Peerless Imperial or Heritage H575 ?

**goldenwave77** · 08-25-2015, 06:14 PM

I think the point is how much credence to place in the "strong recommendation" from the retailer.

**goldenwave77** · 08-25-2015, 07:32 PM

I was referring to the retailer. He probably took the Heritage in on a trade for $1200-1500 value...and probably pays $1050 for the Cremona.

In any event, the OP went and bought a new Heritage from another dealer, and paid $500 more. I think that is called "voting with your feet".

**barrymclark** · 08-25-2015, 07:53 PM

I thought he said he was getting a shiny new 575 for 2100. If so, that's a great price. If used, that is a bit on the high side.

Regardless, the 575 is a great guitar.

**pingu** · 08-25-2015, 08:02 PM

REAL nice blues there Doc !

love it

**goldenwave77** · 08-25-2015, 08:04 PM

[QUOTE=barrymclark;561689]I thought he said he was getting a shiny new 575 for 2100.

No he pretty clearly said "he (the retailer) does have a used 575 in excellent condition in his current inventory...that he would sell to me at the same price".

**jazz.fred** · 08-25-2015, 08:45 PM

I was offered a very fair price of $2500 (including setup w/my choice of strings and free shipping).

The $2100 price as for the Peerless Imperial from GnJ.

I believe that I could have been equally happy with either instrument, but the clear message from those forum members who responded was that the 575 was the better choice.

Thanks to all who responded.

**barrymclark** · 08-25-2015, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by goldenwave77

[QUOTE=barrymclark;561689]I thought he said he was getting a shiny new 575 for 2100.

No he pretty clearly said "he (the retailer) does have a used 575 in excellent condition in his current inventory...that he would sell to me at the same price".

Right. Then he said it was a "shiny new" one. Same guitar or was he just saying he's getting a new to him guitar? Dunno.

**barrymclark** · 08-25-2015, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by jazz.fred

I was offered a very fair price of $2500 (including setup w/my choice of strings and free shipping).

The $2100 price as for the Peerless Imperial from GnJ.

I believe that I could have been equally happy with either instrument, but the clear message from those forum members who responded was that the 575 was the better choice.

Thanks to all who responded.

Ah. Ok. New from Wolfe?

**goldenwave77** · 08-25-2015, 09:00 PM

"Who's on first...."

"Who...."

"The man on first...."

**2bornot2bop** · 08-25-2015, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by goldenwave77

I was referring to the retailer. He probably took the Heritage in on a trade for $1200-1500 value...and probably pays $1050 for the Cremona.

In any event, the OP went and bought a new Heritage from another dealer, and paid $500 more. I think that is called "voting with your feet".

It's a false assumption to think dealers "probably pay $1050" for a new Cremona. Not even close.

**docdosco** · 08-25-2015, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

It's a false assumption to think dealers "probably pay $1050" for a new Cremona. Not even close.

I wasn't going to bring it up, but since you did, you are right. Not even close. I buy Peerless wholesale. If the cost was $1050 on an Imperial or Cremona, the discount street price would be $1500. That is how the economics works on guitars. The market determines the selling price. There is only so low a dealer can discount before they are selling at or near their cost, and no one stays in business selling at cost. There is a reasonable profit margin for guitars, which most dealers try and get. However, water seeks it's own level and 'sell prices' are based on the actual wholesale, not what someone believes they are, or should be.......

Doc Dosco

**jazz.fred** · 08-25-2015, 09:28 PM

Yes. New from Wolfe.

I am EXCITED!!!

**docdosco** · 08-25-2015, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by jazz.fred

Yes. New from Wolfe.

I am EXCITED!!!

Congrats. I'm sure you'll get a fine guitar.

You have certainly received lots of opinions. Yikes!

Doc Dosco

**jazz.fred** · 08-25-2015, 09:43 PM

Thanks, Doc!

Regards.

Fred

**docdosco** · 08-25-2015, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by pingu

REAL nice blues there Doc !

love it

Thanks. I do my best to promote Peerless. Hopefully I haven't ruffled any feathers with my clearly biased opinions.

: )

Doc

**barrymclark** · 08-25-2015, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by jazz.fred

Yes. New from Wolfe.

I am EXCITED!!!

As well you should. That's a decent price for one new.

