Left-handed Heritage guitars are a lot harder to find than you might expect, as Heritage doesn’t make every model lefty. When I contacted Heritage, they confirmed that the current left-handed lineup is just one regular production model, the Standard II H-530, plus limited Factory Special runs of three Custom Core models: the H-530, H-535 and H-555.
All of these Heritage left-handed guitars are thinline double-cutaway models, either fully hollow or semi-hollow. If you want something more personal, Heritage will also build the H-530, H-535 and H-555 left-handed through its Custom Shop. Sadly, if you were hoping for a lefty H-150 or any other Heritage solid body, you’re out of luck for now.
You can buy them direct from Heritage or through its dealers. Expect to pay roughly $3,000 to $4,800 in the US for the regular and limited-run models, while Custom Shop builds are priced differently. Dealer prices elsewhere vary.
Want to see the limited-run lefties now? At the time of writing, Sweetwater has all three in stock:
- Check out the left-handed Heritage Custom Core H-530 at Sweetwater
- Check out the left-handed Heritage Custom Core H-535 at Sweetwater
- Check out the left-handed Heritage Custom Core H-555 at Sweetwater
Disclosure: If you decide to purchase a guitar using the links in this article I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
A Quick History of Heritage Guitars
The Heritage Guitar story starts with Gibson. Gibson built guitars at 225 Parsons Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan, from 1917 until it closed the factory in 1984 and moved production to Nashville.
Three longtime Gibson employees, Jim Deurloo, Marv Lamb and JP Moats, didn’t want to leave Kalamazoo. So they stayed, bought space in the old factory along with its original guitar-making equipment, and officially launched Heritage on April 1, 1985. Probably the least foolish thing anyone has done on April Fools’ Day!
Heritage originally made acoustic guitars, basses, mandolins and even a banjo, but the current range is all electric, with a big focus on hollow body and semi-hollow guitars. The company changed hands in 2016, when a Kalamazoo property firm bought it from the founders. Heritage guitars are still built on Parsons Street, and that includes every left-handed Heritage guitar in this guide.
With that pedigree, it’s no surprise that Heritage guitars look a lot like vintage Gibsons. Many Heritage fans argue they’re better built than their modern Gibson counterparts too, but I’ll leave that debate to the forums! If you’d rather go straight to the source, check out my guide to left-handed Gibson guitars.
Which Heritage Guitars Are Available Left-Handed?
Here’s how the current left-handed Heritage models compare. The three Custom Core lefties share the same specs as their right-handed versions, and the Standard II H-530 is made to order.
| Model | Availability | Body | Pickups | Left-Handed Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard II H-530 | Regular production | Fully hollow | Heritage 225 Standard P90s | Trans Cherry, Chestnut Burst, Ebony, Original Sunburst |
| Custom Core H-530 | Limited Factory Special run | Fully hollow | Heritage 225 Classic Dogear P90s | Original Sunburst |
| Custom Core H-535 | Limited Factory Special run | Semi-hollow | Heritage 225 Classic humbuckers | Original Sunburst |
| Custom Core H-555 | Limited Factory Special run | Semi-hollow | Heritage 225 Hot Classic humbuckers | Antique Natural |
If you want P90 snarl and a light, airy hollow body, look at the H-530s. If you’d rather have humbuckers and more feedback resistance at higher volumes, the semi-hollow H-535 and H-555 are the better fit.
Not sure which body style suits you? My guides to left-handed hollow body guitars and left-handed semi-hollow guitars explain the differences and cover lefty options from other brands too.
Left-Handed Heritage Standard II H-530
The Standard II H-530 is the only left-handed Heritage guitar in regular production, and it’s the most affordable way into the lefty range. Better still, Heritage confirmed there’s no price increase for the left-handed version, which is rarer than it should be!
Lefties are made to order rather than kept in stock, though. Heritage quoted me an ETA of about two months, so you’ll need a little patience.
