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December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | Fender Acoustic Custom Shop
"Hand Crafted in New Hartford, Connecticut" .. interesting.. |
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October 2012
Posts: 37
| Yup, the cat is out of the bag. This is some of your old friend(s), folks. They've made a big splash at NAMM this week with new Guild acoustic and electric guitars. For those of you who are interested we've been having some lively discussions over at LetsTalkGuild:
acoustics: http://www.letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=35211
electrics: http://www.letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=35208
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I could understand a Guild custom shop for acoustics to play up the Guild name. I could also understand an Adamas or Ovation custom shop. But making custom Fender acoustics doesn't make sense to me. I can't recall a single Fender acoustic that had a decent reputation. I hope Fender isn't wasting valuable resources trying to establish a Fender reputation for acoustic guitars. |
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October 2012
Posts: 37
| That is an interesting point, Mark. I really wonder how well these'll sell.
In point of fact, the New Hartford folks have been building high-end Fender acoustics for a couple of years now. These groovy new ones are perhaps just the latest in a series. Also, I'm not sure how many of you guys are aware that Ren Ferguson, once Gibson's master luthier, has been part of this venture in New Hartford. Ren is really a Fender employee, not specifically dedicated to Guild... So, draw your own conclusions about what he may or may not be being asked to do.
In any case, this stuff represents some business for our friends in New Hartford, and that is gratifying. |
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October 2012
Posts: 37
| Oh, and sorry if I wasn't clear, this "custom shop" is indeed building some new Guild models, as shown at NAMM this year (see link above). |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | 99% of Fender acoustic guitars Suck.
When I was searching for an acoustic back in 2006 I tried some pretty expensive Fender acoustics at a local shop... I was not impressed. Sounded like wet cardboard.
That's where I played an Ovation and was suddenly reminded of my wasted youth.
So unless they are gonna stick a Fender nameplate on a Guild....
(must be the Plan... cuz Fender doesn't really have an acoustic guitar factory in this country)
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Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | There's no doubt that they could build a GREAT acoustic guitar if they so choose...lot's of people can. The question is, for $3000 or so, who is their target market? They are simply not going to outdo the Taylor guys, or Gibson, or Martin. If they built a GREAT $1200 American made guitar, well that's a different story.... |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Arthur, are you sure it was just your youth that was wasted?
I can understand using the New Hartford resources to build great Guild guitars. Guild has a name and reputation for acoustic guitars. Fender doesn't. I was hoping they'd just give up on Fender acoustics and focus on Guild and Ovation acoustics. But I have never understood marketing, especially from large corporations. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | I guess my thought was that they are investing time and energy into the custom shop in New Hartford. Hopefully that means they will continue to build custom O's and A's for a while as a result. |
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Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Mark in Boise - 2013-01-24 4:06 PM ... But I have never understood marketing, especially from large corporations. New Coke The first acoustic I ever bought was a Fender Concord. The sound wasn't the best, but the strat style headstock made it seem like I was playing an electric in my brain, so I went with it. 25 years later, my son managed to leave it at school where it was stolen. Also, I used to have a Japan built F75 with a solid top that sounded wonderful for the $100 or so it cost me. I enjoyed them both, but I'd NEVER spend big bucks on a Fender acoustic... I'll just ask the boys to put a Guild logo on it 
Edited by Damon67 2013-01-25 12:53 PM
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January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | I can't imagine them spending the time, money, and energy unless they thought they could build a great guitar.
And I bet they sound and play wonderful, as do most $3000 guitars.
I just wonder who is gonna buy them? |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Guild has got some amazing guitars at NAMM.
Ovation has a few nice custom built models on display also.
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Stephen, did you get a look at the Guild 60th anniversary model? I just bought one, waiting for delivery. Mine is s/n 4 |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Probably but the 12 fret caught my eye.
Gonna go back tomorrow and will check it out. |
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October 2012
Posts: 37
| Hey, Steve! :wave: The 60th is exceptionally gorgeous. I've heard a few people say that it plays a little tight, but I think that's a koa feature. Anyway, I got to see one and handle it in October, and it's fabulous. It's the first product with Ren Ferguson's influence, and it's got a little diamond in the headstock!! |
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Fender Acoustic Custom Shop...
