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You will love it Joe!! The HJS I picked up recently is awesome! I had no time yet for a NGD posting but it is a great great guitar!
Cheers and happy NGD,
Frank
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06-28-2016 06:36 AM
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A truly lovely piece Joe, all the best !!!!
Big
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Thanks Mikey. I am looking forward to settling down with this guitar and PLAYING again.
Thanks buddy.
JD
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Hi Joe, i'm happy that you found what you were looking for! I wish you lots of happiness with the new babe.
Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco
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That's s pleasant surprise Joe, very cool looking HJS very Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco
much in the same vibe as a LeGrande , looks stunning.
Others & I will be pleased to hear it later . Congrats on
a fine acquisition ( rare as hens teeth in the UK)
Best
Alan
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Maybe I came on too strongly. I don't feel bitterness toward Gibson per se. But I did suffer from disillusionment when they left so many loyal workers in the lurch. That was a business decision. Originally Posted by Steve Longobardi
Gibson has no secret sauce. It's reputation has been bought and sold several times, and it does not resemble its origin in the least. But Gibson still cranks out winners. I currently have four compared to five Heritages. That ratio should not suggest I have a bias toward Heritage or against Gibson, especially when you consider that I can literally walk over to the Heritage plant and get whatever I want.
I agree that it does come down to personal beliefs. But I cannot accept that there is an undeniable quality of sound rightly associated with Gibson only when put to the test of logic and reason. Gibson guitars put out myriad sounds, and they overlap with other manufacturers. The Gibson designs are not unique, all of the materials are available on the open market, and they don't have a monopoly on craftsmanship. So how can Gibson have a unique sound?
Take a listen to this. With a gun to your head, is it a Gibson or not?
Another.
If I'm tainted, it's not that I have a grudge against Gibson. I don't. But I knew and know many who worked at Gibson in the 50s through the 80s. And I know many of the Heritage folks, too. That gives me a different perspective.
No malice intended with this post.
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Marty,
We are both certainly passionate about our likes and dislikes- and we are also gentlemen at the highest level.
I'm actually more of an admirer of several boutique instruments Ive purchased over the past 35 years- and only in the recent few years I have come to appreciate the characteristic tone , timbre and natural reverb - commonly associated with Gibson Archtops....which to me and several other colleagues can agree upon.
No malice intended on my part either- our discussions are based on very subjective qualitative assessments , which in many cases are supported by general consensus.
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The spruce on that guitar is highly exceptional with a lot of character. The finish is hand applied, not the usual spray, just like Gibson did with some of their Kalamazoo Awards and Citations. That adds to both the cost and the appeal IMO.
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I'm not going to accuse anyone of anything here, because I can't tell FOR SURE, but it LOOKS as if the fb has been planed in the upper register, resulting in the pickup sitting a bit high, and the bridge all the way down flat. ICBW. Better angled pics would tell. Originally Posted by Marty Grass
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Originally Posted by Woody Sound
Hmm. Nibs look like they are intact. Better pix would help though.
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So the right one "DID" fall in your lap. Congrats bro. What a stunner. Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco
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If I may join in, this side of the pond we cannot give
an unbiased view on the differences between Heritage
snd Gibson , because the former is not represented
here in the UK. We can therefore only base a view on
what is available on YouTube and other media. Having
owned a large number and variety of Gibsons plus other
makes , one or two boutique instruments, over a period
of approx 50 years , The Gibson marque rules the roost.
There is an indefinable quality about them and a
particular sound quality instantly recognisable.
This is leaving the resale value out of the equation.
Restating Jabberwocky's assertion that not all of us
buy with the resale value immediately in mind but
with a view to keeping and playing our cherished
acquisition for a good period of time.
No wish to offend anyone but just my 2p's worth
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I think that one should recognize that Gibson guitars derive much of their new and resale value based upon the company's "brand equity". The same can be said of "Fender" and " Martin" as well. Their value is driven by deep rooted consumer perception of the historic "brand name" and not the actual guitars that they produce themselves. Their products are excellent (as are a number of companies without this brand attribute) but they key difference lies here in my opinion.
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Oh, like Golden Eagles, which is why you own 8/9 of them, you mean? Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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Congrats Joe! That HJS has the juice...you lucked out again bro! Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco
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Perhaps. But what Jabberwocky failed to mention is he bought a LeGrand at an exceptional price...i.e., with guaranteed resell value built into its purchase price. I know because that particular Legrand had been relisted on ebay several times, even at a price well below $6k, and I was nearly moved to buy that guitar. Originally Posted by silverfoxx
Some of us guitar owners who don't have built in equity from having bought Gibson guitars when they were much more affordable don't care to be upside down in a guitar, in the event that something else comes along that speaks to us. And there's no shame in that. The suggestion that one must keep any guitar for X amount of days, months, or years...I'm sorry, that's just nuts.
Joe, what say you bro?
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When I talked to Marty Turman about his D'Angelico II project, he stated that his intention was to build guitars at "Gibson" quality. He first used Jim Triggs and then used JP Moats and Marv Lamb to build his guitars. All three being among the best Gibson luthiers ever. My DA2 feels like a Gibson guitar. Jay Wolfe, a previous owner of my guitar told me that JP Moats carved the top thicker on my guitar than he did on Heritage Super Eagles in an attempt to emulate the D'Angelico sound. Jay told me that my guitar was warmer than any Super Eagle he has ever played. Jay further opined that Heritage guitars tend to be brighter than Gibson guitars.
