Nashville Guitar Show 2023

[GuitarAttack Forum]

All

Went to the Nashville Guitar Show on Saturday. It is an annual event held just south of the city in Franklin, Tennessee.

I didn’t buy anything. Everything seemed like it was very expensive.

I don’t know, but it sure looked like just a bunch of old dudes walking around. Had the feel of when I went to the Ford Model A club show when I was a kid. Or maybe a baseball card show.

I just don’t think the young people are that interested in these old guitars, or at least the old guitars I’m interested in.

It may just be me…any similar experiences with you guys?

John

[antares]

When I used to go to computer fairs with him, a friend of mine used to say "Old men with satchels, elbowing one another out of the way to get to the bargains." I opened my eyes and saw that he was right. I've seen them at ham radio fairs too. I don't carry anything resembling a satchel any more, but then I seldom go to these events. Most were dwindling prior to Covid and many haven't survived that either.

You make an important point though- the prices are silly (and I'm not referring to the grossly overpriced vintage gear.) Getting old(er), especially after retirement, goes hand in glove with an eye on finite finances and a certain incredulity at asking prices. I still bend down to pick up a penny whenever I see one lying on the sidewalk(!) whereas youngsters just walk on by. It's our destiny. Someone once told me that old men stock up on boots and overcoats, and I reckon he was right!

Every cloud has a silver lining though- ubiquitous overpriced mediocrity should be beneficial for individual artisan builders because the advantages of custom builds might become a bit more affordable?

でつ e&oe ...

[dnic]

I've never been to a guitar show. I did display some guitars at a local builder artist kind of get together. It was kind of cliquy. The folks that already knew each other just talked with themselves mostly. Some clunky looking guitars, IMO, were getting high praise. Still don't run in those circles.

Does seem like the lower end guitars are getting more expensive. Squires at 600$ Narrowing the gap between starter and pro stuff.

[GuitarAttack Forum]

Mar 29, 2023 8:16:04 GMT -6 dnic said:

I've never been to a guitar show. I did display some guitars at a local builder artist kind of get together. It was kind of cliquy. The folks that already knew each other just talked with themselves mostly. Some clunky looking guitars, IMO, were getting high praise. Still don't run in those circles.

Does seem like the lower end guitars are getting more expensive. Squires at 600$ Narrowing the gap between starter and pro stuff.

They are cliquey….good call.

[antares]

And Hellishly noisy too. Mayhaps I'm getting old, but I have a short fuse for the ubiquitous uninhibited wang dang doodlers at guitar shows.

でつ e&oe ...

[dnic]

Mar 29, 2023 17:57:58 GMT -6 antares said:

And Hellishly noisy too. Mayhaps I'm getting old, but I have a short fuse for the ubiquitous uninhibited wang dang doodlers at guitar shows.

でつ e&oe ...

My old guy go to these days is I don't like crowds or noise. Adult onset curmudgeon.

[GuitarAttack Forum]

All - Seems like an exact replay of 2023!

I went to the Nashville Guitar Show on Sunday. It is an annual event held just south of the city in Franklin, Tennessee.

I didn’t buy anything. Everything seemed like it was very expensive.

I don’t know, but it sure looked like just a bunch of old dudes walking around. Had the feel of when I went to the Ford Model A club show when I was a kid. Or maybe a baseball card show.

I just don’t think the young people are that interested in these old guitars, or at least the old guitars I’m interested in.

It may just be me…any similar experiences with you guys?

John

[GuitarAttack Forum]

Here is a shot of the show from the top deck. Lots of guitars down there!

[antares]

That sure looks NOISY John! These events kind of leave me feeling bemused and non-plussed. I go to them because friends cajole me into it, and their company makes it worthwhile putting up with the din. I bought a beautiful lead crystal slide at the last show, but then I'm aquainted with the guy who sells (and makes) them. Pound to a penny you didn't see a Gordon Smith!

[GuitarAttack Forum]

Steve -- It was pretty noisy. This year it appeared that they put the amp guys on the outside of the mass of humanity and guitars. I am not sure it was any less noisy, but they were easier to find.

I did not see a Gordon Smith guitar in the entire place! I was looking for a single-cut Les Paul Junior but there were none to be found by the time I arrived at the tail-end of the show.

We had been to Memphis and stopped by on the way home. There was still plenty to look at even at this late hour.

John

[dnic]

Mar 25, 2024 10:59:51 GMT -6 GuitarAttack Forum said:

All - Seems like an exact replay of 2023!

I went to the Nashville Guitar Show on Sunday. It is an annual event held just south of the city in Franklin, Tennessee.

I didn’t buy anything. Everything seemed like it was very expensive.

I don’t know, but it sure looked like just a bunch of old dudes walking around. Had the feel of when I went to the Ford Model A club show when I was a kid. Or maybe a baseball card show.

I just don’t think the young people are that interested in these old guitars, or at least the old guitars I’m interested in.

It may just be me…any similar experiences with you guys?

John

I just read the very first post from 2023, then realized this was an update. I see what you did there John. Clever!

I have become the typical curmudgeon when it comes to public events. To many people, to loud and sometimes to many drunk people. I really don't do drunk people very well.

[antares]

It's reassuring to read that you found everything to be somewhat expensive. I frequently marvel at what some of you guys pay for insignificant bits and pieces- often in the hundreds of dollars.

Here's an example; look at the buy it now price of this crudely 3D printed, "made in the good ol' US of A" christmas cracker gift.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116113718560

And there in the feedback someone thought it was great? Flip!

I see this so much in radio related gear like that, but normally it comes from China. That said- guitar related gear seems to be equally "expensive" It can't all be about disposable income, there has to be some cut-off point where folks call time. It's just me- I'm plain old!

I've come to the conclusion that in addition to a lower standard of living over here (disposable cash?) compared with CONUS, in my subconscious a five pound note is still what it was when I was a yoof when the truth is it won't even get you a pint these days. I come from an age where to this day, I'll still bend down to pick up a penny while the young turks nowadays walk by without even noticing it.

I tell you guys what- it's a cracking good sunny day over here today!

[dnic]

What I can't believe is how much the cost of labor has gone up. Eleven years out of the trades and the wages have doubled. While I was working the wages stayed perversely level. Now I know kids making more than I ever did and they're just starting off. That what 16$ an hour hamburger flippers will get ya. I'm not talking union wages up here I live either.

55$ for that little tapper does seem a bit obscene.

[antares]

I drafted one of my typical rambling responses that was not appropriate to John's thread, so let's just say that your fiscal experience and timeframe exactly mirrors my own.

[dnic]

Mar 28, 2024 3:12:10 GMT -6 antares said:

I drafted one of my typical rambling responses that was not appropriate to John's thread, so let's just say that your fiscal experience and timeframe exactly mirrors my own.

THAt's funny Steve! It would have read much better than mine and been clever as well.