After the glowing report from New Hartford tour

[P-E-Z]

Has your opinion changed about buying NEW HARTFORD Guild?

 

[killdeer43]

Has your opinion changed about buying NEW HARTFORD Guild?

Nope.
I'm just a Westerly kind of guy, but I am open to accepting gifts for almost any occasion. :wink:

Joe

 

[dapmdave]

Having now read the gushing and glowing reports from the LMG group, I am more open to a New Hartford than I may have been before. It would be nice if there was one around here to check out. It's not like I live out in the backwoods. They need to get 'em out there!

Dave

 

[fronobulax]

Having now read the gushing and glowing reports from the LMG group, I am more open to a New Hartford than I may have been before. It would be nice if there was one around here to check out. It's not like I live out in the backwoods. They need to get 'em out there!

Dave

There was discussion about distribution. They said they were actively trying to re-engage with dealers who used to stock Guild but took a "wait and see" attitude more recently. The waiting is hopefully over. For several reasons, economic as well as political, you probably should not look for New Hartford Guilds at your local Guitar Center. While the role of GC in Guild's marketing is internally debated the reality at this moment is that the factory is not yet producing the volume that GC demands if they are going to stock.

 

[cjd-player]

Is New Hartford making the finest Guilds ever?
That's an unrealistic generalization, just like a broad brush of any manufacturer.

Because of the use of CNC and some other clever manufacturing tooling the New Hartford guitars are more dimensionally consistent from guitar to guitar, compared to Westerly and Tacoma. They also have some subtle but significant design changes - top radius, neck tenon, heel block, tuning machines, etc. - all of which effect weight and the voice of the instrument. The necks are dovetail and are set by hand, so that variability still exists. One Guild employee mentioned that a variation in the neck angle of 0.3 degrees results in a difference of about 1/8 inch at the bridge. So getting the correct neck angle is still a challenge for any company using a hand-set dovetail joint.

In the end, there are still manufactuing and tone bell curves. A small fractiuon of the guitars are outstanding and a small fraction are less than desired, and there are tone differences between different guitars of the same model. I think it still comes down to the individual guitar. Not where it was made.

 

[Ridgemont]

Has your opinion changed about buying NEW HARTFORD Guild?

I have played a few over the past year including the GSR F40. No my opinion has not changed. I have been itchin' for a New Hartford F30 for a while but just can't seem to find enough change under the couch.

 

[Ridgemont]

Is New Hartford making the finest Guilds ever?
That's an unrealistic generalization, just like a broad brush of any manufacturer.

Because of the use of CNC and some other clever manufacturing tooling the New Hartford guitars are more dimensionally consistent from guitar to guitar, compared to Westerly and Tacoma. They also have some subtle but significant design changes - top radius, neck tenon, heel block, tuning machines, etc. - all of which effect weight and the voice of the instrument. The necks are dovetail and are set by hand, so that variability still exists. One Guild employee mentioned that a variation in the neck angle of 0.3 degrees results in a difference of about 1/8 inch at the bridge. So getting the correct neck angle is still a challenge for any company using a hand-set dovetail joint.

In the end, there are still manufactuing and tone bell curves. A small fractiuon of the guitars are outstanding and a small fraction are less than desired, and there are tone differences between different guitars of the same model. I think it still comes down to the individual guitar. Not where it was made.

+1.

 

[MojoTooth]

"The jury is still out on this one"

They very well make fine instruments out of the New Hartford plant, but I believe I will still prefer a Westerly Guild. Plus I have to imagine the prices out of New Hartford will be outrageous, especially with their guitars being a "new hot" item. They know they will not only attract Guild faithfuls but also many new and first time Guild buyers who will pay for the "new hot" guitar without a second thought.

I will wait and see how it all progresses, but for now I will be happy to stick with Westerly Guilds and even the Corona ones.

 

[krysh]

No I am only buying used pre Fender Guilds,

since I don't plan to buy an acoustic in the near future and don't even have the funds to do it. I'll stick with the used pre-fender basses and leccies.

