not put the button on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tino Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 As far as I know, the factory's recommended strap button mounting location is in the neck heel. They used to have a page on their old web site about it. Is it possible that they did a custom order with an abalone dot in the side to mark where they'd added a block? Sure, that might have happened. Out of curiosity, is the abalone dot under the lacquer? Any evidence that it was added post-factory as a way to cover a hole someone else put there? Its beneath the lacquer,but I know from personal experience laquer can be applied without it looking a mismatch after the deed is done,also there are no rub or wear marks to the base of the headstock which indicates it never had a tied fix at that point...I think it looks to clean to be true,theres no fretwear whatsoever, no wear to the board,,,infact I cannot find any wear at all....theres no signs of refinishing...no giveaway overspray,no signs of refreting,no smell of fresh laquer.....maybe I just worry too much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Seacup Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Its beneath the lacquer,but I know from personal experience laquer can be applied without it looking a mismatch after the deed is done,also there are no rub or wear marks to the base of the headstock which indicates it never had a tied fix at that point...I think it looks to clean to be true,theres no fretwear whatsoever, no wear to the board,,,infact I cannot find any wear at all....theres no signs of refinishing...no giveaway overspray,no signs of refreting,no smell of fresh laquer.....maybe I just worry too much That's true about blending lacquer, assuming a talented and competent luthier/repairman. If I were you and the guitar played well (no action issues, no neck issues), looked good and, most importantly, sounded great, I wouldn't punt on it just because of the abalone dot. I'd consider it a mystery and part of the attraction. If you're really wanting to get to the bottom of it, call the factory tomorrow and ask if they've ever done such a thing either in production or customer order. If anyone would remember a guitar going through like that, it'd be Ren. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tino Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 That's a strange story. A dental mirror could help. It doesn't make sense for them to reinforce an area of the guitar for a strap button then not put the button on. My thoughts precisely,the seller is adamant that his facts are the case....Im thinking I should buy it,but I am just a little concerned.Would Heritage send out a guitar with just the bottom button? Theres no sign of one ever being fitted to the heel,Im starting to wonder is this a very very good refinish done some time ago,normally I wouldnt worry but £1300 is quite a lot of dough,would it be worth contacting Heritage??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genericmusic Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 My thoughts precisely,the seller is adamant that his facts are the case....Im thinking I should buy it,but I am just a little concerned.Would Heritage send out a guitar with just the bottom button? Theres no sign of one ever being fitted to the heel,Im starting to wonder is this a very very good refinish done some time ago,normally I wouldnt worry but £1300 is quite a lot of dough,would it be worth contacting Heritage??? Contact Heritage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitfiddler Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 The only way to possibly get an answer is to contact Heritage and ask for Ren. However, this might ease your mind. My H-575 was a custom order by the original owner. One of its interesting features is a single abalone dot at the upper area of the heel where a strap pin would normally be. It only has one strap pin that is an integral part of the tailpiece. Heritage does some interesting things to some of their guitars since they are a custom shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tino Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 The only way to possibly get an answer is to contact Heritage and ask for Ren. However, this might ease your mind. My H-575 was a custom order by the original owner. One of its interesting features is a single abalone dot at the upper area of the heel where a strap pin would normally be. It only has one strap pin that is an integral part of the tailpiece. Heritage does some interesting things to some of their guitars since they are a custom shop. Im feeling better now...since my last post I bought it.....and feeling smug I just bought a Cherry 535 off the bay....my collection has nearly doubled today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genericmusic Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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