Do you know, were there 25th anniversary models, and do you know when they were produced?
I'm not aware of a 1977 "Guild 25th anniversary model". But there was a Westerly made "25th Anniversary D-25" in 1995!
Hans
said about it: "
...The '25 Anniversary D-25' name is a 'joke' that would do well in 'The Funny Papers' section!"
Now the Nashville Custom Shop celebrated with a 45th anniversary model in 1997! (which means 1952 founded).
See also:
http://westerlyguildguitars.com/guitars/45thanniversary.html
All the dates on that certificate were Jan 1, 1997 independend of serial number. As you see it already showed FMIC in small print, so at least in 1997 they had their history correct, but lost that 5 or then 6 years later with the 50th anniversary model...
Now let's look in the catalogues.
Year 2000 and 2001 catalogs:
Year 2002 Fender Frontline catalog:
So far all good.
And now the change:
Year 2003 Guild catalog:
...
It's funny how they even quote Hans book on the right side and did not see the error in the year.
FMIC's former Jeff Livingston, who now lives in Brittany in France, is to "blame", at least he put his name under the birthday story.
Now CMG
shows it as follows as of today:
But they continue using the "
Since 1953" in the logo, and I think if the first guitars were made in 1953 that would be technically o.k., but usually you refer to the date when the company was founded, not the date the first products left the building. So to me it should shows "
Since 1952".
Ralf