Product: Heritage Eagle
Price Paid: US $1400
Submitted
06/09/1998
at
09:20pm
by
Steve Yetter
Email: flyeagle<at>earthlink dot net
Features
:
7
New ('97?) Made by former Gibson luthiers in the old Kalamazoo factory. Custom carved mahogany top archtop, all solid mahogany, simple appointments, unbound rosewood fretboard. 20 med. frets, nicely finished. 25.4" scale length. Fade stain (sunburst)glossy. One volume knob mounted on mahogany pickguard. Chord jack mounted through tailpiece strap button. Single floating mount pickup, humbucking, no adjustments. Rosewood bridge, Gibson ES-175 style tailpiece. Hardshell case, 5 latches.
Sound
:
8
Good acoustic tone for unplugged practice. A spruce top would have more bass response. Great plugged in so-called "jazz" sound with clean amp settings. Feedsback readily. No hum. I use for Showtunes, solos, rhythm section work, small combos, intimate settings. This is an acoustically responsive archtop, though best plugged in. It does what I bought it for: A soft archtop "jazz" tone.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
Excellent fit and finish throughout. It was designated a 2nd because of two hairline wood cracks over internal end blocks. Full warranty. I doubt the cracks could spread or lengthen, given their locations. Its a beatiful guitar. I'm glad they didn't trash it. Bummer for Heritage, excellent discount for me!
Reliability/Durability
:
9
Good solid giggable ax. Grover sealed machines. No worries.
Customer Support
:
5
One year warranty. I think a well crafted, luthiered guitar like this can always be repaired by a competent luthier. I expect for problems
Overall Rating
:
10
38+ years experience. All styles. Also have Gibson Advanced Jumbo '36 reissue flat-top, and American Standard Telecaster. Two amps. I'd buy the exact same guitar in a heartbeat! I never thought I could afford a domestic made archtop until I checked this one out. Its great. A really nice guitar. Simple, the way I like 'em. Affordable too.
