Heritage Golden Eagle Advice

**MaxTwang** · 09-01-2016, 01:23 AM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

If you're after an 18" acoustic Campy one might as well acquire the 18" Campy that's been available on reverb for 3 months...probably had at $3600...just sayin'

Like I really need the encouragement!!! I can't get that Campy off my mind but I have a few recent purchases that already aren't getting enough attention. But ... an 18" acoustic is awfully tempting

I'd better head to bed before I do something I might regret.

**rlrhett** · 09-01-2016, 03:48 AM

I honestly don't get the advice NOT to order a Heritage made for you. Sure, for us mere mortals who MAYBE buy a new guitar every ten years it's a bit of a risk. But my head is spinning trying to keep up with the guitars Vinny seems to have bought in the last couple of months. SUPER NICE guitars, too.

I've seen the posts that advise not go go to a niche luthier and have a custom guitar made. No resale value, and you might not bond with it. Fair enough. But a Heritage Golden Eagle?

Obviously Vinny enjoys the "hunt" and has some cash to play with. There is something he is looking for, and maybe that changes every day. But still he is looking for something. With a custom built Heritage you get tell somebody what you think you are looking for and have them try and build it. So long as its relatively mainstream, if you don't bond you sell. Not much different than buying a new Gibson, only you get to make the decisions.

"Hmmm, I've always wanted a spruce topped instrument that is carved fairly heavy and has a single top notch humbucker. I think ebony makes a better fingerboard than rosewood. I like a 25" scale and a 1.75" nut. It would be nice if it was a smidge over 3" deep and 17" at the lower bout. I think an ebony bridge is better than a TOM bridge with brass saddle pieces. I wonder where I can find one of those..."

Yep, you could spend time looking for that in a shop somewhere in the CONUS. Finding versions that are tantalizingly close. Having a reason to go to some mid-western city. The hunt would be fun.

Or... You could order it made from Heritage. Ordering a guitar custom lets YOU take all your years of knowledge and playing and puts you into the driver's seat. You think you know what the "ideal" L5 would be? Batter's up! That seems like just as much fun to me.

Say you get it. It's not quite what you wanted. You play it for a while and you discover that no you don't like the combination of a 25" scale with a 1.75"nut. You really would like to try a 25.5" scale with a 1-23/32" nut. You sell the first one and order another. It's a Heritage Golden Eagle. As long as you aren't ordering one with fanned frets, a 5" body depth, 3 single coil pickups, and shell inlay of your dog you can probably sell it just fine.

Are you going to lose some money, sure. Plenty probably. But it can't be worse than buying a Gibson Crimson L5 you can't play. Doesn't a brand new WesMo lose about $2-3k the day you take delivery from Gibson? Seems like there is just as much chance of not bonding with one of those. Based on lurking on this forum for a few months, my guess is you will probably buy and sell a few guitar in the nine months or so you wait to get your Heritage, so it's not like its mutually exclusive. Might as well try your hand at dialing up the perfect guitar.

**2bornot2bop** · 09-01-2016, 04:57 AM

Every collection should have an 18" archtop, a flattop, a nylon, an es175, and a 17" electric with one or two humbuckers. An 18" acoustic justifies itself by virtue of its voice. There's nothing like it, to my ear. The Super Eagle at 3" depth eliminates the "it's too uncomfortable to play argument."

Originally Posted by MaxTwang

Like I really need the encouragement!!! I can't get that Campy off my mind but I have a few recent purchases that already aren't getting enough attention. But ... an 18" acoustic is awfully tempting

I'd better head to bed before I do something I might regret.

**Stringswinger** · 09-01-2016, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

Every collection should have an 18" archtop, a flattop, a nylon, an es175, and a 17" electric with one or two humbuckers. An 18" acoustic justifies itself by virtue of its voice. There's nothing like it, to my ear. The Super Eagle at 3" depth eliminates the "it's too uncomfortable to play argument."

I like the way you think 2B. One guitar will not do. I would add a semi-hollow, a Gibson solid body, a Fender Solid body, a 7 string and a Selmer type guitar to that list.

Then, one should have, at a minimum a solid state amp and a tube amp. It never ends I guess.

I always say that having one woman and many guitars is easier to deal with than having it the other way around.

**Marty Grass** · 09-01-2016, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Gitfiddler

Vinny~My only advice is to trust that the new Heritage owners are MUCH more customer focused, and will do whatever it takes to build you your custom spec Golden Eagle. I watched the video of the latest "Parsons Street Pilgrimage" of Heritage guitar players and fans, and the one thing that struck me was the revitalized commitment of the new team, AND the huge amount of money being invested in the brand...as well as a total renovation of the old Gibson facility.

Contact Jay Wolfe of Wolfe's Guitars for his Heritage archtop expertise and factory clout.

The QC I've seen of late is even better than before. I own a '93 GE that is as good as it gets, in my view. However, if I were in the market for another one, I would not hesitate in ordering a brand new model built to my specs.

And just because I love this thing so much, here's a shot taken just yesterday of my old girl.

Tim, that's a stunning guitar. And I'm sure it sounds great, too. Very, very nice.

