The Heritage Academy Custom - market value

**Ozymandias** · 04-08-2013, 01:26 PM

Anyone have any ideas what a used one in excellent condition would be worth? I tried one out and liked it but suspect the asking price is steep.

Ideally a UK or European value would be great but I suspect they are so rare that that won't be possible - a US value would help me with a general guide to value.

**DC Ron** · 04-08-2013, 07:13 PM

Not a common guitar even over here, but about $1200 US for average features and condition.

**Patrick2** · 04-08-2013, 08:08 PM

Are you buying it to resell it? Or are you buying it to play it?

**SamBooka** · 04-08-2013, 10:02 PM

I made the mistake of googling it... And I thought heritage head stocks were bad!!!!!

Just teasing

**Patrick2** · 04-08-2013, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by SamBooka

I made the mistake of googling it... And I thought heritage head stocks were bad!!!!!

Just teasing

Your posts are always such a joy . . . . . .

Just teasing

**Ozymandias** · 04-09-2013, 06:19 AM

Originally Posted by Patrick2

Are you buying it to resell it? Or are you buying it to play it?

I would be buying the guitar to play it. What would be your grounds for suspecting otherwise? Because I want to establish whether the asking price is reasonable? Wouldn't the vast majority of potential buyers?

Besides this guitar doesn't play quite as well (for me) as my other guitars. I'm pretty confident it would with a bit of tweaking. If I'm wrong it might be sold on fairly quickly so resale price is a factor.

The asking price is £1500. That equates to around USD 2,300. Even allowing for UK prices being anything up to 50% higher that seems steep.

**Patrick2** · 04-09-2013, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Ozymandias

I would be buying the guitar to play it. What would be your grounds for suspecting otherwise? Because I want to establish whether the asking price is reasonable? Wouldn't the vast majority of potential buyers?

Besides this guitar doesn't play quite as well (for me) as my other guitars. I'm pretty confident it would with a bit of tweaking. If I'm wrong it might be sold on fairly quickly so resale price is a factor.

The asking price is £1500. That equates to around USD 2,300. Even allowing for UK prices being anything up to 50% higher that seems steep.

"Grounds for suspecting otherwise"???? I didn't suspect a damned thing. I merely asked a question in an effort to help with your decision. Please excuse me for posing the questions. I'll leave it to others to reply.

Have a nice day.

**Ozymandias** · 04-09-2013, 09:43 AM

If you didn't suspect anything, why couldn't you make the normal, civil assumption that a fellow forumite seeking advice on a guitar purchase was looking for a guitar to play rather than something to sell on? And how was this supposed to affect your opinion about the market value of the guitar?

**Patrick2** · 04-09-2013, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by Ozymandias

If you didn't suspect anything, why couldn't you make the normal, civil assumption that a fellow forumite seeking advice on a guitar purchase was looking for a guitar to play rather than something to sell on? And how was this supposed to affect your opinion about the market value of the guitar?

We're not going to argue about this. I've moved on . . . you should do the same.

**fws6** · 04-09-2013, 11:14 AM

so to move on... whether you buy as a player, collector, or to sell on, would be irrelevant to me. Resale value is always important unless you are certain you will keep the guitar until you die.

any guitar I bought in my life was with the intent to play personally. Still I can say I sold many of my guitar purchases afterward because I could not get them to play / sound right; or mostly since my own preferences just shifted. I am not the same person playing the same things as I did 10 or 15 years ago.

I have never heard of this model. But in general Heritage guitars are very well built instruments. Still they are hard to sell 2nd hand. This is not a negative judgement, anyone will admit this.

Second hand value in my opinion should not differ all that much from the USA price because it is in the UK. Maybe add some to account for shipping and import taxes that you would otherwise have to pay. Id say a price between £1000 - £1200 would be more reasonable and 1500 is way over the top.

**2bornot2bop** · 04-09-2013, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by fws6

so to move on... whether you buy as a player, collector, or to sell on, would be irrelevant to me. Resale value is always important unless you are certain you will keep the guitar until you die.

any guitar I bought in my life was with the intent to play personally. Still I can say I sold many of my guitar purchases afterward because I could not get them to play / sound right; or mostly since my own preferences just shifted. I am not the same person playing the same things as I did 10 or 15 years ago.

I have never heard of this model. But in general Heritage guitars are very well built instruments. Still they are hard to sell 2nd hand. This is not a negative judgement, anyone will admit this.

Second hand value in my opinion should not differ all that much from the USA price because it is in the UK. Maybe add some to account for shipping and import taxes that you would otherwise have to pay. Id say a price between £1000 - £1200 would be more reasonable and 1500 is way over the top.

The HOC forum history displays several of that model having sold at $1k US...and it's rare here too.

As to Heritage guitars being hard to sell what makes you say that? Perhaps what you were trying to say is Heritage guitars take a hit on resale, and to that I'd say it depends on the guitar and the buyer...no guitar is worth more than a buyer is willing to pay...I don't care what the headstock says. But in any sell ALL sells are not equal...for every sell I've made I've spent hours of preparation in taking countless photos from every conceivable angle and writing a professional ad. It's not a guarantee of a sell, but it can't hurt.

