Grate breakdown and comparison. Thank you for doing this. Always wanted a heritage, but like Gibsons, can’t afford one. Always seemed the quality was a lot more consistent with Heritage. I bet the ascent line will rival most epi LP copies.
I hate to have to admit this but the made in China Heritage Ascent sounds just as good as the Heritage Standard made in America. Yes, they sound different but not bad at all.
I'm lucky enough to have a '60s standard Gibson and a Tim Pierce special run heritage custom.. the custom completely blows away my Gibson.. The Gibson is only a couple years old and the inlays have popped off and a few other irritating issues.. My Heritage custom is just over 7 lbs. Sustain and sound is amazing. Plays like a dream. I played an Eastman at a local store and I went for the Heritage instead. Great comparison Love your channel!
Your Heritage is chambered. I tried a Les Paul Custom Shop that was chambered and the weight blew my mind. It was so comfortable to play. The other brand under the umbrella that owns Heritage (Harmony Guitars) has one called a Jupiter Thinline that was really crazy… chambered Lester-style guitar (with only a single tone and volume knob) and bolt on necks, but the thing honestly weighted 5.5 lbs. I’m a sucker for lightweight guitars… they’re just so comfortable. That thing sounded like a million bucks (but it did have a dead high E string… maybe an issue with the nut?). Anyway… glad you dig your Kzoo-built Heritage. They’re sick guitars.
I was in Kalamazoo and was able to get lined up for a tour at the factory. Was right after the Tim Pierce Heritage video. I asked them about it and they said they were going to be making a small run of them . A couple months went by and they contacted me. I swore I would never spend that kind of cash but I found a way to do it and man am I glad I did.. It is amazing and yes chambered.. taller frets.. Just amazing instrument. I will be selling my Gibson... They offered to fix the issue but I would have had to pay to send it in.. I also had the choice of sending it to the local Gibson retailer which is guitar Center and I wasn't going to do that.. So there was a pretty good video online that I watched and I did it myself and it turned out perfect.. Yes while at the factory I did play a couple harmony's that just came off the line and they were pretty cool..
I have a Custom Core H-150 earlier this year and it’s my new no. 1 without a doubt. It plays so well, the pickups sound fantastic (though I honestly prefer Gibson Custombuckers, but the Heritage pickups are still pretty great), and I absolutely love the thing. It’s 8.9 lbs, which is pretty comfortable too. I’m pretty sure we can’t get the Ascent range (at least not easily) here in the U.S. i wish Heritage (or their corporate owners) chose to call it some new sub-brand name by Heritage (like Squier or Epiphone). No need to cheapen whatever goodwill Heritage has built up over the years. I can see why people would be interested in the Ascent range to dip their toe into the Heritage range, but I had to go with a U.S. made model because I happen to be from MI where they’re made. Even with that said, I’m not even a little bit sad about not buying a Gibson Custom Shop. I played one this past weekend and the neck volume pot didn’t even work. That’s unacceptable on an $8k guitar. Everything worked great and was set up well with the Heritage right out of the box. I even got to pick my top because I described what I wanted to the guys at a heritage via their online contact form and they emailed me back with photos before asking if I wanted that specific guitar or a different one. Pretty amazing customer service. I can’t recommend Heritage highly enough. Good dudes who make even better guitars.
Wonderful playing Colin! I watched on the TV channel last night and here again on UA-cam, the Ascent just sounds brighter to me. I really love the deeper sound of the H-150 but I appreciate the brighter tones too. I think they are both legit. Would love to hear both of them against the rest of your Lesters, especially the Tokai Love Rock vs the Ascent. This morning's brew is Fire Department Dark Roast, done Vietnamese style ( coincidence... maybe or in my subconscious mind from watching last night and the Vietnam reference) with a spoonful of Sweetened Condensed Milk and the pinkster touch of a splash of rum. I may have one or two more. 😉
Sounded really good Colin. For someone that doesn't really like LPs, I think you looked and played really comfortable on these Heritage guitars. Nice tone.👍
Thanx for the hard work put into all these episodes mate. We really appreciate it. Brazilian rosewood fretboard and kidney bean tuners. I'm not sure there's such a thing as Indian rosewood or kidney stone tuners? But it's humorous nonetheless. Getting back into guitars again after the C.I.T.I.E.S. ban on endangered species of trees, like Brazilian Rosewood. I've never understood the almost childish reaction some people have, over a fretboard material? Just yesterday I read a comment about how this genius says he's gonna outsmart us all. By NOT buying an Epiphone now. Because he's waiting for them to start using rosewood again, before he'll even consider one. Basically, he's saying we're all stupid for buying one without "real" Brazilian rosewood. If that's not bizarre, I'm not sure what is? If the country of origin of the fretboard wood alone, can deter you from buying a guitar. Doesn't the fact that the guitar is built in China, make that a little redundant? People like that kill me. They'll consider spending up to $1499 on a Chinese Epiphone. But god forbid it has an Indian laurel fretboard! That's frick'n insanity at its finest. Even if it says in plain English at the bottom of EVERY imported guitar ad page I've ever seen. That Epiphone or whoever else, can change ANY spec. without notice, depending on the availability of materials. If they changed to some type of rosewood without notice. How would you know? If they compressed feces into a mock wood material and made the darkest fretboard ever. You wouldn't fuck'n know. Give it up. It just sounds so frick'n asinine to complain about fretboard materials.
First, thanks for the video. Excellent review. Both sound great, though the higher end one sounded softer (musically rounded notes) to my ear. It would be fun to compare the budget Heritage to a HB550 II- since it would be the most similar in price and layout. On paper, the HB has far better specs, but how much does that really matter in terms of play-ability and tone? Larry Carlton, Jet and Anderton's EastCoast would also be really good for comparison in the sub $500 range, EastCoast being the least expensive by quite a bit. It is really astounding to see what people can get for under $500 these days. My favorite so far is still the Tokai you reviewed with the plain top. I just really like the look of it.
I really appreciate when you do these heads up comparisons when the guitars are "related". If I were to splurge $2500, or more, for a Les Paul Standard I have been of the opinion for several years that I would buy from the folks up in Kalamazoo. I have a Larry Carlton "LP" and couldn't be happier with it. Epiphone isn't even in the conversation anymore, unless it was a surprise gift. As always, Thanks Again Colin!
Since I've been loving you?, Colin, and have become a member, I still wait for Friday to watch the videos. This is because I want to see them on a larger screen and I only have a SIM card in my phone. The pickup readings on the Ascent remind me of the 490R, 498T in my Les Paul custom, the ceramic set which I like. The bolt on neck puts me off a bit but it sounds really nice but so does the Standard. I would say the Ascent is a good entry level guitar for someone wanting to try the L P shape for the money.
Thanks Col! Always honest, pretty rare these days mate. Had no idea Heritage made a cheaper version til you unboxed that one the other week... not bad! Looks good, sounds the part too.👍🏼
Thanks Col, great show. Some serious editing going on there with the side by side comparison! Looked and sounded great, as always. That US heritage is giving off some serious Mick Ronson vibes!
Good choice doing the back to back - soundwise not much between them, I guess it comes down to 'feel' actually playing them if you can tune out the obvious price and provenance comparisons. Look forward to the 'Big 5' shoot out. For my money around that price range I would go for an Eastman over a Gibson or Heritage (or Maybach - that brand didn't do much for me at all, both the ones you showed seemed a bit off). Looks like the budget Heritage could be a good entry level+ for the price - maybe give Epiphone a run for their money but my question would be for the brand in terms of marketing and perception, will the tail wag the dog? If the Ascents take off good luck to them but it does somehow seem to demean the whole idea of 'Heritage' - Kalamazoo and what have you altho a building and a bit of old equipment is one thing but how 'authentic' are they these days? Heritage & G&L are both strange outliers, aren't they?
