Fender to close New Hartford operations

[Warner_21]

Thanks to the Connecticut craftsman that built my NH F-47R.

Touring NH and seeing the dedication and craftsmanship there, was what convinced me to buy my new "made in Connecticut" Guild.

A low blow for the workers, and a sad day. :confusion:

 

[jeffcoop]

This is devastating news. I was lucky enough to be at LMG IV (the final one, I guess) to meet a number of the people who worked at the New Hartford facility. Now, all I can think of is those finely skilled and talented people losing their jobs. I feel sick.

 

[davismanLV]

I agree, Jeff. It's just gut-wrenching.....

 

[Cypress Knee]

I am not surprised. I usually check out guitar stores wherever I go and Guild is always under-represented, if present at all. You are far more likely to find a used Guild than a New Hartford Guild in a store.

I am a Guild fan. I am also a retailer (running shoes). Whenever a new or secondary brand sales rep shows up at my store and wants me to bring in their product, well, there is only so much shelf and display space and the product must turnover. When an existing sales rep shows up and wants me to bring in a new introduction, my question is always "Well, what has to go? Which of your current models do I need to discontinue to bring in the latest, greatest thing?"

I am just spouting off, but I think if I were in charge at Fender-Guild, there would be the F 512 and the F 412 first of all. The sales rep could march into any guitar shop in the country and proudly announce - "You do not have a 12 string that can compete with this" and he would be right. Then the F 50R. The F 50 has to compete head to head with the Gibson SJ 200, so make your jumbo rosewood, something that no one else has. These all have the G headstocks and block inlays. That is it. Period. Anything else is a loss leader.

You would have to dramatically reduce production staff.

Then Fender could market entry level guitars, USA or China made, I don't think many of those buyers know the difference. But perhaps then a requirement of carrying Telecasters and Stratocasters is that you must order a Guild 12 string and a Guild six string or no new Strats or Teles in your shop.

As a shop owner, maybe that is not a bad idea. In order to carry tons of Made in Mexico Strats and Teles, I have to bring in the best 12 string in the world and a legendary six string.

Just maybe something like that instead of all these new models would get these guys back in the game.

Just ranting, what do I really know.

CK

 

[ladytexan]

Dear Guild Employees,

I am devastated the New Hartford facility is going to be closed in the next months. You and your families are in my thoughts and prayers as you begin the transition. It's a scary time....the unknown as to what lies ahead is scary. As skilled craftsmen, my hope and wish is that you all find positions quickly and in locations that you want. I can only sing your praises as to the quality of the Guild guitars you make.

Wishing you the best, and with much admiration,

Toni Hynds
Boerne, TX

 

[Westerly Wood]

Hey, LTG LIVES!!

Joe

right on Joe!

 

[griehund]

I guess they didn't tell the Guild marketing team as they just posted a photo yesterday on facebook of Darren bending a Venetian cutaway with the cryptic caption: Electric!

I saw that and immediately thought of The Electric Slide.

 

[adorshki]

It's ridiculous to think that a mass-market manufacturer can find room in the corporate barn for a small boutique style company.

Actually when Fender bought 'em in '95 they weren't a small boutique style company, and it was a way for 'em (Fender) to finally get some street cred as an acoustic maker, I think.
NOt to say they didn't manage to impregnate the pooch in the ensuing years, and yet again.

 

[Brad Little]

Hmmm, a specialized manufacturing company moves leaving behind a uniquely skilled and talented workforce with no place to work....

Interestingly, that's how Guild started, when Epiphone moved to Philadelphia and some of the craftsmen stayed behind. Maybe a few NH workers will band together and start their own company, would be in the Guild tradition.
Brad

 

[Westerly Wood]

I emailed FMIC and here is response I got, 3-4 hrs later, which is really good response time. It would appear that Fender still plans to build US Guilds, but where, unknown...

Clayton,

Thanks for your interest and inquiry. 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. That is all the information we have at this time. Thanks, in advance, for your understanding.

Best,

Jason

Jason D. Farrell, MBA
Public Relations Manager
FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION (FMIC)

 

[silverfox103]

With all the times they've moved, how can people have confidence in their brand? I know I'm a glass half empty guy, but if I were to guess, this is it for Guild. Put a fork in em, they're done. Buyers will have zero confidence in them, you can see that here also. Maybe sometime in the future, someone will buy the name and produce a very small number of guitars, with a limited selection of models. The days of Guild being a production company are over, my 2 cents.

