This is all sad to hear, but I can't help but wonder if Fender is to blame or the buying public? Starting almost 20 years ago Fender rescued the brand and in spite of moving the manufacturing site over and over, went out of their way to create a well made competitive product that the public has never quite embraced. Distribution in recent years has not been strong, but is that Fender's fault or that of the retailers who chose not to carry the brand? How long can Fender itself continue? How many darn variations on the Strat & Tele can they possibly make? As the financial numbers have pointed out, Fender, nor GC are in great shape. If GC goes down, who will they take with them?
If you ask most guitar people about acoustics, they will tell you about Martin, Taylor, Gibson..... and maybe, just maybe, Guild. I love Guild and have way too many of their guitars, but to most people it's an afterthought brand and after today's news, might well become one of those "remember when"s. How many here have bought new Guild guitars? (I've bought a few) Obviously, not enough players in world have, or they wouldn't shut it down.