Post by leoroberts on Nov 22, 2015 20:06:47 GMT
Ok, I accept this isn't quite of the calibre of the Holy Grail show in Germany but guitbrett invited me, and put me on the guest list so that I felt important...
Taking place at Aintree racecourse in Liverpool there were 2 floors of exhibitors, 1 floor of demo rooms and, on the 4th floor was the bar/cafe and performance area.
It was a bit of a shame that acoustics and electrics were all mixed together but, as so many exhibitors (such as JHS/Vintage) were displaying both types of guitar, I suppose this is unavoidable.
A number of stalls (and their wares) caught my eye and I found myself playing quite a few guitars.
One guitar I *didn't* play was Paul's 'The Gibson' harp guitar. It had a big 'do not touch' sign on it but was in front of the desk which I though was a bit risky! Paul explained that, as an eye catcher, people stopped to look and take pictures allowing Gavin and his staff a chance to make eye contact with potential buyers... seemed to be working a treat!
The first stand which really caught my eye (possibly because it only had two guitars on display) was Turnstone Guitars
As Rosie explained to me, that was because they only currently make two guitar shapes - a small body and a Grand Auditorium although a third is in the offing). The small body is a 12 fretter and sounded really sweet.
The Grand Auditorium was from their 'all English' range - built completely with English woods or, rather, woods grown in England. It is a lovely guitar, full sounding and mellow. And very nice to look at!
Next on the 'drool list' were the three guitars on display from Kenny Hilsley, a luthier based in Dumfries. He had three models on display - The Bruce, The Douglas and The Burns...
Not keen on the soundhole pick-ups but, there you go!
Auden Guitars are a new name to me and they had a full range of acoustic instruments on display. They were all ex-demo or ex-artist gigged instruments and so were being sold for £1000 each - with a free Schertler acoustic mini-amp (and a bottle of Schertler acoustic ale) thrown in. So a decent bargain for anyone who had come with £1k!
www.coleclarkguitars.com/ guitars had a pretty full display stand, too!
Of course, there has to be something for the ladies and this was provided by a Manchester guitar dealershp called Daisy Rock Girl Guitars. Apparently (as well as slimmer necks and lightweight construction) the ladies like sparkly bits and bright colours...
I wasn't going to argue with either of the two ladies who staffed the stand! They also have a recording studio and rehearsing space available, too.
Another new name (to me) was Mad Dog Guitars. Again, a full range of electric, acoustic and ukulele models on display.
Paul, of course, was there to show off the various 'signature' Vintage guitars he's involved with. So he showcased them all in a 25 minute set in the performance are.
Paul let me into some secrets about upcoming guitars with which he's involved in the development but I'll keep them under my hat ... except for one - a 12 string version of the Viator! I can't wait to have a go on that!
All in all a great morning. I could have spent much longer having a mooch and a play. It was great to meet up with Chickenbone John again (I have one of his 'cigar box guitars) and there was a lovely 'The Gibson' tenor banjo at unbder a grand which was calling me, siren-like, onto the rocks of debt. So I had to get out quickly. Besides I was working in Rochdale this afternoon and daren't be late!
Thanks to guitbrett for the invitation the welcome and the chat and to all those exhibitors who didn't mind, indeed positively encouraged, me to play their instruments. And I left a few acousticsoundboard calling cards around the place, too
Taking place at Aintree racecourse in Liverpool there were 2 floors of exhibitors, 1 floor of demo rooms and, on the 4th floor was the bar/cafe and performance area.
It was a bit of a shame that acoustics and electrics were all mixed together but, as so many exhibitors (such as JHS/Vintage) were displaying both types of guitar, I suppose this is unavoidable.
A number of stalls (and their wares) caught my eye and I found myself playing quite a few guitars.
One guitar I *didn't* play was Paul's 'The Gibson' harp guitar. It had a big 'do not touch' sign on it but was in front of the desk which I though was a bit risky! Paul explained that, as an eye catcher, people stopped to look and take pictures allowing Gavin and his staff a chance to make eye contact with potential buyers... seemed to be working a treat!
The first stand which really caught my eye (possibly because it only had two guitars on display) was Turnstone Guitars
As Rosie explained to me, that was because they only currently make two guitar shapes - a small body and a Grand Auditorium although a third is in the offing). The small body is a 12 fretter and sounded really sweet.
The Grand Auditorium was from their 'all English' range - built completely with English woods or, rather, woods grown in England. It is a lovely guitar, full sounding and mellow. And very nice to look at!
Next on the 'drool list' were the three guitars on display from Kenny Hilsley, a luthier based in Dumfries. He had three models on display - The Bruce, The Douglas and The Burns...
Not keen on the soundhole pick-ups but, there you go!
Auden Guitars are a new name to me and they had a full range of acoustic instruments on display. They were all ex-demo or ex-artist gigged instruments and so were being sold for £1000 each - with a free Schertler acoustic mini-amp (and a bottle of Schertler acoustic ale) thrown in. So a decent bargain for anyone who had come with £1k!
www.coleclarkguitars.com/ guitars had a pretty full display stand, too!
Of course, there has to be something for the ladies and this was provided by a Manchester guitar dealershp called Daisy Rock Girl Guitars. Apparently (as well as slimmer necks and lightweight construction) the ladies like sparkly bits and bright colours...
I wasn't going to argue with either of the two ladies who staffed the stand! They also have a recording studio and rehearsing space available, too.
Another new name (to me) was Mad Dog Guitars. Again, a full range of electric, acoustic and ukulele models on display.
Paul, of course, was there to show off the various 'signature' Vintage guitars he's involved with. So he showcased them all in a 25 minute set in the performance are.
Paul let me into some secrets about upcoming guitars with which he's involved in the development but I'll keep them under my hat ... except for one - a 12 string version of the Viator! I can't wait to have a go on that!
All in all a great morning. I could have spent much longer having a mooch and a play. It was great to meet up with Chickenbone John again (I have one of his 'cigar box guitars) and there was a lovely 'The Gibson' tenor banjo at unbder a grand which was calling me, siren-like, onto the rocks of debt. So I had to get out quickly. Besides I was working in Rochdale this afternoon and daren't be late!
Thanks to guitbrett for the invitation the welcome and the chat and to all those exhibitors who didn't mind, indeed positively encouraged, me to play their instruments. And I left a few acousticsoundboard calling cards around the place, too
Jo whoever he is.
