Heritage S16/575

[Rickco]

Just a moment...
This is probably a one off, if not it was certainly built off line. Cosmetics are Sweet 16, full binding, ultra woods, 5pc neck, gold hardware and the inside is meticulous and looks like hand work in the braces. The build is 575, parallel braced ,24/3/4 neck. The neck is .77 1st .96 10th nut is 1.68 weight is 5lbs1oz. It has had a recent deluxe fret job at Nat Resophonic where they leveled the fret board and did their usual incredible job (id say better than new!) The pickup is a KA hand wound Alnico 3 which Kent made for me and is perfect for this guitar. The switch is to defeat the tone control so it has volume only. It has Grover locking tuners and oversize adjustment wheel on bridge. Tuning pegs, knobs, bridge, pickguard, pickup ring, tail piece, fretboard all Ebony. Plenty of dings dents and nicks in top, no cracks or structural issues at all. This was gigged on by a top NY player so has seen plenty of action. Ived owned/own some really fine Heritages, this one is like a boutique guitar. Very nice new plywood case.
asking $3800. more pics on rev

also listed on other platforms (like Rev) so subject to prior sale
Just added video of guitar being played, in the video it has a TW Doyle pickup, very rare you can hear it, The KA I installed also sound killer.. The TW is available with the guitar if anyone interested.

[Rickco]

I have this on several platforms, this is the most well informed place but I have gotten a few questions I want to clarify just in case 1) what is it? 575 or S16, it says 575 inside but (and some at Heritage agree) its more a super custom S16 having 24/3/4 scale on 5pc neck and parallel bracing. 2) It came to me with the TW Doyle you hear in the video. I had never heard of it and talked with RenW about it, he said it was a great pickup and I agree but when it became apparent I was going to have to sell I put the KA in it as it seemed no one had heard of the Doyle. This was my main git from when I got it and I liked the KA sound too wish I could keep it (not sure which pickup I like best!)
Lastly, check the weight on "comparable" guitars, even include the luthier models we are all drooling over at this size or smaller, this one is 5lbs 1 oz
Also, Im using the inflatable air bag packing system plus extra padded everything.
Hope this answers some questions
BUY IT !!!

[wzpgsr]

I sold this guitar to Rickco after buying it from the player in the video above. I should have kept it—and I’d rebuy it in a heartbeat if I were in the position to do so.

[andrew]

I would definitely agree with the H575 assessment. In addition to the things you mention, other factors that tip the scales for me are the fact that Sweet 16s usually have a mother of pearl "The Heritage" headstock inlay, "Sweet 16" headstock inlay, and "16" inlay on either side of the bridge. Whatever it is, it's a real beauty!

Do you know if the tailpiece is original? I recently picked up a Heritage with a similar tailpiece. I was convinced it was aftermarket (Ren thought so too), but now I'm starting to wonder.


I've heard of TW Doyle (aka Tom Doyle), but I've never played any of his pickups first-hand.

[Rickco]

Firstly, thanks to wzpgsr (is that Slovic?) Id normally not give it up, but considering the ones I know about youve had in the meantime I wanted every one of them! Pretty sure taipiece is added. The Doyle pickup is really nice, whats funny is right after I got this a very special S16 came up with the same pickup the only 2 Ive ever seen and no info on this model. The TW comes with its own special harness including pots and jack.
Thank you guys for lookin in, this is a great site!

[Rickco]

Bump, if anyones interested in how it sounds acoustically I have it strung with 80/20 martin sp 12-50 If you PM me your email I can send MP3

[Rickco]

Bump, the irony is although Im in a "have to sell" all, Im slobbering over most the ones for sale here, although I think you should buy mine first...

[Marty Grass]

Great sound!

[Rickco]

With all the tempting buys here I thought a reminder in order, and make sure the title wasnt misleading or confusing. The label inside says 575, Ive owned multiples of both S16 and 575 this is a S16 with 24/3/4 neck and parallel bracing and carved acoustically. You can see from the video the player has no problem managing feedback even though it has beautifully lively tone. Im selling off most of my gits due to health and hand reasons, I made an MP3 of it with nic rounds acoustically the playing is horrible but if you can get past the messed up fingering you can hear its essential tone. I dont know how to attach it here but if you PM me with your email Ill send it to you. Ill add look at S16s or Spruce topped 575s, this is not only fairly priced its the nicest one by a mile! Make me an offer, this is one of the nicest 16 to come out of Heritage ever

[Mick-7]

I made an MP3 of it with 80/20s acoustically the playing is horrible but if you can get past the messed up fingering you can hear its essential tone. I dont know how to attach it here but if you PM me with your email Ill send it to you

You can upload your Mp3 here.... click on manage attachments (gray box), etc.

Attachments - Manage Attachments:
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[Rickco]

Heres an MP3 of it acoustically with 11-50 nic rounds about 3 mins of acoustic and 3 mins plugged in ambient. As I noted my hands are shot so noodled best I could (surgery scheduled for next week) but just wanted to give an idea how it sounds acoustically and amplified by itself, please excuse the "tentative" fingering. Im lowering price to $3500. free shipping conus, paypal only

[Marty Grass]

I don't know how much it matters if the label says 575 or Sweet 16. It has features of both. The woods are more consistent with the latter, but the scale length is more the former. The absence of fretboard inlays is neither. The bracing favors the 575, but Heritage was open to modifications for special builds.

Back then, each guitar order had a spec sheet. I have seen these. The sheet may be bland, meaning nothing special to do. But often there were particular orders. For example, I have a 18" Johnny Smith with a 3 1/4" depth. I have seen two 16" versions.

Now Heritage is less freewheeling. At least it seems that way. They do custom builds. But back in the day it was less "restrained".

The woods on that instrument are amazing.

[Gitfiddler]

Beautiful playing and tone!!

In my view, the 'old guard' Heritage builders really hit a home run with this custom one-off archtop.

Your beautiful playing really shows off the special qualities in this purpose built instrument.