Heritage Custom Shop Elevates Archtop Tradition with the All-New H-717, Showcasing Premium Tonewoods and Contemporary Aesthetics

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KALAMAZOO, USA; 3 APRIL, 2025 – Heritage Custom Shop (heritageguitars.com), maker of the world’s finest musical instruments, proudly introduces the Core Collection H-717—an exceptional addition to its esteemed archtop lineup. Built in the legendary 225 Parsons Street factory, this new model, released during Heritage’s 40th anniversary, embodies an unmatchable history of luthiery expertise while embracing modern innovation. The H-717 joins iconic Heritage models like the Standard Eagle Classic and Core Collection H-575, further solidifying the brand’s legacy of uncompromising craftsmanship and extraordinary tone.

“We take great pride in our long history of crafting the finest American-made instruments out of Kalamazoo, Michigan and couldn’t be more grateful that our archtops have had the chance to share the stage with many of the world’s most respected artists and musicians.” said David Nam Le, Managing Director of Vista Musical Instruments. “The H-717 stands as a testament to advancing archtop excellence while embracing the spirit of continued innovation. We are thrilled to introduce a completely new, ultra-premium model with a modern sensibility, all while remaining true to the craftsmanship that has always defined us.”

The Core Collection H-717 is meticulously crafted with an unwavering attention to detail. Its body features a tone-tapped spruce top and highly figured maple back and sides, creating an exquisite visual and acoustic foundation. The neck, a harmonious blend of maple and walnut, is elegantly shaped in a striking 5-piece construction, further elevated by an ebony fretboard. The instrument’s acoustic resonance is unparalleled. This sound can be further amplified with a Heritage Custom Shop floating pickup, handbuilt in-house, combined with a Schatten tone/volume control mounted on the pickguard for added tone-shaping capabilities. The H-717 also introduces a newly designed headstock, shaped to complement the grand scale of its jazzbox body. Additionally, the modern pickguard design enhances the instrument’s sophisticated aesthetic, perfectly harmonizing with its overall refined appearance.

Nitrocellulose lacquer is used for the finishing, with a beautiful Honey Burst sprayed on the body. This stunning gloss will not only last but will age beautifully over time. Other ultra-premium components include a full-contact Ebony bridge, gold hardware, and a Heritage Custom Shop hard case.

Key Features:

• Exquisite Tonewoods: Carefully selected spruce top with highly figured Curly Maple (Top & Back). The 5-piece neck is made with Maple/Walnut and Ebony fretboard
• Heritage Custom Shop Floating Pickup with Schatten Tone/Volume Control: The pickup is designed and wound in-house
• New Headstock: Bound, featuring a Kite inlay and 3×3 tuners laser-etched with Heritage graphics
• Neck Profile: Standard Jazz for comfort
• Hardware: Gold, with a full-contact Ebony bridge
• Made in the USA: Crafted at 225 Parsons Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan

The Heritage Custom Shop Core Collection H-717 is priced at US MAP $12,999. It is available for purchase on heritageguitars.com and at select dealers.

Sales contact information
global.sales@vistamusic.com

Press contact information
press@vistamusic.com

ABOUT HERITAGE GUITARS
With a legacy and storied history, Heritage Guitars is widely considered one of the most iconic and distinguished brands sought after by musicians worldwide. Since 1985, Heritage Guitars has been crafting exceptional instruments, continuing the tradition started at the famed 225 Parsons Street factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan and blending it with cutting-edge craftsmanship.

Heritage Guitars’ vibrant and impressive collections of guitars combine classic and modern designs with well-chosen materials and over a century of guitar-building experience. Heritage Custom Shop takes this expertise to new heights by crafting bespoke masterpieces tailored to the exact specifications and playing styles of the world’s most passionate and discerning players.

ABOUT VISTA MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Vista Musical Instruments is an innovative, global collective of music-related brands dedicated to building meaningful products and experiences for the music community. Brands include MONO, Harmony, Teisco, Heritage Guitars, Dawsons, Swee Lee and Manny’s. Vista Musical Instruments is headquartered in Singapore, with operations in the USA, UK, and APAC, and is a part of Caldecott Music Group.