Where New Hartford Guilds Are Made

[chazmo]

I don't know if there are many Harleys in NH, Jeff, but there *are* a lot of tats!

 

[AcornHouse]

It's prior incarnation (before Ovation took it) was as a sewing machine factory. Not sure if it was Singer or someone else.

From Singers to guitars. Thats a good progression. :lol:

 

[hansmoust]

Here is the complex where the New Hartford Guilds are made. It is much, much prettier than this vintage, sepia-toned photo depicts. Does anyone know the history of the building? I know a little, but not enough to feel comfortable to post anything. It is a beautiful setting and a beautiful building complex....a perfect place to make beautiful guitars.

It is clear that the Kaman corporation was always proud of the building where a lot of their manufacturing was done.

The people who took part in the various LTG-trips probably recognize this side of the building that was pictured quite often in various Ovation catalogs and other literature.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[Bing k]

Wow, Jeff, the Tacoma facility is/was sorta bleak, huh? :shock:

Can't judge a facility by its cover. :wink:

Joe

Aesthetically ONLY, I still like the quaint, historical building in New Hartford (about which I hope to learn more). I have no direct knowledge of the Tacoma facility from a production point-of-view. From the pictures that Jeff posted, the buildings and grounds are aesthetically not that pleasing (IMHO), aka bleak...thus, my statement was in concurrence with Jeff and John.

You're right Toni, the Tacoma plant( a leased property owned by a plywood company I believe) was more functional than a looker. The view at New Hartford bubbles in history.

 

[ladytexan]

It is clear that the Kaman corporation was always proud of the building where a lot of their manufacturing was done.

The people who took part in the various LTG-trips probably recognize this side of the building that was pictured quite often in various Ovation catalogs and other literature.

Thanks for adding the most excellent photos, Hans. The last one with the guys playing guitars in the doorway is priceless.

It is such a great facility....and, the refinished, diagonal maple floors are just beautiful. As you can see in this photo taken in the Custom Shop. The floors are throughout the facility.

 

[southernGuild]

Yea, No slights against the Tacoma folks at all......Or the guitars made there. ( On the contrary, hats off to them!) Just commenting on the buildings aesthetics.
For me, With that grand old factory in New Hartford, all that space, and it's idyllic location. Not many Guitar building factorys could compete with the 'look' and 'feel' of that place. ( Martin perhaps, especially with it's long history in the one spot, but in another way) It's such a beautiful and historic building, In a wonderful and natural enviornment there. It would be hard for a modern building to compare at all. Just a beautiful place to be building these lovely guitars.
I'd love to see more photos of what it looked like long ago, and the workers inside, etc. There must be more out there.
I sure enjoyed walking through there and taking it all in........It's a beautiful place in many ways. 8)
* I wonder why they didn't retain the ironwork ( and roofing) at the top of the tower. :roll: Perhaps they did, and will reinstall it at some future date. It really adds to the look of the place. 'Crowns it' and makes it look more regal.

 

[dapmdave]

Here is the complex where the New Hartford Guilds are made. It is much, much prettier than this vintage, sepia-toned photo depicts. Does anyone know the history of the building? I know a little, but not enough to feel comfortable to post anything. It is a beautiful setting and a beautiful building complex....a perfect place to make beautiful guitars.

It is clear that the Kaman corporation was always proud of the building where a lot of their manufacturing was done.

The people who took part in the various LTG-trips probably recognize this side of the building that was pictured quite often in various Ovation catalogs and other literature.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

The USA Ovations had it on the label...

Dave

 

[Bing k]

I have one of them in a 12 string

 

[chazmo]

New Hartford is a classic, New England mill. It's worth dwelling on the fact that for 100 years, these were the kinds of facilities that people built and worked in to make their textiles, wool, etc. around here. Very few of them are in the kind of shape that this one is in today; a real testament to the KMC legacy!

We have been really fortunate for the last 3 LMG events to be able to enjoy lovely weather and see the whole area in both spring and fall. New Hartford is really spectacular.

