Heritage JS on Reverb

[tomvwash]

Lou DelRosso at Guitars 'n Jazz had one of these months back with a set pickup. If I had more affinity with a floating pickup tone, I would jump on this. Maybe someone else here? Rare appearance.


Just a moment...

[Topper Roth]

Yes, this guitar looks spectacular in the photos and it is very reasonably priced IMHO

[2bornot2bop]

Beautiful guitar! I sold one for $4500 back in 2016, and although it was a very rare guitar I thought that was expensive. But I get it, inflation and dealers have to keep the doors open.

[deacon Mark]

I have 2 of them a blond and almond sunburst, some of the best guitars I have played. Easily worth the price for one that is quite flamed.

[Marty Grass]

This one has a thin heel and a rim jack, both of which I like.

[Woody Sound]

Mine had one of the nicest, straightest necks I have ever owned. Perfect profile (for me).

[tomvwash]

Mine had one of the nicest, straightest necks I have ever owned. Perfect profile (for me).

Is a Heritage JS a comparison to a Campellone 17" Special or even a Legrand? (or not so much). Still looking at this but also not coming around to the floating pickup tone and probably the wrong GAS path for me at the moment.

[deacon Mark]

Is a Heritage JS a comparison to a Campellone 17" Special or even a Legrand? (or not so much). Still looking at this but also not coming around to the floating pickup tone and probably the wrong GAS path for me at the moment.

Tom you don't care for floating pickup guitars we have had this discussion before so let it go. You are a built-in player therefore you need to look at the option. My 2 Heritage JS guitars are both acoustic made and voiced guitars they do not respond like a CES type guitar.

[tomvwash]

Tom you don't care for floating pickup guitars we have had this discussion before so let it go. You are a built-in player therefore you need to look at the option. My 2 Heritage JS guitars are both acoustic made and voiced guitars they do not respond like a CES type guitar.

Is that how musical taste or tone preferences work, you either like it or you don't, and if you don't then move on? I don't think so. I'm sure my comments on the floating pickups get redundant, but just trying to understand and maybe ultimately appreciate the difference with a CES. Taste, preference, nuance, and appreciation with jazz instruments evolve--and not ready to dismiss outright an acoustic-oriented tone, surely not with a Campellone.

Sheesh, I'm here to learn from others insight, not be scolded for one apparent preference over another as it stands within my still-brief exposure to jazz guitar.

[Cunamara]

Do you (Tom) like Peter Bernstein's tone? He uses a Zeidler guitar with a full-sized floater. That might be an entry point. For that matter, do you like Johnny Smith's tone (his last couple of albums had the Gibson, IIRC, which would be closer to this guitar than his classic 1950s albums. Phase II might be an example).

Rich Severson demos floating vs. set:

Our own Max405 demos a Heritage JS:

[tomvwash]

Do you (Tom) like Peter Bernstein's tone? He uses a Zeidler guitar with a full-sized floater. That might be an entry point. For that matter, do you like Johnny Smith's tone (his last couple of albums had the Gibson, IIRC, which would be closer to this guitar than his classic 1950s albums. Phase II might be an example).

Rich Severson demos floating vs. set:

Our own Max405 demos a Heritage JS:

Yes, love the early Johnny Smith 50's tone, good reminder! I'm not familiar with Peter Bernstein, but will listen. Nice clip of Joe's approach here. Thank you!

[deacon Mark]

Is that how musical taste or tone preferences work, you either like it or you don't, and if you don't then move on? I don't think so. I'm sure my comments on the floating pickups get redundant, but just trying to understand and maybe ultimately appreciate the difference with a CES. Taste, preference, nuance, and appreciation with jazz instruments evolve--and not ready to dismiss outright an acoustic-oriented tone, surely not with a Campellone.

Sheesh, I'm here to learn from others insight, not be scolded for one apparent preference over another as it stands within my still-brief exposure to jazz guitar.

Unfortunately, my tone may have come across wrong, but I was not scolding you at all. My thought process is that you did in fact like the Campellone but also seem to not be so thrilled with the sound electrically? I think that is the case, but I could be mistaken. I do know that you have a wonderful Legrand too so again I am not sure exactly, but everyone has different ears.

One thing I need to clarify is that to me a built in CES type archtop is obviously an electric guitar. A carved acoustic archtop is just that an acoustic guitar, I personally never evaluate a carved acoustic guitar except for what it sounds like acoustically. One can put may different kinds of floating pickups on these guitars and get an electric sound. This sound will be different than a fully built in CES. A Super 400 with a floating Dearmond sounds much different through and amp than a Super 400CES.

