The wooden bridge is aimed at a wound G string and subsequent intonation. The Thomastik sets you tend to use have an unwound G string, which intonate at a longer string length than a wound string. Indeed your luthier will have to craft you a new wooden bridge, or you can switch to a tune-o-matic style, but this affects your sound quite a lot.
My 175 has the wood bridge, and while I prefer that (I'm used to the wound 3rd string), I encourage you to try the tune-o-matic -- it might solve your problems and still sound good.
Gorgeous guitar but as you mention the relatively poor finishing work does not help to justify the cost. There are fantastic archtop guitars out there for less than half the cost of the Heritage H575 and most are beautifully crafted. I really enjoy your guitar playing and your reviews and tutorials.
the heriage changed owners in 2017 ..or so... i owned 22 at one time..the single cut ROY CLARK tripped my trigger 5 times 4 custom 1 stock....what you need is a new bridge that has a metal tuneomatic top..that bridge needs to be pinned to the body.. make sure the g string saddle has enough travel..then you are good from then on...IMHO
If you want a better acoustic sound, you should get rid of those electric strings and put some 80/20 bronze alloy strings on it. It will sound the same plugged in but will sound way more acoustic unplugged.
Wonderful.. your playing and understanding of a guitar is right on.. Where to start ? The sharp fretboard edges kill it for me too, on any guitar.. The Seth Lovers are great pickups -and I have them in an Explorer, of all guitars 🤣 but the neck pickup gives me such a nice woody sound, that I can play WesMo on it all day. Now, if you were looking for a jazz archtop that would sound great acoustically.. (and these here a plywood ones, but even so..) - I think you would always end up disappointed.. they were conceived for playing through an amp. Maybe a Gibson L7 would work ? What works for me great though, is a J-200 acoustic - the long scale, maple neck and body... it is BIG, but not uncomfortable.. and the specs are like an L5, if you look at it... and the sound too
A friend of mine owns an H575, a Gibson L5, and L4 and a few other high end guitars. I myself own a Heritage H555. I can only say that it is such a shame that Gibson, and unusually, in this instance, Heritage, can not keep their quality control to a high standard. The H575 owned by my friend is wonderful, his is a fabulous example. At $5k, any guitar should be beautiful from the word go.
I agree with what others said on the intonation of the bridge when it comes to wound vs unwound G string. As for the acoustic sound, the maple top doesn’t resonate as well as a spruce top like you had on the Eastman. But to me, the electric sound from a maple top is better.
Thanks Sandra! You just saved me 5k worth of euros 😃. I was going to upgrade from my Korean Epi ES-175 and was thinking exactly of buying a Heritage. The guitar sounds great but, those issues you described are unacceptable. BTW I would use a tune-o-matic, nothing beats that for intonation. Sure, the sound is very different but intonation first.
Just a note that your luthier can round the fret board edges for you and touch up the f-hole edges. A nice sounding guitar, the wood bridge has a lot to do with the sound.
Thank you for your honest review. It's a shame that you find those issues in a 5000 guitar. If I bought that from a dealer, I expect them to set it up properly, check the electronics, alignment, action, intonation, etc. Coming from the manufacturer it self, their standard should've been higher than what is expected from the dealer. This seems like it was just pulled out of the hanger, maybe dusted off a bit, put in the box and shipped.
Exactly! And for what I have read, people were praising Heritage guitars for the quality control that Gibson didn’t have anymore etc… That price tag and that F hole job is a joke.
For 5k I would expect all strings to be intonated and no over spray on the F hole edges. I would either return the guitar and request a replacement, (or this one repaired free of charge), else Heritage pay for your luthier to correct their poor final quality inspection. This guitar should never have been sent out in this condition.
Nice video. The white material inside the F holes may be buffing compound leftover from when the guitar was polished. I agree that the bridge may require a wound 3rd string for correct intonation. You could try one in the proper gauge and see if the intonation improves.
Sounds wonderful. Hope the buffing compound comes off. It’s a shame it was not perfect but this is the world we live in. I hope it all turns out in the end. Loved your video. (Of course I am biased as I have a lot of Austrian genes in me)❤
Really appreciate your honest review! There are so many channels that only provide the good and are basically glorified commercials for the products they are demonstrating. Kudos to you! Greetings from Hungary.
Just because someone is negative doesn't actually make them more honest automatically. If everyone lives this guitar but one then maybe the one person is wrong
@@allensaunders449 I totally agree with your first point. Regarding your second statement, I don't think reviews of guitars are necessarily about being right or wrong. There are things that people may like or dislike and they are subjective - meaning it's down to the individual person's perspective. What I don't like seeing are review videos that are very thinly disguised advertisements. I felt like Sandra was giving a nice honest statement of her opinion of the guitar. It'd be nice to see more of that from others in the guitar community.
Yes. I have a 1996 Mexican Strat. Whoever picked the parts, put them together and dressed the frets was having a VERY good day! I bought is used for 150 bucks. It's easily as good as an American Strat worth $2-3000! Unplugged it has unbelievable tone and volume.
First, I'm a big fan of your guitar skills! I absolutely LOVE your videos! Second, I feel really bad about that fingerboard issue with your Heritage. As a 40 year (retired) guitar tech, I'm certainly no luthier, but I'm pretty sure it would be a really easy and simple fix, to have your luthier "roll" that fingerboard for you, at least on the bass side. I've hand rolled the boards on every guitar I've owned since 1972 and when done professionally it is not obvious. But, It WILL eliminate that harsh edge which rubs against your thumb, and bothers you. If I were you, I would contact my luthier and get his professional opinion (if you haven't already) Best Regards! 🙂
I wonder how your Gibson would sound like with a set of two Seth Lovers for around 400€? Since the pickups make up for 90% of the amplified sound the 5k€ might become even more questionable. To make the acoustic sound a little better you could try out the trick of Rich Severson to decouple the pickup frames with small rubber washers from the wooden top allowing for more resonance.
I was thinking about doing that, actually. But I love the HRF as it is. I paid 2800 for the Heritage (I don't have to pay VAT). They raised the price tag up a grand within a few months. Crazy!
Nice guitar. Virtually every instrument is a compromise unless you are spending large amounts for bespoke/custom made. Given that you aren't keen on a deeper bodied instrument, I thought the acoustic sound was very good (and much better, as would be expected, than your Gibson). I really liked the plugged in sound (as do you). Given that you like the neck profile, fretting and sound, I hope you'll keep it and get the things you don't like fixed. The finish and quality control issues (and especially the bridge/intonation problems), are not acceptable on a pro level instrument. If I had paid over 5k for it, I'd be insisting that the shop put them right under warranty. A good luthier should be able to make you a new bridge top (no point in replacing the whole thing if the base is well fitted to the instrument) and correct the intonation. I wouldn't go for a tune-o-matic. The acoustic sound will suffer (It would be interesting to hear what your Howard Roberts would sound like with a solid bridge top. I bet the acoustic sound would improve). Provided you don't decide to alter string gauges, it wouldn't hurt to swap to a non-adjustable bridge (and you can always put the adjustable top back on if you do). Rolling the fingerboard edge to soften the angle is not a difficult task for a good luthier. All part of the fun of getting a new instrument to ones liking.
