The heritage h-5/f-5 style kalamazoo

[f5loar]

Right after Gibson moved out of the Kalamazoo Factory a few employees didn't want to move or quit making instruments so the Heritage Guitar Co. was formed. They made one F5 styled mandolin called the H-5 I would assume the H for Heritage and the 5 for after the Gibson F5. I just don't see these models around and figure they have to be extremely rare to find one. But how do they sound? Quality looks great as most of the guitars the Heritage put out was up there with the previous Gibson quality as you would expect from Gibson employees. While the shape is similar to the F5 the headstock is way out there I would guess to keep from any lawsuits from Gibson. So does anyone have one that can tell us how they really are? Here is one for sale on ebay this week:
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/80s-Heritage-H-5-ASB-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ200215743290QQihZ010QQcategoryZ1 0179QQssPageNameZWD
VWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/80s-Her....iewItem</a>
(See I did what you guys say do and it looks like computer geek writings. Hope the link works but if it don't the item number is: 200215743290

[BlueMountain]

Yes, I noticed that. It would be fun to hear it. It looks beautiful, but I know that FlipItFast's staff photographer makes mandolins look their very best. Something to do with excellent, glare-free lighting and a top-rate camera on a tripod.

[f5loar]

You got that right. They know how to make it look flawless in some cases but you got to watch their description.
I noticed on the Doyle Lawson 1951 F12 they have now it says no issues and all original yet it's obvious the bridge was replaced to a Loar style and the Kluson end buttons were replaced. Mitch Simpson knows better but I suspect he is not the one doing the write-ups. And you got to watch the years they say too. They have a Gibson Dove guitar listed as a '65 but the photos say it's a '68. But like in any auction, live or on the internet you got to know what you are buying. While it would be nice to trust the auctionier/seller for acurate descriptions I say buyer beware!

[MML]

They do take some mighty fine pictures. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[EdSherry]

I have one of the Heritage A models. #(I've never seen a Heritage F model.) #The fit and finish is up to anything Gibson made. #I have a Gibson A-5L that I think is slightly superior, and a couple of older Flatiron As that are comparable to the Heritage.

[John Hill]

My teacher has a Heritage F5 copy. I did some searching and found this thread.

It is a great sounding mandolin, really strong mids. I'd never heard of them until now, I guess they are pretty rare. Sounds like a dry, hollow log...like a well aged mandolin that's been beat like a mule should.