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Which of the above do you like better? Why? Would one be better thaan the other?

PS When is heraldsburg?

I have not been to either - (hope that changes soon) but from what I understand - Healdsburg is a guitar show, geared toward the buyer. Where as ASIA is more directed to the builder, lots of educational seminars, and vendors selling stuff- as well as a convention hall where you can show and sell your guitars.

Given the choice if I had to pick one, id go to ASIA if were NOT going to show my guitars, If I had stuff to show and try to sell, id go to Healdsburg.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I will echo Lances comments. ASIA is a great place to network with other builders and a place to learn different approaches builders are taking. It's not a place to take a family vacation as there is nothing for the other half and kids to do so plan accordingly. ASIA isn't a place to sell guitars although there have been a few for sale it's just not strutured as a retail forum.

HB is all about selling your wares and establishing contacts and meeting the player / customer face to face. Even if you have established a web presence or a name for yourself much of the buying public just wants a chance to meet the builder and based on that first impression, will often dictate who their hard earned cash goes to. HB offers AM workshops for builders, afternoon workshops for players [held at the same time the luthier dispalys are] and evening concerts. HB would be more of an atmoshere that you could take your family to if they have an interest in guitars. They have player workshops for beginners through advanced so there is a place for everyone.
Tim McKnight38468.6139351852

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Tim - you might what to check that link -

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I think Tim meant Healdsburg.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

[QUOTE=LanceK] Tim - you might what to check that link - [/QUOTE]
Ooops, sorry that link was still in my cache. Just one of those days .........

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Healdsburg is August 19-21, in Santa Rosa. ASIA is June 15 - 19, in
Westminster MD.

Since it's way too late to apply for a table at this year's Healdsburg (and
the next one isn't until 2007), the question is, "Are you interested in
learning more about building and repairing, or are you interested in
buying a guitar?" If the former, go to ASIA; if the latter, go to Healdsburg.

My experience with Healdsburg is that it's so busy and intense, builders
don't have the time to chat with anyone who's not in the market. There
have been a number of salespeople coming to the exhibitors' tables but I
tell them that it's not appropriate to take time from potential clients. The
same, unfortunately, applies to builders. I'm more friendly to them than
to the salespeople, but ...

As far as family time goes, ASIA does offer proximity to Washington DC,
Baltimore, Gettysburg, etc. (there's a long and enjoyable thread on MIMF
about things to do in the area), and the evening events are open to
guests. Tim's right that non-luthiers would likely be bored by the daytime
sessions.

Hope to see you at one or the other!

My last trip to ASIA was a couple of years ago and I learned a great deal from some of the greats in our craft. I did pick up a pointer that I would like to share with any potential attendees. I saw a couple of people with tape recorders doing something that was unique. There are so many workshops and not enough time to attend them all so a few people were placing tape recorders in one workshop while they attended another work shop. Kind of like a two for one special. I thought this was a great idea.

Rick: If this is frowned upon please correct me if I am wrong to suggest this.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Heck, no! Tape and video away; just send copies to the "guitarmaker"
editor for future articles!

Tim's right that there's often a lot going on at one time and it's hard to
choose between workshops. The schedule is coming together and will be
posted soon (and is in the coming issue of "guitarmaker"). I've tried to
have at least one repair and one building workshop going on at all times,
usually with a hands-on workshop, too. The presenter list is growing and
is amazing. I can't believe that hard-working luthiers like Ribbecke,
Manzer, Moll, Grimes, Erlewine, Ford, et al. are willing to give up their
time for this -- but they are. I'm getting excited and I don't even get to
many of the classes!