This is too exspensiv for the quality delivered by Heritage. In Germany you get an handmade archtop for this price. If you buy an Ibanez AF 200 you will get a better quality for the half price.
I got a H530 around June by pre-ordering a newly made one as I am a frequent customer of the parent company that bought over heritage and heard they stepped up their worksmanship quality. I was kinda disappointed the binding on mine wasn’t smooth at all around the 3rd fret. It looked like someone dented the binding with some kind of tool or clamp but instead of replacing the binding decided instead to sand it down as best as they could. The guitar sounded awesome but it took away the flawless impression it could have made for a first time Heritage owner.
I'd be pissed after spending 5,000 that they missed some of those details. The f-holes and bridge issues are pretty glaring for a pro level instrument. Great, honest review.
How about just add a 1 screw little Square Brass offset piece, after deciding where exactly it should sit? I just did an Ebony/Bone bridge for an es175 missing that part.
You think you could spend 2k and get a guitar that was set up perfectly, but you really have to be lucky now a days. I did like the sound of the pick ups in the heritage over the gibson, not saying the gibson was not good, both tones were very pleasing. I'm thinking of getting a jazz box with a floating humbucker or without for a couch guitar. I am thinking an Eastman, I'm a large to xl guy, so the size shouldn't bother me too much.
Wow, that’s competing with Norlin Gibson on a Friday. I’d place that level of quality, finish and attention to detail at less than a grand for that guitar. What are they thinking?
intonation problem is because the bridge is designed for a wound G string...If you look at older model jazz guitars with a floating wood bridge, they all have the G string set forward on the bridge to compensate for the wound G string...the white stuff in the F holes is polishing compound.
That's true, although Heritage has a newer model bridge, that does not have that problem(I goes its a happy medium comoromise for wound and unwoubd g-strungs). They sent it to me already. Let's see how that works.
I recently picked up an Eastman 601 and I have since, not been able to put it down. This instrument has such a beautiful, robust voice and such clarity throughout the entire register. Played softly, it delivers notes with wonderful projection and when you dig into it, it just sounds so inspiring. To be honest, it has been here for over two weeks and I have not even plugged it in yet! Sandra, I am sorry to hear your Eastman was dimensionally challenging for you from a comfort standpoint, but I'll bet you really do miss that incredible voice. I have become an Eastman devotee now, having also recently taken delivery on an SB59 Goldburst. Another example of the fine craftsmanship coming out of that company. And this interest all began a few years ago when I acquired an Eastman 505 mandolin. And I did look at the Heritage BTW, but as soon as I played the Eastman, the choice was really easy! These people simply make wonderful instruments.
I sold the Eastman, though, bc it had an unfixable dead spot. 8th fret low E-string just had no sustain at all. 2 very experienced luthiers couldn fix it.
Hello Sandra.. If you want a great Heritage in 16 inches, let me suggest a used Sweet 16. A much more "full dress" Heritage in your desired 16" body. The scale is longer admittedly (25 1/2 inch) but would get used to it I promise. Thanks
That bridge issue on the 3rd string points out a key thing to assess before buying a specific guitar, PARTICULARLY if the bridge is not per string adjustable: IS THE GUITAR PROPERLY INTONED? If not...probably best to move on!! Maybe it's specific to that unique guitar, maybe it's a design/systematic construction issue. If you find the same issue in a second version of the same guitar, FORGET ABOUT IT and consider something completely different. My $0.02.
Greetings Sandra from the land of Oz in the USA. As others have said, thank you for imparting such excellent jazz knowledge. After watching your guitar reviews, it is obvious to me that you and I have very similar tastes in what we like in a jazz guitar; shape, size, beveled board edges, frets, etc. That said, I strongly encourage you to get your hands on a Sadowsky Semi-Hollow and try it out. I acquired mine about five years ago, and for me, it just checks all the boxes. I still have a few other objectively great guitars that I occasionally play for a change, but the Sadowsky is my #1. I have a feeling you would really bond with one of these too. All the best, Paul.
Ouch! Yes that must hurt. Keep your eyes open for one, and you might snag a good one used. They are fantastic guitars, and to be honest, I would not have taken up your time telling you about them if I did not think so much of them. The Spruce center block is one ingredient that contributes to the stellar jazz tone of these guitars. They sound better than most fully hollow guitars I've played, and there are no feedback or intonation issues, two things I am not willing to tolerate. If I were a rich man, I would purchase one and send it to you, but hey, I'm a jazz guitarist! That's the name of that tune. Paul.
I had an Eastman 905 a while back but sold it after a year. It was a little too big to be comfortable for me and had only one pickup. I also ended up a Heritage H-575 guitar like you did. It's a gorgeous instrument and mine did not have the setup problems yours did. I agree with the comment about the strings. I think if you used a wound 3rd string it would make a difference. Also, I think the bridge can be slanted a bit to get the intonation correct. I don't think you will need to spend a lot with a luthier to fix these things. Plus, if you bought it new, you can get the work done under warranty. I love my 575!
Thank you for all your hard work,,you make me want to play again,,,as for the h575,,,have one from 2004,,great guitar but would not buy it now because the Americans are overcharging everybody outside the USA,,,,just not right,,,but they have been getting away with murder,,,,,,,if I buy another guitar, which i don t need,,,it probably will not be from USA,,,,Canada, Italy anywhere but USA. Have a nice day, ciao.
I bought a new Gibson ES-175 in 1979. It was a nice guitar, but I was never impressed by the tone. Not very good acoustic instrument. But, it did increase in value as I played it over 25 year and finally sold it. I played a 1968 Gibson Barney Kessel for 15 years after that. The tone was a lot better. Later, i got a 1993 Heritage Super Eagle. The tone didn’t impress me. I think Heritage guitars are not thick enough to get a good tone.
That is rubbing compound on the F holes. A rag with some swirl remover car polish followed by some light guitar polish will fix that no problem. FIVE GRAND, though? Nope. Maybe two, twenty one hundred tops. Yikes!
Heritage let their top luthiers go a few years back. I have several Heritage archtops from the earlier days with none of the issues your describing. Gibson did the same thing. Ive found the pre 2013 Heritages to be of the highest quality in evey respect. Id recommend finding a nice older model and you will get a better guitar for about half the money.. Check out Reverb guitar sales.
I made a great bargain with mine, that's why I keep it. I'll have the bridge removed. Still a good price. But I totally agree with you, they let the good people go unfortunately.
I have an H575 and an H150 from 2011. They are my gest guitars and the H575 is my total best but it has a nashville bridge. The H150 has Seymour Seth Lovers and the H575 has Seymour 59s. I have a Gibson Les Paul and it is nowhere near as good as the H150. Both my Heritages have minor cosmetic flaws. Nuts needed to be replaced. Heritage were always a bit sloppy with their finishing and assembly but they simply smoked equivalent Gibsons in sound quality for the price.
