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Newport was awesome!
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Author:  JBreault [ Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:14 am ]
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The Newport Guitar Festival was absolutely fantastic! I had an awesome time and met many great people. The list is almost too long, but I'll try anyway. From the forum ,I met Don williams, Alan Caruth, Steve Spodaryk, Matt Gage, John Osthoff and a few others...On Staurday, I wore my OLF t-shirt, and it generated a lot of comments. A few people asked me what the OLF was so I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple new members.

When I get home later tonight, I'll post some pictures (I did get my camera back) and more observations.
Author:  Don Williams [ Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:23 am ]
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It was a nice show. But I guess I've been spoiled by seeing so many great guitars over the years. Not too much really stood out to me this year.
I had a chance to chat with some great folks including Danny Brown, Brent McELroy, and others.

My strange sense of humor got me into trouble when I went up to a well-known builder (very serious fellow apparently) who had a guitar with some stunningly figured chocolate brown Brazilian Rosewood.
I said to the guy:

"Ugly South American wood eh?".

He looked at me and (very seriously) said

"That's Brazilian Rosewood."

Well I didn't have the heart to tell him that's what I meant. Apparently the finer types of humor have a way of slipping past people when they're busy watching over their guitars at a show like that.

All I wanted to say then was...

"Yeah, I have a plank just like it in my basement."

His eyes would have lit up then...



Truthfully, the poor guy was just stressed because folks kept taking that guitar for try, and wanted pictures of it...non-stop. It was a great guitar. Really great.

Don Williams38937.3993518519
Author:  Todd Rose [ Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:56 am ]
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I had hoped to go but couldn't make it, so I'm eager to hear more about it, see some pics, etc. Did the exhibitors seem happy with it?
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:01 am ]
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Is this show anything like Healdsburg?
I guess what I'm wondering about, is whether or not guitars are sold. Do people come to buy, or is it just a demonstration?

Thnx,

Steve
Author:  Don A [ Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:51 am ]
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Steve, I believe anyone can pay and display at Healdsburg but Newport is invitation only. I believe John O sold a number of guitars at the last show, probably this show as well.
Author:  John Mayes [ Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:57 am ]
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[QUOTE=Don A] Steve, I believe anyone can pay and display at Healdsburg but Newport is invitation only. I believe John O sold a number of guitars at the last show, probably this show as well. [/QUOTE]

Well you have to actually apply, and you may not be accepted as they have only a certian number of slots at healdsburg, but I know both shows you can sell guitars. I sold quite a few at Healdsburg.
Author:  Don Williams [ Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:58 am ]
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Yes, people come to buy, with big wads of cash in their hands.


My impression was that there were fewer buying public there this year than at the first Newport show.

One builder told me that half the people who were there on Friday were guitar-building-wannabees, asking all kinds of basic questions about wood and bracing etc.

There seemed to be a number of folks who were there on Saturday looking to buy, but since I wasn't there yesterday, I can't comment on that.
Don Williams38937.3997337963
Author:  John How [ Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:28 am ]
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I noticed the same thing at Healdsburg last year. Lots of people looking for ideas about building their own although I sold one on the saturday show and did have lots of interest from players that were not looking to build.
If they were looking for guitar building info I just referred them here.
Author:  Alan Carruth [ Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:38 am ]
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Saturday seemed to be mostly tire-kickers, but the Sunday crowd seemd more serious about spending money. That said, I talked to a number of folks who sold instruments Saturday, so.... I think most of the builders had a good show, at least in terms of making contacts, which what it's all about really.
Author:  Michael McBroom [ Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:43 am ]
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Was there a decent showing of classical builders at Newport? I've never been to either festival, but it seems like quite a few turn out for Healdsburg. Maybe I can make it to the big H next year. If I get my application in early enough and am fortunate enough to be accepted.

Best,

Michael
Author:  Don Williams [ Tue Aug 08, 2006 12:55 am ]
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Michael,

There were several great classical builders there. One was a guy named Alan Carruth - perhaps you've heard of him - and he had this amazing Osage Orange classical. That thing was fantastic. It had great volume, clarity, punch, and tone. Really remarkable instrument. I think Al liked it too...

Gerald Shephard had some gorgeous, gorgeous guitars there, and they sounded great too. I didn't get to meet him as he was a very busy fellow while I was there.

