Heritage Headstock Critics Have Win

**Longways to Go** · 07-15-2017, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by 339 in june

Can anybody explain to me what's wrong with this ?
Attachment 44022
Functional it is, what else ?

This is my best/preferred/goto guitar, and I love it, headstock included.

I'll play "hater" here for a moment, though I really don't have a gun in this fight.

I see the headstock as too long or too tall. Also, the points on the top are not exactly -- shall we say -- poetic, from an aesthetic point of view. also, the trapezoidal shaped truss rod cover is meh at best IMO. All in all, it adds up to a "we were Gibson but we can't do their lovely headstock design anymore and this is our best effort" unfortunately, it is not amazing.

**Max405** · 07-15-2017, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by 339 in june

Can anybody explain to me what's wrong with this ?

its not in my hands right now??

**339 in june** · 07-15-2017, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by Longways to Go

I'll play "hater" here for a moment, though I really don't have a gun in this fight.

I see the headstock as too long or too tall. Also, the points on the top are not exactly -- shall we say -- poetic, from an aesthetic point of view. also, the trapezoidal shaped truss rod cover is meh at best IMO. All in all, it adds up to a "we were Gibson but we can't do their lovely headstock design anymore and this is our best effort" unfortunately, it is not amazing.

I said "functional", that's it.
Shall I play haters "hater" and call that BS ?
No, but I'd like to .....

**vinnyv1k** · 07-15-2017, 07:01 PM

Nothing wrong with being a Heritage fanboy or a Gibson fanboy. It simply doesn't matter. It's just a tool of choice to make music.
Same thing being being a Ford or Chevy man. They will both will get you to your destination.
Be thankful for your choices in life.

**Brian B** · 07-15-2017, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Thumpalumpacus

Never was an issue to me.

Now Epis, on the other hand ...

<dons helmet, dives for slit-trench>

I had an Epi Dot with the ginormous "Dove Wing" (I think they call it that) head stock. When I replaced the veneer on my Gibson Les Paul Studio with one that has the Gibby logo inlaid, I took the original veneer and laid it over that huge headstock and thought...."Hmmm."

Didn't do it. And these days I wouldn't .

FFS... its what makes it what it is...Epi or Heritage. Want the headstock to look like a Gibson? BUY A GIBSON!

Epi and Heritage rock. Leave their headstocks alone.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Greentone** · 07-16-2017, 11:39 AM

I get the "piss on Ford," "piss on Chevy" aspect of all of this. From my perspective, though, there are different tools for different jobs.

For electric jazz, my absolute favorite guitars--in order--are (1) the Gibson ES-150 (30s version), and (2) Gibson L-5 CES. These two guitars are simply superb voices for jazz guitar.

For acoustic-electric (Johnny Smith) jazz, i.e., archtop with a floating pickup, my favorite guitars--in order--are (1) The Heritage Golden Eagle, (2) Gibson Johnny Smith, (3) The Heritage Johnny Smith.

I also like, of course, Gibson ES-350, ES-175 (both early 50s examples) and the Gibson Tal Farlow guitars. However, I really like the first two categories most of all. Notice that in the acoustic-electric with floater category two Heritage guitars have made it into my favorites. This is due to sonic perfection. The Golden Eagle sounds majestic...HJS, too.

I can't see the headstock with my eyes closed and a broad grin on my face.

**Stringswinger** · 07-16-2017, 11:58 AM

I own a guitar made (mostly) by Heritage and it has the most beautiful headstock I have ever seen: Heritage Headstock Critics Have Win-img_0276-jpg

**BigMikeinNJ** · 07-16-2017, 01:35 PM

No Offense Mark, but this is rubbish.

You should have started a POLL instead because this is really a popularity contest thread, not a debate.

I own many great Gibsons, Heritage, Unity and many others. I never found the Heritage headstock displeasing in the slightest. It is all a matter of personal preference as so many of you have stated your PREFERENCE.
Like voting for the Prom Queen, doesn't mean the winner is the prettiest, but perhaps is the most popular.

Nuff Said ???

**Greentone** · 07-16-2017, 03:53 PM

SS,

I would jump to check out a Heritage-built D'Angelico. Didn't you acquire yours from Joe, or was it Patrick?

**Stringswinger** · 07-16-2017, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Greentone

SS,

I would jump to check out a Heritage-built D'Angelico. Didn't you acquire yours from Joe, or was it Patrick?

I got it from JD who in turn, got it from Patrick.

**JazzNote** · 07-16-2017, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

I own a guitar made (mostly) by Heritage and it has the most beautiful headstock I have ever seen: Heritage Headstock Critics Have Win-img_0276-jpg

I wish one day i could own one of these ...

**BigMikeinNJ** · 07-16-2017, 05:51 PM

Heritage Headstock Critics Have Win-img_8111-jpg

I've got Patrick's Excel

**Jim Soloway** · 07-16-2017, 06:08 PM

I don't understand the point of Heritage making a change this small. If they've decided to give in to the pressure then I say just surrender all the way and do a completely new design (with lots of customer input) rather than trying to just make a small tweak. I don't think a change that small is really going to please anyone.