I have a Howard Roberts Fusion -97, and the two alnico 2 pickups Gibson put in, was not to my liking. The bridge 490t was way over the top bright in this guitar. The neck 490r was very good when playing clean, but tended to be muddy with more overdrive. So… I changed to a Dimarzio Air Norton in the bridge, ie alnico 5 and slightly uneven winding, open sounding, somewhat fatter and more pinch harmonics. Later I installed a Gibson Burstbucker Pro neck in the neck. So… also alnico 5 and uneven winding, but only 7.5k, compared to air nortons 12k in bridge. Now the sound of both pickup reminds of each other, bright but full, and prone to pinch harmonics. More jazz and wood in the neck, more rock n roll in the bridge. That’s why the guitar by Gibson was supposed to be a ”fusion” between an ES175 and a Les Paul.
if it's brand new you really cannot judge the acoustic sound completely imo. you have not broken it in yet. that solid top is going to take some time to move. I'd get a prime vibe. "rolled edge" is what the neck edge you're talking about. depends on the one you buy. they are hand finished. my 575 is not rolled. my 555 and 535 and 150s are rolled to some degree. i definitely prefer the sound of the heritage. but love that gibbie too!
Hi Sandra, I'm sorry for your dilemma, if it was mine I would return it and insist on a refund and say that it was not fit for the purpose of being priced as it is. The bridge should be intonated correctly and the finish on the F holes should be much better quality. get your money back and try a Harley Benton from THOMMAN GERMANY. PS Good luck and keep on grooving. best regards JOHN.
I've replaced all my 5 archtop wooden bridge tops with metal ( keeping the wooden base , of course ..... ) . Wood is alright for the days of comping , but that's gone .
Unacceptable. To spend 5K on a guitar with bad intonation and sloppy work on the f-holes. I bought an Eastman AR372CE 2 years ago for 1/5th the cost and there is gorgeous binding in the f-holes and the intonation is perfect. And 5 ply binding along the fingerboard. There's no excuse for that. Let me add, the acoustic sound is very bright and loud. I use flatwound 12 strings and I find that the pick type/thickness also determines the sound acoustically to a very large degree. Be sure to experiment!
The dealer should make good on the bad intonation -- that's just a bad setup and it's pretty easy to fix. A little filing may be all that's required. Check the nut against the frets to make sure that's not the problem. Either way it's easily adjusted. The unfinished f-holes are easy to fix too -- black paint and a small artist's brush and some time is all it takes. Make sure you stuff a rag in the hole while you're painting so you don't drip inside the body. For $5K you shouldn't have to deal with this stuff but if you like the sound and feel of the guitar it's worth fixing to make you happy.
Ohw.. that sound..... I love the 175 (got a Epophone which is not even close), but 5k is a lot of money, one might expect top quality. One thing wonders me, i have a pre-lawsuit Ibanez 175 clone which i equiped with a wooden bridge, how is is it posible Heritate to build these copies without getting in trouble ?
I think the 575 is actually designed off of the Gibson L4. I think the L4 and L5 guitars were never really suited for acoustic playing. It seems like just the nature of putting thick hardwood top back and sides together in a thinner body militates against True acoustic sound. So handcarved solid wood jazz boxes in my opinion are really one trick ponies, that is for the amplified jazz sound.
I’ve heard more positives about Heritage guitars than newer Gibsons. The consistent negative I hear about Heritage guitars are the neck/fret edges. But, it is pretty much the main complaint. Again, I hear more pros than cons on Heritage reviews. Brand name guitars aren’t always worth the money. Most of the time you’re paying for the name, with subpar quality. Edit: Holy crap! My ‘71 Yamaha SA-50 has more acoustic volume than your Gibson and it’s a thinner body.
The bridge is copy of the Gibson ES 175 bridge called a compensating bridge which is designed make the intonation correct. However it has exactly the opposite effect. Replacement with a straight line ebony or rosewood bridge will correct that. Or a tune-amatic one, but that won't give you as nice a tone as a wooden one.
You need one with a floating pickup, so no cutouts in the soundboard for the pickups, and cantilevered fretboard (like violins have,) again, not interrupting the soundboard. More guitars always better
Servus aus Kanada! I think the 575 is brighter than the gibson but I like that dark sound that approaches muddy but not quite. Some high end is always good
I have one of these with a tun-o-matic bridge which I much prefer. It came that way because someone ordered it with that bridge and didn't buy it so I got it. You should be able put a Tun-o-matic bridge on it. Mine actually has a lovely woody sound acoustically. There is no metallic kind of sound at all even although it has a metal bridge. Mine is about 13 years old. Heritage has always had some quality control issues with their finishing off which for many people could be very annoying but fixing those yourself is worth it because otherwise their guitars are fantastic.
Maybe they are getting old and missed some of the QC steps. I got mine use for really good price (people will hate me) and it is an older one. Thanks for the honest review, great playing. Regarding the acoustic loudness, I have good luck with GHS precision flats medium (13)
All Heritage guitars are made with the old press machines and with the same die & tooling. They are still hand made and don't use the cnc machine that modern Gibson's use. They had litigation between the two guitar company's when Gibby moved to Nashville, anyway I have the H-535 and it is a fine instrument.
Thank you for this review- I would say most of us do not put our thumb around the neck to fret a note- there is certainly no vibrato available, or keying into the note with your thumb.
Yeah the Seth lovers pickups sound a little bit more articulating could always throw a set of those on your Gibson or just have the two different tones and two different guitars so everything doesn't sound exactly the same
Back and side are solid, its more like a Gibson L4, its a very good guitar, and be sure it will become better in time. Mine is a 1989 model. Have a nice day
A great thanks from France for this review Sandra. I was contemplating buying this 575, but the tuning pb with the G (hope that a hand made saddle will fix it) is definitively a NO GO for me. I’ll dig into the second hand market, around 2010.
I once had this guitar but I sold it because the sound was not smooth enough to me. This is due to the massive maple body. I thing with a spruce top it would sound smoother.
For 5k I would be sending it back, the fingerboard edges I could forgive because lots of makers do this although rolled edges are more common place these days but the intonation issues and cosmetic issues are a deal breaker. I suspect the bridge has not been cut to the body correctly making it easier to be knocked or moved but two different notches is again unacceptable. That white stuff looks like polishing compound and should wipe off but if its under the finish that's really poor.
That's a real shame, the only company I would let get away with that is Gibson as I kind of expect it Lol. I don't know if you know but you can get an es175t (the t stands for thin) but acoustically might not sound any better your howard Roberts.
Just a little note for you you probably already know this though pick up Heights to string is crucial to having that perfect sound and tone anybody have an issues with that check your pickup heights to Strings you'll be surprised you do have to have good pickups to start out with for sure but even good ones if they're not set exactly right can throw out the tone if anybody's having issues
Hi Sandra, I bought some years ago an H575 in Northern Island. I had a choice between the Howard Roberts and the Heritage. ine is from the year 2000, so it came with Schaller Tailpiece, Schaller adjustable roller bridge and Schaller Pick Ups, which also sound great by the way. The Roller bridge was a bit too metallic to my taste, so I replaced it with an Aluminum Graph tech adjustible gibson style bridge with graphtec saddles. I had one on another guitar. With that the sound is more to my liking, a little more woody. Just my two cents of input if you care. And yes I find it a great sounding guitar. You make it sound great.