John Osthoff's guitars continued to impress. They seem to get better all the time. John has been delving into some great inlay work, and his finish has come a long way and is top shelf these days. Not that it was ever sub-standard. You know what I mean.

Matt Gage not only showed up with some wonderful instruments, but he had accompanying him some very fine musicians to enhance his table. Stephen Couch of The Betweeners was there ripping out the licks and jamming the whole day with the folks from Red Diamond Mandolins.
Matt's Koa OM was a standout, as was his 12-fret dread. That dread really kicked!

Brent McElroy had some really great guitars, including one fine looking Walnut guitar. He had a great T-shirt for sale which I bought. Don Atwood would have liked it. It said "I have a cat. I build guitars." My wife thought it was approporiate for me too...


I didn't get to meet Harry Fleischman, the inventory of the binding jig that I modified which seems to get associated with me more than him. I should say I was too embarassed to go up and meet him for fear of my name slipping out...

My good friend Steve Spodaryk had three wonderful Martin/Staufer inspired guitars there, which were spectacular. Some of the best builders in the world commented very favorably on them. That was easy to do..they are fantastic instruments.

I really liked the way Kevin Ryan used some 1/16" blue paua as a purfling on a Brazilian guitar. That was really cool, because it was also bound in brazilian, and the purfing seemed to be floating in that deep brown.

Sergei DeJonge's kid (not sure which one) had a guitar there that was fantastic...only their 3rd steel string. It was great!

I did have to laugh at one builder who seems to spend more energy on his marketing schtick than on the quality of his guitars...
I say, learn to be a great builder first, and you won't need the marketing hype. People aren't stupid. Especially the ones with the big bucks to buy handmade instruments.Don Williams38937.4164467593
Author:  John How [ Tue Aug 08, 2006 1:15 am ]
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Don, did you get any pictures this year?
Author:  JBreault [ Tue Aug 08, 2006 1:33 am ]
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Here's Al's Osage Orange classical, it sounded awesome.



Don, that was Corin DeJonge, at 13 years old, he has a very promissing career ahead of him.

Speaking of multi generational acts, Kathy Wingert's daughter (I can't remember her name) did a tremendous inlay on one of Kathy's headstocks. You would swear Judy Threet created it.

I do have some more pictures that I'll get to post later.
Author:  Don Williams [ Tue Aug 08, 2006 2:28 am ]
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Well, Corin had what I felt was the best guitar in the place. I was stunned that a kid that young could have building chops on that level. I talked to Judi Threet after I looked at that guitar, and told her it was enough to make me want to quit! It was fantastic. Corin nailed it.
A promissing career? Well, if the handmade guitar world can continue to thrive over the next couple of decades and longer, he'll be at the top of the list.

Personally, I think there are so many people getting into building guitars, including players that historically were buyers or collectors, that I have a hard time imagining that there will continue to be a market for high-end instruments except for the ultra-serious collectors. Woodcraft magazine even tells people where to get the best kits for building your own guitar in this month's issue. There is no longer such a thing as handmade guitars being a rare thing. Everyone's doing it....
Don Williams38937.4838657407
Author:  John Kingslight [ Tue Aug 08, 2006 2:50 am ]
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   Just got back from Newport. Great show! I had 3 guitars and an acoustic bass on display there. I enjoyed meeting the other builders and seeing everyone's beautiful work. I did get one sale (an order) and lined up a couple of good dealers - one from Japan. The bass got the most attention.. it's very large and surprises people with how loud it is... everyone would come by - plunk on it and go "WOW" It got to be kind of funny.
   The show was very well run - not "too" big - a lot of workshops and mini-concerts with some of the best players around... Muriel Anderson, Lawrence Juber, Michael Chapledaine, Bill Mize... and more. Nice to get some positive feedback on my guitars from these people ... helps me keep going.

Thanks to Julius and all who made Newport happen!
Author:  Don Williams [ Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:01 am ]
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John! That acoustic bass was amazing! I was hanging out with Brent while someone was putting it through the ropes, and it sounds exceptional!
Author:  John Kingslight [ Tue Aug 08, 2006 1:50 pm ]
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Thanks Don! It was great being next to Brent (McLeroy)... He and his wife, Shirley, are some of the nicest people to hang out with that were at Newport.
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