Heritage Johnny Smith - I'm Old Fashioned

**Max405** · 04-26-2015, 10:39 AM

Hi everyone,
I am really enjoying this guitar. The sound is probably its #1 attribute. Followed very closely but its amazing playability. The tune I chose for the video is I'm Old Fashioned from the Legends album.
The 25" scale makes some of the stretchies do-able for me. I think the neck is slightly less shallow than the Gibson neck. This makes it little easier to do the type of phrase Olympics that is prevalent in all the Johnny Stuff that I've learned so far. I love this Guitar. I used TI 12's and I could probably have used 13's. Let me tell you, when you get this guitar right, there is no better all around guitar for this type of Music.
Here's the video. Please note, the upload created some clipping on the low end. Im sorry for that.

Thanks for watching. Let me know what you think.

**mr. beaumont** · 04-26-2015, 10:52 AM

Oh shit....the GAS returns.

Lovely playing too. That guitar sounds PERFECT.

**iim7V7IM7** · 04-26-2015, 10:54 AM

That was fantastic Joe!

kudos

P.S.

BeBops or JazzSwings? What is your signal chain (e.g. amp + mic by guitar)?

**vinnyv1k** · 04-26-2015, 11:41 AM

Wow Joe that was beautiful. You da man !!!

**vinnyv1k** · 04-26-2015, 12:00 PM

Wow Joe that was beautiful. You da man !!!

**pkirk** · 04-26-2015, 12:20 PM

damn! awesome playing and sound.

**Archie** · 04-26-2015, 12:41 PM

Great mix of amplified and acoustic tone (if I'm right on your recording technique).

It almost sounds like chamber music with a hall type reverb. Has a very etherial effect like angels singing behind you. Lots of sound to hear.

Really nice over all effect and V.good playing too.

If I could make any comment, the pick-gaurd is getting hit a lot and can distract from the sound and i'd like to hear a little more amplified tone. But that depends on what YOU wanted it to sound like.

Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed sitting back to that on my Sunday afternoon. Kudos to you

**Patrick2** · 04-26-2015, 01:17 PM

Sounds Great Joe. Nicely played too. Very typical Heritage JS tone. Very distinctly different from a Gibson JS . . or even a Guild. I'm really happy for you, that you've found your JS nirvana.

By the way, I thought the acoustic/electric mix was spot on . . and I didn't find anything at all detracting as a result of pick hitting the pick guard. I listened to the clip 3 times . . I've got a pretty damned good audio card and speakers on my desk top, near perfect hearing . . and I *think* I might have heard something once or twice . . but, I'm not sure about it. Maybe ATH has much better hearing and a much better audio system than I. But, it's like anything else . . if one tries desperately to find fault with something, they eventually will. Whether at that point what they find is real or perceived . . . . is another thing altogether. ;-)

**Max405** · 04-26-2015, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

Wow Joe that was beautiful. You da man !!!

Thanks Bro.

Originally Posted by pkirk

damn! awesome playing and sound.

Pkirk, You were my inspiration for the guitar and pickup. I hope I did good.

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

Great mix of amplified and acoustic tone (if I'm right on your recording technique).

It almost sounds like chamber music with a hall type reverb. Has a very etherial effect like angels singing behind you. Lots of sound to hear.

Really nice over all effect and V.good playing too.

If I could make any comment, the pick-gaurd is getting hit a lot and can distract from the sound and i'd like to hear a little more amplified tone. But that depends on what YOU wanted it to sound like.

Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed sitting back to that on my Sunday afternoon. Kudos to you

Archie, You are absolutely right. Everytime I heard the ticking in the headphones I adjusted my picking a little. But this arrangement doesn't leave much room for thinking.. So I went right back to my bad habits. I hear you on the amplified sound. I wanted the folks to hear what the Guitar sounds like. Its heavenly. You are right, through my headphones, the sound was like a recital for god. I like mixing the acoustic and magnetic sounds. I have to invent some kind of pop screen that intercepts the pick sounds. Thanks..
JD

**Max405** · 04-26-2015, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Oh shit....the GAS returns.

Lovely playing too. That guitar sounds PERFECT.