**skykomishone** · 09-01-2016, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

Every collection should have an 18" archtop, a flattop, a nylon, an es175, and a 17" electric with one or two humbuckers. An 18" acoustic justifies itself by virtue of its voice. There's nothing like it, to my ear. The Super Eagle at 3" depth eliminates the "it's too uncomfortable to play argument."

2B, you are a philosopher dude! I follow your logic, and it's spot on. I sprung for the 1936 Epiphone Emperor last year, wow, one unbelievable sounding guitar. You cannot compare an 18" guitar to others where volume, depth and richness of acoustic sound is concerned. I'm not a large guy, but I've found that it's entirely comfortable to play. 12.5" upper bout. 18.5" lower bout. It's a sound cannon. I bet an 18" Campy would be awesome. Or, a Super Eagle, made to order, or buy one used. What a deal.

**Bluedawg** · 09-01-2016, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

If you're after an 18" acoustic Campy one might as well acquire the 18" Campy that's been available on reverb for 3 months...probably had at $3600...just sayin'

If I hadn't picked up my 18 inch non cutaway Campellone acoustic I might have gone for that one .... I'd still like to have one of these around the house

But the non cutaway has been nice to have around the house

Then there's that 19 inch Moll that's been for sale in Atlanta ... if 18 inches is good ... wouldn't 19 be even better?

Once I pay off the Super 400 I'll have to see if Mr. Wu can do a 19 inch for me

**Epistrophy** · 10-18-2016, 04:59 PM

I loved mine until I really had to get rid of it, I felt constrained by the too thin neck with the standard nut width, a couple of luthiers also found the neck to be all too thin. There are some nice prewar Gibsons with standard nut, but with a fat profile I like very much. Too much chordal playing with the GE I used to own, was an issue to me, so luckily there was one who felt it just right. I loved everything in it, except the shallow neck that I didn't find so comfortable compared to some other guitars. I love the neck like Johnny Smith had in his D'Angelico, or Danny W's, when he had a similar one back in the days. I wish I would have found a GE with that kind of profile, and with 1 3/4 nut, and with a floater. For me, it felt more fair to give it to someone who had smaller hand size rather than ship it back to the factory and reneck it. Also, making a custom ordered GE was also and option, but I decided not to do that, but getting something that was already available. I somehow found it cool to play with it in sessions and perform with it, first of all, it being not so well known model. In my mind it's a supermodel. And the body shape was just perfect, not to mention the sound it had.

Nice pictures!

**Hammertone** · 10-18-2016, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

Every collection should have an 18" archtop, a flattop, a nylon, an es175, and a 17" electric with one or two humbuckers, AND A HOFNER CHANCELLOR. An 18" acoustic justifies itself by virtue of its voice. There's nothing like it, to my ear. The Super Eagle at 3" depth eliminates the "it's too uncomfortable to play argument."

Fixed it for you.
Just sayin'...

**rhoadsscholar** · 10-18-2016, 07:36 PM

For the configuration you are looking for you should consider the Heritage Eagle Classic Custom from Wolfe Guitars, brand new $3695

https://www.gbase.com/gear/heritage-...015-tobacco-su

Your local dealer may be able to match the price. Doesn't have the bling, but all solid in the configuration you are after and brand new

**Thumpalumpacus** · 10-19-2016, 02:10 AM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

I can get a brand new one (not till mid 2017) sunburst with a thick carved top and a single SD 59 humbucker for $5K. JD is telling me to run the 50 yard dash. Present day quality is unknown with the new company also.
Still mad at Gibson but not mad enough if I can get a minty one. I was going to buy this really nice new L5 from Guitar Center. 2 employees promised to match the $6.5K price I got from TMZ. Even had a saved message stating this on my cell from GC. Get down there and it is $8K firm plus tax and rude to boot. Guitar Center Santa Clara, Ca. and Scott and Eric will lie to you. Not cool. Anyway thoughts on the Heritage. You know me.
I like new and shiney. Also my bad luck with UPS. Trying to buy local. Their is a Heritage dealer 25 miles from me. What do you guys think ?

Try before you buy, play before you pay.

**Greentone** · 10-19-2016, 09:11 AM

I can sympathize with Vinny's dilemma. He has purchased from TMZ. They have enormous experience with shipping, just like Jay Wolfe--I own a guitar previously sold by him, by the way. It would seem that Vinny is getting clobbered on his end by the shipping experience. The hired help at "Fed-PS" are seeing the large, fragile-marked boxes and throwing/dropping/stomping the heck out of them--for one reason or another. (Vinny's Jill Stein lawn signs?)

So, if he goes with Jay Wolfe--a GREAT dealer--Vinny is back in the throw the dice and get a guitar shipped scene.

Hmm?

+1 on getting a Heritage. I love mine at least as much as ANY other guitar I have ever owned. AND, it's the best finish, ever.

**vinnyv1k** · 10-19-2016, 12:23 PM

At my age I have no time for waiting. I ended up getting this from Wildwood. Very nice axe.Attachment 36764

**BigMikeinNJ** · 10-19-2016, 12:28 PM

Wildwood ?!@?!? COOL !!!

I love that guy Greg that does their videos...<strong>

**Greentone** · 10-19-2016, 02:49 PM

Vinny,

That's a seriously pretty L-5. Nice "get." Please enjoy it thoroughly and play D-Natural Blues on it regularly. (Even if Wes did record it originally on a L-7)