I've got a US H150 and it's very nearly perfect. I'd like a Heritage semi hollow so I'm saving up but I don't think I'd go for an import version if they made one. Nice review, thanks.
Loved the Zep jam!! That's my favorite song. Years ago, I had a friend that bought one of the first run of the Heritage, and I used to be totally jealous of him. All these years later, and I'm still playing - he's not. I'm happy with all I have.
Yes... and... Yes... Luvved them both... possibly the Ascent a little more by a 'nose'... Was thinking the added comfort of 'playing' the Ascent could be the 'ergonomics' and Neck Profiles differences... (Quite BIG differences ????)... Am pleased that the 'Bolt-On' neck made no apparent 'diff'., which surprised me... 'Good-One' for sanding the fret ends while strings off... and... always thought you would 'come around' to appreciating 'LP's or 'Lesters' as you call them... This "Comparison" series is just getting better and better !!!! Got my 'LP' Stagg L400-TS (HH) by me on the floor, in it's open case (like a faithful dog) looking up at me and still won't swap for any... but... the 'series' isn't over yet ! Funny thing ? Today, I decided, for comfortable playing (?) I prefer my Archtops, which I regard as Electric Guitars (HH) & (H) or the Acoustics... Colin... Don't go running off with the 'local' Gal behind the Bar, who I'm sure is attracted to your magic personality (?) as you have promised your (very) faithful fans to finish this most important Comparison 'LP' Series... and... "The man can Play"... Good Cheers !🤠...
Greetings! I have discovered this channel several days ago and was positively lost in your approachable and honest presentation. There is one, or rather two guitars, that you might be interested in taking a look at: Hagström Swede and Super Swede (this one has Fender scale length and "hotter" bridge humbuker). From information I could gather online, it seems to be the best modernisation of LP concept, at least in that price range. I think it would be really interesting to see how something like that fairs against original Les Paul, Eastman and Tokai
You made the cheaper version sound great, Col! But the expensive one is a keeper for sure, right? Absolutely gorgeous. Particularly lovely playing on this vid too.
The ascent did sound a little brighter, but to me that is a win for the cheaper guitar, it would cut through a mix a little bit better. What an awesome inexpensive guitar. Wish we could get them in North America, I love my gibson, but an ascent would be a great stage guitar. I'd upgrade the pots, switch and input jack for reliability though. Considering the price of the guitar the upgrades would not be that much more.
I played a Heritage Custom Core aged gold top recently...it was the best 'Les Paul' that I have ever played...beating Custom shops and even Murphy Labs that I played.
Nice! I'm a big fan of Heritage in their original incarnation and still like them well enough under their new ownership. That being said, the new ownership certainly seems a lot more corporate than the old owners. I know why they sold, and it was either that or shutter the brand, but The Heritage guitars made under the original ownership have something special about them. By the way, I think you can infer something about the manufacturer of the pickups on the Ascent guitar by the oval hole in the base plate. I'm kind of foggy about what it was, but there are some well-respected budget pickups with the same base plate.
Great video Colin 😎👍👍 Original Gibson, Kalamazoo luthiers (and descendants), or the Nashville Gibson luthiers and all that name endures...? Kalamazoo holds a lot of clout imo. And QC apparently doesn't seem to be a problem in Kalamazoo either. The amount of insights on the tv channel are thought provoking indeed. IF an LP is on your radar, the information shared there is invaluable 😎👍👍 Thanks fellow Guitaristas 👍 😎✌👍❤🖖 Love Brother
I had reached out to Heritage trying to figure out my guitar’s provenance (it’s odd and doesn’t match any models specs, slightly smaller like the h-140 they made briefly but lots of different hardware and such) and they put me in touch with Ren Wall himself. Look the guy up - some of the originals are still around and kicking.
It's funny to me that I've always rejected bolt-on Les Pauls as being cheap, even though I usually like cheap. However all you've got to do is change the appearance slightly, like on a Yamaha and an Aria that I've owned, and then I like bolt-on 2-humbucker single-cuts. A lot of the 70s Ibanez bolt-on lawsuit Les Pauls were pretty good. They even had their own fairly fancy bolt-ons like the PF-200 series later on. I do find it weird that Heritage chose to set their price so low and go for really cheap hardware while still putting the Heritage name on the headstock without modification, but it sounds good and appears to work.
14:25 Ive not played a bolt on necked single cut. But im no snob. Most of my early guitars were strats. My first one as i mentioned to you yonks ago was a 70s Guild SG with Bigsby. I was too young to appreciate how good that was. Then I got a Roland synth guitar theblue strat versio in about 1983 or 4. Then i bought a Japanese made Squier black on black rosewood in 1987 which I still own. Got a Squier Affinity strat on my lap now. My least expensive guitar. It’s a 2020 model i new January 2021. It’s HSS black with sparkly pick guard. Bought it originally as a project guitar but i liked it so much all I’ve done is change the strings. That guitar came straight out of Musicworks warehouse. Un boxed in the shop played it bought it. They didn’t even touch it to set it up. Didn’t need to. It’s stellar. The other bolt on guitar Ive got is my very rare Sun Dew Gold Ibanez Pia. Solar offers bolt on guitars which im keen to try. They’ve got a HSS version too but it’s Evertune equipped which is fine but id prefer FR or hard tail options on that given you know my love of all things Solar. Cheers 😎🎸🤘
Still got my Roland FGN Blue Strat! I demoed the GR300 for Roland in NZ when it launched and still have it - still works! Nice guitar - used it plenty of sessions and never felt the need to buy a US made Start, frankly.
@@mortonwilson795 that is so cool. I ordered mine from a now long gone but legendary shop called Helmuts in Ringwood (a Melbourne, Australia suburb). I had it on layby - Americans call that lay away i think. I think that was 1984. Anyway one of the guitarists from the Little River Band wanted one so they phoned me and asked if he could have my one and they’d order another one in for me ? Of course I said yes !! I got the module for it about a year after I got the guitar as i had to save up for it. I got Soundworks in Ringwood to shave down the neck as i found it too chunky. They put in a larger truss rod to support how thin we went. Also swapped out the middle pickup with one of their custom higher output pickups too. Memories hey ? I live in AKL these days.
First off, great playing! That was some of the best I’ve heard from you. As far as the guitars, the standard was no surprise. Heritage makes great guitars, and for the price, they SHOULD be great. But since I don’t own a Gibson, I would probably go with a Gibson at the same price. The problem is, Heritage is consistently great quality while Gibson is hit or miss. All things being equal, Gibson on the headstock does mean something. On the other hand, that Ascent was fantastic, especially for the money. I thought it sounded as “good”, just different. For my purposes, it would be all I need. I can’t say I’m crazy about the color choices, though. If they came out with an Ascent double-cut LP Jr, I’d be all over it. Great video!
Not really a Les Paul kinda guy but if I was, it'd have to be a Gibson. I tend to like the Studio versions rather than the full-on bound bodied Customs and Standards.
