New Hartford

[Default]

Hopefully, they won't suck.

 

[mr.d.bluster]

I would like to disagree. You know that not only Guild but also Fender's new acoustic custom shop is in NH. So Fender needs a new home for that as well. They are not going to close their Fender acoustic customs shop in the US, I can't believe that. They seem to want to move both Guild and Fender acoustics somewhere else by whatever reason. That is mentioned in the press release: "U.S. production of Fender acoustic and Guild® instruments will transition to other facilities at a later date"
I posted some info about the current ownership of FMIC here: http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/sh...ress-Release&p=1633836&viewfull=1#post1633836
Ralf

I agree with Ralf. As I stated in a post on one of the other threads, Corona is the likely place to relocate the Fender acoustic custom shop. And I wouldn't be surprised to see Guild acoustic components fabricated in Ensenada, then sent across the border to Corona for final assembly. There is a certain amount of this allowed while still permitting the "made in USA" label.

 

[JohnW63]

I don't want a Mexico made, but USA built guitar.

This day sucks twice for me, since I have Ovations as well as a Guild.

 

[davismanLV]

John, it seems like Fender has really screwed you ROYALLY, hasn't it?

 

[GF60]

I work for a big conglomerate, and they look at the bottom line and not much else. People are openly referred to as "resources", and their work as "utilization". I was told this just the other day. Like I am coal that gets dug up out of the ground and burned as efficiently as possible.

And the funny thing is that it really isn't about quality, it's about billability. So, New Hartford can make superb guitars all day long, but if that does not end up enriching FMIC shareholders, the axe must fall.

What's especially hard to take is that great quality at a fair price can somehow get ruined and become unprofitable in the hands of executives getting paid big money to oversee the production, marketing and sale of quality products at fair prices.

Neal

Neal, I agree wholeheartedly! I think we will still have USA made Guilds. But those poor New Hartford employees just got punched in the gut! It really comes down to the "Suits" just not being quite happy with the bottom line dollar. They sit in their obscenely expensive offices and say..."It's not really working well for me. I think it will work better, FOR ME! If things are moved to X location".
If I sound cynical, I am. I lost my job in January because of a similar scenario. Yes I did receive a fair and reasonable severance. And I am eligible to draw on my retirement (both age wise and service length). So I will more than likely do that. But I tell you, it still sucks. I do know how these employees in CT must feel. Right now their life is being turned upside down. I hope they can work through it all without problems. Sometimes life just isn't fair.

 

[chazmo]

I have to vent... I'm seething with frustration. There really is no way to put into words how disheartening this is. New Hartford was the revitalization of a dream for us Guild lovers. A Phoenix from the ashes. An embodiment of American craftsmanship and a strong will to keep that tradition going in America.

I was recently musing over the fact that this past winter marked 5 continuous years of Guild in NH, which was more than Corona or Tacoma. I remember thinking that the introduction of the Newark St., American Patriarch, and Orpheum models last year was such a bright moment in Guild's history. I was also musing on how truly cool it was that NH had broken through the reticence of the past and welcomed us to the factory 4 times.

Ugh, now this.

It pains me that a group that was as savvy about globalization and as hungry as they could be to keep things going in NH, things still fell victim.

Anyway, as I've said already a few times today, my thoughts and my fondest wishes are with the NH employees.

 

[southernGuild]

^^^ Well said Chaz............Feeling gutted about it all really. NH was unique and great location for Guild to hold their ground and build upon for the future.
Now, All lost...............Sheesh.

 

[SFIV1967]

I don't want a Mexico made, but USA built guitar.

Well, honestly, what's the difference? (I am sarcastic here). Made by the talented Mexicans in Ensenada/Mexico or made by the talented Mexicans in Corona/CA? Anyway, I don't want to start a discussion about abroad production again, that is not the day to do it. Also to vent here is the wrong place, FMIC's management won't read it here. E-Mails to FMIC are better I guess, even if they won't change their mind.
I am German, living in Germany and I also prefer a US made guitar from a US brand. That's why I treasure my New Hartford made GSR F-30R and my New York, Hoboken and Westerly made Guilds.
I also own a Fender Strat and a Tele, but both are Corona Custom Shop models, so made in USA.
Good deals will be available on excellent NH made Guilds soon I am sure, so start saving money until they last! I don't see a reason why one would stop buying a New Hartford made Guild now, that would counter the intentions of moving to a different US place. If there is continued demand from loyal brand buyers like us it will continue, if not, why would FMIC continue it. I'd love to get my hands on a 12 string Orpheum for instance as one example. This one in sunburst for instance....
Ralf

 

[geoguy]

I was willing to pay a reasonable premium for a guitar that was "hand-crafted in New England".

