Melbourne Guitar Makers Festival

[jeff crisp]

Sorry Jim, between the worst sink back I've ever seen in my life on any guitar and my ugly mug, if there is any it might be best that they don't surface.

[needsmorecowbel]

You had some stunners at the show Jeff I really like the style with which you make guitars. Really digging the way you treat the headstock. Very Very cool

Stu

[jeff crisp]

Thanks Stu, I appreciate your comments . I will keep plodding along.

[Trevor Gore]

Well, I think a good time was had by all, including me. Nine hours drive each way, seven guitars, stands, computers and bits and pieces as well as the usual luggage, so a real car full.

It was good to speak to those I managed to speak to, especially the forum members, but I only got to speak to about half the people I wanted to, I was that flat out. Unfortunately, I didn't get to any of the concerts, either. I think maybe next time I'll go as a spectator rather than an exhibitor!

It seems no-one died in the "Designing and Building Contemporary Acoustic Guitars" workshop, but it seems there were a few injured brains. I guess two and a half hours flat out on the black book will do that!

All the instruments there were undoubtedly impressive, but I have to say the wood in Laurie Williams instruments (NZ) was something else. The whitebait kauri (I think!) was something really special.

A big thanks, too, to the organisers. Apologies to those I miss, but thanks to Jack Spira, Phil Carson Crickmore, Dan Hoban, Dan Robinson, Tim Kill, Shane Briggs, Jeff Crisp, Andrew Duganzich and Jim Matheas.

Not to be missed next year.

[needsmorecowbel]

It was a great talk Trevor! I think you are right there were a few fried brains by question time...After nearly three hours the mind seems to wander towards soundports...

Stu

[Nick]

All the instruments there were undoubtedly impressive, but I have to say the wood in Laurie Williams instruments (NZ) was something else. The whitebait kauri (I think!) was something really special.

Good to hear that Laurie made the trip, a New Zealand Luthier that is certainly worth his salt and one workshop I'd sure like to visit. Christian may know more as they are both in the same part of the country but I believe Laurie has his own private source of the whitebait Kauri and an impressive stash of it he's accumulated over the years and yes it certainly does shimmer under finish.

[christian]

Looks like the event was a hit!! So many great guitars on offer, thanks for posting chaps!! I would love to exhibit...maybe next year!!
Re The Ancient Kauri Laurie uses, yes it is the whitebait grade. If it was the "Williams" whitebait, it is simply amazing under high gloss, it came from one freakish log unearthed somewhere up our way.
I have some great flame and whitebait but nothing like that!!
I found the link to a short clip showcasing it. Unreal!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utwWplLKf-Q

Cheers,

Christian

[rocket]

I'm pretty sure the festival is bi-annual Christian, hope you can get along to it just the same, good chance to meet another forumite and seeing as i seem to be so bloody slow with a build a 2 year gap should give me a chance to knock up something new for the next one, ha ha!! .
Cheers,,
Rod.

[rocket]

On behalf of Jack Spira and the rest of the members here's a link to a 15 minute promo video of the festival held in 2013, the next one is in the planning for 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lu0MYb ... e=youtu.be
Rod.

[rocket]

A shorter version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wikn0M43JZQ
Rod.

[Nick]

On behalf of Jack Spira and the rest of the members here's a link to a 15 minute promo video of the festival held in 2013, the next one is in the planning for 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lu0MYb ... e=youtu.be
Rod.

Great vid, thanks for posting Rod and good to hear one of your axes getting a workout!

[seeaxe]

Very nice video, very nice guitars, very nice playing. Very cool!
If hearing that doesn't sell a few guitars, then I don't know what would.

I'd be interested to know if many people actually buy at the show? If I was thinking of buying a top end guitar I would think that having that many different options would be perfect. (Except they are all righties, but that's my problem)

Cheers

[rocket]

Only ever saw one high end instrument sold at one of these shows, you don't go there to sell you go there to advertise, the place is full of tyre kickers and mostly they just drool over the instruments an make them grubby, the really serious ones, hopefully will pop out of nowhere a few years later when they have the readies, still waiting to see if that's going to happen.!!

Rod.