 

[killdeer43]

I think it still comes down to the individual guitar. Not where it was made.

There it is, the old bottom line.
Works for me.

Joe

 

[tjmangum]

I have played some of the New Hartford guitars and found them to be good, but different from previous incarnations of the brand. I'll ditto previous comments of "it comes down to the individual guitar." Heck, I've had a few Westerlys that did nothing for me.
On second thought, I think I will refuse to buy a New Hartford until they move the strap button from that strange spot on the upper bout. Did anybody ask about that?
tj

 

[cjd-player]

until they move the strap button from that strange spot on the upper bout. Did anybody ask about that?
tj

It came up in the discussion. They seem to be aware that some folks don't like it there.

All they would say is that they are looking at the strap button issue. They did not give details.

 

[geoguy]

I assume that the poll questions were written with tongue firmly in cheek . . . :wink:

My take is that I'm more likely to purchase a New Hartford Guild after having toured that factory. At first I was skeptical after hearing that Guilds were once again being built in New England, but the factory tour made it seem more real.

And the employees seem very committed to producing high-quality products. I think our tour guide said that roughly 80 percent of their employees were also guitar players, & the remaining 20 percent are craftspeople who have worked a long time in the Hamer/Ovation factory.

 

[FNG]

"The jury is still out on this one"

They very well make fine instruments out of the New Hartford plant, but I believe I will still prefer a Westerly Guild. Plus I have to imagine the prices out of New Hartford will be outrageous, especially with their guitars being a "new hot" item. They know they will not only attract Guild faithfuls but also many new and first time Guild buyers who will pay for the "new hot" guitar without a second thought.

I will wait and see how it all progresses, but for now I will be happy to stick with Westerly Guilds and even the Corona ones.

Based on what I take from the factory tours..CNC'd parts with relatively small production numbers and what seems to be high attention to each guitar, the prices aren't really outrageous, just in line with the market for that type of guitar.

 

[dreadnut]

I didn't see an option for Westerly Guilds after Fender bought them, they churned out some sweet instruments from '95 until the plant closing.

 

[MojoTooth]

"The jury is still out on this one"

They very well make fine instruments out of the New Hartford plant, but I believe I will still prefer a Westerly Guild. Plus I have to imagine the prices out of New Hartford will be outrageous, especially with their guitars being a "new hot" item. They know they will not only attract Guild faithfuls but also many new and first time Guild buyers who will pay for the "new hot" guitar without a second thought.

I will wait and see how it all progresses, but for now I will be happy to stick with Westerly Guilds and even the Corona ones.

Based on what I take from the factory tours..CNC'd parts with relatively small production numbers and what seems to be high attention to each guitar, the prices aren't really outrageous, just in line with the market for that type of guitar.

What kind of entry level or intermediate prices are they looking at? That would be my next question.

 

[fronobulax]

What kind of entry level or intermediate prices are they looking at? That would be my next question.

Not sure what your question is. As far as I know this pricelist applies to New Hartford Guilds available now. I suspect that the "standard" series, when released might be less but there was no indication of pricing at LMG.

 

[MojoTooth]

What kind of entry level or intermediate prices are they looking at? That would be my next question.

Not sure what your question is. As far as I know this pricelist applies to New Hartford Guilds available now. I suspect that the "standard" series, when released might be less but there was no indication of pricing at LMG.

How many models under $1000? That pdf is tough to scan but I only saw maybe 3-4? Hopefully the Standard series will be lest costly, otherwise I'd rather shell out the bucks for a Westerly, just my honest opinion.

 

[Guest]

I think the processes and methodology of how they make their guitars is always being re-examined which is great for quality control!!

I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and the attention to detail from those guys and girls.

Thanks to everyone for all of your knowledge and candidness with me. I'm new to Guild, but I know quality when I see it.

:wink:

 

[Graham]

Thanks to everyone for all of your knowledge and candidness with me. I'm new to Guild, but I know quality when I see it.

:wink:

Thanks for making the trip and I wish I could have heard you play.