New Hartford era

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So I am just starting to learn about Guild. I am from CT and have always liked the idea of playing an instrument built in my state. Call it hometown loyalty.

I know there was an era where Guild built guitars in CT. I'm toying with the idea of finding one to buy. Which guitars were built in the CT factory and during what years?

My current acoustic is an Eastman E20D which is asian made but to an incredible quality. What got me started on this search was looking at the Westerly OM140 and realizing that guild has american made guitars at reasonable prices on the used market.

Any info would be appreciated
Thanks
 

fronobulax

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The key word is New Hartford. By definition a New Hartford Guild was built in Connecticut. Factory was abruptly shut down in 2014. I'm not going to look up the begin date but it is about 2006 or 7. They built many of the traditional Guild models so it might be easier for you to start with things you are looking for - size, cutaway, factory electronics, tonewood preferences, etc. Budget might be a factor and it would be easier to find one with a $1000 budget than a $500 budget, IMO.
 

GGJaguar

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Welcome to LTG! The build quality of the Guilds made in New Hartford is excellent! You can get an idea of the models made there by looking at GAD's catalog collection from 2010-14. Have fun and good luck with your search!
 

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I have a lot of Guilds and was always a Westerly RI snob. After a LTG get-together where I got to play some other members New Hartfords, I now have a couple from there and they are top-notch instruments.
 
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Welcome to LTG! The build quality of the Guilds made in New Hartford is excellent! You can get an idea of the models made there by looking at GAD's catalog collection from 2010-14. Have fun and good luck with your search!
This catalog is incredibly helpful in understanding the line of guitars from that time

Generally what is the price range one could expect on the secondary market for a NH era Traditional series F30, D40 or D50?
 

fronobulax

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As a FYI, at this time, the nut width was 1 11/16" on the F-30 Traditional and 1 3/4" on the F-30 Standard. That difference bothers a lot of people.

The 2010 catalog has a F-30 about MRSP of $2700. (I wanted the 2011 number but I think GAD's price list is missing but I want to look harder before I tell him that). So street price was probably $1,600-$1,900. (Not that actually getting a Guild for 40% off MRSP was possibly but not likely. It looks like new F30's are in the $1,700 range. So I'd budget $1,200 to $1,500. I probably would be wrong but it is a place to start.
 
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As a FYI, at this time, the nut width was 1 11/16" on the F-30 Traditional and 1 3/4" on the F-30 Standard. That difference bothers a lot of people.

The 2010 catalog has a F-30 about MRSP of $2700. (I wanted the 2011 number but I think GAD's price list is missing but I want to look harder before I tell him that). So street price was probably $1,600-$1,900. (Not that actually getting a Guild for 40% off MRSP was possibly but not likely. It looks like new F30's are in the $1,700 range. So I'd budget $1,200 to $1,500. I probably would be wrong but it is a place to start.

Nut width is an interesting consideration. I do prefer a 1 3/4. My strat is 11/16 and I cant imagine playing that with thicker acoustic strings. It appears the main difference between traditional and standard otherwise is an adi vs spruce top. Is there anything else differentiating them? I'd rather have a more playable guitar than have to have an adi top.

Considering I already have a dreadnought I'd be looking at an OM, which is the F30. I may want to save up for another month or three if they are north of $1000. I'd be prepared to spend up to $1000 on one, but I'd like one in very good or better condition. I'll start tracking the forum, reverb, craigslist, etc.

You're all very helpful! I'm looking forward to when I get my first Guild!
 
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blakeb2193

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I am a longtime Westerly defender, but after my last 5 or 6 NH guilds, i am just about ready to move them to the number 1 or 2 spot for preferred guild factories. They are right there with Hoboken. Good Luck with your search!
 

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As a FYI, at this time, the nut width was 1 11/16" on the F-30 Traditional and 1 3/4" on the F-30 Standard. That difference bothers a lot of people.

