Madeira - Adjusted by Guild?
- Thread starter MartyG
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GGJaguar
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Maybe the guitars were sent to Westerly for inspection before they went to dealers. I think Guild was doing that with the Westerly and Newark Street line based on the photos GAD had posted from his QA contact. I know G&L does it with their Indonesian Tribute line (but, oddly, not the Tributes sold by GC/MF).
Bill Ashton
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If I remember correctly, that is what New Hartford did with the GAD's...it was said, just before they closed that plant, that a pallet of import guitars had been rejected, but I am not sure if the reference was to the GAD's of the time or Newark Streets...
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
Madeira Guitars were shipped from Guild's office in 225 West Grand St., Elizabeth, NJ, not from Westerly. (at least in 1981)
There was also a second slogan around 1977:
Or in 1978:
Ralf
There was also a second slogan around 1977:
Or in 1978:
Ralf
Marty, I think you're asking a really good question.
I thought Madeira was a brand name owned by Guild, but perhaps I misunderstood or perhaps Guild bought the rights to the name after this point in time.
I think what Bill A. is referring to is not Guild GAD guitars (though that is possible), but rather Epiphone imports that I think New Hartford had responsibility for inspecting. I think this was part of Kaman's responsibility when Fender took them over, but I am not at all certain.
I thought Madeira was a brand name owned by Guild, but perhaps I misunderstood or perhaps Guild bought the rights to the name after this point in time.
I think what Bill A. is referring to is not Guild GAD guitars (though that is possible), but rather Epiphone imports that I think New Hartford had responsibility for inspecting. I think this was part of Kaman's responsibility when Fender took them over, but I am not at all certain.
kitniyatran
Senior Member
Why would Fender have Guild inspect Epiphones, which are a Gibson product?
adorshki
Reverential Member
My understanding was that no GAD's ever went through a Guild plant, they were warehoused and distributed exclusively by Fender.
As the memory percolates, seem to recall possibly some of the Arcos' did, and the NS models and the American Patriarchs went through NH, at some point at least.
Ralf? (@SFIV1967)
I believe it was a holdover from when Kaman Music owner of Ovation and Hamer brands owned the New Hartford plant, kitniyatran. In any case, the only thing I'm certain of is that it was SOME brand that we all knew that was sending their imports through New Hartford.
I can't give you a business reason, but things like this happen for various reasons, including corporate quality control and corporate financial management. As I said, I remember that it was inherited from Kaman, not part of Fender's normal operations when they took over. And, again, I'm not sure it was Epiphone, but I think so.
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
That would have been my understanding as well. FMIC had a warehouse (no longer existing) for that in Southern CA, if memory is correct it was located at 1151 Mildred St # B, Ontario,CA, near the airport there.
Arcos I highly doubt. The Ensenada products had nothing to do with NH.
NS models I doubt as well, I'd say they also went through the FMIC Ontario warehouse.
And American Patriarch was made in NH!
Ralf
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
Epiphone had nothing to do with Kaman. Kaman used to own part of Takamine and was the exclusive distributor of Takamine guitars, Bill Kaman used to sit on the Board of Directors of Takamine.
KAMAN CORP. PLAYS ALONG WITH SPLIT IN GUITAR WORLD
In the guitar industry, Kaman Corp. of Bloomfield stands at center stage. Like a concert musician, it assumes a stance in front of adoring fans. Its right foot is firmly planted in the round-back w…
www.courant.com
Ralf
That's it, Ralf! Takamine, not Epiphone! Yup, I'm certain that Taks were coming into New Hartford and being inspected there by KMC folks. How long that continued after the takeover by Fender I don't know. But it was mentioned to me!
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
I'd guess it was a phantasy name Guild came up with for the import line. I don't think they bought rights of an previously existing name.
Ralf
That article is really good, Marty. I did NOT know that any Madeiras came from Korea; I thought they were all MIJ. But that does explain the label differences.
This article supports my understanding that Madeira is/was a Guild-owned product, not just a distribution license for a Madeira brand that existed outside of Guild.
Yup, that seems to be supported by the article. If the article is correct, that is.
Best. -- C
adorshki
Reverential Member
adorshki
Reverential Member
He joined up here few years back.
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
But I've been to that area quite a few times in the past. So I know my way around there.Jeez, Ralf, you don't even live there!
Ralf
beecee
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I love the @DrumBob quote in that Madeira article.
Of course he was talking about the Korean ones.
My MIJ A2 blew the doors off every Guild at The Great House of Guitars save for an F30 I couldn't afford...and a few Martin dreds....which was not hard to do in the mid 70's.
Seeing as how I currently have the world's largest collection of Madeiras....not including the RW models I've sold off....I think I'll write the definitive book on Madeira.
All six pages.
Of course he was talking about the Korean ones.
My MIJ A2 blew the doors off every Guild at The Great House of Guitars save for an F30 I couldn't afford...and a few Martin dreds....which was not hard to do in the mid 70's.
Seeing as how I currently have the world's largest collection of Madeiras....not including the RW models I've sold off....I think I'll write the definitive book on Madeira.
All six pages.
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
If you only write one page per model that would be a much much bigger book! (Including electrics, classicals, banjos, mandolines,...) And you would have to write about the different factories in all the different countries...
Ralf