The short answer is 'WOW'.
This is the Les Paul you want. I unpacked it, and planned on a cursory play session, but just got out of a 3 hour session where I did not care to stop, and even now after stopping, I'm considering losing a few more hours sleep to get my hands on it.
@pharmd07 and
@deakle The build quality, the comfort and LP whisper and roar are there. I LOVE the pups on it. 59's that are a bit crispy, but respond well to more gain and volume knob usage. Of course it loves Plexi's.
The guitar is SOLID. I like heavy on my LP's, and this is not ungodly at 8LB's 15OZ, but the feeling of a well crafted instrument is there. Medium large frets, medium neck. I could not find a dead or iffy fret note. Some may not like it, but the knobs are firm (many like easily moving knobs.). I personally like them being less apt to random movement while jumping around.
It's not overly bright, but found the tone knob to be useful on the bridge PUP. Will take more investigation, but it seemed to not do anything until it was down to 4/3. Maybe ear fatigue. No huge tonal jump in between middle and bridge PUP position...more attitude and snarl and bridge (what it should be.)
A VERY dynamic guitar. Even on very gainy presets, I was able to do dynamics with picking attitude. On bridge at 3 on volume, it can be clean or mildly saucy with 'dig in'.
Like a few guitars I have been lucky to pick up lately, this one WANTS to be played. Most know what I mean. You feel as if you have to coax tone out of it. This one (without waxing too philosophic) seems like it's waiting for you to uncover what it can do. Ease is astounding. The one I have is very barky, and cannot comment on other guitars, but this one cuts through nicely.
I should not need to say anything about the setup...it's perfect.
I have not worked with completely clean presets, so not there yet. But bottom line is that if you have reservations about Heritage...put them to rest.
R