Fender to close New Hartford operations

[Neal]

Two thoughts:

1. I travel for a living, and I seek out Guitar Centers wherever I go. Why? They have no problem with me walking in, going right to their best stuff, plucking $3000 guitars off the wall, and playing them without any hassle whatsoever. And that's true for every GC I have been in. That is exactly how I came to appreciate my preference for the Guild sound over Martin, Taylor and Gibson.

2. As far a business models go, it's hard to find anything that beats Southwest Airlines. They only fly one kind of jet (737's). So that is all they need to buy, maintain, train on, load and unload, and fill with fuel. They know the 737 inside and out unlike any other airline, and only fly routes that will accommodate a 737 take-off and landing. That leaves out a lot of small airports (like mine), but it also means that they are super efficient, lean, and profitable.

I think this example speaks the notion that specialization, and finding a niche, are crucial if Guild is to survive. If I were making the decisions, I would drop every guitar except for the "bread and butter" Guilds (F-30, F-40, F-50, F-412, F-512, D-40, D-50).

Neal

 

[killdeer43]

I think this example speaks the notion that specialization, and finding a niche, are crucial if Guild is to survive. If I were making the decisions, I would drop every guitar except for the "bread and butter" Guilds (F-30, F-40, F-50, F-412, F-512, D-40, D-50).

+1
That's been my thought all along, to focus on the winners you cited.
And the example of Southwest Airlines as a business model is right on.

Joe

 

[twocorgis]

+1

And the example of Southwest Airlines as a business model is right on.

Joe

In my experience, Southwest is only good if you're 5'9" or less. Those planes are cramped! When it comes to airlines, give my JetBlue anytime.

 

[Westerly Wood]

H

If I were making the decisions, I would drop every guitar except for the "bread and butter" Guilds (F-30, F-40, F-50, F-412, F-512, D-40, D-50).

Neal

Nice lineup. You could probably drop one of the F 6 strings. The 40.

 

[Neal]

Ah, so right, Sandy. I am 5'9". Made for travel. My boss is 6'5". Not so much.

But it is when a business has to make "allowances" to accommodate particular customers that don't represent the "meat" of their business, that they become increasingly less efficient, and less profitable.

The software company I work for is making this mistake over and over, with "off the shelf" software that tries to serve too many functions for too many people. Thus, a bloated, unfocused business model that does a lot things. but some of them end up not making money.

And, OK, Woody, I am willing to drop the F-40/F-47 if need be. Nice, iconic Guild, though.

Neal

 

[Nostromo]

Yep . . .

I just read the following quote on line ?

Vintage Guitar Mag - April 23, 2014

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) announced today that it will close its New Hartford, Connecticut, manufacturing facility in June, citing current market conditions and insufficient volume levels as the cause. U.S. production of Fender acoustic and Guild instruments will transition to other facilities at a later date, while domestic production of U.S.-made Ovation instruments will cease. The move affects 46 employees in New Hartford, who, the company says, will be offered severance packages, outplacement services, and other related assistance.

 

[Westerly Wood]

And, OK, Woody, I am willing to drop the F-40/F-47 if need be. Nice, iconic Guild, though.

Neal

hey bro, so long as I get to make the final decision

 

[bluesypicky]

If I were making the decisions, I would drop every guitar except for the "bread and butter" Guilds (F-30, F-40, F-50, F-412, F-512, D-40, D-50).Neal

But but but..... I thought the D55 was the brand flagship?.....

Sandy: I'm 5'10" and I feel crammed in EVERY airline (since I don't have the dough to mingle with the fine first class people) except when luck strikes and I get an emergency exit row.

 

[killdeer43]

I'm 5'10" and I feel cramped in EVERY airline

I'm 6'1 and when I traveled a lot in the 80s, the only time I felt less than cramped was when I scored a flight on an eastbound 747 out of Seattle. Our most recent flights to and from Baja showed me that airlines are really packing us in now. There's just no freakin' room to relax/stretch your legs! I guess that why I love a good road trip.

On the bright side, the smoking ban has been a blessing. Remember the days when row 14 was non-smoking and row 15 was smoking?!! Oy!

Just pondering the veer, :tranquillity:
Joe

 

[twocorgis]

Sandy: I'm 5'10" and I feel cramped in EVERY airline (since I don't have the dough to mingle with the fine first class people) except when luck strikes and I get an emergency exit row.

A real study in contrasts was my recent trip to the LFG get-together in Austin. the flight down was on an old American Airlines (hate them) 737-200, and I felt crammed in there before the guy in front of me reclined his seat. Four hours and ten minutes of the most uncomfortable flight I've ever had the misfortune to be on. The flight back was on a brand new (as in first flight with passengers) JetBlue Embraer 190. Even without being in an exit row, there was tons of legroom, and free Satellite TV and radio all the way home. Those Embraers are great planes. Two seats on either side of the aisle, and also one of the few planes with an aisle wide enough that people and the beverage cart aren't bumping into you every time they pass. Also, JetBlue has a similar business model to Southwest, just with better planes. Almost their entire fleet is AirBus 320s, with the exception of some of the smaller routes where they use Embraer 190s. Best airline in the air by a long ways IMO.

 

[bluesypicky]

the only time I felt less than cramped was when I scored a flight on an eastbound 747
Joe

Agreed.
Most of my flying has been over the Atlantic (7.5hrs flight or 9hrs depending on direction and wind) and it used to be much more comfortable in the days of the 747... Unfortunately, these big birds are harder and harder to find on the tarmac now....

And guess what?.... we're back on topic: Corporate greed! :excitement: <insert drum roll + splash cymbal>

 

[6L6]

FWIW, SW Airlines has the highest pilot qualification requirements of any airline.

 

[Ridgemont]

FWIW, SW Airlines has the highest pilot qualification requirements of any airline.

That is good to hear. My wife and I fly then regularly and put up with the cramped space….that being said, I have flown Jet Blue a few times. Now that is a comfortable ride!

 

[Westerly Wood]

Jet blue is the best airline I have flown too. Only flown that airline once. They had a red sox yankees game broadcasted while in air. and the Yankees lost, so it was a banner trip I tell you what...

 

[bluesypicky]

JetBlue has a similar business model to Southwest, just with better planes. Almost their entire fleet is AirBus 320s, with the exception of some of the smaller routes where they use Embraer 190s. Best airline in the air by a long ways IMO.

ya know it ain't like me to participate in any kind of veering activity, but I'll make an exception just for that one time, to say +1 on Jet Blue.
Sorry they don't fly out of Palm Beach Intl. but from Ft Lauderdale, where the parking situation forces you to add about 45mns prior to your scheduled arrival if you want a chance to make your flight. (Remote parking miles away from airport terminals in permanent state of construction)

 

[davismanLV]

And guess what?.... we're back on topic: Corporate greed! :excitement: <insert drum roll + splash cymbal>

GOOD JOB, PASCAL!! You made it look SO EASY!! :encouragement:

 

[bluesypicky]

Thank you Tom, thank you very much. :cocksure:

 

[Neal]

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

OK. Guild could ditch the D-50 for the D-55, but expect to pay dearly for the added bling, and lose the Adirondack spruce top in the process.

Of course, the D-50 has been made since 1963, so if venerability counts for anything, then it's an even harder choice.

Neal

 

[Default]

GOOD JOB, PASCAL!! You made it look SO EASY!! :encouragement:

Almost as easy as a Frenchman in tights!

 

[mavuser]

Jet blue most definitely has flights out of the Palm Beach airport, I fly to and from there out of New York regularly. I only fly jet blue.