Heritage Guitar Playoff Heritage vs Gibson, Rich Severson

[@gordondyer1]

Rich, hearing you play is very soothing in these troubled times. It is such a shame that the criminals destroying this country and world never learned to appreciate the finer things like Jazz Guitar!

[@allenrussell1947]

With all the silliness going on at Gibson it's hard to say this but the L5 sounded simply delicious. Much bigger, more mellow and great definition. Those Heritage models sound awesome but, to my ear, they fall a little short of the Gibson mark. Now, let's hear a Benedetto.

[@pnojazz]

Every guitar sounds great in your hands Rich!

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Thank you!

[@IPushHard]

I'm not a jazz, or big box guy... still chugging out rock. But, I owned a Heritage H157 til a couple of years ago. Looking to replace it, I happened across this channel. Ive been youtubing since shortly after youtube launched. Ive watched a lot of vids..read and left a lot of comments. I have to say that in all that time, Ive never seen a channel as amiable and even mannered as this one. Its an amazing thing in this day and age to find this...a place where respect is understood and given. I mean that. You guys should take a bow. Hey, the other thing... Watching Rich play I started to wonder if I had it in me to work the fret board like that. The stuff I play isnt even in the same universe as what you did Rich. You are a great player. OK, well Im out. Before I go wanted to say that Ive subscribed and thanks for having me.

[@UilsondeJesusCarvalho]

Hi Rich Severson, congratulations for your playing of these gems of jazz on the equally guitars gems; fortunate are the north american musicians that can purchase these superb jazz guitars !!!! Big hug !!!!

[@larryyouguessame6078]

I have a Heritage 535 solid Maple top and back..Amber Tiger..twin Black back 90,s 2000 model..with boosters..great Blues guitar..love it..with block inlays

[@LAUptegrove]

RICH !!!!! Outstanding idea. I've had Guild x500's, ES-175's, Wes Montgomery's, and a Heritage Eagle in the past, but these days, my "GO TO" instrument is the H-575 for cocktail jobs, and other solo-style gigs. WHY? Just because I love the feel and sound. Never really thought about comparisons, but since you did, I feel like my choice was a sound one, regardless of my personal preferences. Smaller body, shorter scale, etc. all work together to give me a great feel. I also LOVE.....the full block neck the entire fingerboard (like the Johnny Smith) instead of the "floating" end of the neck at the upper end like the 175 and L5 have. I think it gives a bit of a darker tone with all that additional mass touching everything else. Thanks again for all your work helping us all.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

I like the dark sound of the 575s as well. Thanks Al

[@nancieredekop1846]

I always think of the re-sale when purchasing a higher end guitar. Have owned many Gibsons (currently have a Wes Montgomery, an L5T, and a Byrdland); the biggest tone difference is in the scale length (Wes25.5, L5T24.5, Byrd.23.5). The longer scale always has a brighter sound, more overtones. Had a Heritage Eagle, great guitar, Heritage people wonderful to deal with, re-sale not so great. Biggest consideration is what is the intended purpose: for stage use, a laminate top is the most practical (not as feedback prone, more rugged etc.) Have an ES5 Switchmaster,and a Yamaha AES1500 as a gigging axe.Living room guitar, I'll go with a carved top. Great video, nice playing!!!

[@PF92079]

Love the Heritage instruments -- such a SUPERB value!

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Couldn't agree more! Thanks For watching!

[@donnymac575]

I play the H575 custom with rosewood finger board and mahogany neck. I've owned and played guitars costing 3 times as much and I've settled on the H575 because it plays and sounds the best to my ear. I sold my more expensive guitars and plan to keep the H575 as my main ax.

[@g-man4303]

Nice guitar and that guy playing it sounds damn good. Nice to hear a real guitar player.

[@DjentleBard]

Fantastic comparison! These guitars all sound lovely especially when complimented with your style/playing. Needless to say, liked and followed!

[@leftyjazz7269]

Hi Thank you for your great nice playing and review. I own an standard Heritage H-575 since a few years (1994, rosewood fingerboard, mapple top, mahogany neck which I broke once -my fault, stock PU...), . Never had a so good sounding and easy playing guitar. When they listen people say waouh what sound! Thanks to the crafters of Kalamazoo. Again great playing. The Gibson is sounding great too.

[@Tonetwisters]

We ordered a Gibson Johnny Smith in the early-to-mid seventies, for a custom in my brother's store. By leaps and bounds, it was THE best guitar I have ever played, even after 58 years ...

[@fleet4fingers]

It’s difficult to hear a drastic difference between guitars. Seeing that Wes used an L5 I’d use one if I could afford it. I have to go with though a lesser expensive Heritage if I had to chose right now.

[@guitargod6997]

Lovely guitars and great playing, Rich! Apart from the sound and tone - I think they all sounded great in your hands - what is your judgement about "playability" of the neck and guitar overall, and how important is that factor to your personal preferences?

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

The L5 has lower frets which make it harder for me to play. Play ability goes to the 575

[@guitargod6997]

Thanks! Appreciate your talent and generosity.

[@keithpearson6900]

What song is the first one you play with the Gibson? Sounds fantastic!