I remember Arias. A mate had this Aria strat in the 1980s. It had a dragon carving in body. It weighed a frigging ton too. Not the comfortable guitar to play but man that carving was pretty awesome
35:02 i vastly prefer the sound of the cheap one, especially the bridge pu. I would like to see the neck pu with a 500k or higher potentiometer for the tone knob to see if it could bring the neck pu to life. I guess im the odd one out on this😅 could just be that what you played was exactly what it was made to do. Thanks! Great video😊 Cheers
Thanks Colin, have to say I’m not a big fan of the headstock but otherwise I thought both guitars were very cool… impressed with the import for the $$ but the US version was really pretty. Interesting history and nice playing again!
I went to go look at the price of a Heritage H-150 Ascent, expecting it to be above £800. I saw it max out at £249.00!!!!!!!!!!!! wtf! That's a great guitar for that price! ( i hadn't gotten to the part where you said the price while typing ;) )
I love love *love* my custom Heritage for the build quality, the looks and the playability but in terms of sound, I could barely tell the difference between this budget version and the H150 - sounded fantastic! I was really surprised. The neck pickup though was noticeably better on the premium version for me as well as my own. Glad to see some Heritage on the channel!
Great video. Several weeks on since I’ve picked up a new standard H-150 in dirty lemon burst and the honeymoon phase is still in full affect. (Scratch plate on for me!) Love that they now have a “cheap” import model that sounds great. Can’t go wrong with allowing more access to this brand!
Nice review Col as usual , but neither guitar for me dont like headstock & if I'm paying over £2,000 I would want A Gibson Les Paul not a copy . Cheers .
Try a Solar GC1.6. Best bang for your buck out there. I’ve 5 Solars. 2 of which are single cuts. And no I don’t play metal. Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘 Edit: or try a PRS Tremonti SE single cut. Ive a 2020 model in gloss black. Only issue was the nut but i fixed that.
@@trevorclarey3336 no probs. You could also look at Solars 2.6 models. Cheaper, no locking tuners and nickel fretwire instead of stainless. TBH once i sort out my health issues im hoping to buy a few 2.6 GCs as project guitars. Probably get the matte black one and wrap it with gold like ppl wrap cars
@@trevorclarey3336 you can also try Solars 2.6 models. Difference between 1.6 and 2.6 is 2.x has nickel fretwire and not stainless and typically no locking tuners. Im hoping my health issues get sorted as I wanna buy a couple GC2.6 matte black one and and wrap one in gold like how ppl wrap cars these days!!
Nice!! I had at some point a Heritage H-150. Mine was an artisan aged with SD antiquities. The top was sick! Same color as yours but mosntrous top, very cool. But prefered the Eastman because of weight, also prefer the chunkier neck, and tone mayeb amrginally the eastman. But if the Heriateg had a chunky neck and the eastman a neck like the heritage, would have kept the heritage cos was bloody good and the chunky neck is important to me, or maybe not chunky big , but I need more meat than what the heritage offered. The heritage cusotm core i know has chunkier necks and im sure would love those! Looking forward to the comparison videos! I think ive had most the Single cut guitars you ve had, and the Eastman for me is my favorite hehe. Although the heritage and tokai damn! were fantastic! One question, how do you like the Juliet vs the SB59/v ?? I myself think the Juliet I would really like it, the 25.5 scqle length plus being a set neck kind of sibgle cut but with a better access and also not heavy as an LP, seems to check all the boxes. Plus i know is has a good chunkier type of neck. Thanks!!
I think the Eastman SB59v is a bit of a (single) cut above... 😆 for me it stands apart and I don't really think of it as a Les Paul copy. Can't see myself selling that one. And my Juliet v/b is another completely different animal.. you like chunky you will LOVE the neck on that thing 🙌
Well, sounds like you're an 'Ascent' convert! If you're comparing guitars with a 10x price difference, the usual conclusion is that the expensive guitar "..makes me feel better, so I play better..". However, in this case, the cheaper of the two felt better in your hand, and was easier to play as a result. So, is the 'Ascent' the better guitar? Should any future comparison video include this so-called 'import' guitar, or are you going to keep to your exclusive '£2K club' review? Interesting... Great video, as always Col, with a few surprises along the way.
Really enjoyed these two guitars. Beautiful to look and sound on them. For the price is a all win on these. I prefer the gold tihlger stripes one but both great.
Not heard Since I been loving you in such a long, long time. My mind drifted way off to a happy place there. Beautifully played, thanks for that. I really enjoyed this comparison format, please can we have more of these. It would be brilliant to see some custom shop stuff getting compared, especially Gibson maybe against Eastman.
Nice...my favorite Zeppelin song. Honestly both guitars look great. I think the thing I'm curious about is how does the expensive heritage compare to the goldtop eastman.
Another great video Colin, it just keeps on amazing me the quality of affordable guitars today, compared to years ago. The usa H150 was a cracking deal at £1500. that is a quality instrument. Thanks for posting, always look forward to your reviews.
I played that Heritage in there a while back. They had it for quite a while. It was nice, but I prefer the Eastman SB59/v as a LP alternative. I did think it was better than the recent Custom Shop Heritages that I tried in Andertons a couple of years ago, they were very average and got easily beaten out by a standard gold top Gibson, which is in SME at the moment...
Back in the beginning of Heritage and into the 90's, Heritage were putting Schaller pick ups on their guitars, as with my H555 which I think is a 92. Many Heritage owners swapped them out for Seymour 59's (as did I) and other premium built pick ups such as loller.
I've got a soft spot for natural LP type guitars. When I started playing, Mick Ronson and Marc Bolan were among players of music I was listening to. There was a bit of a fad for sanding the finish off guitars that originally had an opaque colour. I'm drawn to instruments with that vibe. It doesn't need to be a signature or replica of a specific instrument. I think that US Heritage is gorgeous with the combination of chrome hardware and cream plastic. The maple top figuring is interesting without being too full on 'boudoir cocktail cabinet'. I prefer pickguard on, but find the Heritage shape a bit wavy and would prefer it to be a bit simpler in outline. Both sounded fantastic and Colin was getting some lovely Greeny type tones out of the guitar/amp setups. I didn't know that Heritage was now part of BandLab but it helps to explain the move into the Ascent range. They always made a point of being crafted in Kalamazoo. I don't think it devalues the brand but I hope it doesn't mark the start of a progressive switch over to only non-US made instruments and decisions based purely on financial returns.
The Ascent to me had more high end which would work well for my style of music, rockabilly and 50s, the Standard would be a pass for me. Great video once again.
I know it probably means very little as they are likely used on tons of different pickups, but the underside of the modern pickups looks exactly like the Chinese Fleor pickups. I got several of those with different magnets and resistances to mix and match for the ideal bridge/neck combo and good coil split sound and they all had these exact backplates. And, for the record, they all sounded pretty good to me (and not just to me, there's plenty of praise for those on the internet), especially considering the ridiculous price (one was like 18 euro or something like that).
@@AndrewAHayes Yeah - my 550 ii deluxe was £180 S/H and is astonishing for the brass - the cheapo Heritage looks like a cheapo which is unusual these days
Great demo Col. Msybe it's the droopy horn, or the pickguard, or the switch cover, and I'm sure the headstock is part of it but I can't get on board. But you sure proved it excels where it matters, it sounds great. If I ever get the money to own multiple very nice guitars, vs my single Gibson, Id get a Heritage but do it the way you have. I'd find a 90s one. The Ascent, it does what it's supposed to do but I can't help but feel the the investment group who bought the company did this to eventually ship the entire brsnd overseas. If that's the case they will end the brand. Even if I'm wrong I personally feel they devalued the brand by putting The Heritage on the headstock. Of course all this comes with the caveat that Im an idiot and don't know what I'm talking about. REALLY looking forward to the big shootout. You should consider an affordable LP style shootout as well. See you next week.
