NGD - My first 12 string...

[adorshki]

Oh I was just saying he posted he had an ‘01 and you said can’t be.

A CTT number was built in Corona, period, and the only person who could tell us if it was actually built in late '01 is Hans, unless there's a date stamp on the end block. I don't recall seeing a regular production Corona flattop with an '01 build confirmed by Hans. And reiterate, never seen anything yet confirming they were actually building production models (as opposed to the pre-production trial builds) in late '01.

Corona's history isn't nearly as well documented as say, Westerly, and we may not know the real answer until Hans puts out another volume.

Though I recalled his recent thread that showed his had the CTT serial number. Now I don’t know what year it is and maybe he didn’t for sure either, but if he was sure on the date, and we do know it’s a CTT serial#, and if your statement was true as well, that there was no Corona production in 01, well then we’d have a mystery… unless it was made in late 01.

I'm 99% certain he's mistaken or misinformed about year, it's why I gave him the heads-up in the first place. The only person I'd trust to verify the build date on that guitar is Hans, although I've gotten pretty good at estimating 'em, since there's really only 3 years anyway, '02-'04.

Sorry, don't mean to sound irritated, just in a "Say it as short as possible" mood.

Edit: Fender did build some Starfires and Bluesbirds in Corona in the electric shop, even seem to recall some Corona Custom Shop BB's, (as distinct from later Guild Nashville Custom Shop builds) in '01.

But they built a dedicated shop for Guild flattop production and even installed a new state-of-the-art spray booth (which had teething problems of its own). But although they made offers to Westerly employees, nobody came. So Fender had to train a whole new build crew. All that takes time. It takes a minimum of 6 months to transition a factory that's already running, let alone start one up from scratch.

That's why they sent "kits" of sub-assemblies (like necks and probably rims) to Corona for the new builders to practice on. As far as I know those pieces were never intended or offered for retail sale, or "regular production".

The primary reason I doubt any regular production was built in Corona in '01 was simply the time involved in getting the plant up to speed. I don't know when they started building it (the Guild flattop plant), but doubt it was earlier than maybe spring or more likely early summer of '01.

Hope that helps explain my belief about where and when built.

 

[3C4S]

Adorshki and boneman, Here is my serial number...That may help someone figure out year...I am not sure what year, but guessed 01-03 based on Fender/Corona production...On vacation, but will look for a date stamp when I get home...
Either way, Ksounds JF-30 is fabulous...Dave

 

[chazmo]

Hey, Dave. Yeah, they're all just yummy, aren't they!!!!

On vacation, but will look for a date stamp when I get home.

I don't think Corona guitars had date stamps, but I'm not sure. That process may have ended with Westerly. Always worth a look, though.

And, yes, 2001 - 2003 are the right date range for a Corona build.

 

[GGJaguar]

I don't think Corona guitars had date stamps, but I'm not sure.

I'm not sure either. My Corona F-412 did not have any date stamps.

 

[Boneman]

Thanks Al, that does all make sense to me. Now that we have the actual serial #, the year could be had.

To @chazmo and @GG, I've confirmed on my Corona JF30-12 that it does have a date stamp, I posted about it in the NGD thread or maybe another Corona topic thread, ironically I can't find the photo or the thread at the moment to link you, but believe it is at the end pin location on the side of the block.

 

[adorshki]

Hey, Dave. Yeah, they're all just yummy, aren't they!!!!


I don't think Corona guitars had date stamps, but I'm not sure. That process may have ended with Westerly. Always worth a look, though.

And, yes, 2001 - 2003 are the right date range for a Corona build.

Corona didn't close until July '04.

 

[adorshki]

I'm not sure either. My Corona F-412 did not have any date stamps.

When you got yours we were used to looking for 'em on the neck heel block, but they stopped putting 'em there ca '00. A couple of months ago we had a new member (In fact think it was Boneman as reported above) report they found a date code on the end block of their Corona. IIRC they were looking to replace an endpin jack and put an inspection cam in there.
Anyway, you may want to look again.

Adorshki and boneman, Here is my serial number...That may help someone figure out year...I am not sure what year, but guessed 01-03 based on Fender/Corona production...On vacation, but will look for a date stamp when I get home...
Either way, Ksounds JF-30 is fabulous...Dave

CTT0035: the 35th JF30-12 from Corona. Just about guarantee that's gonna be an early '02 build. If it's got an '01 date stamp I'll resign. I'm serious and I'm that sure.

Hey, Dave. Yeah, they're all just yummy, aren't they!!!!


I don't think Corona guitars had date stamps, but I'm not sure. That process may have ended with Westerly. Always worth a look, though.

And, yes, 2001 - 2003 are the right date range for a Corona build.

'02 -'04 is the date range for Corona. Westerly was still the production facility in '01, they weren't doing "dual production" like they did in Hoboken/Westerly, and Corona didn't close until July '04.
August '01 price list, this is Westerly product (example, the D4 was dropped in Corona):

January '02 list reflecting Corona offerings:

And I changed my mind. I'm not gonna wait. I'm outta here.
Bye.

 

[chazmo]

To @chazmo and @GG, I've confirmed on my Corona JF30-12 that it does have a date stamp, I posted about it in the NGD thread or maybe another Corona topic thread, ironically I can't find the photo or the thread at the moment to link you, but believe it is at the end pin location on the side of the block.

Cool, Boneman. I can't find your thread either. Were you all set getting the date?

Best.

 

[Boneman]

Cool, Boneman. I can't find your thread either. Were you all set getting the date?

Best.

Yes, I did, snapped a photo, grabbed the date and posted it at the time back then as it was generally accepted up to that point they stopped stamping them, or at least stopped stamping them on the neck block. I went in with my long handled inspection mirror and looked every where inside the guitar, and saw a blotch at the end pin, next string change I got a camera in there to see what’s up and found the date. We’d been hoping others with Corona models can verify they have stamps there as well.

I'm not gonna wait. I'm outta here.

Golly, I hope I didn’t ruffle your feathers, but don’t ya think that’s overly dramatic? And do you mean outta this thread or LTG altogether? I hope you continue to post here as I value your contributions and I appreciate your information and insights and the fact that you do take the time to write everything down, even if you are often repeating yourself from months or years ago.

I get it though, so either way, best wishes

 

[GGJaguar]

Anyway, you may want to look again.

I wish I could, but I sold that F-412 to fund the Oxnard-made F-412 I now have.

 

[adorshki]

Golly, I hope I didn’t ruffle your feathers, but don’t ya think that’s overly dramatic? And do you mean outta this thread or LTG altogether? I hope you continue to post here as I value your contributions and I appreciate your information and insights and the fact that you do take the time to write everything down, even if you are often repeating yourself from months or years ago.

I get it though, so either way, best wishes

It would have been under your post as a direct reply if you were the culprit.

I get tired of being the one to present evidence to support my points when challenged by folks who consistently fail to provide evidence for their position when challenging me.

And thanks for the complement.