Thanks Mr B!

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

That was fantastic Joe!

kudos

BeBops or JazzSwings? What is your signal chain (e.g. amp + mic by guitar)?

Thanks buddy. They were Jazz Swings.

Signal chain. 2 channels.
1st, Blue Bluebird Mic, 3" from treble side fhole. Using Phantom power from my mixer. Pan Setting 70% left, 30% right.
2nd, mag pickup into my board. Pan setting at 70% Right Channel, 30% Left
Both channels stereo USB out into my laptop. video/audio recorded MP4 with You Cam.

Thanks, Joe D
PS ate at Silk Road last night. Afghan food. Unbelieveable..

**Archie** · 04-26-2015, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Patrick2

Sounds Great Joe. Nicely played too. Very typical Heritage JS tone. Very distinctly different from a Gibson JS . . or even a Guild. I'm really happy for you, that you've found your JS nirvana.

By the way, I thought the acoustic/electric mix was spot on . . and I didn't find anything at all detracting as a result of pick hitting the pick guard. I listened to the clip 3 times . . I've got a pretty damned good audio card and speakers on my desk top, near perfect hearing . . and I *think* I might have heard something once or twice . . but, I'm not sure about it. Maybe ATH has much better hearing and a much better audio system than I. But, it's like anything else . . if one tries desperately to find fault with something, they eventually will. Whether at that point what they find is real or perceived . . . . is another thing altogether. ;-)

Oh yeh it definitely didn't appear as much through the song. I think it was just noticeable because its at the beginning. Anyway as stated it was a tiny point in what was a great performance and I would have never mentioned it if Joey hadn't of asked for a critique. I think if my only one can be the sound of a few pick hits, we're on good grounds ;-)

@Joe: I like the way we both came to that godly conclusion. I could imagine you sitting in one of those chambers in an old castle where they do those little Classical quartets and stuff. The sound would have been the same with but with natural effect only. Nice touch indeed.

Type Thing

**Teddyfm** · 04-26-2015, 01:39 PM

Wow! Beautiful . Can listen to that all night long. And congrats for finding such a nice instrument.
Enjoy. I know I am listening to it.

Ted

**Max405** · 04-26-2015, 01:40 PM

Patrick,
I really appreciate your words. That was a hard one bro.
You and Mark were instrumental (ar, ar, ar...) in getting me hooked up with an HJS. I am forever grateful that you got involved. Not many people know how caring and helpful you are. Your a good man.
Archie meant well, I know he did. It cant be all wine and roses. One thing I must stress. Playing An arrangement like that makes me forget every other thing I am supposed to do. I wouldn't have been surprised if I shit myself in middle of it all..
Thanks buddy. JD

Originally Posted by Patrick2

Sounds Great Joe. Nicely played too. Very typical Heritage JS tone. Very distinctly different from a Gibson JS . . or even a Guild. I'm really happy for you, that you've found your JS nirvana.

By the way, I thought the acoustic/electric mix was spot on . . and I didn't find anything at all detracting as a result of pick hitting the pick guard. I listened to the clip 3 times . . I've got a pretty damned good audio card and speakers on my desk top, near perfect hearing . . and I *think* I might have heard something once or twice . . but, I'm not sure about it. Maybe ATH has much better hearing and a much better audio system than I. But, it's like anything else . . if one tries desperately to find fault with something, they eventually will. Whether at that point what they find is real or perceived . . . . is another thing altogether. ;-)

**Max405** · 04-26-2015, 01:46 PM

Ted,
That was really nice to hear. I am blessed to have the guitar, I really am. Sometimes you buy a guitar and it means more than just what it plays or sounds like. This one is it. The masters signature is inches away from my heart when I am playing it. Only thing I'd change is getting the pickguard with a Rose inlayed in it.. If anyone has one they want to part with, please let me know.
JD

Originally Posted by Teddyfm

Wow! Beautiful . Can listen to that all night long. And congrats for finding such a nice instrument.
Enjoy. I know I am listening to it.