I owned a Heritage 535 and have owned three Gibson 335's. The Heritage was much brighter than the Gibsons, and my Heritage had Duncan 59 Pups. For some reason, the Heritage guitars are, by design, brighter sounding than their Gibson counterparts. Perhaps this was done intenionally by the Heritage founders to make their own mark in the industry, a "Heritage sound", so to speak. While there are probably those who prefer the more acoustic, articulate sound of a Heritage, I prefer the darker Gibson sound. I am sure if Heritage wanted to make replicas of L5's, Super 400's and ES-175's, they could do so and the quality would rival, and perhaps even surpass that of Gibson. But that is not what they do. So, like chocalate and vanilla, there are different flavors for every taste. Those who prefer the Heritage flavor are lucky as those guitars are a better value.
Regarding the Heritage Johnny Smith vs Gibson Johnny Smith and Joe D., I would say that given Joe's penchant for mint condition instruments and full neck profiles, the Heritage is probably a better fit. That said, I bet that one day he will own a Gibson Johnny Smith, just to see for himself.
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It would appear that a number of us are in the firing line here. Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
Some of us guitar owners who don't have built in equity from having bought Gibson guitars when they were much more affordable don't care to be upside down in a guitar, in the event that something else comes along that speaks to us. And there's no shame in that. The suggestion that one must keep any guitar for X amount of days, months, or years...I'm sorry, that's just nuts.
Joe, what say you bro?
Without wishing to be pedantic, I did not suggest that a Guitar "must" be kept for X period at all
I merely said that some of us prefer to acquire an instrument to keep rather than turn it around
in a very short space of time. This could be a more expensive exercise, you seem to infer that
Heritage guitars are a good buy. Well I wouldn't know if that is right having never seen, let alone
played one. Because they are not marketed in the UK and rarely appear, to import sight unseen
would be unwise. exraordinarily expensive particularly currently.
They may be excellent value, all I am saying is that others and I prefer the tried and
tested Gibson brand, because we know pretty much what to expect. I have the same view with
Ibanez having had many models from 1983 to present day. There have been lemons, but in 50
years since I first purchased a Gibson, generally they are extremely good. Despite this a recently
acquired Guitar may shortly be moved on as try as I may I cannot bond with it. Yet others are
delighted with theirs.
The Heritage models in pics i have seen look quite stunning , JD's new acquisition in particular,
could be mistaken for a LeGrande at first glance without seeing the headstock.
Can I suggest that we can agree to disagree in an amicable fashion.
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yeah... Good Luck. The seller didn't even have the decency to respond to a $6250 offer and multiple emails.. Originally Posted by Marty Grass
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The Heritage 535 is a thinner guitar than the 335. That is why it is brighter. It is also lighter.
When Gibson produced its semi-hollow series, one of the concerns was to not appear too radical in design. The Les Pauls were not flying off the shelves then, partly because they were more expensive than Fenders and partly because the appearance of the LP was not embraced by many "traditional" guitarists. The 335 is a 16" that still has significant depth yet is feedback resistant, like the Strat. It was well accepted unlike the Explorer, the Flying V and the Firebird models, also McCarty innovations released the same year.
Heritage made two improvements on the 335. First, they moved the jack to the rim. Second they made it thinner, substantially dropping the weight by requiring less mass in the center block. I grew up with a 345, which does seem a bit warmer. My comrades who play three sets a night say that shedding that half a pound makes a difference though.
The top and back carves on Heritage archtops, just like the necks, can be ordered any way you want. Two of my Heritage archtops do have a thicker top, both by dealer order. They capture the L-5CES and Super 400 sounds when amplified. Two have thin tops, pretty much the same as the Gibson JS.
Unlike Patrick, I have no financial interest in the well being of Heritage. I'm just throwing in my 2 pence.
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No Alan, you didn't suggest a guitar should be kept to be fully experienced. That was suggested by another member. I'm not arguing for or against Heritage or Gibson. People buy what suits them. Whatever makes someone happy. I'm for that.
Originally Posted by silverfoxx
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Congratulations on your good eyesight ... i can detect no nibs at this resolution. Would definitely need better pix. Originally Posted by Marty Grass
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Marco, you are probably correct. But I stand by my promise. I bought this guitar with goal in mind to have a guitar that will go where I go. I really want a keeper. I am not a flipper at all. Since I've owned one of these already, I am familiar with its qualities and I sincerely believe I can keep this one for a long time. Originally Posted by Stringswinger
Amen bro. That's all I am after. When you have something and it's not for you, it doesn't take that much time for you know it. Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
As I told MartyGrass off line, I wanted a mint condition Johnny Smith. If I had the money the 17,000 one that MT has would have been perfect. But For $4200, I found a guitar that is every bit a Johnny Smith, (25", neck block, 1-3/4 nut, perfect neck, 3" deep, even signed by Johnny..). And it's in brand new condition and I will keep it that way. Originally Posted by silverfoxx
Do I buy guitars with consideration for there resale value? What am I an idiot? Of course I do. I'm lucky, I like things that other people like. So I make sure if I don't like it I'm not gonna have cut it into little pieces and fry it up with my eggs in place of bacon.
Every post regarding Gibson turns into the same pissing contest. Maybe it's folks protecting their investments? Maybe it's what iim7v7 or whatever the F his name is's perception that it's brand loyalty.. I don't know. I appreciate all my bro's keeping this one respectful (unlike that one my boy SS started...).
The main reason I started this post was because I wanted to see if anyone had a short scale LeGrand. The only person who has one said I'd have to pry it out of his cold dead hands in about 50 years and I don't have that kind of time.
I got my Johnny coming. I am fixing on lovin it.
just like I love you guys.
JD
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What I like is that every time you get a new guitar you post a bunch of videos, and I love to hear you play.
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Joe do you believe that there's a chance to get a mint early seventies Gibson JS for 10k or less. I guess when you mention 17k you are talking about a sixties ..... am i wrong?
Last edited by JazzNote; 06-28-2016 at 05:25 PM.
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