Guild Factory Tour (through Toronto dealer)

[db62]

Thought this article would be of interest (not sure if this is the right forum). Seems several Guild dealers were flown to the Guild Factory in Westerly Rhode Island. Here is an account of a Toronto dealers' trip:

http://www.12fret.com/new/Guild_2009_pg.html

 

[FNG]

Nice looking F-47 M in ATB..

 

[kostask]

Hi,

Sorry to be a stickler for detail, but both your posting, and the 12th fret refer to Westerly, and as far as I know, Westerly has been closed for approximately 10 years. All the new American made Gulds are being made in New Haven, Connecticut. Is there now a facility in Westerly again?

Kostas

 

[kitniyatran]

The article opens saying the tour was "a special on-time opportunity to see the Guild guitar factory in New Hartford Connecticut.", then says "we finally set down at Westerly for a late dinner and bed". Confusing. :?

 

[chazmo]

Mando... I think Westerly was just a typo, and he meant New Hartford. What I read in that article was based on the dealer summit that was held in Sept. (in New Hartford). What I found odd was discussion of 50s and 60s jigs... I didn't think any of the old equipment was ever salvaged.. So, yeah, this remains a bit confusing.

I also think the OP's post here was confused because of that. Again, the article was intending to talk about the dealer summit. I know dealers were invited to pick and choose among the stock there to bring back to sell at their stores. AFAIK, there weren't ever any tours/summits given like this in Westerly (I might be wrong about that).

For the record, I have contacted the GM again this evening to arrange an LTG tour. Cross your fingers.

 

[plaidseason]

Definitely typos.

Groton-New London Airport is quite a ways from New Hartford and also not a commercial airport! My guess is they touched down at Bradley in Windsor Locks, which is still isn't that close to New Hartford and probably stayed in Torrington which is.

I'm looking forward to a (relatively) short drive for our factory tour!

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Man....I'm LOVING the looks of this D40BG

 

[12stringer]

Awesome looking Guitar! I love that color of burst and the pick guard gives it that classic look. 8)

Man....I'm LOVING the looks of this D40BG

 

[southernGuild]

that F-47 MATB HAS SURE GOT ME IN A SPIN!!!! OH I NEED SOME LUCKY LOTTERY NUMBERS.........OR SOMETHING!!! :roll:

 

[southernGuild]

and Yea, Whats all that about Westerly? You would think he knew where he landed and all that. I was wondering....WHY would they fly folks there?...isnt that a funiture making shop ( and a few more things too?) now? WHATS he on about!!.........and makes me wonder..............Really makes me wonder. :roll: There's a bustle in my hedge-row. .....and,....I'm alarmed now! :shock: SG

 

[db62]

Don't shoot the messenger Just sharing what I thought would be an interesting article and some great looking guitars! Seems like the article succeeded with the latter.

 

[cjd-player]

What I found odd was discussion of 50s and 60s jigs... I didn't think any of the old equipment was ever salvaged.. So, yeah, this remains a bit confusing.

The author also stated that the guitars are the same as those made in Westerly. According to a post made several weeks ago, some things like the top geometry (I can't remember all of the details) have been changed in the NH guitars.

EDIT
Found the old post from Bing:

Well a couple of weeks ago we received a couple of the New Hartford guitars. A D-55 and an F50R.

D-55, Right away we notice a couple of the design changes we heard about which we think are a step in the right direction.
The radius of the top has been changed from 40 feet to 30 feet and the bracing is now red Adirondack . The change in the radius necessitates a change in the neck angle but it doesn't change the "feel"
To quote my Fender rep"The tighter top radius helps to improve the overall projection, presence, and sustain of the guitars"
Drive the top harder; would be another way of saying it I suppose.
Our lead studio instructor said when he first opened the case and strummed it, "Great tone, outstanding".

The action is pretty decent with out adjustment and it plays very well.
Fit and finish are great.
When I first played it the thing I noticed besides the great tone is it's undoubtedly the loudest D-55 I ever played right out of the box, leaving me to believe great things are to come as it ages.

The F50R has that bold bottom end it's famous for and "articulate highs" and the action is also very good. I'm going to spend some more time with this guitar and get a better handle on what changes if any are in the design.

They look and sound good!

 

[Graham]

There was a rep from a Toronto area music store, LA Music, at Arlington. He spent a couple of hours with us at the Yacht Club. He had taken the tour as well. Though they have not been very active in Guilds in the past, he was very optimistic with what he saw in quality and value. He hand picked 6 new Hartford Guilds to take back to the store.

I have not been to see them, I think I should.

Perhaps a room full of Guilds jamming that Saturday evening also played a role in his appeal for the guitars? :roll:

 

[c70man]

Thought this article would be of interest (not sure if this is the right forum). Seems several Guild dealers were flown to the Guild Factory in Westerly Rhode Island. Here is an account of a Toronto dealers' trip:

http://www.12fret.com/new/Guild_2009_pg.html

That F47R is to die for.....

Dear Santa........

 

[Ross]

Looks like I'll have to swing by "the Fret" this weekend.

 

[chazmo]

Update...

Mr. Untermyer said he'd try to get our tour arranged and then he'd get back to me. I believe, now, that this is going to happen. Stay tuned for a new thread (hopefully soon) where we start planning our meet down there (in New Hartford, that is, not Westerly. )... although, perhaps, our meet will make a trek down there to pay homage??

 

[Graham]

Update...

Mr. Untermyer said he'd try to get our tour arranged and then he'd get back to me. I believe, now, that this is going to happen. Stay tuned for a new thread (hopefully soon) where we start planning our meet down there (in New Hartford, that is, not Westerly. )... although, perhaps, our meet will make a trek down there to pay homage??

Thanks Chaz,

Lead time is a bonus!

 

[chazmo]

I agree. I said as much to Mr. U.

I'll be in touch with everyone when we have a date and then we can start making our plans for a meet. SHould be good!

 

[fronobulax]

Looking forward to it. Hope it can happen on a Saturday with lots of advance notice.

 

[G S E]

Thanks a lot db ,
Now you've got me drooling all over my desk looking at that F-47R and the F-50R , L O L ... Oh well , some day ...
Jerry