Tell me about the Prestige Heritage Standard

[JimmyO]

Kinda Gassing for one of these in Sunburst, but I don't have a dealer nearby to try one out. They look like a great deal with all Canadian wood with some shared construction between Korea and Canada. I would love to get a Gibson Les Paul Traditional or Standard one day but they are way out of my price range and I do not like the automated mini tuning system and cheesy anniversary inlays that comes on all Les Pauls these days. The Prestige looks like a lot of guitar for the money and I would be interested to hear from anyone who owns or has tried one out. Would you recommend one? And how do they compare to other Les a Paul style guitars?

http://www.prestigeguitars.com/heritage-standard-fm.php

I like that they come stock with Seymour Duncan pickups so no immediate electronics upgrades would be needed.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Tell me about the Prestige Heritage Standard

I you like the Traditional, there might be another option or two. You might look for a used mid-'90s Les Paul 1960 Classic. I would try to get one made before 1998, as some of the specs change and the aged inlays get really ugly. The Plain Tops will be in this price range; adding vintage-style PAF pickups, a LW aluminum tailpiece and an RS kit will get you about 90% of the vibe and tone of a LP Historic for 1/4 to 1/3 the cost of a Historic. They are weight-relieved, and have the 1960 Slim-Taper neck, and most consider them a great starting point for upgrades. The Classic Plus and Premium Plus models will have figured tops, and cost more. Some of these guitars are just beautiful, I have a pair of the Plus models and I love them. Mine are from 1996 and 1997.

You'll want to avoid any with the really ugly Heritage Cherry Sunburst "clown burst" finish, but there are others where the HCSB is much more tastefully done. There are several different color options in the Classic Series: Wine Red, Honey Burst, Iced Tea, and many solids including Ebony and Gold Tops, to name a few. There were even rare Custom Shop models in sparkle finishes.

Another company to look at would be Heritage Guitars, built in the old Gibson factory in Kalamazoo. And some of Hamer's LP alternatives are incredible guitars.

While I've not seen any of the Prestige guitars, these look like quality instruments and they have gotten RAVE reviews. I've had great fortune to find some really great MIK Ibanez guitars that I am very happy with. It doesn't appear that quality is an issue at all, and sometimes they offer more bang-for-the-buck than comparable Gibsons.

In this price range, there are many alternatives; including some very attractive USA-made guitars that, bought used, could be terrific values now and actually appreciate in value over time. The Prestige guitars also seem to be good values. All you can do is try to get hands on as many of these instruments as you can and pick the one that feels best.

Good luck.

Bill

 

[JimmyO]

Re: Tell me about the Prestige Heritage Standard

I you like the Traditional, there might be another option or two. You might look for a used mid-'90s Les Paul 1960 Classic. I would try to get one made before 1998, as some of the specs change and the aged inlays get really ugly. The Plain Tops will be in this price range; adding vintage-style PAF pickups, a LW aluminum tailpiece and an RS kit will get you about 90% of the vibe and tone of a LP Historic for 1/4 to 1/3 the cost of a Historic. They are weight-relieved, and have the 1960 Slim-Taper neck, and most consider them a great starting point for upgrades. The Classic Plus and Premium Plus models will have figured tops, and cost more. Some of these guitars are just beautiful, I have a pair of the Plus models and I love them. Mine are from 1996 and 1997.

You'll want to avoid any with the really ugly Heritage Cherry Sunburst "clown burst" finish, but there are others where the HCSB is much more tastefully done. There are several different color options in the Classic Series: Wine Red, Honey Burst, Iced Tea, and many solids including Ebony and Gold Tops, to name a few. There were even rare Custom Shop models in sparkle finishes.

Another company to look at would be Heritage Guitars, built in the old Gibson factory in Kalamazoo. And some of Hamer's LP alternatives are incredible guitars.

While I've not seen any of the Prestige guitars, these look like quality instruments and they have gotten RAVE reviews. I've had great fortune to find some really great MIK Ibanez guitars that I am very happy with. It doesn't appear that quality is an issue at all, and sometimes they offer more bang-for-the-buck than comparable Gibsons.

In this price range, there are many alternatives; including some very attractive USA-made guitars that, bought used, could be terrific values now and actually appreciate in value over time. The Prestige guitars also seem to be good values. All you can do is try to get hands on as many of these instruments as you can and pick the one that feels best.

Good luck.

Bill

Thanks Bill, great advice. I'm checking my local craigs list etc. for used Gibsons, but so far I haven't seen any great deals. Will be monitoring for the 1960 classics, I remember them and they were nice looking instruments. I've managed to find one Prestige dealer. It's over an hours drive away but I'm going to check it out one weekend. If i do get one be prepared for an upcoming post asking for advice on keeping the JB/59 combo vs Seths, PGs, WLHs etc for my classic rock & blues. Not that the stock pickups would need changing......but you know how it goes.

 

[Condemnedsoul]

Re: Tell me about the Prestige Heritage Standard

If you don't mind talking to a dealer that will answer questions and ship instruments, here is a link to a to a guitar store on the outskirts of Memphis TN that sells these guitars: http://www.revolveguitars.com/page2.html



If I were buying one of the Prestige guitars, I would pick the same one that you posted the link for. Don't like the bling on the more upscale instruments.

Have had a chance to try several of their guitars and would not hesitate to get the standard model. The necks are comfortable. They use Duncans so you don't have to worry about poor quality pickups. Unless of course, you need a different type of sound flavoring such as Alnico II's or the WLH set to push the sound along.

In my opinion. the overall construction, playability, and finish is excellent which makes them a great value for the money. Yes, I would definitely consider getting one of these if I need a Les Paul Standard style guitar in the future.