Well, you certainly plays well Sandra. It is not my go to music but this is stuff that if you start listen to it, certainly half an our passed and I realize I had been hypnotized by it. I recognize the sound thing with guitars. I have some a bit expensive and 2 dirt cheap. I use one of the real cheap a lot now just because I like how it sounds.
Yeah he should be able to carve that down just a snippet or the neck might have to be adjusted just a tad might as well have him do the fret ends while it's there just thinking I do a lot of things myself but some things I have to use my luthier since he has a multitude of different tools that I don't have for doing intricate and delicate work I dig your playing also
Yeah I probably would have sent that one back but I don't know what their return policy is but the sound is the important thing that's for sure but for five grand it should be looking like Ferrari sitting in the showroom I'm a contractor if you want to keep the guitar you can get a little stain to match that and use a Q-tip and match that color in the F hole or your luthier could do that because he can tape it off and do the other couple of things on the G string and the fret ends but I would contact the seller for sure that's just me and see what they say good luck to you that guitar doesn't sound great and that's important for sure actually the most important thing
Yeah 5K and it's not even set up right I think Sweetwater has a pro set up on their new guitars and some other places make sure they're set up and intonated properly before they ship them to you that's a lot of money to pay and you have to do all the extra stuff that's for sure
Sandra! What a treat to “hang out with you for lunch,” and listen to your review. And, well done - you hit the playability points, which are so important. I can really relate to the sharp fretboard edges issue. I bought a $4+K Tele made by Victor Baker (renowned archtop luthier), who was trying his hand at a solid body for jazz guys. Since I love Teles, I bit, and bought it. Upon arrival and testing, the finish and pickups were excellent. But, if I held the guitar out from my body by the neck, say at the 12th fret, and let the guitar slide down in my hand to let it rest on a stand… that action of sliding through my hand was like running a file through my hand. Maybe hard to visualize, but there was NO rolling to the fretboard edges at all - painful! Plus, as you pointed out, it’s important to have pickup screws line up with the strings. This one was off by a good 1/8” on the high E. Just not what I’d expect for a guitar in that price point. I sent it back - and, to his credit, he was cool with it, crediting a full refund. Point being, crazy high prices should get us a very high degree of satisfaction! Nice hang👍😁
Wow, you were lucky, that he took it back. I heard that in the US it's harder to return stuff. I guess one has to fall in love with a guitar. You know with me and the Gibson HRF it was love at first sight. I saw it and knew she was mine 😊. I bought several jazz guitars in the meantime, but the HRF is still the love of my life.
I don't own a Heritage H-575 guitar but I've considered getting one. I love the classic look of the florentine cutaway. I'm glad that I watched your review. Too bad for the Heritage H-575.
Most online music stores provide a money back guarantee. It's give it a chance and test it. They're great guitars and not each one of them arrives in such a questionable quality. Thus said, Heritage also has been very nice and sent me a replacement bridge and offered to pay for the luthier to finish and moubt the bridge (a new wood bridge always needs string slots carved).
The white stuff in the F-holes looks like it might be polishing compound. You should be able to remove it. You can have the fretboard edge rolled but the fret ends will have to be done again. Beautiful guitar and it sounds great.
Great honest review Sandra, really like the acoustic sound of the Heritage but was surprised at the weakness of the acoustic sound of the Gibson. Could you try a tunomatic bridge on the Heritage ? although I think it would affect the tone as well, to be honest if it were me for a 5K guitar it would have been returned as it has the poor finish in the F holes as well
I have an old H575, it's probably not perfect, but neither am I. It does play really well. Seems I never have to tune it. It's very stable. Great video.
Many years ago I had a Guild X-500 from Westerly RI that cost over $3000.00. I bought it because I liked the fullness of sound over a Gibson ES175. Sadly I had to sell it. Recently I wanted a jazz box but I can't afford anything as expensive as the Gibson or Eastman. I finally settled on an Ibanez AF95FM. I was pleasantly surprised by the sound of it considering the price.
I have the Seth Lover PUs in my Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s and they sound amazing. They are more mellow as the Gibson Burstbuckers that come with the Gibson Les Pauls. The Burstbuckers sound much brighter. So the Seth Lovers are perfect Jazz PUs. However it is a shame that this guitar has quality problems. Heritage guitars normally get very good results in reviews. How is this possible? Thank you for this honest review!
The wooden bridge is aimed at a wound G string and subsequent intonation. The Thomastik sets you tend to use have an unwound G string, which intonate at a longer string length than a wound string. Indeed your luthier will have to craft you a new wooden bridge, or you can switch to a tune-o-matic style, but this affects your sound quite a lot.
or use a wound G
I would never. I'm too used on what I've been playing for 20+years and a wound g string would be hard on my fingers. I don't like it.
True. Heritage sent me a new bridge which my luthuer can carve new slots into.
My 175 has the wood bridge, and while I prefer that (I'm used to the wound 3rd string), I encourage you to try the tune-o-matic -- it might solve your problems and still sound good.
A tune-o-matic bridge might be the best option for good intonation.
Ibanez all the way, when it comes to jazz boxes or semi-hollows, best quality control out there.
Gorgeous guitar but as you mention the relatively poor finishing work does not help to justify the cost. There are fantastic archtop guitars out there for less than half the cost of the Heritage H575 and most are beautifully crafted. I really enjoy your guitar playing and your reviews and tutorials.
the heriage changed owners in 2017 ..or so... i owned 22 at one time..the single cut
ROY CLARK tripped my trigger 5 times 4 custom 1 stock....what you need is a new
bridge that has a metal tuneomatic top..that bridge needs to be pinned to the body..
make sure the g string saddle has enough travel..then you are good from then on...IMHO
If you want a better acoustic sound, you should get rid of those electric strings and put some 80/20 bronze alloy strings on it. It will sound the same plugged in but will sound way more acoustic unplugged.
Wonderful.. your playing and understanding of a guitar is right on.. Where to start ? The sharp fretboard edges kill it for me too, on any guitar.. The Seth Lovers are great pickups -and I have them in an Explorer, of all guitars 🤣 but the neck pickup gives me such a nice woody sound, that I can play WesMo on it all day.
Now, if you were looking for a jazz archtop that would sound great acoustically.. (and these here a plywood ones, but even so..) - I think you would always end up disappointed.. they were conceived for playing through an amp. Maybe a Gibson L7 would work ? What works for me great though, is a J-200 acoustic - the long scale, maple neck and body... it is BIG, but not uncomfortable.. and the specs are like an L5, if you look at it... and the sound too
Free L5 and L7 habe a 25.5" cake length, don't they? I prefer the 24.75.
Excellent review, Sandra. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and great knowledge with us. Best wishes for you and your family!
Hope all is well with you and you're having a good time.
A friend of mine owns an H575, a Gibson L5, and L4 and a few other high end guitars. I myself own a Heritage H555. I can only say that it is such a shame that Gibson, and unusually, in this instance, Heritage, can not keep their quality control to a high standard. The H575 owned by my friend is wonderful, his is a fabulous example. At $5k, any guitar should be beautiful from the word go.
Generally, looks dont matter much to me. At least not as much as feel and sound. But I agree. At 5k, it should be perfect.
