We Finally Got Heritage Guitars! Incredible Boutique Electrics Made in the USA

We're so proud to finally have Heritage Guitars in our store-- they are some of the best USA made boutique electrics, with a story that ties them to the history of American electric guitars. Made in Kalamazoo, each Heritage guitar touches the machinery that created the classic Kalamazoo-era Gibsons. Check out the H-150, H-530, and H-535, and await the other cool stuff we have coming!
SHOP H-150: www.alamomusic...
SHOP H-530: www.alamomusic...
SHOP H-535: www.alamomusic...
0:00 Intro/Specs
11:16 H-150 Standard Demo
13:56 H-530 Standard Demo
16:30 H-535 Standard Demo
18:44 Final Thoughts
SHOP GUITARS: bit.ly/3jKZjx1
CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST, the Fretboard Confessional!
Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.c...
Listen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple...
Listen on Audible: www.audible.co...
Shop Guitars - www.alamomusic...
Interested in a different guitar? Talk to an expert here → bit.ly/472JoOz
__________________________________________________________________
KZbin: Pianos and Keyboards - bit.ly/YTpianos
♪ Contact us: www.alamomusic...
♩ Call toll-free: [phone]
♬ Connect:
Instagram → / alamomusic

[@kwu2242]

My new obsession. Thanks. My Wife will be so happy to hear the exciting news.

[@robertdievendorf3312]

I lived in Kalamazoo, MI from 1969 - 2016 and am very familiar with Gibson’s old Parsons St building. I was really unhappy about Gibson leaving Kalamazoo but delighted when Heritage started up. As far as Gibson moving to Nashville because the Kalamazoo building was too big, the company could have leased unneeded space to other business. That’s what happened with Heritage as the building was used as a business incubator. Gibson had already opened a small Nashville plant in 1974 to produce only one model. When business slumped, the Norlin Corporation decided to consolidate in Nashville rather than move its smaller Nashville operation back to Kalamazoo. It was a typical Norlin decision that disrupted the lives of a lot of their employees. When I reached the point that I could afford a really nice acoustic guitar, I bought a Martin - feeling no loyalty to the former home-town company. I now own three Martins. No regrets. Ironically, After the infamous Norlin years, Gibson eventually moved their acoustic guitar manufacturing to Bozeman, MT where the climate was more suitable for acoustic instrument production.

[@sleepskateboards5710]

As someone who has owned all brand of guitars. Heritage blows me away every time I played one. I now own 2 H-535's and 1 H-150 and they are staying with me forever! Would pick a Heritage up before a Big G guitar.

[@chefpjsmith]

I own two of these. A H150 Standard limited factory run in Oxblood and a Custom Shop H150 Gold Top. Both are really amazing instruments, beautifully made.

[@Magnetron33]

Bought a Heritage Les Paul in November. Just had a beautiful set-up on it. Used it Saturday night. Absolute Magic!

[@gair1944]

That H-530 has such a sweet sound! Wow. Loved it and I love your video's guys. You are both so well versed and clearly well seasoned journeymen in the guitar world. I'm loving your channel.

[@CarlWilliams-sp4zy]

I got a H-535 tobacco burst, play's wonderfully, brought it around 20yrs ago. Very versatile guitar 👍.

[@dannoall8427]

I just "happened into" ownership of an H-535 and I am quite impressed. Always owned Gibsons, and love them, but was always looking for an excuse to try a Heritage out and see what it/they had to offer. I'm still getting familiar with it but as I tweak and play it's getting to be more and more a go-to guitar. I have a beautiful Yamaha SA2200 to compare it to and it really holds its own against that bad boy which is saying a lot. My dream Gibson ES-335 guitar might have to wait a couple more years. Or, I may never need. What a beautiful guitar. Great playing, per usual Cooper.

[@losthwy]

I'm sorry but the factory being "too large" was NOT the reason Gibson moved. The real reason, which was stated during the time, was an "inner globalization" meaning outsourcing. Southern labor was cheaper and most importantly un-unionized. Living in Dallas at the time papers were full of articles of factories in the northeast closing but moving south and west for the cheaper labor.

[@zuperdee]

Being “too large” might well have been Gibson’s official explanation though, and we have to respect that if we LIKE Gibson.

[@dankelly7712]

One thing I like about those 535s is the placement of the output jack is on the side, not on the top - always disliked that about 335s etc.

[@Steve_ATL]

The H-530 is high on my wish list.