Great job as always. Enjoyable and informative. They sound so similar, I can't see bridging that price gap. Not surprisingly, I can't find an Ascent here in the US. Heritage wants us Yanks to buy only their domestic line, I suppose. But there are more than a few import LP style axes available here that are of similar quality for the same or less money (which you well know), and Gibson themselves are offering so many more affordable variations, there's no real tragedy not finding this import Heritage.
Great vid Colin, very nice sound from both guitars. The H150 you can see why its more expensive even taking away made in the US. It did have a tad more going on in the sound, but man that Ascent was damn good too, and for crazy cheap really. Definitely a brand to watch out for, its in a competitive area price and styling wise but its quality and sound may well give them a big edge.
I hated the heritage pickguards at first too but it grew on me. I just wish there was a gap between the guitars cutaway and the top curve of the pickguard, instead of how it tightly hugs the edge but oh well
All joking aside, the modularity of a bolt-on neck really is an advantage even though we don’t normally associate it with single-cut guitars. I still find it weird myself, but if I were gigging I’d rather have the ability to hustle swap necks if the guitar got damaged than have to get an expensive repair. Also, good for modding if you don’t like the neck.
@@randrothify Yeah, my comment was a bit tongue in cheek to be fair. I am not and, I believe, will never be convinced, that a set neck makes any difference whatsoever. You just have to look at Fender to see that! I have never swapped out a neck on any guitar, though have modded loads. The neck would have to be seriously bad for me to think about doing that, but hey, if you want a roasted maple neck on your Squier, go for it!
@@akwamarsunzalI‘m with you as I was originally a Strat guy now primarily a Tele player. I have generally been unmoved by the arguments for set neck guitars especially the "warmth" and "sustain" thing. First off, depending on the style or songs you are playing you don’t always want warmth or sustain. Material by Albert Collins and JJ Cale come to mind with Collins known as the Iceman and Cale famous for his cheeky and understated sophistication. But more importantly for me personally is that I once owned an SG with the small pickguard. The thing had the thinner neck and small heel joint characteristic of the SGs that were known to play very fast. The problem was that mine developed a nasty crack at the heel. According to the technician that repaired it this occurred probably because it had not been glued properly and the combination of the lack of mass and connection at the heel, weight of the neck, and incremental torque naturally applied when playing caused it to crack. The repair was quite expensive and required some refinishing and blending at the heel of the body because a broken set neck obviously means that you can’t just pop off some bolts and throw on a new neck. You have to glue everything back together and fix the blemishes from the cracks that extend into the heel. Needless to say I have been weary of set neck guitars ever since even though I still love SGs and the problem is more likely to occur with that particular style of SG than even regular SG Standards and other types of set neck guitars because they have more mass at where the neck joins the body. So, my preference now is for bolt-on guitars despite the occasional continued dalliance with Les Pauls, SGs, and Gretsch Jets, or PRS set-necks.
@@randrothify Never been totally convinced about set neck making a huge different to tone. With some tweaking I can make my Strat sound very close to my LP! The whole tonewood/set neck debate is negligible to me. I am sure there are differences but outside of the human hearing range. I love SGs, but I only own one that I built as a kit, with bolt on neck. Once day I will get round to a "proper" SG but this kit, with bold on neck, is exactly what I need, especially as it is a true custom with a pyrographed design over the whole body by my wife 🙂 Maybe that adds to the tone too LOL
You’re not stupid. A lot of people don’t like the headstock. I was the same way for a while. We’re all accustomed to seeing a Gibson open book headstock on LP guitars. You’d be amazed at how quickly you get over it after owning one for a bit (assuming you love how it plays). The Custom Core versions (similar to to Gibson Custom Shop but 2/3 - 1/2 price of Gibson) have a slightly bigger headstock and only say “Heritage” rather than “The Heritage, which I personally prefer and think look closer to a typical Gibson style Headstock. Fun fact: super old vintage Gibson mandolins (A series, I think) had a headstock that looked incredibly similar to the Heritage headstock. Weird, right?
Grate breakdown and comparison. Thank you for doing this. Always wanted a heritage, but like Gibsons, can’t afford one. Always seemed the quality was a lot more consistent with Heritage. I bet the ascent line will rival most epi LP copies.
I hate to have to admit this but the made in China Heritage Ascent sounds just as good as the Heritage Standard made in America. Yes, they sound different but not bad at all.
Now we need a Heritage Gibson comparison
I think the plan is to eventually compare all of them. These, the Gibson, Eastman I think??
Does it matter much if both have Duncan 59s ?
I can tell you, I've owned Gibson and I own a Heritage H555. Heritage is better.
Top film. The cheap import one sounds good 👍. Great idea for doing them both together with such a close vote. Cheers 🍻
I'm lucky enough to have a '60s standard Gibson and a Tim Pierce special run heritage custom.. the custom completely blows away my Gibson.. The Gibson is only a couple years old and the inlays have popped off and a few other irritating issues.. My Heritage custom is just over 7 lbs. Sustain and sound is amazing. Plays like a dream. I played an Eastman at a local store and I went for the Heritage instead. Great comparison Love your channel!
Your Heritage is chambered. I tried a Les Paul Custom Shop that was chambered and the weight blew my mind. It was so comfortable to play. The other brand under the umbrella that owns Heritage (Harmony Guitars) has one called a Jupiter Thinline that was really crazy… chambered Lester-style guitar (with only a single tone and volume knob) and bolt on necks, but the thing honestly weighted 5.5 lbs. I’m a sucker for lightweight guitars… they’re just so comfortable. That thing sounded like a million bucks (but it did have a dead high E string… maybe an issue with the nut?). Anyway… glad you dig your Kzoo-built Heritage. They’re sick guitars.
I was in Kalamazoo and was able to get lined up for a tour at the factory. Was right after the Tim Pierce Heritage video. I asked them about it and they said they were going to be making a small run of them . A couple months went by and they contacted me. I swore I would never spend that kind of cash but I found a way to do it and man am I glad I did.. It is amazing and yes chambered.. taller frets.. Just amazing instrument. I will be selling my Gibson... They offered to fix the issue but I would have had to pay to send it in.. I also had the choice of sending it to the local Gibson retailer which is guitar Center and I wasn't going to do that.. So there was a pretty good video online that I watched and I did it myself and it turned out perfect.. Yes while at the factory I did play a couple harmony's that just came off the line and they were pretty cool..
The Ascent sounded fantastic !
And "Scratch Plate On" for me on the Heritage American ! 😊
the scratch plate on my Heritage H555 is flame maple that matches the guitar body. If I had an H150 the scratch plate would come off
Both sounded great Colin. Led Zeppelin 3 was the first album I bought back in the early 70s out of my paper round money
I'm from Michigan so of course I'm partial to all Kalamazoo Heritage's but I just gotta say that Standard is one beautiful guitar.
I appreciated the Clash "Straight to Hell" reference.