I agree with what others said on the intonation of the bridge when it comes to wound vs unwound G string. As for the acoustic sound, the maple top doesn’t resonate as well as a spruce top like you had on the Eastman. But to me, the electric sound from a maple top is better.
Thanks Sandra! You just saved me 5k worth of euros 😃. I was going to upgrade from my Korean Epi ES-175 and was thinking exactly of buying a Heritage.
The guitar sounds great but, those issues you described are unacceptable.
BTW I would use a tune-o-matic, nothing beats that for intonation. Sure, the sound is very different but intonation first.
Try to find a used one from our 2013!
Just a note that your luthier can round the fret board edges for you and touch up the f-hole edges. A nice sounding guitar, the wood bridge has a lot to do with the sound.
Thank you for your honest review. It's a shame that you find those issues in a 5000 guitar. If I bought that from a dealer, I expect them to set it up properly, check the electronics, alignment, action, intonation, etc. Coming from the manufacturer it self, their standard should've been higher than what is expected from the dealer.
This seems like it was just pulled out of the hanger, maybe dusted off a bit, put in the box and shipped.
Exactly! And for what I have read, people were praising Heritage guitars for the quality control that Gibson didn’t have anymore etc… That price tag and that F hole job is a joke.
It doesn’t surprise me though. Made in USA is not really a sacred cow since American workers have a history of being sloppy
@@robsondiem it looks like polishing compound. Should've been cleaned up, and there's no excuse for that, but it can easily be taken care of.
For 5k I would expect all strings to be intonated and no over spray on the F hole edges.
I would either return the guitar and request a replacement, (or this one repaired free of charge), else Heritage pay for your luthier to correct their poor final quality inspection. This guitar should never have been sent out in this condition.
Since it is sharp at the G string you can just carve a bit out of the bridge to compensate, but surprised to hear about the quality control issues.
Nice video. The white material inside the F holes may be buffing compound leftover from when the guitar was polished. I agree that the bridge may require a wound 3rd string for correct intonation. You could try one in the proper gauge and see if the intonation improves.
That white build-up 100% looks like leftover polishing compound to me.
I regret not buying an H575 I tried in a shop 5/6 years ago. I found it very comfortable to play and I love how 'open' the sound is. Great guitars.
Sounds wonderful. Hope the buffing compound comes off. It’s a shame it was not perfect but this is the world we live in. I hope it all turns out in the end. Loved your video. (Of course I am biased as I have a lot of Austrian genes in me)❤
Ahh I bet you're right that's what's probably on the edges of the f holes.
Really appreciate your honest review! There are so many channels that only provide the good and are basically glorified commercials for the products they are demonstrating. Kudos to you! Greetings from Hungary.
Just because someone is negative doesn't actually make them more honest automatically. If everyone lives this guitar but one then maybe the one person is wrong
@@allensaunders449 I totally agree with your first point. Regarding your second statement, I don't think reviews of guitars are necessarily about being right or wrong. There are things that people may like or dislike and they are subjective - meaning it's down to the individual person's perspective.
What I don't like seeing are review videos that are very thinly disguised advertisements. I felt like Sandra was giving a nice honest statement of her opinion of the guitar. It'd be nice to see more of that from others in the guitar community.
Guitars are like people.....some turn out great...some don't.
Find one you like and don't let go.
Love that Howard Roberts Fusion.
Yes. I have a 1996 Mexican Strat. Whoever picked the parts, put them together and dressed the frets was having a VERY good day! I bought is used for 150 bucks. It's easily as good as an American Strat worth $2-3000! Unplugged it has unbelievable tone and volume.
First, I'm a big fan of your guitar skills! I absolutely LOVE your videos!
Second, I feel really bad about that fingerboard issue with your Heritage.
As a 40 year (retired) guitar tech, I'm certainly no luthier, but I'm pretty
sure it would be a really easy and simple fix, to have your luthier "roll" that
fingerboard for you, at least on the bass side. I've hand rolled the boards
on every guitar I've owned since 1972 and when done professionally it
is not obvious. But, It WILL eliminate that harsh edge which rubs against
your thumb, and bothers you. If I were you, I would contact my luthier and
get his professional opinion (if you haven't already) Best Regards! 🙂
Pretty much every Eastman archtop I’ve played has a great acoustic tone - solid, laminate, doesn’t matter
The acoustic metallic sound may just require different strings size or make.
Eastman son una mierda !
I wonder how your Gibson would sound like with a set of two Seth Lovers for around 400€? Since the pickups make up for 90% of the amplified sound the 5k€ might become even more questionable. To make the acoustic sound a little better you could try out the trick of Rich Severson to decouple the pickup frames with small rubber washers from the wooden top allowing for more resonance.
I was thinking about doing that, actually. But I love the HRF as it is. I paid 2800 for the Heritage (I don't have to pay VAT). They raised the price tag up a grand within a few months. Crazy!
Awesome video! You are amazing!
Nice guitar. Virtually every instrument is a compromise unless you are spending large amounts for bespoke/custom made. Given that you aren't keen on a deeper bodied instrument, I thought the acoustic sound was very good (and much better, as would be expected, than your Gibson). I really liked the plugged in sound (as do you). Given that you like the neck profile, fretting and sound, I hope you'll keep it and get the things you don't like fixed. The finish and quality control issues (and especially the bridge/intonation problems), are not acceptable on a pro level instrument. If I had paid over 5k for it, I'd be insisting that the shop put them right under warranty. A good luthier should be able to make you a new bridge top (no point in replacing the whole thing if the base is well fitted to the instrument) and correct the intonation. I wouldn't go for a tune-o-matic. The acoustic sound will suffer (It would be interesting to hear what your Howard Roberts would sound like with a solid bridge top. I bet the acoustic sound would improve). Provided you don't decide to alter string gauges, it wouldn't hurt to swap to a non-adjustable bridge (and you can always put the adjustable top back on if you do). Rolling the fingerboard edge to soften the angle is not a difficult task for a good luthier. All part of the fun of getting a new instrument to ones liking.
Amazing sound. Sad the quality isn't par with the sound.
This is too exspensiv for the quality delivered by Heritage. In Germany you get an handmade archtop for this price. If you buy an Ibanez AF 200 you will get a better quality for the half price.
Excellent review but I always liked the look and sound of the Ibanez gb10 at £600 a bargain.
I got a H530 around June by pre-ordering a newly made one as I am a frequent customer of the parent company that bought over heritage and heard they stepped up their worksmanship quality. I was kinda disappointed the binding on mine wasn’t smooth at all around the 3rd fret. It looked like someone dented the binding with some kind of tool or clamp but instead of replacing the binding decided instead to sand it down as best as they could. The guitar sounded awesome but it took away the flawless impression it could have made for a first time Heritage owner.
Yeah, that's a bummer.
Nice video God bless you Sandra 👍👍🙏🙏❤❤🎸🎸
Thank you! ❤️
Have your luthier round the fret board edges.. Mine is used from 86.. got a killer deal.. and they are out there.. thanks for a great review... !!!!!
Beautiful guitar and fantastic playing 👍👍
Many thanks!!
