Did anyone see the Fender Acoustic ad in this months Muscians Friend catalog?

[Yoko Oh No]

Made in their custom shop in NH Connecticut ....hmmmm....

$2000 - $4000 dollars....

???

 

[dapmdave]

Yep, they are making Fender acoustics at New Hartford. There was a batch of Kingmans with the Antigua burst thing (not my cup-o-tea) going thru the line at LMG3.

 

[Sal]

Cool Yoko! I like their Newporter. $4,400 at Guitar Center. And doesn't that rosette look familiar!

 

[Brad Little]

I wonder who their target market is and how well they will sell. Fender doesn't exactly pop into most guitar players head when thinking acoustic guitars. I will say, the one Fender acoustic I owned (a nylon crossover) was a reasonable guitar for its price point, sounded okay plugged in (reason I bought it). Several years ago I started a guitar program at the school I was at, bought ten entry level acoustics, seven Fenders and three Yamahas. The Fenders played and sounded better out of the box and had solid tops, the Yammies were laminate.
Brad

 

[griehund]

I can't get over the silly mustache look. But that's just me.

 

[tommym]

Just as I'm stating to warm up to Guild guitars all over again........:uncomfortableness:

I just fear that Fender will be pushing their corporate weight around and pushing their product(s) to the head of the line, and take away from Guild products at this new facility.

Tommy

 

[Sal]

Yeah griehund, I think the bridge is a little odd too but I could get used to it. To me it looks more like steer horns and I think the look fits with the time and place these guitars came out of. Most vintage Newporters have a similar bridge. I'd say the Gibson J200 gets the mustache for bridge award!

 

[chazmo]

Tommy,

I wouldn't be too concerned. I don't think these custom Fender acoustics represent enough volume (particularly at that price point) to unseat Guilds in any significant way. If Fender chooses to use New Hartford to build great, US-made guitars -- whatever is on the headstock -- it's good for the folks that work there. No one is more sensitive to off-shoring than those guys, I assure you. And, honestly, given Fender's recent investment in Guild as a brand, I would really not worry about Guild dropping into the sunset (in NH) any time soon.

 

[griehund]

Tommy,

I wouldn't be too concerned. I don't think these custom Fender acoustics represent enough volume (particularly at that price point) to unseat Guilds in any significant way. If Fender chooses to use New Hartford to build great, US-made guitars -- whatever is on the headstock -- it's good for the folks that work there. No one is more sensitive to off-shoring than those guys, I assure you. And, honestly, given Fender's recent investment in Guild as a brand, I would really not worry about Guild dropping into the sunset (in NH) any time soon.

I'm guessing there has to be an economic advantage in buying larger quantities of wood to produce two brands. Fender also made a Koa model at the same time Guild did the 60th Anni model. Also keeps talented people working. Seems like a win/win.

 

[P-E-Zmusic]

not to worry they can do both

 

[P-E-Zmusic]

Yeah griehund, I think the bridge is a little odd too but I could get used to it. To me it looks more like steer horns and I think the look fits with the time and place these guitars came out of. Most vintage Newporters have a similar bridge. I'd say the Gibson J200 gets the mustache for bridge award!

Fender is Viking Boat

 

[P-E-Zmusic]

Just as I'm stating to warm up to Guild guitars all over again........:uncomfortableness:

I just fear that Fender will be pushing their corporate weight around and pushing their product(s) to the head of the line, and take away from Guild products at this new facility.

Tommy

Considering they making their first real attempt to producing made in USA Fender Acoustics since 1963-1971 its a good sign that have confidence in New Hartford. It likely means there be plenty of Guilds coming from there along with Fenders. Once that up and going Ovation USA will get relaunched.... It just makes sense.

 

[SFIV1967]

Here are a couple of great videos about the new Fender Acoustic Custom Shop in NH:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAbWA0SJhyM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNI-BRWlDJg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MNNxbsHumc

And this is a 1 hour (!!!) video from NH, all you ever want to know...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc5IYSKmqmU

Ralf

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

I think the grey dog's got it.