I have a Custom Core H-150 earlier this year and it’s my new no. 1 without a doubt. It plays so well, the pickups sound fantastic (though I honestly prefer Gibson Custombuckers, but the Heritage pickups are still pretty great), and I absolutely love the thing. It’s 8.9 lbs, which is pretty comfortable too. I’m pretty sure we can’t get the Ascent range (at least not easily) here in the U.S. i wish Heritage (or their corporate owners) chose to call it some new sub-brand name by Heritage (like Squier or Epiphone). No need to cheapen whatever goodwill Heritage has built up over the years. I can see why people would be interested in the Ascent range to dip their toe into the Heritage range, but I had to go with a U.S. made model because I happen to be from MI where they’re made. Even with that said, I’m not even a little bit sad about not buying a Gibson Custom Shop. I played one this past weekend and the neck volume pot didn’t even work. That’s unacceptable on an $8k guitar. Everything worked great and was set up well with the Heritage right out of the box. I even got to pick my top because I described what I wanted to the guys at a heritage via their online contact form and they emailed me back with photos before asking if I wanted that specific guitar or a different one. Pretty amazing customer service. I can’t recommend Heritage highly enough. Good dudes who make even better guitars.
Wonderful playing Colin!
I watched on the TV channel last night and here again on UA-cam, the Ascent just sounds brighter to me. I really love the deeper sound of the H-150 but I appreciate the brighter tones too. I think they are both legit.
Would love to hear both of them against the rest of your Lesters, especially the Tokai Love Rock vs the Ascent.
This morning's brew is Fire Department Dark Roast, done Vietnamese style ( coincidence... maybe or in my subconscious mind from watching last night and the Vietnam reference) with a spoonful of Sweetened Condensed Milk and the pinkster touch of a splash of rum. I may have one or two more. 😉
😆👍👍
Sounded really good Colin. For someone that doesn't really like LPs, I think you looked and played really comfortable on these Heritage guitars. Nice tone.👍
Thanx for the hard work put into all these episodes mate. We really appreciate it. Brazilian rosewood fretboard and kidney bean tuners. I'm not sure there's such a thing as Indian rosewood or kidney stone tuners? But it's humorous nonetheless. Getting back into guitars again after the C.I.T.I.E.S. ban on endangered species of trees, like Brazilian Rosewood. I've never understood the almost childish reaction some people have, over a fretboard material? Just yesterday I read a comment about how this genius says he's gonna outsmart us all. By NOT buying an Epiphone now. Because he's waiting for them to start using rosewood again, before he'll even consider one. Basically, he's saying we're all stupid for buying one without "real" Brazilian rosewood. If that's not bizarre, I'm not sure what is? If the country of origin of the fretboard wood alone, can deter you from buying a guitar. Doesn't the fact that the guitar is built in China, make that a little redundant? People like that kill me. They'll consider spending up to $1499 on a Chinese Epiphone. But god forbid it has an Indian laurel fretboard! That's frick'n insanity at its finest.
Even if it says in plain English at the bottom of EVERY imported guitar ad page I've ever seen. That Epiphone or whoever else, can change ANY spec. without notice, depending on the availability of materials. If they changed to some type of rosewood without notice. How would you know? If they compressed feces into a mock wood material and made the darkest fretboard ever. You wouldn't fuck'n know. Give it up. It just sounds so frick'n asinine to complain about fretboard materials.
Good morning from Louisiana Colin, enjoying your review. Thanks for your hard work. Enjoy your weekend.
Most honest guitar reviewer on youtube. You've done it again.great video. So entertaining love it.
The top on the USA Heritage is gorgeous!
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First, thanks for the video. Excellent review. Both sound great, though the higher end one sounded softer (musically rounded notes) to my ear. It would be fun to compare the budget Heritage to a HB550 II- since it would be the most similar in price and layout. On paper, the HB has far better specs, but how much does that really matter in terms of play-ability and tone? Larry Carlton, Jet and Anderton's EastCoast would also be really good for comparison in the sub $500 range, EastCoast being the least expensive by quite a bit. It is really astounding to see what people can get for under $500 these days. My favorite so far is still the Tokai you reviewed with the plain top. I just really like the look of it.
I really appreciate when you do these heads up comparisons when the guitars are "related". If I were to splurge $2500, or more, for a Les Paul Standard I have been of the opinion for several years that I would buy from the folks up in Kalamazoo. I have a Larry Carlton "LP" and couldn't be happier with it. Epiphone isn't even in the conversation anymore, unless it was a surprise gift. As always, Thanks Again Colin!
Since I've been loving you?, Colin, and have become a member, I still wait for Friday to watch the videos. This is because I want to see them on a larger screen and I only have a SIM card in my phone. The pickup readings on the Ascent remind me of the 490R, 498T in my Les Paul custom, the ceramic set which I like. The bolt on neck puts me off a bit but it sounds really nice but so does the Standard. I would say the Ascent is a good entry level guitar for someone wanting to try the L P shape for the money.
Thanks Col!
Always honest, pretty rare these days mate.
Had no idea Heritage made a cheaper version til you unboxed that one the other week... not bad!
Looks good, sounds the part too.👍🏼
Thanks Col, great show. Some serious editing going on there with the side by side comparison! Looked and sounded great, as always. That US heritage is giving off some serious Mick Ronson vibes!
Cheers, thanks for reminding me I NEED a proper Mick Ronson rep... 🔥
Great video Col! This is the info everyone wants to know!
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"Knobage" Yes, love it! 🤣
Good choice doing the back to back - soundwise not much between them, I guess it comes down to 'feel' actually playing them if you can tune out the obvious price and provenance comparisons. Look forward to the 'Big 5' shoot out. For my money around that price range I would go for an Eastman over a Gibson or Heritage (or Maybach - that brand didn't do much for me at all, both the ones you showed seemed a bit off). Looks like the budget Heritage could be a good entry level+ for the price - maybe give Epiphone a run for their money but my question would be for the brand in terms of marketing and perception, will the tail wag the dog? If the Ascents take off good luck to them but it does somehow seem to demean the whole idea of 'Heritage' - Kalamazoo and what have you altho a building and a bit of old equipment is one thing but how 'authentic' are they these days? Heritage & G&L are both strange outliers, aren't they?
Fabulous playing Colin. You do the best reviews on UA-cam. Keep up the good work.
😊🙏
I've got a US H150 and it's very nearly perfect. I'd like a Heritage semi hollow so I'm saving up but I don't think I'd go for an import version if they made one. Nice review, thanks.
That standard had to remind you of your R8. That’s a beauty.
Loved the Zep jam!! That's my favorite song. Years ago, I had a friend that bought one of the first run of the Heritage, and I used to be totally jealous of him. All these years later, and I'm still playing - he's not. I'm happy with all I have.
Yes... and... Yes... Luvved them both... possibly the Ascent a little more by a 'nose'... Was thinking the added comfort of 'playing' the Ascent could be the 'ergonomics' and Neck Profiles differences... (Quite BIG differences ????)... Am pleased that the 'Bolt-On' neck made no apparent 'diff'., which surprised me... 'Good-One' for sanding the fret ends while strings off... and... always thought you would 'come around' to appreciating 'LP's or 'Lesters' as you call them... This "Comparison" series is just getting better and better !!!! Got my 'LP' Stagg L400-TS (HH) by me on the floor, in it's open case (like a faithful dog) looking up at me and still won't swap for any... but... the 'series' isn't over yet ! Funny thing ? Today, I decided, for comfortable playing (?) I prefer my Archtops, which I regard as Electric Guitars (HH) & (H) or the Acoustics... Colin... Don't go running off with the 'local' Gal behind the Bar, who I'm sure is attracted to your magic personality (?) as you have promised your (very) faithful fans to finish this most important Comparison 'LP' Series... and... "The man can Play"... Good Cheers !🤠...
Cheers mate! 😁👍
Greetings! I have discovered this channel several days ago and was positively lost in your approachable and honest presentation.
