We all know that each instrument has a unique personality. With Fenders and Gibsons you can walk into any Guitar Center and try a half dozen different examples of the same model. If one of them clicks you buy it, otherwise move on. That's just not possible with Guilds, at least not in my area. You take your chances.
It hasn't been possible for about 8 years at least, now.
When New Hartford was just starting to ship product they specifically mentioned they weren't out to compete in the price-slashing mudbath of big box stores and they couldn't produce enough to satisfy Guitar Center's minimum requirements in any case.
They explicitly said they were looking to sign up real traditional brick and mortar stores where the instruments would be presented and sold by people who were serious about music and not just retail clerks.
They
needed to be sold that way because they were trying to elevate the brand to a niche between high-end Taylors/Martins/Gibsons and "real" boutique makers.
So yes it made convenient A/B-ing very difficult but at least you understand what the reasoning was and that Guild was never able to compete at the volume levels of "the big boys".
If you get a dud then it either sits in the case unplayed or you go to the trouble of selling and finding another.
Personally I think the counterpoint to the small volume problem is extremely low percentage of "duds" especially for brand new guitars.
I've read enough posts over the years that say just that and even a few from folks who've changed their minds and decided Guild is the one brand they
wouldn't worry about ordering untested anymore.
But, regarding Oxnard, I'm back with the folks who are "waiting to see".
Ren's presence is extremely encouraging though.
EDIT: I was guilty of not re-reading your entire post and what I said doesn't apply to NS guitars, Frono's observations about stocking economics and "franchise fragmentation" are more relevant there.
And I'm completely in the dark about CMG's relationship with the N.S. maker in Korea, that may be playing a part at the current time.
Don't know if that relationship's still viable or maybe it was interrupted and re-negotiated which by itself could cause several months of short supply.
Anybody know?
Another possiblity is the "online guys" place their orders way ahead of time and/or they're large enough to ensure they maintain their priority in the face of $$ temptations to show favoritism to other younger orders, that does happen.
It may take a few decades but I think the days of being able to walk in a store, say "just looking" and get hands on experience with a durable consumer good that is available to be shipped from many retailers will soon be over.
Durable consumer goods.
Demos.
The next time I'm in the market for a washing machine I'll take load of laundry around to and tell 'em if they wanna sell me a machine they better give me a test drive.
In fact, I may just start doing my laundry that way and save a bundle.