I won't do that for a guitar "assembled by the lowest-wage workers Fender could find".

 

[southernGuild]

I'd love to get my hands on a 12 string Orpheum for instance as one example. This one in sunburst for instance....
Ralf

Great choice Ralf! Great size too! I can imagine you'd be very happy with that one. The Orpheums are something very special indeed!

 

[hideglue]

I have to vent... I'm seething with frustration. There really is no way to put into words how disheartening this is.
.....
Anyway, as I've said already a few times today, my thoughts and my fondest wishes are with the NH employees.

I just spoke with two of the guys from Westerly. One of whom joined Hamer immediately after the shutdown, only to be bought up by FMIC afterward; the crap luck.
The other, after spinning his wheels for a while, decided to put his talents back to use. Who knew it could happen again; the crap luck.

Needless to say, morale is low. But a sense of humor is still in place.

Good luck to all affected.

 

[shot put]

Hi- You could see this coming for quite a awhile -poor distribution, worse advertising and Guilds -price-wise- caught up with other premium brands. I feel very fortunate to have the four guilds I possess. They are very unique and I would be very surprised if American made Guilds resurface. The used market will be very interesting-I think vintage guilds will become scarce and very expensive. What happened to the new models introduced at NAMM this year?

 

[jcwu]

The used market will be very interesting-I think vintage guilds will become scarce and very expensive.

How long before we start seeing eBay ads touting the closure of the NH plant as justification for inflated prices?

 

[tommym]

How long before we start seeing eBay ads touting the closure of the NH plant as justification for inflated prices?

Problem is that many of those guitars don't sell at the existing prices in any case. But I agree, the three ring e-bay circus always hypes a product from any angle to make an additional buck. I guess it doesn't hurt to try.

Tommy

 

[FloridaGull]

Someone helpful in the Acoustic Guitar Community posted this:

"FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION TO CLOSE NEW HARTFORD, CONN. FACILITY;
OVATION® TO CEASE U.S. PRODUCTION

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is proud of the products that are built in our New Hartford, Conn. manufacturing facility and appreciates the talented group of people that hand craft them. However, due to current market conditions and insufficient volume levels, the company has made the decision to cease production there within June 2014.

This decision represents a consolidation of production capabilities for FMIC U.S.-made acoustic instruments. “We are committed to providing the same high quality musical instruments our artists, consumers and customers expect and demand, and will continue to support the brands that are currently being produced in New Hartford,” said Richard McDonald, senior vice president of Fender®.

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 musical instruments will cease.

Forty-six New Hartford-based FMIC employees will be affected by this decision over the next several months. These impacted employees served the company well and will be treated fairly and with respect; they will be provided comprehensive assistance, including severance packages, outplacement services and other related assistance."

FWIW...

 

[adorshki]

Sometimes life just isn't fair.

'Bout time somebody told it like it actually is.

 

[fronobulax]

Someone helpful in the Acoustic Guitar Community posted this:

Already posted here buy an LTG member who is presumably one of the 46. I was asked to Moderate all of the "closing" threads into one and I have refused to do so because that is a lot of work for a Moderator and there will always be people who post before reading, but I do encourage people to check this forum and (at least) LTG Members Only to get a bigger picture.

 

[griehund]

'Bout time somebody told it like it actually is.

Life ain't fair. Fare is what you pay on the bus. Excrement occurs. Somebody you know or somebody you don't know can do something you don't know about that can change your life forever. It has happened to me and I'm sure it has happened to most everybody on this forum. If there is a judgement day, I believed I will be judged on what I gave not what I got. But that's just my opinion.

 

[gibsonjunkie]

Blowtius Maximus!

 

[FloridaGull]

Sorry to be repetitive - here's another link:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repo...g-this-summer-after-47-years/article18127106/