There is one, or rather two guitars, that you might be interested in taking a look at: Hagström Swede and Super Swede (this one has Fender scale length and "hotter" bridge humbuker). From information I could gather online, it seems to be the best modernisation of LP concept, at least in that price range.
I think it would be really interesting to see how something like that fairs against original Les Paul, Eastman and Tokai
You made the cheaper version sound great, Col! But the expensive one is a keeper for sure, right? Absolutely gorgeous. Particularly lovely playing on this vid too.
I’d purchase the Heritage over a Gibson, simply because of Mark Agnesi.
Ouch! 😆
The ascent did sound a little brighter, but to me that is a win for the cheaper guitar, it would cut through a mix a little bit better. What an awesome inexpensive guitar. Wish we could get them in North America, I love my gibson, but an ascent would be a great stage guitar. I'd upgrade the pots, switch and input jack for reliability though. Considering the price of the guitar the upgrades would not be that much more.
That basswood cap is really nice!
I played a Heritage Custom Core aged gold top recently...it was the best 'Les Paul' that I have ever played...beating Custom shops and even Murphy Labs that I played.
Nice! I'm a big fan of Heritage in their original incarnation and still like them well enough under their new ownership. That being said, the new ownership certainly seems a lot more corporate than the old owners. I know why they sold, and it was either that or shutter the brand, but The Heritage guitars made under the original ownership have something special about them. By the way, I think you can infer something about the manufacturer of the pickups on the Ascent guitar by the oval hole in the base plate. I'm kind of foggy about what it was, but there are some well-respected budget pickups with the same base plate.
Great video Colin 😎👍👍
Original Gibson, Kalamazoo luthiers (and descendants), or the Nashville Gibson luthiers and all that name endures...?
Kalamazoo holds a lot of clout imo. And QC apparently doesn't seem to be a problem in Kalamazoo either.
The amount of insights on the tv channel are thought provoking indeed.
IF an LP is on your radar, the information shared there is invaluable 😎👍👍
Thanks fellow Guitaristas 👍
😎✌👍❤🖖
Love Brother
I had reached out to Heritage trying to figure out my guitar’s provenance (it’s odd and doesn’t match any models specs, slightly smaller like the h-140 they made briefly but lots of different hardware and such) and they put me in touch with Ren Wall himself. Look the guy up - some of the originals are still around and kicking.
@@shanetx81
😎👍
Had heard that the Heritage LP is flatter on top as was the early Gibson LP...?
It's funny to me that I've always rejected bolt-on Les Pauls as being cheap, even though I usually like cheap. However all you've got to do is change the appearance slightly, like on a Yamaha and an Aria that I've owned, and then I like bolt-on 2-humbucker single-cuts. A lot of the 70s Ibanez bolt-on lawsuit Les Pauls were pretty good. They even had their own fairly fancy bolt-ons like the PF-200 series later on.
I do find it weird that Heritage chose to set their price so low and go for really cheap hardware while still putting the Heritage name on the headstock without modification, but it sounds good and appears to work.
They coulda made a shorter headstock for their budget brand.
14:25 Ive not played a bolt on necked single cut.
But im no snob. Most of my early guitars were strats. My first one as i mentioned to you yonks ago was a 70s Guild SG with Bigsby. I was too young to appreciate how good that was.
Then I got a Roland synth guitar theblue strat versio in about 1983 or 4.
Then i bought a Japanese made Squier black on black rosewood in 1987 which I still own.
Got a Squier Affinity strat on my lap now. My least expensive guitar. It’s a 2020 model i new January 2021. It’s HSS black with sparkly pick guard. Bought it originally as a project guitar but i liked it so much all I’ve done is change the strings.
That guitar came straight out of Musicworks warehouse. Un boxed in the shop played it bought it. They didn’t even touch it to set it up.
Didn’t need to. It’s stellar.
The other bolt on guitar Ive got is my very rare Sun Dew Gold Ibanez Pia.
Solar offers bolt on guitars which im keen to try.
They’ve got a HSS version too but it’s Evertune equipped which is fine but id prefer FR or hard tail options on that given you know my love of all things Solar.
Cheers 😎🎸🤘
Still got my Roland FGN Blue Strat! I demoed the GR300 for Roland in NZ when it launched and still have it - still works! Nice guitar - used it plenty of sessions and never felt the need to buy a US made Start, frankly.
@@mortonwilson795 that is so cool. I ordered mine from a now long gone but legendary shop called Helmuts in Ringwood (a Melbourne, Australia suburb).
I had it on layby - Americans call that lay away i think. I think that was 1984. Anyway one of the guitarists from the Little River Band wanted one so they phoned me and asked if he could have my one and they’d order another one in for me ?
Of course I said yes !!
I got the module for it about a year after I got the guitar as i had to save up for it.
I got Soundworks in Ringwood to shave down the neck as i found it too chunky. They put in a larger truss rod to support how thin we went.
Also swapped out the middle pickup with one of their custom higher output pickups too.
Memories hey ?
I live in AKL these days.
I tried to get the Ascent H-137 P90 version but Dawson's wasn't willing to deliver outside the UK - now I'm glad I didn't.
That's a shame they indicated that they would be able to 🤷♂️
First off, great playing! That was some of the best I’ve heard from you. As far as the guitars, the standard was no surprise. Heritage makes great guitars, and for the price, they SHOULD be great. But since I don’t own a Gibson, I would probably go with a Gibson at the same price. The problem is, Heritage is consistently great quality while Gibson is hit or miss. All things being equal, Gibson on the headstock does mean something. On the other hand, that Ascent was fantastic, especially for the money. I thought it sounded as “good”, just different. For my purposes, it would be all I need. I can’t say I’m crazy about the color choices, though. If they came out with an Ascent double-cut LP Jr, I’d be all over it. Great video!
Let’s see the Guild Polara next week, Colin! Thanks, bud.
I shall get round to it eventually! 😆👍
Got my H 150 here in the US thru Sweetwater. I love it
I'm not a big fan of flame maple tops (plain is fine by me) but that really looks nice
Not really a Les Paul kinda guy but if I was, it'd have to be a Gibson. I tend to like the Studio versions rather than the full-on bound bodied Customs and Standards.
What a fantastic video from my favorite youtuber have a wonderful weekend Colin ❤😊
😁🙏
Love that Aria headstock ;-)
I remember Arias. A mate had this Aria strat in the 1980s. It had a dragon carving in body. It weighed a frigging ton too.
Not the comfortable guitar to play but man that carving was pretty awesome
Such a shame they can not produce an SG model, as I thought the headstock shape is perfect for that body style... \m/
I like my H150, mine is a boat at 10.2 lbs but I like it. Thanks!
How is the neck profile on your, in this video it seems very '60s thin, but I thought the current H-150 had chunkier '59/'58 profiles
@@paulcatarino2209 mines more like 50's profile
Great review Colin..Awesome as always...Thanks..😎
I loved the way you chucked the sanding block!!!❤😮😂😅😊
😆👍
I've been rubbing my thighs over their Custom Shop aged P90 Standard in Pelham Blue! Gorgeous!
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I got to play one in a shop. Beautiful guitar and those custom p90s are the best pickups I’ve ever played. You can’t go wrong with it!
