The Arlington, Texas, Guitar Show - Big Fun - Great Guitars
I spent last weekend at the Four Amigos Guitar Show in Arlington, Texas. This is the largest and oldest guitar show in the United States. I’ve been going for over ten years and from it I’ve brought home some wonderful instruments. Last year I bought my 1994 Gilchrist F-5, and two years ago I got my 1930 Gibson F-5 there.
I’ve added some photographs so you can get a sense of the event. You’ll also find a link HERE to a song I played at the annual Let’s Talk Guild (guitars) get together on Saturday evening. The tune I’ve linked to features the guy who used to own my Gilchrist on guitar and vocals, Scott Freilich of Top Shelf Music on bass and myself on mandolin. Click on the right facing arrow next to the song "Giilded Blues" and a player box will pop up and play the song. No, the sound isn’t stellar, but the playing is pretty darned passable.
Frankly, making music is even more fun than listening to it, even if you’re listening on a great system…
Discussion Topics
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- Quad 2905
Speakers
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- Anyone bought the new Sony BDP-S350 BD player?
- Oppo BDP-83 Blu Ray Player
Comments
Do you think Fender can manage Guild in a way that it becomes a strong brand?
Frankly, I'm not sure.
I visited the Tacoma factory shortly after Fender bought Tacoma to see the first Guild acoustics being made there. I felt they were on the right track. I was surprised when Guild closed the Tacoma operation and moved acoustic guitar production to Connecticut. I haven't seen enough of the new guitars from this facility to tell if the move was a good one or not.
As far as the branding and identity issues, Guild has never been able to break into the top echelon of acoustic makers. Their best guitars were made in the late '50's and while some of the Tacoma-made reissues were very good, Guild hasn't been able to maintain their quality on a consistent basis.
My favorite quote about Guild acoustics came from David Wilcox, who while touring Ireland had a patron say, "You play a Guild? Great guitars in a bar fight...too bad about the sound."
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Careful with that axe, Eugene!
Is a show like this all vintage stuff? Do you have to be an expert for it to be safe?
The Arlington show has new as well as used-vintage guitars and amps. Some dealers even specialize in pedals and effects. One dealer from Germany regularly brings vintage microphones.
No, you do not have to be an expert to be safe. Obviously, if you are planning to drop big bucks on a '59 Gibson Les Paul or a pre-war Martin acoustic you should do your homework first and know something about them, but for utility-grade instruments or new instruments I suggest looking for something that plays well and you like.
BTW Gibson has TWO large semi-truck rolling showrooms staffed with GIbson employees who can let you try out a range of new Gibsons and answer qurestions.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Hi Steve,
Are you aware of Guitar Gallery that sells used as well as new guitars?
This shop may be more expensive than the bazaar type you visited but it spruces up the used instruments, for example, realigning the neck prior to selling it. I am in Hong Kong and has no connection or dealings with this shop, merely interested in watching and hearing the instruments it offers. Yes, including hearing because the web includes short tunes played with particular guitars.
You may wish to click onto www.guitargal.com
Hello Francis,
Yes, I'm familiar with Guitar Gallery. They have been a regular in VIntage Guitar Magazine for many years.
They have an excellent website and offer fine customer service. I wish that high-end audio dealers were as well-versed with their products and offered such extensive before and after-purchase support.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Hi Steven,
It's me again. Went to recital by John Williams on Tuesday, sitting second row to the left, thereby could see his fingers clearly.
He loosens the two bass strings after every number (but not the other four) and tunes them up again before playing the next one. I guess that is to protect the guitar by releasing the pressure of the strings on the neck.
Do you have experience of other guitarists doing the the same? Alice Arts who reviewed for TAS some time ago did not do this when she played in Hong Kong. Also in the unplugged DVD, Eric Clapton did not do that either.
Francis Leung
My take is that he loosens the strings and then tunes up to check and touch up his tuning. That's what most guitarists do when they adjust up their tuning. It's always easier to get it right by tuning up to the proper pitch as opposed to tuning down to pitch. Strings don't bind in their nut slots as much that way.
Eric Clapton has a guitar tech to tune guitars for him off-stage.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Thank you very much for your advice.
Francis Leung
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