Hoboken Vs. Westerly

[badlybleeding]

To All,
When did production at Hoboken cease and Westerly begin? If that's 1967 then why are their Hoboken serial stickers up to 1969? Which factory made better guitars or were they about the same? Lastly, anybody got a JF30 12 sting they could measure and tell me exactly how long it is (from top of headstock to end pin)? And how wide the headstock is at the widest point? Is the best Guild History Book the one by Hans or The Guitar History Book (Guild)? Thanks, Badlybleeding

Please send any other info you think a first time Guild owner might need.

 

[chazmo]

Hey bloodbath...

The transition started taking place in either '68 or '69, I think. It wasn't immediate; i.e., there was a crossover period. In fact, some of the labels from that period do not specify either location. Hans is definitely the man when it comes to this. His book covers the NY, NJ, and early RI days. It's a fantastic book. Around here, we call it the "old testament." We're waiting with baited breath for the new testament, for obvious reasons.

I have a JF-30-12 from 1994. I'll get those measurements fro you shortly.

 

[Walter Broes]

Is the best Guild History Book the one by Hans or The Guitar History Book (Guild)?

The Hans Moust book is definitely the best Guild book out there. It talks about the transition from Hoboken to Westerly, and you can trust that info.

 

[chazmo]

Widest point, just below the crown of the headstock, is exactly 3-9/16" Overall length is about 43-1/4" (that measurement might be +/- 1/4").

 

[badlybleeding]

Ok, So a Guitar with a Hoboken serial number sticker would be at the latest 1969? Or would it be earlier than that? Also, thanks for the measurements, on the head stock could include to keys in that measurement. Thanks, again BadlyBleeding

 

[chazmo]

It's about 4-7/8" from the outside of the Grovers' tuning knobs at their widest point.

 

[GardMan]

Hans' book has a two-page spread of labels from '53-'77.

Oval labels w G-shield that say "Hoboken, New Jersey" were in use ~'61-64.

Oval labels w G-shield that say "Hoboken, New Jersey, USA" were in use ~'65-69.

Oval labels w G-shield w/o a location from ~'69-70 (my '71 and late '72 both have these label).

Oval labels with Guild in script with "Made in USA" introduced ~late '72 (my two '74s have this label).

Westerly first appears in labels ~'75.
Dave

 

[fronobulax]

Is the best Guild History Book the one by Hans?

Absolutely. Since no one has mentioned it yet, Hans is a regular at LTG and is patient and gracious about answering questions. However he is most patient when explaining things that are not in the book, so advice to a new Guild owner would be to buy a copy ASAP. Softcovers are readily available. PM Hans directly to purchase a hardcover since he seems to be the only remaining source