@@USWNTfan101 👍
@@S-T-E-V-E Haven't seen one, but I'll look em up now!👍🏼
35:02 i vastly prefer the sound of the cheap one, especially the bridge pu. I would like to see the neck pu with a 500k or higher potentiometer for the tone knob to see if it could bring the neck pu to life. I guess im the odd one out on this😅 could just be that what you played was exactly what it was made to do. Thanks! Great video😊 Cheers
Thanks Colin, have to say I’m not a big fan of the headstock but otherwise I thought both guitars were very cool… impressed with the import for the $$ but the US version was really pretty. Interesting history and nice playing again!
I went to go look at the price of a Heritage H-150 Ascent, expecting it to be above £800.
I saw it max out at £249.00!!!!!!!!!!!! wtf! That's a great guitar for that price!
( i hadn't gotten to the part where you said the price while typing ;) )
Much respect for the Clash quote
I love love *love* my custom Heritage for the build quality, the looks and the playability but in terms of sound, I could barely tell the difference between this budget version and the H150 - sounded fantastic! I was really surprised. The neck pickup though was noticeably better on the premium version for me as well as my own. Glad to see some Heritage on the channel!
Great video. Several weeks on since I’ve picked up a new standard H-150 in dirty lemon burst and the honeymoon phase is still in full affect. (Scratch plate on for me!)
Love that they now have a “cheap” import model that sounds great. Can’t go wrong with allowing more access to this brand!
Excellent video, the cheaper Heritage is fantastic value for money, they both sounded terrific, the standard is a real stunner looks wise !! 👍🎸😄
It is absolutely the most beautiful guitar I have seen. The old one. Sounds gorgeous. Of course, I JUST got a Les Paul Classic... 32:05
Nice review Col as usual , but neither guitar for me dont like headstock & if I'm paying over £2,000 I would want A Gibson Les Paul not a copy . Cheers .
Try a Solar GC1.6.
Best bang for your buck out there. I’ve 5 Solars. 2 of which are single cuts.
And no I don’t play metal. Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
Edit: or try a PRS Tremonti SE single cut. Ive a 2020 model in gloss black.
Only issue was the nut but i fixed that.
@@PeterMoore350 Will check them out thanks .
@@trevorclarey3336 no probs. You could also look at Solars 2.6 models.
Cheaper, no locking tuners and nickel fretwire instead of stainless.
TBH once i sort out my health issues im hoping to buy a few 2.6 GCs as project guitars.
Probably get the matte black one and wrap it with gold like ppl wrap cars
@@trevorclarey3336 you can also try Solars 2.6 models.
Difference between 1.6 and 2.6 is 2.x has nickel fretwire and not stainless and typically no locking tuners.
Im hoping my health issues get sorted as I wanna buy a couple GC2.6 matte black one and and wrap one in gold like how ppl wrap cars these days!!
if you want a "real" Gibson Les Paul, then you want a vintage. A whole bunch of people, materials, specs, (and factory) have changed....
Nice!! I had at some point a Heritage H-150. Mine was an artisan aged with SD antiquities. The top was sick! Same color as yours but mosntrous top, very cool. But prefered the Eastman because of weight, also prefer the chunkier neck, and tone mayeb amrginally the eastman.
But if the Heriateg had a chunky neck and the eastman a neck like the heritage, would have kept the heritage cos was bloody good and the chunky neck is important to me, or maybe not chunky big , but I need more meat than what the heritage offered.
The heritage cusotm core i know has chunkier necks and im sure would love those!
Looking forward to the comparison videos! I think ive had most the Single cut guitars you ve had, and the Eastman for me is my favorite hehe. Although the heritage and tokai damn! were fantastic!
One question, how do you like the Juliet vs the SB59/v ?? I myself think the Juliet I would really like it, the 25.5 scqle length plus being a set neck kind of sibgle cut but with a better access and also not heavy as an LP, seems to check all the boxes. Plus i know is has a good chunkier type of neck. Thanks!!
I think the Eastman SB59v is a bit of a (single) cut above... 😆 for me it stands apart and I don't really think of it as a Les Paul copy. Can't see myself selling that one. And my Juliet v/b is another completely different animal.. you like chunky you will LOVE the neck on that thing 🙌
@@theguitaristas awesome!! thanks for the reply.
Well, sounds like you're an 'Ascent' convert! If you're comparing guitars with a 10x price difference, the usual conclusion is that the expensive guitar "..makes me feel better, so I play better..". However, in this case, the cheaper of the two felt better in your hand, and was easier to play as a result. So, is the 'Ascent' the better guitar? Should any future comparison video include this so-called 'import' guitar, or are you going to keep to your exclusive '£2K club' review? Interesting...
Great video, as always Col, with a few surprises along the way.
Ready to see an SG style review just to see the extra joy you get from playing one.
Really enjoyed these two guitars. Beautiful to look and sound on them. For the price is a all win on these. I prefer the gold tihlger stripes one but both great.
Not heard Since I been loving you in such a long, long time. My mind drifted way off to a happy place there. Beautifully played, thanks for that.
I really enjoyed this comparison format, please can we have more of these. It would be brilliant to see some custom shop stuff getting compared, especially Gibson maybe against Eastman.
Happy Colin = Cool Colin.
Keep rockin', pal
Nice...my favorite Zeppelin song. Honestly both guitars look great. I think the thing I'm curious about is how does the expensive heritage compare to the goldtop eastman.
Another great video Colin, it just keeps on amazing me the quality of affordable guitars today, compared to years ago. The usa H150 was a cracking deal at £1500. that is a quality instrument. Thanks for posting, always look forward to your reviews.
I'd love to buy that US Heritage, it's beautiful.
The neck pickup sounds good
I was unsure about the Heritage Pickguard but now I like it!
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I played that Heritage in there a while back. They had it for quite a while. It was nice, but I prefer the Eastman SB59/v as a LP alternative. I did think it was better than the recent Custom Shop Heritages that I tried in Andertons a couple of years ago, they were very average and got easily beaten out by a standard gold top Gibson, which is in SME at the moment...
John?... are you trying to tempt me?? 😆👍
@@theguitaristas Wouldn't dream of it.
You can now get chinese made set neck lp copies that look great for cheap. Don't understand why they offered a bolt on.
Back in the beginning of Heritage and into the 90's, Heritage were putting Schaller pick ups on their guitars, as with my H555 which I think is a 92. Many Heritage owners swapped them out for Seymour 59's (as did I) and other premium built pick ups such as loller.
I've got a soft spot for natural LP type guitars. When I started playing, Mick Ronson and Marc Bolan were among players of music I was listening to. There was a bit of a fad for sanding the finish off guitars that originally had an opaque colour. I'm drawn to instruments with that vibe. It doesn't need to be a signature or replica of a specific instrument.
I think that US Heritage is gorgeous with the combination of chrome hardware and cream plastic. The maple top figuring is interesting without being too full on 'boudoir cocktail cabinet'. I prefer pickguard on, but find the Heritage shape a bit wavy and would prefer it to be a bit simpler in outline.
Both sounded fantastic and Colin was getting some lovely Greeny type tones out of the guitar/amp setups.
I didn't know that Heritage was now part of BandLab but it helps to explain the move into the Ascent range. They always made a point of being crafted in Kalamazoo. I don't think it devalues the brand but I hope it doesn't mark the start of a progressive switch over to only non-US made instruments and decisions based purely on financial returns.
Great review mate , and two things one ,the Ascent sounds pretty good to me
And two your playing, brilliant Colin 👍🏻 🎸🎸🎸
Cheers mate.
70s John
Cheer John that's appreciated! 😁🙏
The Ascent to me had more high end which would work well for my style of music, rockabilly and 50s, the Standard would be a pass for me. Great video once again.
in a look away test it was very hard to tell a difference just listening on the headphones.
