1991 Heartfield Elan III

[muttznmongrelz]

I was prowling around online at Music Go Round and just happened across this guitar in a random search of their inventory. Called and got addl pics and info on it and that did it for me...as she's a real beauty!

I was told by the MGR Sales Rep that the prior owner was somewhat of a collector and passed away, which resulted in his family liquidating his collection (a few high end Gibson Acoustics - SJ200 Custom, Hummingbird, etc., a Guild Electriic and this Heartfield) at MGR.

I was kind of looking for a used LP and not liking what I was finding in the lower price range; Menace, Faded, Tribute, etc. when I ran across this and thought it looked like a lot of "bang for the buck"...Set Neck with Volute and No Luthier Joint, Ebony Board, Mahogany Body w/a Gorgeous Bound Wild Flame Maple Top, Floyd, OHSC, etc...plus I'm a sucker for anything unique and high quality with a Floyd!

Floyded PRS on a budget??? Previously Owned (but never played) by a recently deceased "collector"...1991 Heartfield Elan III:




















Heartfield Elan III

DESCRIPTION: Elan III Guitar
PART NUMBER: 125/131-4200
SERIES: Heartfield Elan Series
NECK: Set Honduras Mahogany Neck w/Sabre Tooth Inlay
BODY: Honduras Mahogany w/Bookmatched Highly Figured Maple Top
FRETBOARD: Bound Ebony
NO. OF FRETS: 22
SCALE LENGTH: 25.1" (637.5mm)
WIDTH AT NUT:
RADIUS: 12" (304.8mm)
HARDWARE: Black
MACHINE HEADS: Black Gotoh Tuners
BRIDGE: Kahler Steeler Double Locking Tremolo
PICKGUARD: None
PICKUPS: 2 Heartfield Humbucking Pickups, 1 Single Coil
PICKUP CONFIGURATION: Humbucker/Single/Humbucker (HSH)
PICKUP SWITCHING: 5 Position Switch
CONTOLS: Master Volume, Master TBX
COLORS: Amber, Sapphire Blue Transparent, Antique Burst, Crimson Tansparent
SOURCE: JAPAN
U.S. MSRP: $1399.99
STATUS: DISCONTINUED
ACCESSORIES: Case, Strap, Cable
INTRODUCED: 1989
DISCONTINUED: 1993


manufactured for Fender by FujiGen in the Hirooka Factory, although I don't see the resemblance to the wafer thin Sabres, maybe the newer S Series.

*** Per the below excerpt from the text of a paper handed out to dealers and wholesalers of Heartfield guitars, probably around 1992/1993 (another part of of the paper mentions Mike Keneally out on tour with Dweezil Zappa, which happened in 1992/1993).

The full paper (including instrument roster, endorsements and list of "us vs. them" comparisons) can be viewed by clicking here. Another press release can be seen at http://www.heartfield-central.com/data/press.pdf (Adobe PDF reader/plugin required for both).

“The Elan Series represents the finest of the guitar building art, with top of the line instruments for the sophisticated guitarist".

"US vs. THEM"

Heartfield Series: Elan
Competitor: Paul Reed Smith
Models Compared: Elan II vs. PRS Custom
MSRP (w/Case): $1,699.99 vs. $1,970.00

[karpathion]

Damn! That's very nice! That top is crazy.

[muttznmongrelz]

Ha! No "Fotoflame" there!

[ratherdashing]

Looks more like an Ibanez S than a PRS, but very cool nonetheless.

[muttznmongrelz]

Looks more like an Ibanez S than a PRS, but very cool nonetheless.

That would stand to reason...as they were manufactured for Fender by FujiGen in the Hirooka Factory, although I don't see the resemblance to the wafer thin Sabres, maybe the newer S Series.

*** Per the below excerpt from the text of a paper handed out to dealers and wholesalers of Heartfield guitars, probably around 1992/1993 (another part of of the paper mentions Mike Keneally out on tour with Dweezil Zappa, which happened in 1992/1993).

The full paper (including instrument roster, endorsements and list of "us vs. them" comparisons) can be viewed by clicking here. Another press release can be seen at http://www.heartfield-central.com/data/press.pdf (Adobe PDF reader/plugin required for both).