I'd be pissed after spending 5,000 that they missed some of those details. The f-holes and bridge issues are pretty glaring for a pro level instrument.
Great, honest review.
I only paid 2.8k. That's why I didn't return it. A new one would've been 4.3k. Heritage just jacked their prices up a few months ago.
The F-holes are a 2 hour, at home fix, if you stop for a coffee break.
How about just add a 1 screw little Square Brass offset piece, after deciding where exactly it should sit? I just did an Ebony/Bone bridge for an es175 missing that part.
You think you could spend 2k and get a guitar that was set up perfectly, but you really have to be lucky now a days. I did like the sound of the pick ups in the heritage over the gibson, not saying the gibson was not good, both tones were very pleasing. I'm thinking of getting a jazz box with a floating humbucker or without for a couch guitar. I am thinking an Eastman, I'm a large to xl guy, so the size shouldn't bother me too much.
It’s a shame. My budget Epiphone is perfect and I love it. Fortunately my more expensive Gibson is also good too from the factory
Wow, that’s competing with Norlin Gibson on a Friday. I’d place that level of quality, finish and attention to detail at less than a grand for that guitar. What are they thinking?
intonation problem is because the bridge is designed for a wound G string...If you look at older model jazz guitars with a floating wood bridge, they all have the G string set forward on the bridge to compensate for the wound G string...the white stuff in the F holes is polishing compound.
That's true, although Heritage has a newer model bridge, that does not have that problem(I goes its a happy medium comoromise for wound and unwoubd g-strungs). They sent it to me already. Let's see how that works.
I recently picked up an Eastman 601 and I have since, not been able to put it down. This instrument has such a beautiful, robust voice and such clarity throughout the entire register. Played softly, it delivers notes with wonderful projection and when you dig into it, it just sounds so inspiring. To be honest, it has been here for over two weeks and I have not even plugged it in yet! Sandra, I am sorry to hear your Eastman was dimensionally challenging for you from a comfort standpoint, but I'll bet you really do miss that incredible voice. I have become an Eastman devotee now, having also recently taken delivery on an SB59 Goldburst. Another example of the fine craftsmanship coming out of that company. And this interest all began a few years ago when I acquired an Eastman 505 mandolin. And I did look at the Heritage BTW, but as soon as I played the Eastman, the choice was really easy! These people simply make wonderful instruments.
I sold the Eastman, though, bc it had an unfixable dead spot. 8th fret low E-string just had no sustain at all. 2 very experienced luthiers couldn fix it.
Hello Sandra..
If you want a great Heritage in 16 inches, let me suggest a used Sweet 16.
A much more "full dress" Heritage in your desired 16" body.
The scale is longer admittedly (25 1/2 inch) but would get used to it I promise.
Thanks
That bridge issue on the 3rd string points out a key thing to assess before buying a specific guitar, PARTICULARLY if the bridge is not per string adjustable: IS THE GUITAR PROPERLY INTONED? If not...probably best to move on!! Maybe it's specific to that unique guitar, maybe it's a design/systematic construction issue. If you find the same issue in a second version of the same guitar, FORGET ABOUT IT and consider something completely different. My $0.02.
Greetings Sandra from the land of Oz in the USA. As others have said, thank you for imparting such excellent jazz knowledge. After watching your guitar reviews, it is obvious to me that you and I have very similar tastes in what we like in a jazz guitar; shape, size, beveled board edges, frets, etc. That said, I strongly encourage you to get your hands on a Sadowsky Semi-Hollow and try it out. I acquired mine about five years ago, and for me, it just checks all the boxes. I still have a few other objectively great guitars that I occasionally play for a change, but the Sadowsky is my #1. I have a feeling you would really bond with one of these too. All the best, Paul.
Oh, I'd totally love to. I was already looking into them, but the custom fees and VAT are a nightmare.
Ouch! Yes that must hurt. Keep your eyes open for one, and you might snag a good one used. They are fantastic guitars, and to be honest, I would not have taken up your time telling you about them if I did not think so much of them. The Spruce center block is one ingredient that contributes to the stellar jazz tone of these guitars. They sound better than most fully hollow guitars I've played, and there are no feedback or intonation issues, two things I am not willing to tolerate. If I were a rich man, I would purchase one and send it to you, but hey, I'm a jazz guitarist! That's the name of that tune. Paul.
I had an Eastman 905 a while back but sold it after a year. It was a little too big to be comfortable for me and had only one pickup. I also ended up a Heritage H-575 guitar like you did. It's a gorgeous instrument and mine did not have the setup problems yours did. I agree with the comment about the strings. I think if you used a wound 3rd string it would make a difference. Also, I think the bridge can be slanted a bit to get the intonation correct. I don't think you will need to spend a lot with a luthier to fix these things. Plus, if you bought it new, you can get the work done under warranty. I love my 575!
Thank you for all your hard work,,you make me want to play again,,,as for the h575,,,have one from 2004,,great guitar but would not buy it now because the Americans are overcharging everybody outside the USA,,,,just not right,,,but they have been getting away with murder,,,,,,,if I buy another guitar, which i don t need,,,it probably will not be from USA,,,,Canada, Italy anywhere but USA. Have a nice day, ciao.
I bought a new Gibson ES-175 in 1979. It was a nice guitar, but I was never impressed by the tone. Not very good acoustic instrument. But, it did increase in value as I played it over 25 year and finally sold it. I played a 1968 Gibson Barney Kessel for 15 years after that. The tone was a lot better. Later, i got a 1993 Heritage Super Eagle. The tone didn’t impress me. I think Heritage guitars are not thick enough to get a good tone.
That is rubbing compound on the F holes. A rag with some swirl remover car polish followed by some light guitar polish will fix that no problem. FIVE GRAND, though? Nope. Maybe two, twenty one hundred tops. Yikes!
Heritage let their top luthiers go a few years back. I have several Heritage archtops from the earlier days with none of the issues your describing. Gibson did the same thing. Ive found the pre 2013 Heritages to be of the highest quality in evey respect. Id recommend finding a nice older model and you will get a better guitar for about half the money.. Check out Reverb guitar sales.
I made a great bargain with mine, that's why I keep it. I'll have the bridge removed. Still a good price. But I totally agree with you, they let the good people go unfortunately.
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman I forgot to add, your playings very nice and your video caused me to spend an extra hour practicing on my 575
Thanks
I have an H575 and an H150 from 2011. They are my gest guitars and the H575 is my total best but it has a nashville bridge. The H150 has Seymour Seth Lovers and the H575 has Seymour 59s. I have a Gibson Les Paul and it is nowhere near as good as the H150. Both my Heritages have minor cosmetic flaws. Nuts needed to be replaced. Heritage were always a bit sloppy with their finishing and assembly but they simply smoked equivalent Gibsons in sound quality for the price.
