Cordoba Music Group, the manufacturer of Cordoba acoustic guitars, ukuleles and accessories, has announced that it has finalized a letter of intent to purchase the Guild guitar brand and related assets from Fender Musical Instruments Corp. (FMIC). “It was important for us to find a great steward to continue the important legacy of Guild guitars,” said FMIC’s interim CEO and board member Scott Gilbertson. “We have found a great fit in Cordoba Music Group, a company committed to quality and with impressive U.S.-based production capabilities.”
“Guild is an iconic American brand with a rich heritage, and we’re truly excited and honored to be the ones to move it forward. It’s a great complement to our current position in the acoustic guitar market and provides opportunities for growth in new categories,” said Cordoba Music Group President Jon Thomas. “We will continue to make instruments of exceptional quality in the U.S.A., and look forward to giving one of the industry’s great American brands a new home.”
Sales of Guild guitars will continue as usual during the transition process. Upon finalization of the sale, Cordoba Music Group is expected to begin production of some models in Cordoba’s factory in Oxnard CA. FMIC recently announced the closing of Guild’s U.S. manufacturing facility in New Hartford CT. Guild was founded in New York in 1953 by Alfred Dronge. Guild joined the FMIC family in 1995.