@Tim: Well, that will be all written correctly in Hans' new book, but until that is out we have to use whatever sources are available... So quoting the source I mentioned in the post before:
"Unfortunately, the remaining members of the investment group (Gruhn had already left) defaulted on bank obligations in November of 1988, leading to a court supervised financial restructuring. The Faas Corporation of New Berlin, Wisconsin (now U.S. Musical Corporation) bought Guild in January 1989. ... Guild was purchased by FMIC in 1995. ... In 2001 production was moved to Corona, CA." As previously mentioned at LTG the last remaining employees (who are members here) closed the door in Westerly in December 2001.
Fender acquired the Tacoma Guitar Company end of October 2004. (I have seen an article from 11/1/2004). Fender began building Guild guitars in Tacoma "after February 2005" (info in Guild serial number list).
Regarding move from Tacoma to NH: The announcement was done on Jan 31, 2008:
"SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – (Jan 31, 2008 ) Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) announced today it will move production of Guild Guitars from Tacoma, Wash. to its newly acquired Ovation and Hamer Guitar manufacturing facility in New Hartford, Conn. The move will take place as a phased operational transfer, expected to be completed before the end of the year.
FMIC’s recent (Dec. 31, 2007) acquisition of Bloomfield, Conn. based Kaman Music Corp. also included the purchase of KMC’s Ovation and Hamer guitar brands, and their manufacturing facility in New Hartford, Conn."
Ralf