The 2010 catalog has a F-30 about MRSP of $2700. (I wanted the 2011 number but I think GAD's price list is missing but I want to look harder before I tell him that). So street price was probably $1,600-$1,900. (Not that actually getting a Guild for 40% off MRSP was possibly but not likely. It looks like new F30's are in the $1,700 range. So I'd budget $1,200 to $1,500. I probably would be wrong but it is a place to start.

Hmm... My posted 2011 price list seems to not have any prices! Edit - I just looked at the physical copy. It says "Price List" right on the cover but has no prices!
 

fronobulax

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I should have made it clear that my comments were restricted to the F-30 and Standard vs. Traditional. Mrs. Fro. had the opportunity to play a number of guitars at the factory, fell in love with with the orchestra size and picked the Traditional over the Standard. My recollection, and a search of LTG can confirm my memory, is that in general the Traditional was NCL finish and the Standard was satin and the bracing was different between the two series. Those differences applied to all models. The F-30 Traditional binding was tortoiseshell and the Standard was a muted white.
 

twocorgis

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I own seven New Hartford Guilds, and they're the cream of the Guild crop as far as I'm concerned. I've played great Guilds from all the factories, but none of them have the consistency of New Hartford.
 

beecee

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I own seven New Hartford Guilds, and they're the cream of the Guild crop as far as I'm concerned. I've played great Guilds from all the factories, but none of them have the consistency of New Hartford.


great....I don't need to hear this. There is a NH F-50 and an F-212 for sale near me, (2 diff sellers),. Both Standard models.

I really don't need to hear this.
 

richardp69

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I am a longtime Westerly defender, but after my last 5 or 6 NH guilds, i am just about ready to move them to the number 1 or 2 spot for preferred guild factories. They are right there with Hoboken. Good Luck with your search!

No argument there. NH builds are typically exceptional IMHO. I'll tell ya though, IMHO the Tacoma builds don't take a back seat to anyone.. I've had several but think I'm down to just a F 50R and a F 47M right now.

I always feel pretty safe and comfortable when buying a NH though. hard to go wrong.
 

Rambozo96

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I remember about 10 years ago or so the local music store had a new Guild jumbo 12 that was a New Hartford build. I remember it being a fantastic instrument, I just never was big on 12 strings and the maintenance and extra wear and tear involved with adding 6 extra strings.
 

Rambozo96

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Unfortunately after Fender sold Guild to Cordoba that local music shop ceased carrying Guild guitars which is a shame.
 

GGJaguar

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And really, in my experience, the Oxnard guitars are built just as well as the New Hartford guitars. Super high quality, excellent fit and finish, great attention to detail. Morever, they sound just as good, too. :)
 

Westerly Wood

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So I am just starting to learn about Guild. I am from CT and have always liked the idea of playing an instrument built in my state. Call it hometown loyalty.

I am with you Duke...I came into Guild as an older guitar player, kind of my last stop re iconic acoustic guitar brands. I suddenly one day realized that Guild was headquartered in Westerly RI and since I lived in Newport RI as a teenager and went there as a kid in summers, my parents loved that city by the sea, I just was blown away that there was an acoustic guitar mfg 30 mins from my and I never knew it. That started for me back in 2012, so I been a fan since and only own Guilds today because of that, and I stick to Westerly RI Guilds too because of that nostalgia too.

When I came to find out about Guilds, 2012, they were still in New Hartford and those were good times on the LTG. I remember reading post after post about these amazing Ren Ferguson acoustics, and the Let's Meet Guild events where Guild would invite LTGers to NH for a weekend to check out the factory and have jam sessions. Very special this company and those times. Till Fender sold them...
 

Rich Cohen

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The cool thing about Guilds is that no matter where they were built, even today in Oxnard, CA, the tradition of holding to the original idea of the Guild guitar, acoustic or electric, has been honored and practiced down the years, no matter where. Yes, some of us have great respect for New Hartford Guilds, but even the sometimes dissed Corona, CA Guilds are also very good, not to mention the Hoboken and Westerly models as well.
 
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