**Greentone** · 07-16-2017, 06:09 PM

Very nice guitar. I believe I recall one or more clips on YouTube of JD playing the Heritage/D'Angelico on chord melodies--very nice work.

**Stringswinger** · 07-16-2017, 07:00 PM

Heritage built 12 hand carved D'Angelico replicas in the 90's under license from GHS strings (who owned the D'Angelico brand name for over 30 years). They also built some laminated guitars under the "D'Angelico II brand. Heritage built the bodies (JP moats did the carving and Marv Lamb did the paint). Ron DeMarino (John Lennon's luthier, who knew John D'Angelico) completed the guitars.

Patrick chased down two of the hand carved replicas (I have one and Big Mike has the other), one is for sale at Gruhn guitars ($6500 asking price) and I have no idea where the other 9 reside.

Does anyone here have one or know someone who does?

As I am sure Big Mike, JD and Mark (Marty Grass) would all agree, the Heritage D'Angelico guitars are magnificent. IMO, the only way to top them would be to have a genuine D'Angelico or D'Aquisto.

**Marty Grass** · 07-16-2017, 08:58 PM

Hey BigMike,

I didn't intend on stirring this up. I just wanted to give an update.

The arguments go back over 30 years. To me, it's like choosing between Ginger and Maryann

Heritage Headstock Critics Have Win-gm-jpg

Heritage Headstock Critics Have Win-gm-jpg

or between Chrissy and Janet.

Heritage Headstock Critics Have Win-cj-jpg

There will never be complete consensus.

Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ

No Offense Mark, but this is rubbish.

You should have started a POLL instead because this is really a popularity contest thread, not a debate.

I own many great Gibsons, Heritage, Unity and many others. I never found the Heritage headstock displeasing in the slightest. It is all a matter of personal preference as so many of you have stated your PREFERENCE.
Like voting for the Prom Queen, doesn't mean the winner is the prettiest, but perhaps is the most popular.

Nuff Said ???

**Flat** · 07-17-2017, 02:47 AM

The Heritage D'Angelico at Gruhn's that Stringswinger mentioned. Wowza!

Heritage Headstock Critics Have Win-ar4478a-jpg

**skiboyny** · 07-17-2017, 07:58 AM

It's wider at the bottom than it is at the top and everybody knows that's just wrong!

Originally Posted by 339 in june

Can anybody explain to me what's wrong with this ?
Attachment 44022
Functional it is, what else ?

This is my best/preferred/goto guitar, and I love it, headstock included.

**mad dog** · 07-17-2017, 08:07 AM

Having just spent hours with my H575, this comes to mind:

"If loving you (my Heritage with the contentious headstock) is wrong, then I don't want to be right."

The two Heritage guitars I have are outstanding, look great too.

MD

**JazzNote** · 07-17-2017, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Heritage built 12 hand carved D'Angelico replicas in the 90's under license from GHS strings (who owned the D'Angelico brand name for over 30 years). They also built some laminated guitars under the "D'Angelico II brand. Heritage built the bodies (JP moats did the carving and Marv Lamb did the paint). Ron DeMarino (John Lennon's luthier, who knew John D'Angelico) completed the guitars.

Patrick chased down two of the hand carved replicas (I have one and Big Mike has the other), one is for sale at Gruhn guitars ($6500 asking price) and I have no idea where the other 9 reside.

Does anyone here have one or know someone who does?

As I am sure Big Mike, JD and Mark (Marty Grass) would all agree, the Heritage D'Angelico guitars are magnificent. IMO, the only way to top them would be to have a genuine D'Angelico or D'Aquisto.

Stringswinger, the one at Gruhn's is a 18", what about yours and Big Mike's? Are they also 18's? (actually Big Mike's Excel looks more like 17)

**Woody Sound** · 07-17-2017, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by 339 in june

Can anybody explain to me what's wrong with this ?
Attachment 44022

Since you asked, I think the name is silly. JMO.

**mr. beaumont** · 07-17-2017, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

Since you asked, I think the name is silly. JMO.

Hey, at least they don't call the Super Eagle the "barely legal"

**Greentone** · 07-17-2017, 10:04 AM

Hmm? I guess I never thought of the Heritage guitar as having to do with jail bait. To me, it always conjured up the Browning 16-gauge A-5 autoloader "Sweet 16" shotgun. Before WWII, that was a very nice shotgun to go upland bird hunting with.

The Heritage founders and workers were all Michigan hunters. They didn't have the Browning in mind?
Heritage Headstock Critics Have Win-cq5dam-web-835-835-jpeg

Heritage Headstock Critics Have Win-cq5dam-web-835-835-jpeg

**mr. beaumont** · 07-17-2017, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Greentone

Hmm? I guess I never thought of the Heritage guitar as having to do with jail bait. To me, it always conjured up the Browning 16-gauge A-5 autoloader "Sweet 16" shotgun. Before WWII, that was a very nice shotgun to go upland bird hunting with.

The Heritage founders and workers were all Michigan hunters. They didn't have the Browning in mind?
Heritage Headstock Critics Have Win-cq5dam-web-835-835-jpeg

Hey, you think guns, I thought it was a reference to a ever so slightly pervy Chuck Berry tune.