Heritage H575 Autumn Sunburst 1995 Archtop Hollow Body Jazz Guitar

This is a very special Heritage H575 in Autumn Sunburst finish. The Heritage brand was born in 1985 after Gibson closed their Kalamazoo plant in 1984 and relocated to the Nashville plant. Some of the Gibson staff who did not move to Tennessee purchased space in the factory, and Heritage Guitars was founded in 1985. Drawing on the former Gibson employees passion for traditional, high quality luthiery, Heritage models are largely based on popular Gibson designs, but make use of solid woods rather than the laminated constructions Gibson had been using.

This H575 model shares many similarities with Gibson’s ES-175. The serial number of this instrument indicates that it was manufactured at the Kalamazoo plant in 1995. A set-neck construction is employed, and comprises an all-solid Figured Maple body, Mahogany neck and 20 fret Rosewood fingerboard, with matching bridge. Nickel hardware is fitted, including a trapeze tailpiece, TOM bridge, and Grover Rotomatic tuning machines. A pair of Schaller passive humbucking pickups are installed, and are wired to a 3-way toggle switch and independent volume and tone controls.

The Mahogany neck plays fantastically well, with a moderately-sized profile which might be described as a ’D’ shape thanks to the slightly flattened area to the centre. This provides a comfortable place for the thumb to rest while playing, perfect for reaching those tricky chord voicings and breezing through smooth lead lines and solos. The Gloss finish to the rear assists with smooth navigation of the 24.75” scale, whilst the Florentine cutaway improves access to the upper register. The Rosewood fingerboard is pleasant under the fingers, and with its 12” radius is equally practical for chordal and melodic playing.

The amplified tone of the H575 exemplifies what is meant when people talk about the ‘Jazz box’ guitar tone. Smooth and dark, the tone is warm and round but also clear and articulate, chiming with a quality that is spacious and airy while also being distinct and bell-like. The solid wood construction of the body provides a rich resonance, making the sound very reactive to the player’s touch. Lightly rolling down the volume and tone controls allows the guitar to ring through with its characteristic clarity and warmth, providing a richness that is sought after by many. It’s easy to see why Heritage has garnered such a positive reputation.