September 18, 2007
SPG E-Mail Newsletter
Newsletter #56
www.spgguitars.com
Rick Welch of SPG Guitars Show Overview
Premier Guitars Festival – Boston
Being an exhibitor at any guitar show you always have those feelings
of how well the show will work for your company. This being the
first of many
Premier Guitar Festivals, even better being in your
own backyard, the anticipation and excitement was building from the
first day we signed up for our booth. I often do not like to
critique anything because sometimes you just do not know how this
will be perceived, so here I go - the show was a hit! I had to let
my experience out. Not only was I an exhibitor but I felt I was in
good company with my fellow guitar enthusiasts.
Let
me first start off by telling you that the staff at Premier Guitar
Shows did a phenomenal job. Every single one of them was there to
assist and help you with any need or issue. I think the last time I
experienced such service and courtesy was during a trip at Disney
World. Their attention to detail was well versed and they put on a
top notch performance in all aspects of the show. They are to be
commended, they are doing everything right.
Being an exhibitor I couldn’t leave the floor for too long, I missed
the guitar clinics. I know when I did pass through the hallway where
the clinics were in session, if not a full house, there was magic
happening behind closed doors.
Back at the SPG Guitar Booth, we did exactly what we planned to do
at the show. Our mission was to explain to event attendees the
process and end result on how we make custom guitars. We met so many
people; there were periods of endless conversation. One thing I did
learn is that I start sneezing when I chew on too many Altoids. Sure
we made a few sales, but for the most part, I felt people were happy
that we were there.
So
what were my highlights? Other than the key evening performers doing
what they do best which you could sit and watch for hours in awe, I
was there to represent SPG and equally important to visit other
booths and network. As an owner of a guitar company, I really like
to see what others are doing; it gets your creative juices flowing.
Every person I met around the room was resourceful, kind and ready
to explain their passion behind what they do and love to do, day in
and out. This is the guitar industry and what a group of devoted
people, I was in the right place.
Welcome to the world of Vintage Guitars! Many of the booths were
loaded with authentic vintage guitars I thought should have been
behind glass. Its mind blowing how respected the guitar is from the
past. Many booths were a collectors dream and the admission alone
was worth it just to pass through the guitar museum.
Okay, I don’t want to leave you hanging; I know you want to read
some insight on the booths I spent the most time at. I’ll limit it
to a few so I don’t bore you and this is no plugs either, only
actual experiences from my own perusing at the show (other than
hanging at the SPG booth talking away).
-
My favorite guitar at the show? Other than SPG (once again, no
plug) there were so many great looking and sounding guitars but
one caught my eye because of the craftsmanship and the unique
design of the product. The
Jersey Girl Guitars at the
Boston
Guitar Works booth was extremely interesting. Not being familiar
with these guitars I haven’t seen anything like it before and
the wood work and detail was not only extraordinary, it was
flawless. These custom guitars made by a Japanese builder are
worth checking out.
-
Having a corner of Memphis in Boston was allowed and done in a
very cool way. Brian at
St. Blues Guitar was a guy you’d want to
hang out with and have a few beers. In fact, that’s what he did
– not only did his booth make you feel like the ghost of Elvis
was going to creep out behind you, he had a circa 1950’s
refrigerator stocked with suds. Now these guys know how to Rock!
-
You couldn’t help seeing the eye candy display at the
Carlino
Guitars booth (and we’re not just talking guitars here folks).
This booth was loaded with Hard Rock and Metal dream guitars
hanging from an elaborate structure that I’m sure made the Metal
Gods proud. If you’re extreme rocker looking for speed, Carlino
Guitars was the place. Having a guy like Joe Stump shred at eye
blinking speed only added to the whole mystic at the Carlino
booth.
-
I thought the
BFD Drum and Midi display was a nice touch and
departure from the vintage guitar theme. Finger tapping on a
portable sampled drum instrument was clearly the opposite of
what else was going on in the building. But hearing loud guitar
amps all day made me want to run down to this booth to bang on
some drums.
-
I like things simple and
Pedulla Bass’s booth was just that. Not
just the fact that they are neighbors with their manufacturing
shop the next town over from SPG, they are the Cadillac of
handmade basses. I had a nice conversation over at the Pedulla
booth, nice to know that others have pride in building a great
brand reputation, a small outfit with worldwide success and one
builder that makes a superior product. (Sounds Familiar?)
-
Now Chuck and Ken at the
Bose booth really had a shtick going.
Not only were they showcasing an incredible product, they made
you want to grab a guitar and join into their act. There’s no
doubt that any gigging musician would die for a few of those
Bose towers. They had me sold.
I
could go on and on about several other booths but I just want to let
everyone know that reads this that Premier Guitar Shows in the real
deal. Pulling together some A+ musicians and marrying it with a well
presented exhibitor floor is no easy trick. These guys really are on
the ball and it showed throughout each day.
I
think one of the most memorable times at the show was a young kid
around the age of twelve that hung around our booth for an hour or
so with his father (doesn’t include multiple return visits). He
picked up almost every piece we had on display with the same comment
– “You guys really made this guitar from scratch?” You know there is
only one answer to that question, but we knew right off the bat this
kid was a sponge taking everything in, asking question after
question. It wasn’t until he plugged in a custom SPG Strat into a
perfectly blended
Goodsell amp that this kid was not only a gatherer
of guitar knowledge, this kid could play, I mean, really play, note
for note on classic blues and rock riffs. It was a sight to see and
hear. Instantly it put a smile to your face as this young boy put
his head down and felt this guitar sing off his finger tips. It
brought me back to my youth, right back to the day I wanted to pick
up and learn the guitar. I sat back to reflect; I own a guitar
company now, I’m at a great guitar show, I’m here now because when I
was this kids age a wanted to play guitar like all my favorite
guitar heroes so not only do I want to play guitar, I want to make
them too. Then my thoughts changed to; this kid needs to visit every
school in the country and promote playing the guitar – we need to
see more of this.
In
retrospect, this is what the guitar means to me and many others.
It’s not just something that you hold and play; it’s something
greater than that, something deep. Having a place to share this love
of guitar at a superior event like the Premier Guitar Festival this
past weekend was just that, a community of great people with the
internal passion for creating and making music either by selling it,
building it or cherishing it.
Until Next Time, Rock On!!
R.
Other Related Articles:
Premier Guitar Festival Boston Rocks by Joe Coffey
Boston Herald story about Premier Guitar Festivals - Boston
Daily Free Press (Boston University) story about Premier
Guitar Festivals - Boston
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