Ted

**Jabberwocky** · 04-26-2015, 01:50 PM

Lovely, Joe, simply lovely. You do the Heritage Johnny Smith proud.

More, if you please.

**Stringswinger** · 04-26-2015, 01:59 PM

Beautiful playing and a wonderful tone from the guitar! Bravo! Encore!

**Max405** · 04-26-2015, 02:02 PM

Jabs, Thanks buddy. I don't want this music to die. I hope it never does. The Guitar is sublime. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Lovely, Joe, simply lovely. You do the Heritage Johnny Smith proud.

More, if you please.

SS, That means a lot bud. The Guitar is such a joy to play. I think I will play it again!!!

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Beautiful playing and a wonderful tone from the guitar! Bravo! Encore!

**2bornot2bop** · 04-26-2015, 07:40 PM

My good brother Joe, that was worth the wait. I run my computer sound through my home audio system via an outboard DAC...You're filling the room through a pair of electrostat's no less. Even my boxer Humphrey's ears perked up as if to say: Who's dat?

Going to listen to it again. Thanks for your efforts...wonderful arrangement fitting of a beautiful tune!

**Max405** · 04-26-2015, 08:41 PM

2b, did it really sound good? It was clipping on my computer. I changed some settings and then it cleaned up. It sounds really nice on my iPad. I'm so glad you liked it. I don't want to embarrass myself and it's important to me that I represent the guitar properly. I want some one else who is interested in buying a heritage Johnny Smith to hear the guitar in my video and help them decide if it's right for them. Thanks my good man.

**pkirk** · 04-26-2015, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco

I don't want to embarrass myself and it's important to me that I represent the guitar properly. .

No way are you embarrassing yourself. I've listened to it a few times. You take a few liberties with the arrangement which give it your own spin. And frankly, the tone sounds more pleasant to me than in the JS recording!. I love that one little appogiatura thing he (and you) do in that weird/pretty run that goes from Amaj back to F maj. I use that when I play this tune.

Plus, no scary gun in the background with this camera angle

**Max405** · 04-26-2015, 09:52 PM

you like that huh?
thanks pkirk That's means a lot coming from a fine player like you.
Yeah no more scary gun.

Originally Posted by pkirk

No way are you embarrassing yourself. I've listened to it a few times. You take a few liberties with the arrangement which give it your own spin. And frankly, the tone sounds more pleasant to me than in the JS recording!. I love that one little appogiatura thing he (and you) do in that weird/pretty run that goes from Amaj back to F maj. I use that when I play this tune.

Plus, no scary gun in the background with this camera angle

**Larry M** · 04-26-2015, 11:11 PM

Very nicely done, Joe! Thanks.

**Flat** · 04-27-2015, 12:47 AM

Beautiful, sweet, elegant, articulate, and outtasight!

**edh** · 04-27-2015, 01:55 AM

Very nice, lovely tone. Is that a stock pickup?

hmmmmm....a HJS. I think GAS is setting in.

**Max405** · 04-27-2015, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Larry M

Very nicely done, Joe! Thanks.

No, Thank you Larry.

Originally Posted by Flat

Beautiful, sweet, elegant, articulate, and outtasight!

Flat, Wow. I appreciate the nice words. I am really lucky to have the guitar. Thanks.

Originally Posted by edh

Very nice, lovely tone. Is that a stock pickup?
hmmmmm....a HJS. I think GAS is setting in.

Ed, Thanks Buddy. No, the stock pickup was removed and a Kent Armstrong 12 Pole PAF was set in its place. Heritage does a really nice job of creating a firm anchor point for floating pickups. They really go overboard with the setup. ITs a beveled block of wood glued underneath the pickguard and 2 mounting poles on the pickup are affixed to it. Heritage makes GREAT guitars. Really they take a back seat to no one.

Thanks Everyone. Joe D