I have a Howard Roberts Fusion -97, and the two alnico 2 pickups Gibson put in, was not to my liking. The bridge 490t was way over the top bright in this guitar. The neck 490r was very good when playing clean, but tended to be muddy with more overdrive. So… I changed to a Dimarzio Air Norton in the bridge, ie alnico 5 and slightly uneven winding, open sounding, somewhat fatter and more pinch harmonics. Later I installed a Gibson Burstbucker Pro neck in the neck. So… also alnico 5 and uneven winding, but only 7.5k, compared to air nortons 12k in bridge. Now the sound of both pickup reminds of each other, bright but full, and prone to pinch harmonics. More jazz and wood in the neck, more rock n roll in the bridge. That’s why the guitar by Gibson was supposed to be a ”fusion” between an ES175 and a Les Paul.
if it's brand new you really cannot judge the acoustic sound completely imo. you have not broken it in yet. that solid top is going to take some time to move. I'd get a prime vibe.
"rolled edge" is what the neck edge you're talking about. depends on the one you buy. they are hand finished. my 575 is not rolled. my 555 and 535 and 150s are rolled to some degree.
i definitely prefer the sound of the heritage. but love that gibbie too!
Hi Sandra, I'm sorry for your dilemma, if it was mine I would return it and insist on a refund and say that it was not fit for the purpose of being priced as it is. The bridge should be intonated correctly and the finish on the F holes should be much better quality. get your money back and try a Harley Benton from THOMMAN GERMANY. PS Good luck and keep on grooving. best regards JOHN.
I've replaced all my 5 archtop wooden bridge tops with metal ( keeping the wooden base , of course ..... ) . Wood is alright for the days of comping , but that's gone .
Unacceptable. To spend 5K on a guitar with bad intonation and sloppy work on the f-holes. I bought an Eastman AR372CE 2 years ago for 1/5th the cost and there is gorgeous binding in the f-holes and the intonation is perfect. And 5 ply binding along the fingerboard. There's no excuse for that.
Let me add, the acoustic sound is very bright and loud. I use flatwound 12 strings and I find that the pick type/thickness also determines the sound acoustically to a very large degree. Be sure to experiment!
Fabulous tones. You were unlucky with the finish issues. Best of luck with it.
Jazz guitar wooden bridges are traditionally compensated for wound G strings.
The dealer should make good on the bad intonation -- that's just a bad setup and it's pretty easy to fix. A little filing may be all that's required. Check the nut against the frets to make sure that's not the problem. Either way it's easily adjusted.
The unfinished f-holes are easy to fix too -- black paint and a small artist's brush and some time is all it takes. Make sure you stuff a rag in the hole while you're painting so you don't drip inside the body. For $5K you shouldn't have to deal with this stuff but if you like the sound and feel of the guitar it's worth fixing to make you happy.
The luthier will be worth it, since I only paid 2.8k (new, made a good deal 😊).
Ohw.. that sound..... I love the 175 (got a Epophone which is not even close), but 5k is a lot of money, one might expect top quality.
One thing wonders me, i have a pre-lawsuit Ibanez 175 clone which i equiped with a wooden bridge, how is is it posible Heritate to build these copies without getting in trouble ?
I think the 575 is actually designed off of the Gibson L4. I think the L4 and L5 guitars were never really suited for acoustic playing. It seems like just the nature of putting thick hardwood top back and sides together in a thinner body militates against True acoustic sound. So handcarved solid wood jazz boxes in my opinion are really one trick ponies, that is for the amplified jazz sound.
I’ve heard more positives about Heritage guitars than newer Gibsons.
The consistent negative I hear about Heritage guitars are the neck/fret edges. But, it is pretty much the main complaint. Again, I hear more pros than cons on Heritage reviews.
Brand name guitars aren’t always worth the money. Most of the time you’re paying for the name, with subpar quality.
Edit: Holy crap! My ‘71 Yamaha SA-50 has more acoustic volume than your Gibson and it’s a thinner body.
That may by polishing compound on the insides of the f holes. Still unacceptable if it is. Great review by the way.
The bridge is copy of the Gibson ES 175 bridge called a compensating bridge which is designed make the intonation correct. However it has exactly the opposite effect. Replacement with a straight line ebony or rosewood bridge will correct that. Or a tune-amatic one, but that won't give you as nice a tone as a wooden one.
You need one with a floating pickup, so no cutouts in the soundboard for the pickups, and cantilevered fretboard (like violins have,) again, not interrupting the soundboard. More guitars always better
Servus aus Kanada! I think the 575 is brighter than the gibson but I like that dark sound that approaches muddy but not quite. Some high end is always good
That guitar should not be off! IMO the Fusion sounded better when amplified.
I have one of these with a tun-o-matic bridge which I much prefer. It came that way because someone ordered it with that bridge and didn't buy it so I got it. You should be able put a Tun-o-matic bridge on it. Mine actually has a lovely woody sound acoustically. There is no metallic kind of sound at all even although it has a metal bridge. Mine is about 13 years old. Heritage has always had some quality control issues with their finishing off which for many people could be very annoying but fixing those yourself is worth it because otherwise their guitars are fantastic.
Maybe they are getting old and missed some of the QC steps. I got mine use for really good price (people will hate me) and it is an older one. Thanks for the honest review, great playing. Regarding the acoustic loudness, I have good luck with GHS precision flats medium (13)
I noticed the poor finishing on the f holes right from the start of the vid. And the intonation issue!!! Unacceptable for a 5k instrument.
All Heritage guitars are made with the old press machines and with the same die & tooling. They are still hand made and don't use the cnc machine that modern Gibson's use. They had litigation between the two guitar company's when Gibby moved to Nashville, anyway I have the H-535 and it is a fine instrument.
Thank you for this review- I would say most of us do not put our thumb around the neck to fret a note- there is certainly no vibrato available, or keying into the note with your thumb.
Nice guitar. But the Howard Roberts Fusion is so much nicer (electric sound).
Why doesn’t Heritage correct the issue? For the price it should be right. They owners were supposed to be the best from Gibson.
Yeah the Seth lovers pickups sound a little bit more articulating could always throw a set of those on your Gibson or just have the two different tones and two different guitars so everything doesn't sound exactly the same
I think it's a buffing compound in the f-holes. The bridge fail is a much more serious tho.
Back and side are solid, its more like a Gibson L4, its a very good guitar, and be sure it will become better in time. Mine is a 1989 model.
Have a nice day
A great thanks from France for this review Sandra.
I was contemplating buying this 575, but the tuning pb with the G (hope that a hand made saddle will fix it) is definitively a NO GO for me.
I’ll dig into the second hand market, around 2010.
I found it ibly haooebs with unwound G stribgs. If yoz gave a rwgular steing set with the usual wound g string, you'll probably not have this problem.
I once had this guitar but I sold it because the sound was not smooth enough to me. This is due to the massive maple body. I thing with a spruce top it would sound smoother.
For 5k I would be sending it back, the fingerboard edges I could forgive because lots of makers do this although rolled edges are more common place these days but the intonation issues and cosmetic issues are a deal breaker. I suspect the bridge has not been cut to the body correctly making it easier to be knocked or moved but two different notches is again unacceptable. That white stuff looks like polishing compound and should wipe off but if its under the finish that's really poor.
I can't wipe the white thing on the f holes off. It's super hard.
That's a real shame, the only company I would let get away with that is Gibson as I kind of expect it Lol. I don't know if you know but you can get an es175t (the t stands for thin) but acoustically might not sound any better your howard Roberts.
