Quite a surprise. I’m going to be optimistic here. I think this elevates Yamaha by acquiring the US manufacturing presence. It gives them an opportunity to cater to a higher end acoustic audience. It also gives them a solid MIA electric line overnight. Sure there is some overlap that may result in consolidation of the MIA acoustic lines. Overall I think it expands their capabilities in a net positive way.
Perhaps with Yamaha’s expertise, sense of brand and deeper pockets it will result in an expansion of the US line. In a couple years maybe we will see a return of favorite models that Cordoba has been unwilling or unable to bankroll. At a minimum maybe they will stop the complete nonsense around model names
Of course they could do just the opposite and squash the US component and focus solely on the machine made MIA lines. But I’m hoping they want to play with the big boys and do it all. Fingers crossed.
I agree.
Yamaha has had an American presence for a long time; they purchased the small California company that makes the Pacifica series of solid-body electrics a long time ago.
They never messed with that company at all. It's still small, and is still making guitars.
But I think Guild holds far better commercial prospects than the Pacificas ever had as a premier American brand.
I tend to think Yamaha would move all of Guild's imports into their own house, but will leave the American guitars alone. The top range Guilds really fill a gap in their product line their best Japanese-made guitars just can't fill, so Yamaha will likely leave Guild alone and avoid messing around with the guitars.
Yamaha has always made some aggressive changes in the upper management of every company they acquire, and has often sent in some Japanese efficiency experts to improve the production procedures, but they haven't ever changed the most successful products; everything is done to make the production smoother and better. And more financially sound.
I think it's possible Yamaha could enlarge the Oxnard shop in a few years, and I'll be seeing a very aggressive advertising campaign come out for Guild that could include brand new dealership recruiting. But they will leave the guitars alone pretty much, and won't be retiring any model that is still selling in small quantities.
Yamaha is the only Japanese company that really understands American tastes and traditions. Of their many competitors, only Hoshino has tried to learn what America likes the most, and Hoshino is still more Japanese in their marketing than Yamaha is. Hoshino tends to drop a good guitar model before it reaches its highest sales potential, but Yamaha never does that.
Every change Yamaha makes is to improve their line by a notch or two up the scale.
Their products are so diversified and so well known here, and so large, that I think Guild will really flower under their management.
I wouldn't be surprised to find Guilds being offered in a Yamaha motorcycle shop though. Or in a music company that has always sold only pianos and organs.
I'm hoping to see some brand new older Yamaha-designs re-emerge as Guilds. Likewise, I hope to see some of Guild's best old designs return.
The Yamaha AEX1500 would be a great addition, built the Guild way while using Yamaha's electric components, and the Guild Nightbirds could reach their full sales potential in todays market with Yamaha's leadership.
Then other way round - Guiaha could be ancient US indian tribe w japanese twist 
