Healdsburg Guitar Festival

[gktamps]

OK, no amps involved, except on the performer's and demonstrator's stages, but you won't see this many astounding, custom-built acoustic (some electric) guitars in one place very often.

I hit this when it shows up every two years. Last two times it's been about a mile from our house (!), so the wife and spent 6 hours listening to player after player demonstrate some of the fine luthier-built guitars. There was a concert last night, will be tonight and tomorrow, and you can spend the whole day listening, or pay extra for workshops. Lots of builder and player talent.

Two years ago it was not well attended; the economy was still really pulling everything down, and a local luthier had been murdered shortly before. Cast a real shadow on the show. This year it was PACKED, and in a few hours there were lots of guitars with sold signs on them.

Nothing for me, though. Cheapest guitar was $3,700, with most around the $10-12k range and above. I don't deserve even the cheapest one, so I got off spending only a few bucks on trinkets.

Sorry for the lousy pics - my phone is difficult to hold steady.

[gktamps]

More pics...

[telentubes]

Always a good time. I've been a handful of times, including all the way back when it was in Healdsburg. Had car trouble this year so didn't make it.

[Reeltarded]

Thanks for the pics!

[JazzGuitarGimp]

Hey GKT! It's a great show indeed! The wife and I have been a few times. My favorite luthier lives and works in Healdsburg. Tom Ribbecke - if you are attending tomorrow and you see him, please tell him hello for me. He's a heck of a nice guy and a master luthier. He has built four masterpieces for me.

Cheers,
Lou

[gktamps]

Hi Lou,
I saw Tom's beautiful work today and in years past, always love his guitars. You made four good choices!
The program announced he will be "hosting teachers from all areas of instrument building" at his shop.
My wife really wanted me to find a guitar I loved at the show, but I just couldn't justify the expense for my skill level with acoustic guitar, and not playing gigs anymore.
The quality of work at the festival is outstanding, and there are some great players. That said, listening to mellow acoustic guitar all day forced me to crank up the Liverpool when we got home!
Cheers,
Greg

[LeftyStrat]

Man, the figure on some of those guitars makes me want to ask them out.

Thanks for the pics.

[ER]

Doh! Missed it!

That's what happens when you don't check into the garage over the weekend.

All those hollowbodies are just really expensive Danelectros anyways...
Don't get me started on ukeleles. I got a hankerin' for a hippy sandwich though.