The H-530 is a fully hollow thinline with a laminated curly maple top and back, a solid curly maple rim and a mahogany neck. It’s loaded with a pair of Heritage’s own 225 Standard P90s, wound in-house in Kalamazoo. That combination gives you an open, airy sound with plenty of P90 bite, so it covers everything from jazz and blues to roots and classic rock.
Key Features
- Fully hollow thinline body
- Laminated curly maple top and back with a solid curly maple rim
- Mahogany neck with a ’60s C profile
- Bound rosewood fretboard with dot inlays and a 12″ radius
- 24.75″ scale length, 22 medium jumbo frets and a bone nut
- Heritage Custom Shop 225 Standard P90s
- Two volume, two tone and a 3-way toggle
- Tune-o-matic bridge with a trapeze tailpiece
- Nitrocellulose finish in Trans Cherry, Chestnut Burst, Ebony or Original Sunburst
- Heritage Premium Standard case included
Likes
- No extra charge for the left-handed model
- Built on Parsons Street with in-house wound pickups
- Nitro finish
Dislikes
- Around a two-month wait, since lefties are made to order
- Like any hollow body with P90s, it can feedback and hum at high gain
Left-Handed Heritage Custom Core Limited Runs
Heritage is also making limited Factory Special runs of three left-handed Custom Core models. These are built by the Heritage Custom Shop with the same specs as the right-handed versions, and you can order them direct or through Heritage dealers. Once these lefty Heritage guitars sell out, there’s no guarantee they’ll come back, so don’t wait too long if one catches your eye.
Custom Core H-530 – Original Sunburst
The Custom Shop take on the H-530 keeps the fully hollow body but swaps in Heritage’s 225 Classic Dogear P90s. You also get a chunkier ’50s C neck profile, block inlays and nickel hardware. If you love the Standard II but want a few extra vintage touches, this is the upgrade.
Custom Core H-535 – Original Sunburst
The H-535 is Heritage’s classic semi-hollow, with a center block for extra sustain and less feedback than the hollow H-530. It’s loaded with 225 Classic humbuckers wound in-house, so it handles everything from warm blues to crunchy rock.
Custom Core H-555 – Antique Natural
The H-555 builds on the H-535 with fancier looks and a little more grunt. Multi-ply binding dresses up the body, headstock and pickguard, and the 225 Hot Classic humbuckers add extra punch. It’s the top of the lefty range and the one to pick if you want your Heritage to look as special as it sounds.
Where to Buy the Left-Handed Custom Core Models
At the time of writing, Sweetwater stocks all three lefty Custom Core guitars. With limited runs like these, it’s worth grabbing one while you can.
- Check out the left-handed Heritage Custom Core H-530 at Sweetwater
- Check out the left-handed Heritage Custom Core H-535 at Sweetwater
- Check out the left-handed Heritage Custom Core H-555 at Sweetwater
Heritage Custom Shop Left-Handed Builds
If the regular and limited-run lefties aren’t quite what you’re after, Heritage will also build the H-530, H-535 and H-555 left-handed through its Custom Shop. This is the route to take if you want a lefty Heritage built closer to your own spec.
Pricing is different from the models above, so contact Heritage or one of its dealers to talk through what’s possible and get a quote. Just bear in mind that these are the only three models offered left-handed, even as Custom Shop builds.
What About a Left-Handed Heritage H-150?
The H-150 is Heritage’s take on the single-cut Les Paul, and it’s one of the brand’s best-known models. Unfortunately, it isn’t currently available left-handed, and neither are Heritage’s other solid bodies like the H-137 and H-157.
Heritage has built lefty versions of other models in the past, so it’s worth keeping an eye on Reverb and eBay for a used left-handed Heritage guitar. They don’t come up often, so you’ll need some patience. My guide to finding left-handed guitars on eBay will help you track one down, and these eBay tips for getting the cheapest deals can save you some money when you do.
Heritage Guitars Website
As far as I could see, the Heritage website makes no mention of left-handed models at all, which isn’t ideal for us lefties. The good news is that Heritage replied to all of my questions within one working day, so if you’re interested in a lefty, contact them directly to order or to find your nearest dealer.
For more information:
Heritage Guitars Website
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