Hoboken vs. Westerly…is the bridge the “tell”?

E-Type · May 6, 2024

From time to time a question about whether a 1968-69 D35, D40, D50 etc was made in Hoboken or Westerly comes up. It seems that every time (unless the bridge has been replaced) the guitar is definitively from Hoboken, it has the old-style wider “floating” saddle while the Westerly saddles sit in a slot on a narrower bridge. That they made the switch at the new factory makes some sense. But is it less definitive than I’m thinking?

Hoboken

Westerly

jedzep · May 7, 2024

Not so much the saddle, in my observations, but the move away from the elegantly simple belly down shape, to the little 'cat ear' points at the bottom edge of the bridge, tells me a guitar wasn't born in Hoboken.

At least they didn't go to the mustache.

E-Type · May 7, 2024

This is a '67, so clearly a Hoboken, right? Are these "cat ear" points?

jedzep · May 7, 2024

Well, now I have to defer to those with actual knowledge rather than observational disinformation. I assume your label says Hoboken, but yes, that style bridge would throw me off as a post-Hobo era shape. There was plenty of part sharing during the transition era, I believe.

fronobulax · May 7, 2024

jedzep said:
I assume your label says Hoboken

Remember that Guild used Hoboken labels on instruments that were made in Westerly during and after the transition.

plaidseason · May 9, 2024

fronobulax said:
Remember that Guild used Hoboken labels on instruments that were made in Westerly during and after the transition.

Which is why when I ask people if their guitar is a Hoboken or Westerly, and they definitely don't care as much as I do, they always say "I think Hoboken."

Br1ck · May 9, 2024

I must admit to slight disappointment when I found out my 70 was a Westerly with a Hoboken label. I soon got over it.

Westerly Wood · May 9, 2024

E-Type said:
This is a '67, so clearly a Hoboken, right? Are these "cat ear" points?

that bridge is probably braz rosewood, too. that is a great vintage old Guild dread. so cool looking. mojo!

chazmo · May 9, 2024

jedzep said:
Well, now I have to defer to those with actual knowledge rather than observational disinformation. I assume your label says Hoboken, but yes, that style bridge would throw me off as a post-Hobo era shape. There was plenty of part sharing during the transition era, I believe.

Yeah, it's never that simple with Guild... Let's also not forget the "cloud" bridge that was used in Hoboken which had those "cat ear" points, the one below from my 1967 F-50 Rosewood... I believe this was original, but the entire soundboard was replaced in 1971 so I'm not 100% sure.

E-Type · May 10, 2024

Westerly Wood said:
that bridge is probably braz rosewood, too. that is a great vintage old Guild dread. so cool looking. mojo!

I have talked to the seller. I asked about some measurements and he just says his luthier tells him it does not need a reset. I have heard that from guys who finally tell me the low E is 12/64" above the 12th fret, so I hate to jump in with no return option.

Br1ck · May 11, 2024

Well, you pay your money and take your chances. The up side is significant. Probably a Brazilian finger board too.

E-Type · May 11, 2024

I just ordered in a 1970 F-47 from Guitar Center. Saddle was about as low as you could take it, but the action was close to 5/54" so is good shape for now. Problem was that it just didn't sound great (it had new strings). I returned it 3 hours after picking it up. The guy I had check it out had a '66 or '67 F-30 in for work. The F-30 was louder and fuller sounding even with older strings. Highlights the risk of buying from afar without the possibility of return.

davenumber2 · May 11, 2024

E-Type said:
I just ordered in a 1970 F-47 from Guitar Center. Saddle was about as low as you could take it, but the action was close to 5/54" so is good shape for now. Problem was that it just didn't sound great (it had new strings). I returned it 3 hours after picking it up. The guy I had check it out had a '66 or '67 F-30 in for work. The F-30 was louder and fuller sounding even with older strings. Highlights the risk of buying from afar without the possibility of return.

This is the reason I love GC. Never any problem returning anything. And I’ve sent back my share. No real risk involved.
Buying expensive guitars with no return policy ain’t for me. You get a lemon, then what? Pawn it off to the next guy? Doesn’t sit right.

Steve Weeks · May 11, 2024

I've got the "cat ears" on the bridge, a serial number that seems like a Westerly construction, and a "Hoboken" label. But I bought it in August of 1969. And there's no embossed number on the back of the headstock. Luckily, I don't really care because it plays pretty well, and sounds great.
Perhaps a bit off-topic... where can I find information about ideal or close-to-ideal string height? The top on my D35 has risen up just a bit, and I think that may be the reason the action seems a little high. Thanks!

bobouz · May 12, 2024

davenumber2 said:
This is the reason I love GC. Never any problem returning anything. And I’ve sent back my share. No real risk involved.
Buying expensive guitars with no return policy ain’t for me. You get a lemon, then what? Pawn it off to the next guy? Doesn’t sit right.

Absolutely, Dave. Although their format is far from perfect, the return policy is golden. I’ve never been so smitten by photos of an instrument that I was willing to take all the risk!

Hoboken vs. Westerly…is the bridge the “tell”?

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