9 > 6

[chazmo]

I was just musing over the fact that Oxnard is in its 9th year of producing Guild acoustics. That's an unsung victory of sorts. Since Westerly was shuttered, Guild floated from Corona to Tacoma to New Hartford with none even coming close to Oxnard's 9 year stewardship. New Hartford, by comparison, was only in its 6th year when Fender pulled the plug.

Congrats CMG/Oxnard.

Following on with that thought... What constantly irks me is that after 11(!) years of CMG ownership, we (LTGers) still have next to zero contact with CMG and the Oxnard shop. It only took me a year of bugging the crap out of New Hartford's general manager before we were allowed "in." And I mean really in! I miss those great, open days, and I wish someone would take up the mantle of making Guild fans a part of Guild's future again.

Anyway, I thought I'd express those thoughts. And now with the huge unknown of the nascent Yamaha Guitar Group having complete control over CMG, Guild faces a future obscured with corporate bureaucracy. Who stands up for the brand?

 

[twocorgis]

The New Hartford tours were heady times indeed, but don't necessarily have to be the end of the party. CMG didn't seem much interested in hosting us, but who knows? Yamaha Guitar Group might. I certainly doesn't hurt to ask, as I guess the worst they could say is no.

 

[GAD]

Anyway, I thought I'd express those thoughts. And now with the huge unknown of the nascent Yamaha Guitar Group having complete control over CMG, Guild faces a future obscured with corporate bureaucracy. Who stands up for the brand?

You don’t think Fender was “obscured with corporate bureaucracy?”

I can’t say why they caved and let LTG see into the factory, but I’d venture a guess that the LMG events there were an exception rather than the rule. Have any other brands done such a thing? Note also that from a business standpoint 2024 is a very different world. I’ve seen single YouTubers do factory tours and certainly Martin has its museum, but a full group event with star performers?

I think it’s awesome that you got LTG in to see the factory and I’ve been annoyed with myself ever since for thinking “I’ll go to the next one”, but I would view that event as a victory and not the current situation as a failure.

 

[chazmo]

You don’t think Fender was “obscured with corporate bureaucracy?”

I was thinking about that, GAD, and yes that's true... But, my experiences in New Hartford showed me that there was a lot autonomy and also love for the brand(s) that was infused in the people there. It was certainly a case of Fender overlordship, but not a case of lost in the company that could happen with Guild in its current state. Even more to the point, our LMG events allowed us to talk directly with some of the Fender big wigs -- I mean top brass -- as much as the New Hartford folks. So, we had some real exposure to what was actually going on in "the bureaucracy."

Have any other brands done such a thing?

ANother good question... The beauty in New Hartford was that Ovation and Hamer preceded us. The OFC had great events in New Hartford before we came along, so the big difference with us is that I/we pushed them to continue a wonderful "tradition" with us even under Fender's stewardship. I didn't know anything about OFC or the Hamer fans before I pestered them to have us there.

Is there another brand doing such things.... Well, Taylor was totally setting the bar for customer interaction and factory visits when I pursued LMG... I think New Hartford management recognized that Guild had a strong, loyal voice in LTG that needed to be heard.

 

[walrus]

PRS has been doing a "PRS Experience" event for years until the pandemic. There is talk they will start again next year. Concerts with PRS Artists, factory tours, guitar show, etc. Usually over a few days I think.

They have brought back individual factory tours this past year.

https://prsguitars.com/tours

 

[Br1ck]

That is a nice run for any company. Time sure flys by. And there are very few complaints. Yamaha will ensure QC is high, but maybe it's just Oxnard business as usual.