Westerly's, Hoboken's... can anyone explain?

[dallasblues]

I'm pretty new to LTG and have just started researching Guild archtops. I keep reading posts by guys who mention things like "Westerly" or "Hoboken", and even sometimes "Corona". I'm pretty certain that those refer to where the guitars were made. Are guitars made in one of these places of better quality than those in the others?

 

[Dr. Spivey]

Hi DB, welcome to the Guild Universe. Guild guitars have been made in (first to last) Hoboken NJ, Westerly RI, Corona CA, Tacoma WA, and currently in New Hartford CT, with the GAD series in China and the DV series in Ensenada Mexico. They were made for the longest period in Westerly, and every one has an opinion, but you really can't go wrong with any of them.

Oops, forgot the original factory in Manhattan.

 

[GAD]

Guild electrics never made it past Corona. Most of us who collect electrics like the Westerlies, though I've had a couple of Corona-made Guilds and they're every bit the guitar as the Westerlies. There's just something emotional about buying a guitar made in the Guild factory and not the Fender factory.

 

[taabru45]

HoboKen is a well loved and appreciated musician...who loves Guilds..... :lol: :lol: Westerly is where they were built...Steffan

 

[AlohaJoe]

Start here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guild_Guitar_Company

 

[littlesongs]

Need directions for a Guild archtop tour? :wink:

New York City
Hoboken
Westerly
Nashville
Corona

 

[SFIV1967]

Hi dallasblues,
welcome to LTG!

I highly recommand to get this book, it explains a lot and is the best resource for old Guild guitars until 1977.

http://www.amazon.com/Guild-Guitar-Book ... 679&sr=8-1

Best regards,
Ralf

 

[adorshki]

I'm pretty new to LTG and have just started researching Guild archtops. I keep reading posts by guys who mention things like "Westerly" or "Hoboken", and even sometimes "Corona". I'm pretty certain that those refer to where the guitars were made. Are guitars made in one of these places of better quality than those in the others?

"HOWDY!"
I'll add a small point that a guy named Benedetto redesigned the Artist Award for 'em in the late Westerly period, and was finally given his own brand by Fender around 2001. It pretty much was the continuation of the AA series IIRC.
Second what GAD said about Corona, "the market" looks down their noses at 'em but I can't remember anybody ever saying anything negative about 'em, after actually playing 'em. It seems to be an image/emotion thing as he says.