Need input: Heritage H150 or Dean Evo Premium

[chcjunior]

This is my first foray into Les Paul style guitars, and I've narrowed it down to two choices. Essentially I'm looking for a guitar that will come close to providing that Les Paul crunch I grew up listening to. And no, I'm not going to pay what Gibson is asking. As you can tell from the subject, I've got it narrowed down to two models, both new. The biggest hurdle is neither model is availble for me to lay my hands on....while I have had played each in the past.

The differences are:

the Evo Premium has the ebony fretboard, the H150 has rosewood.
the Evo Premium has a modified heel allowing for better access.
the Evo Premium has Pearly Gates, the H150 comes with Schallers
the Evo Premium costs $899, the H150 costs $1175.

The big question mark is that I haven't gotten the opportunity to play either at jamming volumes to establish which one hits that LP tone. Any input is appreciated....even if all you have to add is "flip a coin"!

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Need input: Heritage H150 or Dean Evo Premium

Hey man Kudos on looking outside the box to fill your crunch desires! :arms:


I have a Heritage 150cm with a vintage or butterscotch sunburst (I think that's what it's called) it is the color that a 59 looks today. I bought it used for 800, slapped in some Duncans (Jazz and A2P) and a tonepros system and couldn't be happier!

Mine crunches, sustains and plays with or better than the best. I have even converted a hardcore Gibson Fanatic with it! He was amazed at the quality and crafsmanship as well as the attention to detail and the degree they go to to make it close to vintage. He is now wanting to sell used Heritages out of his store (deals in used and hard to find gear).

The neck is diffferent not as fat from fingerboard to back. The fret work is leaps and bounds above Gibson's and the figured top looks nice as well. The binding is old school and thin (like an R8 or R9) and if you look real hard you can see the lamination (like an R8 or R9) where the wider binding goes on modern Gibsons.

The headstock is a lot of people's hang up but I think it looks fine in its own right, it's got a straighter string pull and I have no problems staying in tune. The pots and switches are high quality and the caps are Hovland's (for better or ill depending who you talk to) instead of ceramics. The switch plate on back is a little larger, making the guitar more maintainance friendly.

I haven't played an EVO so I can't intelligently comment on them.

Good luck in the search!

Luke

 

[Sprinter]

Re: Need input: Heritage H150 or Dean Evo Premium

The Dean, EVO Premium is currently out of production. I had an EVO Premium, and a Heritage H535. Both were nice guitars, but I traded both of them in for my '82 30th Anniversary Les Paul. If you want a Les Paul, there is no substitute for the real thing. I say bite the bullet and buy a good used Les Paul Standard.

Sprinter

 

[KoreanGuitarMan]

Re: Need input: Heritage H150 or Dean Evo Premium

The H-150 is a Les Paul with a different headstock, made by guys who used to work for Gibson. Ditch the Schaller's and the roller bridge (if equipped) and you've got "the real thing" for less money.

EDIT: If you're buying new, Heritage has their own pickups now. But in the used market an H-150 can be had for well under a grand.

 

[psy]

Re: Need input: Heritage H150 or Dean Evo Premium

the Evo Premium costs $899, the H150 costs $1175.

Now I know how you guys can afford such great guitars like a H150. Here in Austria I would pay for a H150 EUR 1855 (EUR > USD) :smack:

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Need input: Heritage H150 or Dean Evo Premium

If you want a Les Paul, there is no substitute for the real thing. I say bite the bullet and buy a good used Les Paul Standard.

Sprinter

I'd say the real thing was made by the by the same people who built the best ones ever, the people in the real factory. I have had an LP Custom and the Heritage is leaps and bounds beyond.

I'd also ditch the bridge and tailpiece for a tonepros set (with an aluminum tail) and get some SD pups.

Luke

 

[Frantic_Rock]

Re: Need input: Heritage H150 or Dean Evo Premium

Personally I'd get a custom heritage. Or at least get a stock 150 and order SD pickups with it.

I would not buy a used standard by any means.

 

[Thames]

Re: Need input: Heritage H150 or Dean Evo Premium

Isnt the EVO premium an import ? In that case, I'd go for the Heritage!

But anyway, I think Heritage have a better resale value if that counts.

 

[kaknight]

Re: Need input: Heritage H150 or Dean Evo Premium

Heritage. Real gibson guitar - better quality - much better price.

 

[casblah]

Re: Need input: Heritage H150 or Dean Evo Premium

Another vote for Heritage. I really don't think you'd be disappointed with one. Great quality, reasonable price.