We are thrilled to present the Heritage Ascent Collection, a series of meticulously designed guitars now available at Swee Lee. Derived from Heritage Guitar’s revered luthiery tradition, each model has their own unique character and tonal qualities – traits taken from the best vintage and modern guitars out there.
Shop the Heritage Ascent Bundles
Before delving deeper into the Heritage Ascent Collection, it’s crucial to understand the lineage of Heritage Guitars and the rich history that has paved the way for these remarkable new instruments.
P.S. Want more reasons to grab a guitar from the Heritage Ascent Collection? The Heritage Guitars Trade Up program is something you have to know if you’re going to be into guitars for the long run. An exclusive collaboration with Well Played Gear, the Heritage Guitars Trade Up program offers customers the opportunity to trade in their Heritage Ascent Collection guitars for a discount on a new US-made Heritage guitar.
Combining American Luthiery Tradition with Modern Innovation
Founded in 1985 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Heritage Guitars was born from the collective expertise of a group of passionate luthiers – vaunted builders who were affiliated with the creation of some of the best vintage hollowbodies and single-cut electric guitars in the world. These master builders, with a shared commitment to preserving and advancing the tradition of American guitar craftsmanship, embarked on a journey to create instruments of uncompromising quality and precision.
Heritage Guitars has honed a reputation for excellence with their exacting craftsmanship, a testament to their unwavering dedication to preserving the artistry of luthiery. These artisans, with a wealth of experience and a deep appreciation for the craft, breathe life into each guitar they create.
This commitment to quality extends to selecting high-quality materials, utilising precise construction techniques, and adopting only the best traditional and modern methods. Each Heritage guitar is not merely an instrument – it is a testament to a lineage of American design & pedigree that stands apart from the crowd.
Case in point are their Custom Core and Standard collections – critically acclaimed guitar series that are made in their original facility at 225 Parsons Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan. From the jazz-favourite Eagle Classic in the Standard Collection to the recently released Custom Core H-150 P90 from the Heritage Custom Shop, these instruments have received rave reviews for their timeless designs.
Heritage Guitars has continued their ethos of continual progress with their latest series. Accessible guitars with Heritage DNA, the Heritage Ascent Collection is designed to be the guitar that will stay with you throughout your guitar journey. Intrigued? Let’s take a closer look at what each of these brand-new instruments offers:
Heritage Ascent Collection H-137 P90
The Heritage Ascent Collection H-137 P90 is an excellent choice for anyone looking to start on an affordable guitar with exceptional playability and a unique tonal palette. It seamlessly combines tried and true craftsmanship with a classic Heritage silhouette – making the H-137 P90 a versatile choice for guitarists seeking to start their musical journey.
The Heritage Ascent Collection H-137 P90 is available in Black, Sunburst, and Marigold Yellow finishes. The Marigold Yellow finish is a Heritage Ascent Collection-only colourway developed in collaboration with Swee Lee. A modern take on the well-loved yellow hue found on vintage single-cuts, Marigold Yellow retains the elements of warmth and nostalgia while being an entirely new and unique finish for the modern age.
- Optimal Playability: With a 24 3/4″ scale length, a comfortable C-shaped neck, 12″ fingerboard radius, and medium jumbo frets, the guitar offers superb playability – allowing you to explore the entire fretboard with ease.
- Superb Tonewoods: At its core, the H-137 P90 boasts a select okoume body, renowned for its balanced and warm tonal characteristics. This tonewood provides an ideal foundation for sonic exploration, a trait complemented by a maple neck and a laurel fingerboard that adds brightness and clarity.
- Heritage-Designed P90 Pickups: The Heritage Ascent Collection H-137 P90 is equipped with true P90 single coil pickups, capable of delivering sparkling clean tones with clarity and precision. These pickups excel at capturing the subtleties of your playing but can also kick into high gear – delivering a gritty, biting distortion that can cut through any mix.
Heritage Ascent Collection H-137 Humbucker
The Ascent Collection H-137 Humbucker shares many specifications with its P90 counterpart, but it takes a slightly different tonal path with the inclusion of the Heritage-designed humbuckers. Like its P90 variant, this model also features a bolt-on neck construction, a select okoume body, maple neck, laurel fingerboard, 24 3/4″ scale length, a C-shaped neck, and medium jumbo frets.
The Heritage Ascent Collection H-137 Humbucker is available in Black, Sunburst, and Marigold Yellow finishes. The Marigold Yellow finish is a Heritage Ascent Collection-only colourway developed in collaboration with Swee Lee. A modern take on the well-loved yellow hue found on vintage single-cuts, Marigold Yellow retains the elements of warmth and nostalgia while being an entirely new and unique finish for the modern age.
- Versatile Humbuckers: The humbucker-equipped H-137 is capable of producing a range of sounds suitable for various musical genres. It can create warm, rich clean tones that work well for blues, jazz, and mellow genres, while also having the power to deliver saturated distortion that suits rock and more intense styles.
- Ergonomic Design: All guitars in the Heritage Ascent Collection feature an ergonomic design with a belly cut for extra comfort during extended playing sessions. These ergonomic carves allow the guitar to contour to the player’s body, allowing you to hold your guitar closer for reduced fatigue and unhindered access to the fretboard.
- Gig-Ready Reliability: Just like their American-made counterparts, the H-137 Humbucker and the rest of the Heritage Ascent Collection are crafted to be dependable and sturdy – capable of withstanding the rigours of live performances and studio sessions. With solid construction and high-quality hardware, these guitars are ready to take the stage night after night without breaking a sweat.
Heritage Ascent Collection H-150
The Heritage Ascent Collection H-150 is the crown jewel of the Heritage Ascent Collection, offering a tonal palette that’s both vibrant and resonant. The embodiment of a harmonious fusion between classic craftsmanship and modern innovation, the H-150 offers musicians a gateway to a world of exceptional looks, tone, and playability at an amazing price point. With features such as a bolt-on neck construction, a select okoume body with a carved basswood top, maple neck, laurel fingerboard, and versatile humbucker pickups – this guitar provides vibrant tones and unparalleled versatility.
The Heritage Ascent Collection H-150 is available in Black, White, and Sunburst.
- Unique Tonewood Combination: The H-150 is built with a select okoume body with a meticulously carved basswood top – a unique tonewood combination that is key to its vibrant tone and sustain. Okoume provides balanced warmth, while basswood adds resonance and depth to the H-150’s sound.
- Vintage-Modern Humbuckers: The Heritage H-150 from the Ascent Collection comes equipped with humbuckers designed and tuned by Heritage Guitars’ very own artisans. Offering a warm and rich tone that complements the tonewoods found on this versatile singlecut, these pickups are an ideal platform for both clean and heavy genres.
- Timeless Singlecut Design: The Heritage Ascent Collection H-150 embodies a timeless design that pays homage to Heritage Guitars’ roots while incorporating modern innovations. The classic design is not only a nod to their heritage of guitar craftsmanship but also a testament to the enduring reliability and quality of their instruments.
The Heritage Ascent Collection is not just about making a remarkable collection of affordable guitars; it’s about the culmination of thoughtful craftsmanship and quality materials that go into crafting incredible individual instruments. With their timeless design and construction methods, you can rest assured knowing that these outstanding instruments will stand the test of time.
Shop the Heritage Ascent Bundles
Whether you’re a budding blues enthusiast or an aspiring rock virtuoso, the Heritage Ascent Collection has a model that will speak your musical language. With these guitars in your hands, you can rest assured knowing that you’ve got an instrument that’ll be able to follow you throughout your musical journey.
Read more: Swee Lee’s Special Order Heritage Custom Shop Guitars