Hello, From the StateS. Always, enjoy your UA-cam Channel! Thanks For Sharing 🧠🎸🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶✌️
I know it probably means very little as they are likely used on tons of different pickups, but the underside of the modern pickups looks exactly like the Chinese Fleor pickups. I got several of those with different magnets and resistances to mix and match for the ideal bridge/neck combo and good coil split sound and they all had these exact backplates. And, for the record, they all sounded pretty good to me (and not just to me, there's plenty of praise for those on the internet), especially considering the ridiculous price (one was like 18 euro or something like that).
Cheers that’s good intel! 😁👍
I think the real comparison is with a Harley Benton SC - can a bolt on neck LP copy compete?
I said the same thing, The HB SC 550 II PAF is in the same price range as the Heritage import at £255.
@@AndrewAHayes Yeah - my 550 ii deluxe was £180 S/H and is astonishing for the brass - the cheapo Heritage looks like a cheapo which is unusual these days
Great episode sir. Thank you.
There is a 2011 Heritage about 30 minutes from here. May need to take a sneaky peek
Could be worth it!
Great demo Col. Msybe it's the droopy horn, or the pickguard, or the switch cover, and I'm sure the headstock is part of it but I can't get on board. But you sure proved it excels where it matters, it sounds great. If I ever get the money to own multiple very nice guitars, vs my single Gibson, Id get a Heritage but do it the way you have. I'd find a 90s one. The Ascent, it does what it's supposed to do but I can't help but feel the the investment group who bought the company did this to eventually ship the entire brsnd overseas. If that's the case they will end the brand. Even if I'm wrong I personally feel they devalued the brand by putting The Heritage on the headstock. Of course all this comes with the caveat that Im an idiot and don't know what I'm talking about. REALLY looking forward to the big shootout. You should consider an affordable LP style shootout as well. See you next week.
Cheers mate!
Don’t know if you read these but I like these as it’s feels like a chat with an old mate in the pub
I do and that’s appreciated thanks! 😁
I love your channel and your content. It’s the best.
Great job as always. Enjoyable and informative. They sound so similar, I can't see bridging that price gap. Not surprisingly, I can't find an Ascent here in the US. Heritage wants us Yanks to buy only their domestic line, I suppose. But there are more than a few import LP style axes available here that are of similar quality for the same or less money (which you well know), and Gibson themselves are offering so many more affordable variations, there's no real tragedy not finding this import Heritage.
Nice playing Colin!
😊🙏
10:29 i love that the Chinese version has a comfort cut. My two Solar GC1.6’s have a nice comfort cut. Sits very well against the beer belly !!
Heritage is really where it’s at. The real deal. It’s the shit. The ascent range is nice, obviously not the same but it’s a nice option
Yay, it's Friday with Colin. It ain't coca cola, it's wine in my house.
😆👍🍷
Great vid Colin, very nice sound from both guitars. The H150 you can see why its more expensive even taking away made in the US. It did have a tad more going on in the sound, but man that Ascent was damn good too, and for crazy cheap really. Definitely a brand to watch out for, its in a competitive area price and styling wise but its quality and sound may well give them a big edge.
Cheers Steve, surprisingly good really and has a hint of retro Columbus Les Paul which is nice! 😁👍
@@theguitaristas I just might have to give one a go :)
I hated the heritage pickguards at first too but it grew on me. I just wish there was a gap between the guitars cutaway and the top curve of the pickguard, instead of how it tightly hugs the edge but oh well
Very nice playing. Yeah the guitars are pretty too.
8:40 that’s a stunning example Col. I hope you hang on to that one.
Cheers 😎🎸🤘
Good film Colin, think you will see a set neck version next year, cheers
Great video as always. I have to say the “cheapie” sounded fantastic. The full fat one was gorgeous as well but was £2k better? Not to my ears 😮
Bolt on neck for the win with a LP! Easily replaced when the head snaps off 🤣🤣
All joking aside, the modularity of a bolt-on neck really is an advantage even though we don’t normally associate it with single-cut guitars. I still find it weird myself, but if I were gigging I’d rather have the ability to hustle swap necks if the guitar got damaged than have to get an expensive repair. Also, good for modding if you don’t like the neck.
@@randrothify Yeah, my comment was a bit tongue in cheek to be fair. I am not and, I believe, will never be convinced, that a set neck makes any difference whatsoever. You just have to look at Fender to see that! I have never swapped out a neck on any guitar, though have modded loads. The neck would have to be seriously bad for me to think about doing that, but hey, if you want a roasted maple neck on your Squier, go for it!
@@akwamarsunzalI‘m with you as I was originally a Strat guy now primarily a Tele player. I have generally been unmoved by the arguments for set neck guitars especially the "warmth" and "sustain" thing. First off, depending on the style or songs you are playing you don’t always want warmth or sustain. Material by Albert Collins and JJ Cale come to mind with Collins known as the Iceman and Cale famous for his cheeky and understated sophistication. But more importantly for me personally is that I once owned an SG with the small pickguard. The thing had the thinner neck and small heel joint characteristic of the SGs that were known to play very fast. The problem was that mine developed a nasty crack at the heel. According to the technician that repaired it this occurred probably because it had not been glued properly and the combination of the lack of mass and connection at the heel, weight of the neck, and incremental torque naturally applied when playing caused it to crack. The repair was quite expensive and required some refinishing and blending at the heel of the body because a broken set neck obviously means that you can’t just pop off some bolts and throw on a new neck. You have to glue everything back together and fix the blemishes from the cracks that extend into the heel. Needless to say I have been weary of set neck guitars ever since even though I still love SGs and the problem is more likely to occur with that particular style of SG than even regular SG Standards and other types of set neck guitars because they have more mass at where the neck joins the body. So, my preference now is for bolt-on guitars despite the occasional continued dalliance with Les Pauls, SGs, and Gretsch Jets, or PRS set-necks.
@@randrothify Never been totally convinced about set neck making a huge different to tone. With some tweaking I can make my Strat sound very close to my LP! The whole tonewood/set neck debate is negligible to me. I am sure there are differences but outside of the human hearing range. I love SGs, but I only own one that I built as a kit, with bolt on neck. Once day I will get round to a "proper" SG but this kit, with bold on neck, is exactly what I need, especially as it is a true custom with a pyrographed design over the whole body by my wife 🙂 Maybe that adds to the tone too LOL
I think the ascent is a wonderful modders platform!
I know I am stupid, but I just cannot get over the Doofy Headstock!! lol Also, Pick guard off. ;) Great vid Colin mate, all the best.
Aesthetics are personal. "Personally" I like the Heritage headstock because the strings go through the nut in a straighter path.
You’re not stupid. A lot of people don’t like the headstock. I was the same way for a while. We’re all accustomed to seeing a Gibson open book headstock on LP guitars. You’d be amazed at how quickly you get over it after owning one for a bit (assuming you love how it plays). The Custom Core versions (similar to to Gibson Custom Shop but 2/3 - 1/2 price of Gibson) have a slightly bigger headstock and only say “Heritage” rather than “The Heritage, which I personally prefer and think look closer to a typical Gibson style Headstock. Fun fact: super old vintage Gibson mandolins (A series, I think) had a headstock that looked incredibly similar to the Heritage headstock. Weird, right?
Gibson also used the same-ish slimmer headstock on DC Pros.
Guitar Center in Hawaii. They don't bring many in. Todd Beebe on his U Tube has many episodes on Heritage guitars