Tenth Anniversary

[jeffcoop]

Today is the tenth anniversary of Fender shuttering the New Hartford plant, isn't it? At least that's what my Facebook memories tell me. It's hard to forget the distress and uncertainty of the time. And it's a wonder that Guild is still around, and still building wonderful guitars in the US, a decade later. At the time, I thought the most likely prospects were that Guild would become an import-only brand or that Fender would shut Guild down completely. For all the doubts I've had about CMG, thank goodness they stepped in.

 

[GAD]

Today is the tenth anniversary of Fender shuttering the New Hartford plant, isn't it? At least that's what my Facebook memories tell me. It's hard to forget the distress and uncertainty of the time. And it's a wonder that Guild is still around, and still building wonderful guitars in the US, a decade later. At the time, I thought the most likely prospects were that Guild would become an import-only brand or that Fender would shut Guild down completely. For all the doubts I've had about CMG, thank goodness they stepped in.

Looking at it from the electric side of things, Guild has become an import-only brand.

 

[jeffcoop]

It has, and that's a real shame. Of course, New Hartford and Tacoma didn't produce much in the way of electrics, either. You have to go back to Corona for something resembling a full electric line.

 

[chazmo]

I think it was a little bit later than today, Jeff, but I'm not sure. 4/21 was the day I started working in California after a cross-country move and I seem to recall the shutdown was in May or something... But, it doesn't matter (and I'm probably wrong as I was a bit tuned out at that moment)...

In any case, I agree it's good to remember this 10th anniversary, especially since some of us got pretty close with the folks there and love the guitars they built there.

Boy, I sure gave New Hartford a rash of doodie for their making of "salad bowls" and whatever, but I changed my tune in short order when I got to see and play their guitars. The truth is the New Hartford folks adopted and grew to love the Guild brand, its legacy, and its fans. I miss those heady days for Guild.

 

[txbumper57]

New Hartford is my favorite by far. They did put out a few models of electrics with the gsr runs. T500,X series including my X500. Also I have one of the last Guilds built at New Hartford. It's a D55RS with an Adirondack spruce top. Think there were only 3 made and pretty sure the build date is end of April 2014.

 

[SFIV1967]

I seem to recall the shutdown was in May

Yes, they still made guitars in May 2014, the last one made was that burgundy AP X-500. I don't think we ever had the exact day but it was the very end of May 2014.

The press release was made on 4/22 in 2014 and many news sites reported this on 4/23 only.

Official FMIC Press Release

FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION TO CLOSE NEW HARTFORD, CONN. FACILITY;OVATION® TO CEASE U.S. PRODUCTIONFender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is proud of the products that are built in our New Hartford, Conn. manufacturing facility and appreciates the talented group of people that h...

www.hamerfanclub.com

Ralf

 

[chazmo]

Well, it's like the formation of Guild itself. Either you mark 1952 when it was incorporated, or you take it as 1953 when they started building guitars on Pearl Street.

I suggest that since Jeff commemorated the day of the shuttering press release, we take it at that. Either way, doesn't change my feelings about it.