I hope I eat these words.

Tom

 

[srickl]

Sad, sad, sad day. And agreed that the State of Ct is clueless about business here

So pipe dream to give a glimmer of what could be: wouldn't it be nice if Mark Dronge was interested in picking up the brand? He and his daughter were awfully curious about the plant last August. Maybe it's just a pipe drem...

 

[Smitch]

Given what you mention, Watasha would be logic to assume FMIC will reallocate Guild's production. But, but... Where? Or even more important: why they decided to close NH? Looks like they do not learn from the past...

All the best,
B.

IF they decide to continue building Guilds, I'd suspect it will be outside of the US. I understand supply and demand and revenue requirements, so I guess I get it. However, the USA Guild mojo will never be replicated in my opinion. Those tried and true USA Guilds that we all love have probably just recieved a bump in value...

 

[Walter Broes]

Wow, sad news. I wouldn't like to be the guy who has to write the promo copy for the "all new and improved Corona made Guilds!". Glad I have my NH F47, it's a great guitar.

 

[southernGuild]

Early morning here, and what sad and shocking news to be greeted with. So much to take in and consider. My thoughts and feeling go out to the skilled, talented and proud workers there...who are soon to be without a job. ( Nice letter to them Toni!).
I have 2 NH Guilds, and my visit to the factory and meeting the crew there for LMGII has had much to do with that. Thank YOU NH Guild Guitar builders! I sure hope some good news comes your way.
Just so sad, ....and 'wrong'......... at many levels. WAnd, what a mess.
What a sad and sorry mess.
A sad day here.

 

[dapmdave]

Wow, what a shocker. So sad to see this happening to all the talented folks in New Hartford.

At the gut level, I just can't see US production resuming.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

It sounds like the new ownership dropped the axe with little warning.

Just be glad you aren't one of the employees who got this surprise today.

Perhaps there's a small chance a few of them will be able to transition to a possible new location...

Our guitars are still wonderful. Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water.

Lets keep LTG going strong.

Perhaps one of you photoshop geniuses could whip up a really good condolence card for the Guild staff, sign all our names to it in thanks for their hard work, and send it off to Kim to forward it to all of them?

 

[mr.d.bluster]

Interestingly, that's how Guild started, when Epiphone moved to Philadelphia and some of the craftsmen stayed behind. Maybe a few NH workers will band together and start their own company, would be in the Guild tradition.
Brad

I'd like to see something like that happen. It did in 1985, when Gibson moved from Kalamazoo to Nashville. Ex-employees stayed in the original Gibson factory (THE original one) and founded Heritage guitars. Similar models to Gibson's, but boutique quality. As far as I can tell from the web, their ES and LP type models are far nicer than the Gibsons that they are based on.

I just bought a NOS (demo) F-47R from 2009, and I'm amazed at its quality of build, playability, and sound. From everything I've been seeing and hearing, the work of the NH factory is at an all time peak for quality of workmanship, both Guild and Fender. It's so sad and disheartening to see that institution broken up, and the skilled workers dispersed.

Another ingredient in the mix is the fate of the Fender Custom Acoustic Shop. I don't see it being discontinued (although anything is possible). I suspect it, as well as ongoing Guild production, will be moved to Corona. I can see a significant amount of initial/rough work being done in Ensenada, with final assembly in Corona, in order to be advertised as "Made in USA." (Hmm...guitar "kits" being shipped to Corona for assembly...where have we heard that before?). But of course everything is only speculation until events unfold. I'll be really interested to see the state of Guild, and the Guild brand, in the next six to twelve months and beyond.

I wish all the current NH employees the best of outcomes under the circumstances.

 

[Neal]

Guild first won my trust in the quality and value of their Westerly guitars. They then earned my faith in their Tacoma guitars. More recently, they won me over with their New Hartford guitars.

But this might be "one toke over the line" for me, the way they throw skilled, dedicated employees out with the corporate garbage.

I want to feel good about what I play, not only because it's a great guitar, but also feeling that it was made with someone's heart and soul put into it, a few at a time.

Neal

 

[Yoko Oh No]

HEY FENDER......