How do the Hoboken Guitars stack up
- Thread starter capquest
- Start date
West R Lee
Venerated Member
I don't think there are that many left, comparatively speaking. Keep in mind that Guild didn't build in Hoboken for that long compared to the 30 or so years they built in Westerly. I would think too that during that time frame, manufacturing techniques weren't condusive to a large volume of guitars being built. Just aren't that many of them around, but those who've got 'em love 'em.
West
West
Hey, cap,
Do you have a copy of Hans Moust's book ("The Guild Guitar Book")? If not, you must get one.
He covers this period of the company's history. A few of the top Guild supervisors from Hoboken made the transition to Westerly to get the plant working efficiently and ramp up production levels. This was around 1969. It's a great read, by the way, and horribly tragic with Al Dronge's death shortly after the move (if I recall right).
West may be right about the numbers, but quite a few different models were already in the Guild line-up before the transition to Westerly. There was apparently tremendous creativity in the Hoboken and NY years.
Do you have a copy of Hans Moust's book ("The Guild Guitar Book")? If not, you must get one.
He covers this period of the company's history. A few of the top Guild supervisors from Hoboken made the transition to Westerly to get the plant working efficiently and ramp up production levels. This was around 1969. It's a great read, by the way, and horribly tragic with Al Dronge's death shortly after the move (if I recall right).
West may be right about the numbers, but quite a few different models were already in the Guild line-up before the transition to Westerly. There was apparently tremendous creativity in the Hoboken and NY years.
West,
I know that to be true. When mine was being built I was living in New Hope Pa. which is only 50 miles from NYC and I vaguely remember going to Hoboken to see the instrument being built. When my friend bought it for me they told us that it would be built on a custom basis. I actually waited a few months for it.
As I remember the parts and pieces of three guitars were being stored in a large cabinet and being built by one man. I THINK his name was Rimarez or something like that. Anyway, it was not really what you would call a factory.
A few years later I visited Nazareth and the Martin factory was a much bigger place.
BTW. Someone at Guild told me that one of the other F50s in that cabinet went to Dave VanRonk. Who know? It was 1966.
Cap
I know that to be true. When mine was being built I was living in New Hope Pa. which is only 50 miles from NYC and I vaguely remember going to Hoboken to see the instrument being built. When my friend bought it for me they told us that it would be built on a custom basis. I actually waited a few months for it.
As I remember the parts and pieces of three guitars were being stored in a large cabinet and being built by one man. I THINK his name was Rimarez or something like that. Anyway, it was not really what you would call a factory.
A few years later I visited Nazareth and the Martin factory was a much bigger place.
BTW. Someone at Guild told me that one of the other F50s in that cabinet went to Dave VanRonk. Who know? It was 1966.
Cap
Cap, your guitar is very special, and really speaks to the creativity of the Hoboken years. I don't know if Guild ultimately was able to occupy more of the Hoboken building during their stay there, but Hans says they started there with around 6000 sq ft! Talk about a sweat shop!!! 
Hi capquest; I have a '66 Hoboken F212 that has the coppery, highly-colored harmonics that are the signature of Guild mahogany guitars and characteristic of most older guitars. I've also owned a '72 F30, a '73 F48, and an '80 F412, all Westerlys but no Westerly F212 so I can't make a direct comparison but I think any Hoboken with a straight neck is worth owning. CJTres said:
creeksideguy
Junior Member
Tres, I also have a 1964 D-40. How is yours braced? Just curious. I also have a 1954 F-40,first year for Guilds I believe.
Lee
Lee
creeksideguy
Junior Member
Capnjuan,
I`ll get some pictures for you to see. I think it is actually a 1953, I`ll check the serial number again.
Lee
I`ll get some pictures for you to see. I think it is actually a 1953, I`ll check the serial number again.
Lee
hansmoust
Enlightened Member
creeksideguy said:
Hello Lee,
If I remember correctly you have a model from 1954, which would be the first year for a Guild flat top .......... and obviously not a Hoboken made one!
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl
creeksideguy
Junior Member
Hi Hans, I think I sent you the pictures of the F-40, If you still have them would you mind adding them to this thread? Also I checked last night and it is a 1954.
Thanks Hans,
Lee
Thanks Hans,
Lee