Heritage Standard Collection Eagle Classic Hollow - Antique Natural

Heritage, a traditional American brand handcrafted in Kalamazoo—the home of the Gibson Golden Era—has released the Eagle Classic with a solid carved spruce top.

Artisans take their time, carefully carving the spruce top whilst checking the tone with a tapping test.

The construction of a full-acoustic guitar, which shares the same structure as a violin or cello, involves a time-consuming process that runs completely counter to modern mass production and cost-cutting.

Unfortunately, given the time required to master the craftsmanship and the labour costs involved, this method has effectively become a lost art in guitar making.

This Heritage Eagle Classic offers a chance to experience one of the few remaining examples of this craftsmanship.

Produced at the former Gibson factory in Kalamazoo—where the company once built its empire of full-acoustic guitars—the Heritage full-acoustic range could, in a sense, be described as a ‘pure-blooded’ model.

The spruce top, carved from a thick block, is crafted from dense wood whose countless growth rings tell a story of its age.

This particular instrument features carefully selected premium timber, some of which displays bearclaw figures; it has been meticulously planed by the craftsman to create a tonewood of the highest quality.

The solid maple back features a grain with flecks, giving it a distinctly sturdy appearance. It is a beautiful piece where the flame pattern seems to shimmer and rise as you change the angle. As the natural finish requires a selection of materials that prioritises aesthetics compared to a sunburst finish, this too has been carefully selected by the craftsmen.

The maple used on the body sides features large, wild flecks, creating a striking contrast with the beautiful, eggshell-coloured spruce top.

Hard maple is used for the neck. Combined with a robust five-piece construction incorporating a walnut core, this contributes to the crisp clean tone output.

The headstock shape is modelled on the ‘snakehead’ design used on Gibson guitars and mandolins of the 1920s, evoking a sense of respect for the past.

Furthermore, the stinger on the back of the headstock is a specification traditionally applied to Gibson full-acoustic guitars.

Ebony is used for the fingerboard and bridge. The pickguard is also made from MacArthur ebony, enhancing the sense of luxury.

The lack of position marks lends a simple yet modern impression.

The fingertail piece, which allows for fine-tuning of each string’s tension, further enhances the contemporary feel of this full-acoustic guitar.

The pickups feature Duncan’s Seth Lover models. As Mr Seth Lover was responsible for crafting the legendary PAF pickups at Gibson, this specification also evokes a connection between the past and the present.

A Heritage full-acoustic guitar favoured by the likes of Kenny Burrell and Eric Gale. Its versatility is vast, ranging from the classic jazz tone of the front pickup to the nimble cutting sound in the mix position, and the thick, Gale-esque sound of the slightly distorted rear pickup.

Its superb sound covers not only jazz but also blues, country, soul, funk and the entire spectrum of American music passed down through the ages – it is well worth a listen.

A special model crafted from select, rare woods and the skill of master craftsmen.

With a feel unique to handmade instruments, this is a guitar you’ll want to cherish as a lifelong companion, enjoying both the character it develops over time and the depth of its sound.

Body Material Spruce (Top) / Curly Maple (Body)
Body Colour Antique Natural
Body Finish Nitrocellulose
Rim Wood Curly Maple
Fretboard Material Ebony
Fretboard Radius 12”
Fret Size Jescar Medium/Jumbo
Nut Material Bone
Neck Profile Standard
Neck Wood 5-piece Curly Maple
Scale Length 25-1/2”
No. of Frets 20
Pickup Seymour Duncan Seth Lover, Gold (Neck ＆ Bridge)
Controls 2 x Volume, 2 x Tone, 3-Way Toggle
Electronics CTS 500K Potentiometers, Vishay .022uF Capacitors, Switchcraft Toggle Switch and Pure Tone Input Jack
Bridge Ebony Adjustable Bridge with Finger Bail Tailpiece
Pickguard Single Bound Polished Ebony
Strings GHS Boomers 11-52
Tuning Machines Grover Super Rotomatics
Hardware Finish Gold
Control Knobs Black Top Hat
Switch Tip Black
Case TKL

Weight:3.42kg