Guild Guitar

Robert Bromberg has had a long career in the music products industry, as did his father. In fact, his father designed the mirror piano, which helped keep the industry alive during World War II by addeing mirrors to used pianos to make them more sellable as all-new pianos were not being made during the war. Robert’s long career includes working with his father in retail as well as creating the manufacturing process for the Guild Guitars in the 1950s into the 1970s. In more recent years Robert has been working with Hap Kuffner and Rob Turner at EMG Pick Ups, adding his insight to the company. 

Millie Detgen was one of the very few female manufacturers reps in the music products industry in the 1970’s and 80’s. She began working with her husband Gene Detgen after they were married in 1971. Gene was the Sales Manager at Pacific Music Supply in Los Angeles at that time. His main product line was Guild Guitars. Gene was one of the early associates of Alfred Dronge, the founder of the famed Guild Guitar Company back in 1952. In fact, it was Gene who suggested the name Guild for the company name. When her husband suffered a stroke in the late 1970’s, Millie stepped into his role as representative for Guild until 1987.

James Deurloo walked through the old Gibson workshop, which is now the home of his company, the Heritage Guitar Company.  Pointing proudly to a workstation in the middle of the old building, “that was my first workbench.  I learned every skill on the line and had wonderful teachers.  The old men on the line when I was a kid were happy to share what they knew, and I still use all those skills.  That is why the name ‘heritage’ was the perfect name of our company.”  

Duane Eddy has been a strong influence on generations of guitarists and played a key role in making instrumental songs viable as hit makers in popular music. Duane recorded several hit records beginning in the late 1950s, which continued into the 1960s including “Rebel Rouser” and “Boss Guitar.” His driving bass line turned many players on to the guitar in the heyday of rock and roll including John Lennon and Jimmy Page. Duane became a much-recorded studio musician and continues to record and perform. 

Larry Goldstein, currently a vice president at Westheimer Music, has a passion for the history of the music industry. Larry was able to provide a terrific perspective to our interview collection by recounting the early days of the Guild Guitar Company as well as the great wholesalers of our past such as C. Bruno, Coast and Targ & Dinner. Larry’s long time friendship with Jack Westheimer has played an important role in the expansion of such lines as the Cort Guitar.

Carlo Greco is known throughout the world as one of the premier guitar luthiers. Yet, when you meet him, he is a very humble man who brushes off compliments with a smile. After a long association as chief designer for Guild Guitars, Carlo joined his dear friend, Alex Carozza, in New York’s top repair shop, Alex Music, on 48th Street. Carlo has created some of the world’s most-loved string instruments and has an equal reputation as a repairman of world-class guitars.  

Neil Lilien has been a life long supporter of the arts, playing music since he was a child and growing up to own one of the finest names in stringed instruments. Neil worked for Guild Guitars for nearly 20 years before purchasing Meisel Stringed Instruments in 1984. The company, which had also been known as C. Meisel & Company, is one of the world’s best-known providers of violins and related products. Over the years, Neil has also been an active leader within the music products industry, supporting music advocacy groups and serving as president of the National Council of Music Importers and Exporters (NCMIE), treasurer of the American Music Conference (AMC), and a board member of NABIM (now the International Band and Orchestral Products Association).  

Jerry Muenchow a veteran of the music industry worked in music retail for five years before joining the famed Chicago Musical Instrument Company (CMI) as a field sales representative in Michigan. Jerry held that position for 10 years before becoming a Regional Sales Manager for Fender Musical Instruments for the East Coast. He later became an Independent Sales Rep in the Southeast United States representing Guild guitars among several other prestigious lines over the next 6 years. His long career has resulted in countless friendships with retailers and fellow reps in almost every region of the United States.

Willy Vassilopoulos joined the Ovation Guitar Company in New Hartford Connecticut to follow his love of woodworking. He soon took part in the production of the instrument, which was originally introduced by Charles Kaman in the 1960s. The Ovation Guitar was unique for its round back made out of a material close to fiberglass. The company grew over the decades and established a number of other innovative designs and products.