**barrymclark** · 08-25-2015, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by docdosco

Thanks. I do my best to promote Peerless. Hopefully I haven't ruffled any feathers with my clearly biased opinions.

: )

Doc

Not sure how. I never saw where you said anything that wasn't supportive of a brand that you've had good experiences with.

Never saw anything negative.

**docdosco** · 08-25-2015, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by barrymclark

Not sure how. I never saw where you said anything that wasn't supportive of a brand that you've had good experiences with.

Never saw anything negative.

Well, I am opinionated and I do try to get people to buy Peerless. However between two very good guitar brands, it's up to the player in the end as to which one he prefers. Fred made a good choice because there was no bad choice. Fred also owns a Peerless already. If money were no object and I could afford it, I would try and find a Heritage Johnny Smith just to have one. The only Gibson guitars that might interest me would be very old and very very expensive.

Doc Dosco

**GNAPPI** · 08-26-2015, 04:18 AM

The fact that you have an Ibanez AF-125 (I do also) makes me think you are going to like the 575 aesthetically and I think their sound compliments each other. Congrats!

I HAVE to get up to Wolfe one of these days!

**jazz.fred** · 08-26-2015, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

The fact that you have an Ibanez AF-125 (I do also) makes me think you are going to like the 575 aesthetically and I think their sound compliments each other. Congrats!

I HAVE to get up to Wolfe one of these days!

Hi Gary,

How do you like your AF125?

I am very happy with mine, although I am thinking about selling it to help fund the H575.

**rhoadsscholar** · 08-26-2015, 10:54 PM

A wise choice getting the Heritage 575. I was wondering how this thread would turn out. Sounds like it was a happy ending

**2bornot2bop** · 08-27-2015, 01:58 AM

If I'd have known the OP was willing to spend that much I'd have suggested he consider the rare shorter scale Golden Eagle acoustic, available for a song.

I know it's available for less than $3k.

2011 Heritage GOLDEN EAGLE Dark Wine Sunburst > Guitars : Archtop Electric & Acoustic - Just Archtop

**GNAPPI** · 08-28-2015, 03:19 AM

Originally Posted by jazz.fred

Hi Gary,

How do you like your AF125?

I am very happy with mine, although I am thinking about selling it to help fund the H575.

I like it a LOT! IMO it's one of the best Ibanez guitar models I've played. Add to that the amber burst with wood appointments make it a striking instrument.

The AF is the only guitar I own with flatwounds on it, ordinarily they're too dull sounding for me but they really work on the 125. When I got my 575 it had flats on it, they were changed the same day, I like the two guitars a lot.

As far as you selling the AF goes, I think Ibanez models are VERY consistent, and I don't think you'd have a problem later on down the road finding another one, they sell on the used market at surprisingly low prices.

**jazz.fred** · 08-29-2015, 10:34 AM

Although I truly appreciate the input of all the forum members, since I'm going to be playing the instrument, I need to be as thorough as possible in my pre-purchase analysis. In an effort to be as objective as possible, I have created a matrix. All information from published manufacturer's information.

Feature/Spec	Heritage	Peerless	Advantage
Body	Solid Maple	Solid Maple	Even
Neck	1-pc. Mahogany	Maple	H
Top	Solid Maple	Solid Spruce	P
Inlay	MOP Dots	MOP Block (split)	P
Binding	Body only	Full (Body,Fretboard, Headstock	P
Tuners	Unspecified	Grover GHS102 (ebony buttons)	P
Fretboard	Rosewood	Ebony	P
Tailpiece	Trapeze metal	Ebony	P
Pickguard	"Wood"	Ebony	P
Pickups	2 Duncan "Seth Lever"	"Innovated humbucker (fixed or floating)	H

Based upon the empirical data listed in the matrix above, it would appear that the Peerless is the better value. Not only are the appointments nicer, but it's $350.00 cheaper (including shipping)!

I realize that it's difficult to place a dollar value on "Panache", "Cache'" or any other French words that appear applicable. Still, to me the Peerless looks like the winner.

Your comments, observations or criticisms are not only welcome but solicited.

**blackcat** · 08-29-2015, 10:49 AM

As someone who is not entirely unbiased due to my contact with Peerless and never having played a Heritage ( I am sure that they are fine guitars given their provenance ) I would only say that ticking the As and Bs can sometimes miss the all too important subjective element in all of this. Good luck.