[@lukesteverything627]

I bought a lemon flame top limited edition H-150 and it beats my Gibson LP's on every level. It looks and plays better than anything else I've got. I live in the UK and 2 of my friends have 535's and they are amazing too.

[@64_Commuter]

Love that H-150 in cherry burst. Will get one eventually.

[@lehmanpolarbear70]

For anyone looking for another opinion... Give Heritage a try if you like Gibson. I own a custom core H150 that is impeccable. I also have an H535 with Seth Lovers that more than earns the "burst killer" title. I love Gibson, but heritage seems to be the one who earns my dollar. I still go to Gibson for SGs though. I dont think Heritage will ever make one of those, sadly.

[@JakeL202]

Great review of Heritage guitars, thx, I finally found a music store in Montreal Canada that sells them,.

[@allensaunders449]

Beautiful guitar's. The commitment to quality control is very high

[@mleonardmedia]

Thanks for thoughtful comparison of these classy instruments.

[@SuperMikesweeney]

They are building the new Harmonys, too.

[@dannoall8427]

I did not know this. Thanks!

[@annekedebruyn7797]

I am more impressed how they can price their guitar similarly to Gibson while doing a lot more manual work on similar spec'd guitars.

[@douglascrawford4791]

Loving my h one fifty

[@davidohara6515]

Great review as usual guys, Heritage build really great guitars , so good that the G brand tried to stop them . The usual guff about copyright etc . As for the factory being too big ? Nah , labour costs less in the South and troublesome unions were out of the picture. There are times when I wonder why the hell I keep buying Gibson ! Anyway. Heritage are spot on, Well done for you stocking them . Hoorah!

[@andyderby150]

I got a Kalamazoo Gibson LP I call it the log because it weighs a ton strap locks were the first thing I did because the weight destroyed straps it’s like it wanted to be on the floor? I got a 2020 iced tea Gibson LP and the two are different animals.

[@terryjohinke8065]

My local " Mom and Pop" store got the onlt Heritsge dealershipof heritage. I have to sya I like them all. The Lollar pickups in the H530 are great. Heritage have had the guts to use OEM pickups from probably the best and made in an old Gibson . I think Ill be getting the H 530 soon.Certainly WAY better than modern Epiphone Casinos.

[@anthonyfigueroa9289]

Awesome overview demo guys

[@814Taylor]

Beautiful guitars!

[@cbbohn8107]

These Heritage guitars are the finest Norlin reissues made.

[@bluesman97]

Personally better than anything Gibson has put out in a long time.

[@oliverhenkel376]

As soon as I can play the guitar as good as Cooper - I'll buy them all 😀🎸

[@jameswhite1450]

Gibson still owns the original press for the ES-335 that has been used on every es-335 built. That comes from Gibson themselves. -edited in Not trying to start a fight lol Jim DeCola said that.

[@JeffSimpson-yy2si]

530 has jazzy mojo to it

[@Steve_ATL]

I think the wood chips from Gibson 335s come from making the f holes after the guitar is put together. I saw that in a recent factory tour video. Still most brands would probably clean that out before finishing it. I recently looked at 2 335s straight out of the shipping box and both of them had a lot of wood chips in the case.

[@robertdievendorf3312]

Probably an indication of their attention to detail.

[@SnowDeity]

Heritages are beautiful! I hope you guys make a video on the new Pacificas considering you liked the Revstars alot!

[@AlamoMusic]

Coming soon!

[@SnowDeity]

@@AlamoMusic Thanks so much!! Looking forward to it

[@erneumann3136]

They are REALLY good guitars, mine are works of art. 1996s

[@bryantrockfield9865]

Gibson moved to Nashville to Bust the Union !!.... those are the facts.... they could have leased the space they weren't using if that was the Real reason. Not to mention the expense of moving the equipment.....

[@damham5689]

They are made in the US, but they are a Singapore company.

[@roughcutguitars]

Funny because I thought "You've got Heritage, why keep Gibson?" There's absolutely a 535 in my future, or a 575, or both :-D I make bespoke instruments and know what an instrument made for the love of it is, and I'd rather buy a guitar made for love than for the money. Seeing where - and more importantly, HOW - these are, the only thing keeping them from being a vintage killer is the intage collectors' market.

[@kalvino67]

These are all long scale guitars as opposed to their Gibson cousins, true? God I hope they make the 530 in a lefty!