“The Elan Series represents the finest of the guitar building art, with top of the line instruments for the sophisticated guitarist".

"US vs. THEM"

Heartfield Series: Elan
Competitor: Paul Reed Smith
Models Compared: Elan II vs. PRS Custom
MSRP (w/Case): $1,699.99 vs. $1,970.00

Either way...it is what it is.

[d1dsj]

Yet another beautiful guitar you've bagged MnM's! It reminds me of my old Yamaha YSG which was said to be designed by non other than Mr. P.R Smith! Anyway, I think that's a cracking guitar you've got... nice one.

[stevie_bees]

I would seriously rock that! Gorgeous!

[BloodRose]

That's amazing! - never knew they made heartfields other than the talons. It play as good as it looks? I've always wanted one of the top line talons. Congrats!!

[JOLLY]

I like the looks of that.

[muttznmongrelz]

Thanks for the kind words...unfortunately I've got to wait a week for it to arrive...then I'm throwing a Non-Logo SD TB-4J in the bridge and some new strings and calling it good!!!!

[masta' c]

Well, here's hoping you absolute hate it!

If so, let me know

[guitarkid]

I've never heard of those, but man that looks nice!!!

[TheLivingDead]

Daaaaaamn, you don't see those everyday! Heartfield made some ****ing awesome guitars for a little while there.

Big congrats!

[Boogie Bill]

Very nice--the Heartfield Series is definitely under-rated.

Bill

[muttznmongrelz]

Very nice--the Heartfield Series is definitely under-rated.

Bill

Thanks! I've run across a few RR and Talon Models and am pretty familar w/them - I liked the Talons back when they first came out and almost bought one, but this will be the first time I've gotten my hands on an Elan. Reading the specs and surveying the pics, it certainly seems like it should be a killer guitar.

[King IzzO)))]

A Kahler Steeler even? Awesome. I had a RR49 for a while, really well made with real nice woods and it sounded great, I just couldn't get along with the neck.

[muttznmongrelz]

A Kahler Steeler even? Awesome. I had a RR49 for a while, really well made with real nice woods and it sounded great, I just couldn't get along with the neck.

Yes Sir, should be a fine trem and it's pretty much NOS. I have tried a couple of those RR Models and was hot for a Talon V back in the day. Hopefully everything, including the neck, will be to my liking on this one.

We'll see how the pickups are, but the electronics include a Fender TBX Tone stock. The SD TB-4J will be an obvious improvement over whatever is in the Bridge though. I've also got a Fender Custom Shop Texas Special Single that might find it's way into the middle, and I've got a WTB for a Pearly Gates Neck and am hopeful regarding finding a used one.

I was kind of looking for another LP and not liking what I was finding in the price range; Menace, Faded, Tribute, etc. when I ran across this and thought it looked like a lot of "bang for the buck"...Set Neck with Volute and No Luthier Joint, Ebony Board, Mahogany Body w/a Gorgeous Bound Wild Flame Maple Top, Floyd, OHSC, etc.

[BloodRose]

that thing must have NEVER been played. There is no wear or any mung on the trem...

[muttznmongrelz]

that thing must have NEVER been played. There is no wear or any mung on the trem...

None on the frets either...A CASE QUEEN!!!

[muttznmongrelz]

and it looks very nice. Unfortunately, I won't be plugging it in for the first time until midnight/the wee hours of tomorrow morning after I get back from the Jimi Hendrix Tribute Concert!!!

EXPERIENCE HENDRIX TRIBUTE TOUR
When: Friday, March 30, 2012 - 8:00 PM
(Doors open 7:00 PM)

The 2012 edition of the critically acclaimed Experience Hendrix concert tour, will launch with a three week run of dates starting March 6th featuring an all-star lineup of musical greats paying homage to the abiding genius of Jimi Hendrix.

Presented by Fender Musical Instruments, this year's tour will include performances by Billy Cox, Robert Randolph, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Taj Mahal, Eric Johnson, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, Slide Brothers, Chris Layton of Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, and Mato of Indigenous, as well as other special guests to be announced.

The announcement coincides with latest issue of Rolling Stone wherein Jimi Hendrix was, predictably, designated "The Greatest Guitarist of All Time." The tour will alight in twenty markets including Baltimore, Nashville, Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Houston, Austin, Colorado Springs and more.