I own a Heritage H550 I love it and it as binding on the F holes and I don’t give a F. lol
Just a little note for you you probably already know this though pick up Heights to string is crucial to having that perfect sound and tone anybody have an issues with that check your pickup heights to Strings you'll be surprised you do have to have good pickups to start out with for sure but even good ones if they're not set exactly right can throw out the tone if anybody's having issues
Hi Sandra, I bought some years ago an H575 in Northern Island. I had a choice between the Howard Roberts and the Heritage. ine is from the year 2000, so it came with Schaller Tailpiece, Schaller adjustable roller bridge and Schaller Pick Ups, which also sound great by the way. The Roller bridge was a bit too metallic to my taste, so I replaced it with an Aluminum Graph tech adjustible gibson style bridge with graphtec saddles. I had one on another guitar. With that the sound is more to my liking, a little more woody. Just my two cents of input if you care. And yes I find it a great sounding guitar. You make it sound great.
The old Heritage guitars had great quality. Good choice on changing the bridge. I wonder how the Schaller pickups comoare to the Seth Lovers.
Bridge looks like it was made for a wound G string. Electric tone is super.
Well, you certainly plays well Sandra. It is not my go to music but this is stuff that if you start listen to it, certainly half an our passed and I realize I had been hypnotized by it.
I recognize the sound thing with guitars. I have some a bit expensive and 2 dirt cheap. I use one of the real cheap a lot now just because I like how it sounds.
Yeah he should be able to carve that down just a snippet or the neck might have to be adjusted just a tad might as well have him do the fret ends while it's there just thinking I do a lot of things myself but some things I have to use my luthier since he has a multitude of different tools that I don't have for doing intricate and delicate work I dig your playing also
Yeah I probably would have sent that one back but I don't know what their return policy is but the sound is the important thing that's for sure but for five grand it should be looking like Ferrari sitting in the showroom I'm a contractor if you want to keep the guitar you can get a little stain to match that and use a Q-tip and match that color in the F hole or your luthier could do that because he can tape it off and do the other couple of things on the G string and the fret ends but I would contact the seller for sure that's just me and see what they say good luck to you that guitar doesn't sound great and that's important for sure actually the most important thing
unplugged it almost sounds like a gipsy jazz guitar
Yeah 5K and it's not even set up right I think Sweetwater has a pro set up on their new guitars and some other places make sure they're set up and intonated properly before they ship them to you that's a lot of money to pay and you have to do all the extra stuff that's for sure
Sounds like you need to return it. Shouldn't be getting that for this kind of money.
Heritage better make good on your purchase!!
I would have expected better from Heritage.
Sandra! What a treat to “hang out with you for lunch,” and listen to your review. And, well done - you hit the playability points, which are so important. I can really relate to the sharp fretboard edges issue. I bought a $4+K Tele made by Victor Baker (renowned archtop luthier), who was trying his hand at a solid body for jazz guys. Since I love Teles, I bit, and bought it. Upon arrival and testing, the finish and pickups were excellent. But, if I held the guitar out from my body by the neck, say at the 12th fret, and let the guitar slide down in my hand to let it rest on a stand… that action of sliding through my hand was like running a file through my hand. Maybe hard to visualize, but there was NO rolling to the fretboard edges at all - painful! Plus, as you pointed out, it’s important to have pickup screws line up with the strings. This one was off by a good 1/8” on the high E. Just not what I’d expect for a guitar in that price point. I sent it back - and, to his credit, he was cool with it, crediting a full refund. Point being, crazy high prices should get us a very high degree of satisfaction! Nice hang👍😁
Wow, you were lucky, that he took it back. I heard that in the US it's harder to return stuff.
I guess one has to fall in love with a guitar. You know with me and the Gibson HRF it was love at first sight. I saw it and knew she was mine 😊. I bought several jazz guitars in the meantime, but the HRF is still the love of my life.
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman I know that’s (HRF) your baby. I love mine too! Cheers!
I hardly ever hang my thumb over the top on the neck, so no problem there
I don't own a Heritage H-575 guitar but I've considered getting one. I love the classic look of the florentine cutaway. I'm glad that I watched your review. Too bad for the Heritage H-575.
Most online music stores provide a money back guarantee. It's give it a chance and test it. They're great guitars and not each one of them arrives in such a questionable quality. Thus said, Heritage also has been very nice and sent me a replacement bridge and offered to pay for the luthier to finish and moubt the bridge (a new wood bridge always needs string slots carved).
That’s unfortunate about quality control.
Hi Sandra, love your stuff. About the 575: evidently has a carved maple top not a laminate like a 175, making it more similar to an L-7.
I prefer the gibson jazzy sound
I know the view these days is that technique is out the window, but playing with your thumb over is a real problem for chordal fluency...
That depends on what chord is next. I only play chords with the thumb when it makes the change to the next chord easier. I know what I'm doing 😊.
The white stuff in the F-holes looks like it might be polishing compound. You should be able to remove it. You can have the fretboard edge rolled but the fret ends will have to be done again. Beautiful guitar and it sounds great.
Yes, it's polishing compound. Maybe the edges are a bit rough and the compound stuck there but a damp cloth will remove it.
Those f holes are downright infuriating at that price.
Heritage sounds pretty good unplugged.
Great honest review Sandra, really like the acoustic sound of the Heritage but was surprised at the weakness of the acoustic sound of the Gibson. Could you try a tunomatic bridge on the Heritage ? although I think it would affect the tone as well, to be honest if it were me for a 5K guitar it would have been returned as it has the poor finish in the F holes as well
I paid "only" 2800. It was 3400 vs as a business I don't have to pay VAT. A few months later Heritage jacked up the price to 5300. Insane!
The sound difference is primarily because the 175 is laminate while the 575 is solid carved maple. Totally different resonance.
I have an old H575, it's probably not perfect, but neither am I. It does play really well. Seems I never have to tune it. It's very stable. Great video.
Many years ago I had a Guild X-500 from Westerly RI that cost over $3000.00. I bought it because I liked the fullness of sound over a Gibson ES175. Sadly I had to sell it. Recently I wanted a jazz box but I can't afford anything as expensive as the Gibson or Eastman. I finally settled on an Ibanez AF95FM. I was pleasantly surprised by the sound of it considering the price.
The AF95 is a great guitar. I was also surprised by it's acoustic sound.
I have the Seth Lover PUs in my Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s and they sound amazing. They are more mellow as the Gibson Burstbuckers that come with the Gibson Les Pauls. The Burstbuckers sound much brighter. So the Seth Lovers are perfect Jazz PUs. However it is a shame that this guitar has quality problems. Heritage guitars normally get very good results in reviews. How is this possible? Thank you for this honest review!
Note sure why, but the quality control is not on par with the sound and the price tag.
Wondered what Heritage instruments were like so far as craftsmanship is concerned. My main concerns were addressed. I'd already given up on Gibson.
Hi Sandra
Awesome review. Regarding the G string intonation because of a defect in the bridge, isn't that covered by the warranty (if bought new)?
Made for a wound G.
@@robertmitchell2178 you're right I thought thats what she was using but no. Good catch