Therefore, I never really judge a CES guitar except what it sounds like through and amp. Apples and oranges. That said the Johnny Smith at least to my ears will be pretty close to your Campellone in terms of electric response but the different pickups will make things different. The HJS will not sound at all like the L5ces that you have through the amp.

I was just giving you a bit or warning so that you would not be disappointed. Best thing to do is go spend time with them in various settings. When comparing CES type guitars use the same AMP with different guitars. Then try another amp for comparison. An L5ces through a Fender Twin is not going to sound the same when you run it through my Clarus R2 and RE cabinets. You are correct keep experimenting.

[tomvwash]

Unfortunately, my tone may have come across wrong, but I was not scolding you at all. My thought process is that you did in fact like the Campellone but also seem to not be so thrilled with the sound electrically? I think that is the case, but I could be mistaken. I do know that you have a wonderful Legrand too so again I am not sure exactly, but everyone has different ears.

One thing I need to clarify is that to me a built in CES type archtop is obviously an electric guitar. A carved acoustic archtop is just that an acoustic guitar, I personally never evaluate a carved acoustic guitar except for what it sounds like acoustically. One can put may different kinds of floating pickups on these guitars and get an electric sound. This sound will be different than a fully built in CES. A Super 400 with a floating Dearmond sounds much different through and amp than a Super 400CES.

Therefore, I never really judge a CES guitar except what it sounds like through and amp. Apples and oranges. That said the Johnny Smith at least to my ears will be pretty close to your Campellone in terms of electric response but the different pickups will make things different. The HJS will not sound at all like the L5ces that you have through the amp.

I was just giving you a bit or warning so that you would not be disappointed. Best thing to do is go spend time with them in various settings. When comparing CES type guitars use the same AMP with different guitars. Then try another amp for comparison. An L5ces through a Fender Twin is not going to sound the same when you run it through my Clarus R2 and RE cabinets. You are correct keep experimenting.

I understand, Deacon Mark. Thank you for the note. And warnings are always good! ...difficult sometimes to bypass or ignore the candy store, especially with Archtop guitars.

[SierraTango]

If you have the means, it all depends on what your goals are for performing. I gig out a lot with my 90 Benedetto Cremona, it has a Bartolini floater.
That being said, it's a duo with no drummer or bass. So, I'm usually playing at low volume in upscale venues. Feedback is never a issue. I absolutely adore the tone of that setup.
I do occasionally play in a big band, and the Benedetto is not the ideal tool for that. I use my Eastman John Pisano 880 on those gigs. Built in pickup. I was doing some work with a gypsy violinist which led me to my Dupont. And of course, one must have a all acoustic Archtop-my 53 Epi Triumph Regent does most of my teaching duties, however in small venues I have gigged with it with just a mic in front of it.

Guess I'm trying to say-if you are a living room player, and there is nothing wrong with that-go for the Heritage JS and experience the joy!

[wintermoon]

"I'm not familiar with Peter Bernstein, but will listen."

That's hard to believe Tom, Pete gets so much ink on this forum. Maybe you spend most of your time in the gear section.
But do check him out, I still don't know how he manages to avoid feedback w that Zeidler especially when he plays in organ bands, they're extremely lively acoustic archtops.

[Cunamara]

I saw Pete with Goldings and Stewart at the Dakota in Minneapolis, standing right in front of the house Fender Twin. The amp was miked, though, so maybe his on-stage volume was low. Zeidler reputedly did not carve a guitar specifically for amplification and only reluctantly put pickups on them. Pete is one of my very favorite modern guitarists and has perhaps my favorite current guitar tone.

[Hammertone]

Is a Heritage JS a comparison to a Campellone 17" Special or even a Legrand? (or not so much). Still looking at this but also not coming around to the floating pickup tone and probably the wrong GAS path for me at the moment.

Heritage JS is directly comparable to:
-typical Campellone Standard/Deluxe/Special with x-bracing and his 17" 'short body' style;
-typical later Gibson JS or Legrand.

[bediles]

I saw Pete with Goldings and Stewart at the Dakota in Minneapolis, standing right in front of the house Fender Twin. The amp was miked, though, so maybe his on-stage volume was low. Zeidler reputedly did not carve a guitar specifically for amplification and only reluctantly put pickups on them. Pete is one of my very favorite modern guitarists and has perhaps my favorite current guitar tone.

Putting the amp behind you to the left makes a big difference.

[Marty Grass]

Or the amp in front of you a bit.

I have a pair of Doug's Plugs, which seem to help. But don't they undo some of the richness of the sound?