[@keithpearson6900]

Someone to Watch over Me!

[@chaslatorre2890]

Another great thing about Heritage is they will custom build anything you want. If u want taller frets, different appointments etc they happily do it. For one I built, I requested the fret wire and actually sent them the pups to install. They configured my controls to my liking and many other specs...NO UPCHARGE. Gibson is strictly off the rack...take what they give u or buy it and have ur tech do the upgrades at great expense while you devalue the instrument. Yet somehow Gibson boasts a custom shop...LOL

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

So true

[@Contact_Info]

they now have a custom program and I will try it out at somepoint to get a large neck like I want

[@XISTH]

Sublime playing, as always!

[@m.r.2183]

I thought the L5 had the most clarity and separation between the notes. I like the 575 but felt that it didn't fare very well in this test. It depends on the player and the guitar together. Thank you, Rich. Nice playing.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Glad you liked it!

[@robertkscorpio3680]

I would really like to Hear the H525 with Humbuckers ( not P90s ). That seems to be very versatile especially if NOT limited by P90s. Does Heritage use Jescar Frets ?

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

108 x015 is the fret size, don't know the maker. I'm really like them, wish my Gibsons had them

[@daijones101]

Great comparison. I'm a Heritage Golden Eagle player. It has a floating pickup. The L5 is certainly a nice one but a Kenny Burrrell super would have been worth hearing

[@brucebaldy]

I was amazed at the depth of the L5 tone with that clarity. Appeared as tho the L5 had a conical shaped body, is that true?

[@analogalien]

Rich, do you have a lesson on the song "someone who'll watch over me"?

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Yes you can find it www.99centguitarlessons.com/fsstandards.html

[@analogalien]

Awesome! Thank you. I just downloaded you Beyond the Sea lesson and it's fantastic.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Thank you glad you like it.

[@LuvHrtZ]

"I don't know why I picked this song"... lol classic. Great playing Rich.

[@dreadnought45]

My money, if I could afford it, is on the L-5. Wes knew what he was doing. The Eagle Classic sounds very good, too. Thanks for the comparisons, Rich. Ken, Toronto

[@oldsyphilitic]

Well, your words 'if I could afford it' give it away don't they?

[@micsayre]

Wes didn't have these choices....

[@deormanrobey892]

Of those particular examples, the Gibson sounded cleaner and fuller to me other than the strong bass response from the Eagle. I"d be pleased as punch to have any of those.

[@DrewDrums]

Awesome! You definately deserve more subscribers!

[@larryfeldman5533]

Seems like the L5 had more presence to me, or the volume was louder for that one than the others.

[@dannybarcenas1729]

Does Wes use L5

[@AlexHand]

Surprisingly it's the 575 that sounds most detailed. But the Gibson certainly has a classic edge to the sound that we can't un-hear as the authentic jazz tone because of who used it and when.

[@robertkscorpio3680]

The Heritage 575 has the Pickup closer to the Fingerboard than a 175 - Probably better- what do you think ?

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

The further away a pickup is from the bridge the sweeter the sound

[@sclogse1]

I picked up a 1940 L5 some years ago at a Texas Guitar show in Marin Civic Center that you also attended. Jeez, those butterscotch tuners. That fat neck was the big challenge for me. Your comments on "riding" the guitars made me think of just that. Perhaps you could go into the neck profiles that you prefer, and whether or not some of them limit the use of heavier gauge strings.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

I like the slimmer profile of the L5 better than either Heritage. but because of the frets the Heritage is a much easier play

[@docpearson]

What amplifier are you using please

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

I have been using a micro Pro 200 with an 8in speaker for the last 4 years one of the best for jazz and all-around guitar play

[@williemason8178]

Can you obtain an Epiphone Emperor Regent and critique it?

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Hey Willie! I am trying to get my hands on one right now! Hopefully, I can buy it at a good price and show it off! Stay tuned to my channel and thanks for watching!

[@nidranrebreski2828]

The Gibson sobs to your heart. Please don't play anything else after me. When I die, please burry me in an L5

[@jjemsnd7]

That was great. Thanks for that.

[@2hardbackrub743]

I dream of finding an L5 at a garage sale

[@analogalien]

You rock Rich!

[@chaslatorre2890]

All fantastic alternatives to Gibson. I would take any of them over the L5.

[@arispap12]

#1 Gibson L5. #2 Heritage 575. Great playing, lots of Pass and Wes and Barney there! The 575 stands out but oh man the L5 is THE tone.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Thank you

[@Babillonia]

Rich Severson nice playing Rich. What’s the street value nowadays for a new L-5 CES please?

[@politicus56]

Great video. Love those Heritage guitars.

[@Rowlandph]

I'd bet..in a blindfold test...same strings...same amp...NO ONE (other than you..since they are your guitars)...could tell the difference!...in all three!..

[@bigswingface5847]

Agreed 100%. Most of these comparison videos are judged with the eyes and not the ears. There are many archtops from overseas that sound every bit as good as the most expensive Gibsons.

[@nidranrebreski2828]

Nothing can beat that L5. Heritage still have a long way to go. They should try that deep body so we can compare.