**Ozymandias** · 04-09-2013, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by fws6

so to move on... whether you buy as a player, collector, or to sell on, would be irrelevant to me. Resale value is always important unless you are certain you will keep the guitar until you die.

any guitar I bought in my life was with the intent to play personally. Still I can say I sold many of my guitar purchases afterward because I could not get them to play / sound right; or mostly since my own preferences just shifted. I am not the same person playing the same things as I did 10 or 15 years ago.

I have never heard of this model. But in general Heritage guitars are very well built instruments. Still they are hard to sell 2nd hand. This is not a negative judgement, anyone will admit this.

Second hand value in my opinion should not differ all that much from the USA price because it is in the UK. Maybe add some to account for shipping and import taxes that you would otherwise have to pay. Id say a price between £1000 - £1200 would be more reasonable and 1500 is way over the top.

That's about my take on it.

I really thought the Heritage was a well-made guitar.

I'd put it in the same bracket as a Gibson 336, which I've been half looking out for (I have a 339 so it's not a pressing need). With a 336 I'd have a lot more certainty about resale value and an easier sell, with the Heritage I'd have the rarity mojo.

**Ozymandias** · 04-09-2013, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by Patrick2

We're not going to argue about this. I've moved on . . . you should do the same.

Well my problem was that I thought your first post gratuitously snide and your second manifestly and hypocritically dishonest.
But I've no wish to debate it further either, so let's move on.

**2bornot2bop** · 04-09-2013, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Ozymandias

Well my problem was that I thought your first post gratuitously snide and your second manifestly and hypocritically dishonest.
But I've no wish to debate it further either, so let's move on.

Man, what is your problem? The man asked you a simple question...were you looking to buy it to play or sell? The only manifesting I read is your projection of reading something into his question that wasn't asked or stated.

**Patrick2** · 04-09-2013, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Ozymandias

Well my problem was that I thought your first post gratuitously snide and your second manifestly and hypocritically dishonest.
But I've no wish to debate it further either, so let's move on.

It really would have been better and easier if you just elected to move on before you posted such an insulting an unfortunate prelude to doing so. However, in that you elected to take your "attitude" further . . I'll venture a response . . . and I'll try to be a restrained as possible;

Your original question in the OP, did NOT ask "market value" . . as you referenced in your post #8. Your original question asked . . . "Anyone have any idea what a used one in excellent condition would be worth?" BIG difference! Trying to accuratly answer such an ambiguously worded question, without delving further into the intent of the purchase, is kinda like shoveling horsh shit against the tide of the Atlantic Ocean.

"What is the guitar worth" to whom? To someone looking for that exact model for over a year with no success . . wanting to buy it and play it and keep it forever? In such a situation, it's worth what ever amount it will take to pry it loose from the seller's hands. To someone who just stumbled across it in a broke down music shop, who couldn't care less if he/she bought it or not . . . it's not worth so much. To someone looking to buy it because it became available at a real steal of a price . . then just instantly flip it to make a quick profit . . . well, that would carry a different value altogether.

Again, my questions were well intended and if you perceived them as being snide . . you badly misinterpreted them. However, your follow up post and each thereafter were indeed snide, insulting and unnecessary. It would have been much easier, and friendlier, to just answer my questions. In choosing between interpreting the questions as well intended . . . or not so . . . you unfortunately chose the latter.

Are we done here?

**2bornot2bop** · 04-09-2013, 01:31 PM

Brent over at HOC apparently just bought an Academy Custom..nice pics!:

Heritage Academy Custom in the HOUSE! - Heritage Guitars - Heritage Owners Club

**Ozymandias** · 04-09-2013, 02:17 PM

Nothing you've said alters one iota my certainty that your intentions were simply to be snide.

I notice you always seem to be keen to "move on" after you've had the last word. How wearying it must be that once you've had your partisan say people refuse to accept it as the last word on the subject. Even once you've made clear your view that it ought to be.

I'm done if you are.

**Ozymandias** · 04-09-2013, 02:28 PM

I had seen Brent's video but thanks for posting. It helped me decide that I was interested in the guitar. Not much help with value though.

**DC Ron** · 04-09-2013, 07:07 PM

Terms like "value" and "worth" are hard to nail down. At the end of the day, something is worth whatever somebody is willing to pay. If you want to buy at fair market value, $1000-1200 US is about right. If you want to make money on it, pay less. Maybe half or a bit more if you're sure you can flip it. If you want to keep it forever, pay whatever they're asking and sell the rest. But do buy a Heritage--they are VERY cool guitars.

**edhead7** · 08-16-2016, 01:06 AM

that was absolutely hilarious. what a baby...

**Stringswinger** · 08-16-2016, 01:12 AM

Seeing Patrick's posts in these resurrected old threads makes me sad. I miss him. He added a lot to this forum.

**BigMikeinNJ** · 08-16-2016, 07:31 AM

Likewise Marc, staring at a few of Patrick's babies here at the casa I've come to miss him a lot. Never met him, never got to speak to him but he helped me so much deciding what to buy just by finding his old posts.

I'll be smoking a Cohiba in his honor tonight.

RIP Buddy...