[@El-Scorcho]

Are you all Revered dealers? I’d love to see your take on them!

[@pouyatorkiyan3258]

Nice 🙂

[@NoobOnATele]

Your beards looking fresh boys

[@TommySG1]

I heard something about some of the models coming with real small fret sizes, don't know how accurate that is and maybe only of custom models? Also... do the 150's also come with the long neck tenons? For me, the headtocks are kinda meh along with the pick guards too and mostly because I'm so use to seeing the Gibson open book style too.

[@moodyvol89]

Yes they have long tenons and they also come with medium jumbo frets. I actually like the pick guard better than Gibson and the headstock has grown on me, I think it’s off putting at first just because we are so used to the Gibson one.

[@weedian710]

The longhair looks like he is about to scream in the thumbnail!

[@claudiamauro5624]

All of them but that 535 through...

[@stillobsolete]

didn't Tina Turner have a song, Nut Work City Limits?

[@charlottesimonin2551]

Like the 350 sound a little more. Not really fascinated with the current line of Gibson guitars any way.

[@dudley509]

Gibson moved for cheaper labor costs. All about money . They left Michigan because of the unions.

[@dividedbytimestudios]

Do a headstock break challenge, drop it vs a Gibson and see which one survives 😂

[@jimdoner3443]

Only a " The Heritage " is good enough 🎉🎉🎉

[@bryantrockfield9865]

Currently looking at a H150 with Bigsby..... will never consider a Gibson.....

[@dannyperfect9270]

Keep a close eye on the quality chaps...Heritage are not infallible

[@jimdoner3443]

Exactly right, and you find them on the used market, still with the factory defects intact.I have seen 3 now in michigan stores

[@dannyperfect9270]

@@jimdoner3443 I ordered a custom H535 and they got the spec wrong. Real anti climax to the year long wait.

[@moodyvol89]

Absolutely no manufacture is going to get by without some issues for sure, but question is what’s the percentage ?

[@jameswhite1450]

5 ply body you said? Gibson ES-335 are three layed.

[@AlamoMusic]

The Heritage is a 3 ply body!

[@JeffSimpson-yy2si]

No they are three pieces

[@jameswhite1450]

@@JeffSimpson-yy2si that’s what I thought, it was mentioned 5 in the video.

[@sciencesaves]

@1:25 what a dork

[@blwnova4155]

I don't smoke. But I always need a cigarette after watching Cooper play.

[@markmcdonald5711]

If you want a real Fender, buy a G&L. If you want a real Gibson, buy a Heritage.

[@pepmasters-999]

So if I want a real Gibson J45, I should go to Heritage?

[@zuperdee]

Funny, I was just thinking this, too-it seems like Heritage is to Gibson a bit like what G&L is to Fender.

[@allensaunders449]

Very true in both cases

[@Joe-mz6dc]

No.

[@mtweaver1978]

@@pepmasters-999no, you should get a Collings CJ45

[@jr0706]

The fact is that Heritage makes a better Gibson than Gibson does.

[@robertdievendorf3312]

To the question “Why Heritage when you already have Gibson?”. Heritage is a better guitar.

[@jameswhite1450]

I disagree. I think they are both decent guitars. I own a ‘59 reissue es-335 from the Nashville Custom shop and I wouldn’t trade it.

[@robertdievendorf3312]

@@jameswhite1450 I didn’t say the Gibsons aren’t decent guitars, simply that the Heritage instruments are better, as one might expect from a good boutique maker. I notice that yours was built by Gibson’s custom shop. Would you expect those coming off Gibson’s standard production line be as good as your custom? You paid for extra quality.

[@jameswhite1450]

@@robertdievendorf3312 you have me there. I did pay a bit more for it lol. I take your point man.

[@HoytFergus]

I want a Porsche "BUT" ill spend the same money on a heritage... Not happening. Maybe I'll give you 600... Otherwise I'm buying the Real Daddy, GIBSON.... I do like you guys and nice try but its laughable man. Good show.

[@JohnMaklary]

I literally bought this exact guitar yesterday at Alamo and I also played a custom shop R9 sitting right next to it at over $7k. Other than the nice flamey top of the R9 (gorgeous), the Heritage blew it out of the water in playability and tone. It was remarkably better to me. So I bought it. In my hands, this is the best LP I’ve ever played.

[@dimitrioskarastamatis4919]

Heritage Guitars are the best Gibsons ever made, FACT!!!