[@garyguitar]

Helluva player....All sound great, but love the L-5 the most.

[@raykanoon7705]

Not to mention l-5 has a solid top

[@mikeroche3631]

Rich, a banjo with only one string would sound awesome in your hands.

[@jimstahlhut1917]

I like the L5 best

[@donmilland7606]

L5 has a certain tonal quality. After the L5, I liked the H575 but all the guitars were fine.

[@nealmycin7783]

I still like the Gibson L5 sans ornamentation, with afloating pickup.

[@Glicksman1]

Rich could play a stretched rubber band and sound like gold. He makes all of these guitars sound like they do. Not a dime's worth of difference to my ears.

[@TheBoscho]

hm... all are fantastic, but i got the impression that with more money you get less treble but more of everything else... that gibson is to pretty and precious to go outside, sort of like a ceremonial sword, it is a sword but you wont be slicing no meat with it... great vid thank you sir...

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Yeah I really don't want to take that L5 out it's best left in at home or in the studio.

[@larryyouguessame6078]

The Heritage I have is the True Gibson!..made by the same dudes that made BB,s Lucille!

[@murattaner7384]

I really want to hear all guitar players play Optima Gold Roundwounds. :)))))

[@IdFightMyDad]

The following quote is copy and pasted from D'Addario's website. "How do you pronounce D'Addario? We used (sic) receive e-mails and letters each week regarding the correct pronunciation of the DAddario name. Some years back, we even ran an ad that illustrated an easy way to pronounce the D'Addario name. The name is pronounced phonetically as follows: Da-Dairy-O A simple way to pronounce a tough name in musical accessories!" It's not Dee-uh-dairy-o. Just a pet peeve. Nice playing and lovely guitars!

[@pispalantimbaland]

All the guitars sound just the same haha.. not really, the red Gibson is a bit different. But in a mix, no one would ever tell the difference. Amazing tone and playing.

[@ghairraigh]

Rich - They all sound great, but the instruments you use makes your 'playoff' a little unrealistic. Towards the end you say "I really love hearing the Heritage brand. I'm really pleased to be sponsored by them." Of course, Heritage provided you with very good instruments, a Kenny Burrell Groove Master and the 575 Custom. You compared them to a very fancy 2002 Custom L-5 which was "...made, I think, for the N.A.M.M. Show." Comparing Heritage instruments made for a guy they endorse (you) to a N.A.M.M. Show L-5... well, those are choices that are not readily available to the rest of us. . I haven't noticed you using Heritage guitars in your videos before. Has Heritage made a big improvement in their quality recently?

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Thanks for the comments. The Grove Master was a special order for a student. The 575 and the eagle classic were made with the appointments I wanted. Heritage is like a big custom shop which you can alter the specs from their basic guitars. The point about comparing them to the NAMM show L5 was they aren't that far off from a very special L5

[@ghairraigh]

Oh, I understand that point about Heritage making custom orders. It is just that most of us don't get a chance to play such special instruments.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

I hear that. Guitar shows are still a good place to see what's out there.

[@rjlundeen]

Gibson hands down.

[@larryyouguessame6078]

Wow...your good!!

[@adriennelee1520]

wow.. L5 first note.. huge diff in tone

[@robertkscorpio3680]

Tell Heritage to : 1) Use the new 'H' Logo and move it LOWER. 2) Shorten the Headstock. 3) Increase Sales .

[@douglasdunning6216]

The Heritage Guitars sound as good or better than their Gibson cousins all manufactured in Kalamazoo,MI.

[@JackTheSkunk]

All nice but I don't think there's enough of a difference to justify the extra thousands of dollars for the L5.

[@grantgre]

the l5 heritage sounds a little better than the Gibson

[@thewoodys_surf_instrumental]

I'm liking the groove master and 575. The L5 sure is beautiful, but Gibson has gotten so ridiculous with their overpriced guitars these days. Rich, I'm curious what kind of music you were playing when you're a teenager?

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Surf, Beatles, Yardbirds, Buffalo Springfield. I had a band in high school that was patterned after the Buffalo Springfield we acturally ha a recording contract and recorded at GoldStar

[@thewoodys_surf_instrumental]

Thanks for getting back ... yup, there sure was a lot of great music back in the early 60's. If you still have any recordings and/or pics of your H.S band would love to see some posted. Cheers to you! .. Brian

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Thanks Brian I do but they're not that great

[@charlesfailla9834]

He'll yeah, "ride um

[@adriennelee1520]

haha.. a parade saddle.. hahaha Great video!! Thanks

[@andreasfetzer7559]

Great Comparison.L5 is just great.

[@howco77]

Still! "L5"

[@wolfgang4078]

For Gibson you pay to much for the brandname !

[@heltoncostap]

o like Gibson more....really diferent

[@heltoncostap]

by the way...I play Gibson...😁

[@BEARGUITARJAZZ]

The L-5 is kind of country & western (not tone ) flash, nice though, cool post, the Heritages are nice,

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

I hear that but it's the most ornate L5 you've ever seen

[@BEARGUITARJAZZ]

Very pretty, sounds great and one of a kind,