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1996 1996 Heritage Johnny Smith in Trans Red. Beautiful or ugly?

SteveHoffman

By SteveHoffman
in Heritage Guitars

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Kuz Experienced

Kuz

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Hmmm.. who is bringing the Johnny Smith..?

 

I know, but I can't tell.... ya da, ya da..... :D

 

Sorry, but sworn to not tell.

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FredZepp Mentor

FredZepp

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I know, but I can't tell.... ya da, ya da..... :D

 

Sorry, but sworn to not tell.

:D

 

You do like to keep things mysterious , John.. You know why I was asking .. mystery guest and all. :P We need more clues..

 

Oh , sorry , temporary hijack there. :D

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Horace Contributor

Horace

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Great buy ! Anyone who ever sees that guitar will never forget it ! How does it sound ?

 

Tal

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Hfan Proficient

Hfan

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It's dead mint and not much money

 

While that is not a color I would pick right off the bat if given other choices, the above quote holds a lot of weight for me (I love a good deal). I came across a 157 used at a good price some months ago. It was in transblack, a color that I never really considered a favorite Heritage finish of mine. It has grown on me and I now love it. That red does have a cool rock a billy / retro look to it.

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mark555 Experienced

mark555

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great looking guitar and it is good to have something different. there are no end of sunbursts and naturals, but you have something others do not in its uniqueness.

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  • 2 weeks later...
SteveHoffman Rookie

SteveHoffman

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I got the Translucent Cherry Heritage Johnny Smith "Rose" today and it's pretty stunning in person. After I brainwashed my wife into liking the color I've found she really does like it. When the light shines on it the wood grain diffuses the red and turns it a nice woody shade. Quite impressive. Have not played it yet (waiting for it to acclimate to So. Calif.) but the little Rose on the pick-guard is quite unique and I don't think I've ever seen another, not even in a picture.

 

At any rate, thanks for your thoughts and advice on this. I love a good deal and this wuz one!

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Windstring Newbie

Windstring

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I got the Trans Red Johnny Smith "Rose" today and it's pretty stunning in person. After I brainwashed my wife into liking the color I've found she really does like it. When the light shines on it the wood grain diffuses the red and turns it a nice woody shade. Quite impressive. Have not played it yet (waiting for it to acclimate to So. Calif.) but the little Rose on the pick-guard is quite unique and I don't think I've ever seen another, not even in a picture.

 

At any rate, thanks for your thoughts and advice on this. I love a good deal and this wuz one!

 

"Acclimate to So. Calif.???" ;) Is it very hot or something? Up here in Minnesota, in winter, you do need to be careful but surely you have a better climate in your neck of the woods? Anyway, I do hope you are impressed by it once you dare to give it a strum. Like you, I've never seen a rose on the pickguard, and I'll bet it's a work of art! Cheers...

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SteveHoffman Rookie

SteveHoffman

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I always let a guitar sit in the case for 24 hours after being on the hot UPS truck. Call it a good luck charm or whatever but I've never had a finish crack...

 

Obviously this Johnny Smith was a special order guitar. I'm always curious as to who would order such a unique guitar and then never, ever play it (or maybe even pick it up). The Gold hardware, the special color, the special pick-guard, etc. These things were paid for by someone. Guess I'll never find out who or why. Nonetheless, it's a beauty.

 

Hope I can find a Super Eagle next (and for the same price, heh).

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Gitfiddler Mentor

Gitfiddler

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I always let a guitar sit in the case for 24 hours after being on the hot UPS truck. Call it a good luck charm or whatever but I've never had a finish crack...

 

Obviously this Johnny Smith was a special order guitar. I'm always curious as to who would order such a unique guitar and then never, ever play it (or maybe even pick it up). The Gold hardware, the special color, the special pick-guard, etc. These things were paid for by someone. Guess I'll never find out who or why. Nonetheless, it's a beauty.

 

Hope I can find a Super Eagle next (and for the same price, heh).

 

 

 

Did I hear someone say Super Eagle? ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Super%20Eagle%20Red.jpg

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  • 1 year later...
111518 Collaborator

111518

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I'm still loving this guitar, glad I got it. Hadn't realized ol' Johnny Smith signed it on the label. One of my favorite guitar players of all time.

 

Yup ... I remember suggesting red might not be a comfortable color for a jazz guitar. I'm very glad that bit of advice was completely wrong in your case, and to hear that you are enjoying the guitar. Got a red Heritage on the way myself...

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chico Veteran

chico

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red works for Brian Setzer..

 

BTW, I have a Millie H155 in red, LOVE it...

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SteveHoffman Rookie

SteveHoffman

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Johnny Smith in any color is beautiful

That is true. I blundered into Norm's Rare Guitars back in like 1992 and a guy was playing (on an old LP) "Moonlight In Vermont". I loved it, took a look at who it was, and have been a Johnny Smith fan ever since. Discovering that he wrote "Walk Don't Run" after that was only icing on the cake.

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Doug Collaborator

Doug

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Congratulations on a beautiful guitar.

 

I love that rose on the pick guard.

 

I almost customized the pick guard on one of my guitars with a rose years ago... much better to have it done by factory professionals though... glad I reconsidered.

 

If I had a spare pick guard for my ovation I probably would have done it. I had planned on blocking in a rose where Viper is on my pick guard and carving it out with a dremel tool then painting the insides with some type of red enamel.

 

post-1137-0-22175100-1337099107_thumb.jpg

 

post-1137-0-25562000-1337098594_thumb.jpg

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MartyGrass Veteran

MartyGrass

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I remember anguishing about that red beauty.

 

While I don't know Johnny personally, I don't think he'd be comfortable with such an audacious guitar. But I would.

 

Ren Wall told me the upcharge for that pickguard was $500. He has a blonde JS that's a "double rose" that he's selling.

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Guest HRB853370

Guest HRB853370

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Yup ... I remember suggesting red might not be a comfortable color for a jazz guitar. I'm very glad that bit of advice was completely wrong in your case, and to hear that you are enjoying the guitar. Got a red Heritage on the way myself...

 

I have a trans red 535. Spill the beanz Larry, whats on the way?

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