 

[hansmoust]

New Hartford is a classic, New England mill. It's worth dwelling on the fact that for 100 years, these were the kinds of facilities that people built and worked in to make their textiles, wool, etc. around here. Very few of them are in the kind of shape that this one is in today; a real testament to the KMC legacy!

While glancing over the two photos that I posted myself I noticed that the photo from the catalog showed a little extension on the top of the tower-like part of the building with a cast-iron looking railing; somewhat like a crown. I assumed that this was kind of a restoration thing that was done in more recent years; like something that had been damaged over time and returned to its original state.

Then I looked at this quite recent photo of the front of the building and I noticed that this extension wasn't there at all. It looked pretty much the same as in the first photo I posted.

Now it's not really all that important but adding that 'crown' on top of the building in the catalog photo must have been quite a bit of work for the artist who did it. And it also makes me wonder ............. why?


Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[chazmo]

Good catch, Hans. I'll have to ask!

You can see the wrought-iron fence in the bell tower itself is the same as the fenced "widow's walk" that we're talking about. The cap/roof of the building looks unchanged, or am I missing something? It's true, that might've been redone.

I suspect at one time people were allowed up on the roof, but that it was closed off and the fence was taken down. Or, a bad storm damaged it (ice can do amazingly bad things to a roof) and the whole cap had to be redone.

The historical account of the Greenwoods company that was mentioned earlier talks about a damaging flood from years ago. I doubt that would affect the crown of the building we're talking about, but hey... it's possible.

History in the making, eh Hans?

 

[hansmoust]

You can see the wrought-iron fence in the bell tower itself is the same as the fenced "widow's walk" that we're talking about. The cap/roof of the building looks unchanged, or am I missing something? It's true, that might've been redone.

I suspect at one time people were allowed up on the roof, but that it was closed off and the fence was taken down. Or, a bad storm damaged it (ice can do amazingly bad things to a roof) and the whole cap had to be redone.

Edit: Did a little more research and it looks like the catalog photo with the extension pre-dates the other photos, so there is a possibility that the catalog photo shows the building like it was during the '80s.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[ladytexan]

I wonder if some of the photos randyman took at LMG III might show the top of the tower? He did take quite a few photos of the outside of the building. Just a thought.

P.S. The wrought iron 'gates' in the openings at the base of the tower seem to be in all of the pictures.

 

[southernGuild]

* I wonder why they didn't retain the ironwork ( and roofing) at the top of the tower. :roll: Perhaps they did, and will reinstall it at some future date. It really adds to the look of the place. 'Crowns it' and makes it look more regal.

Pretty much what I raised in the previous post..........Any ideas where it's gone? Or If they plan to restore it?
I agree with Chaz.....Ice damage, ( Resulting in leaks) would be most likely. But, Is it planned to be redone and restored? That would be a big event! 8)
Imagine how much nicer the building would look it that detail is retained. That Ironwork, and coppersheeting, renstated to a new framework would really make that building stand proud. It would be quite Iconic really.....and great for the brand.
Like a 'finishing touch', and a real 'statement'. Something to be proud of in doing, and speaks well on a love of "tradition', and continued best practice. It would give the building back it's crowning glory.
A good look for Fender and Guild.

 

[chazmo]

Thanks for the detective work, Hans. A number of the employees were there in the '80s, and next time we're around I'll ask about that roof.

John, with the state of the economy, I think it's highly unlikely you'll see fancy ironwork on the top of that roof anytime in the near future. No argument though; it sure looked nice.

 

[chazmo]

Toni, folks,

Did you notice that the original picture is the centerpiece of the new Custom Shop section on the Guild web site:? Check it out:

http://www.guildguitars.com/custom-shop/

 

[Walter Broes]

Weird (or lazy) they're still showing those "photoshop creations" on the website for the American Patriarch series. They must have had time by now to take a couple of pictures of the actual prototype guitars they were showing at NAMM.

 

[Pike]

Looks like maybe the bottom of a cupola atop the tower in the first pic...