SHOW MAN

Wow ! I had no idea guitars could fetch such astronomical prices ! I thought an old guitar is just that but the day I attended the Santa Monica Vintage guitar show, organized by co founder Larry Briggs, my perceptions changed. I couldn't believe my eyes. Price tags were all over the map and attendance was to say the least, heavy.

I couldn't believe my ears either, as some incredible sounds were hitting me from all over the place, not to mention the laughter all around. The ambiance was great and it was a very enjoyable Saturday I spent there.

Although I was taking pictures of everyone there, I took the time to talk to some of them to learn more about the secondary guitar market and more specifically 'Vintage' guitars.

To begin with, only a year ago I had no clue to how many guitars are manufactured each year.... It’s in the millions. It's simply mind boggling. Of course, I suppose that punks and hard rockers are manufacturers' favorites since they love to break them on stage almost as a special effect but that's not what struck me most. I was most impressed by the Collector's mentality, the nurturing, the loving words utilized by these dealers, refurbishers and manufacturers when it came to pitch a client stopping at their booth. It was like if they were stroking the instruments with fondness. Kind of sexy wouldn't you say?

But back to Larry Briggs. The man is quite an enterprising personality. I learned that in addition to owning StringsWest in Tulsa, OK, the man puts together many guitar shows around the country such as the upcoming Arlington show in October

www.texasguitarshows.com. I was told that

Larry has been buying guitars for so many years, he stopped counting them but his stamina and friendly demeanor takes you through the process of selling your guitar and makes it feel like a breeze

I hear that people get attached to their guitar as if it were a pet so for some, no doubt having to sell their favorite instrument can be a painful moment that’s why Larry's approach has been so appreciated by so many for so many years. To further ease guitar owners' anxiety (at least for the ones that suffer from it), and to provide convenience for others, Larry does not hesitate to travel hundreds of miles to personally verify that the seller’s claims are correct. Understandably, he makes double sure that the next owner will become as attached to the sound and looks of these strings attached so to speak, as the previous owner was.

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Anyway it seems that Larry's track record doesn't need any more stroking. That's probably why Vintage Guitar Magazine has been sponsoring him for so many years but more should be said about the events he puts together. Boy, do they attract a lot of people and loads of celebrities who come to his shows without any fanfare to mingle with fellow musicians and meet with people they haven't seen in a while. They reminisce about their beginnings, chat about their on-going gigs and extrapolate on their futures.

Don't we all do that?

Okay, so the shows are well attended, some patrons are famous, exhibitors love Larry..... All that's well and good but how about the bottom line? Well, here it is... I spoke to each and every exhibitor and I know when someone is just putting up a good front when faced with adversity and I can say that not one was unsatisfied with the results on the first day alone. Yes, some people would love to get more... squeeze that two day fruit to death... get 2 pounds of juice out of a 3 oz apple but bottom line, exhibitors were pleased with the first day's results and were already talking about the next show and the next. To top it all, I could see many a proud smile on the faces of musicians who just acquired that special vintage jewel.

Overall it was summer time and the feelin' was easy at the World Guitar Show in Santa Monica.

By Daniel Nicolas

TITLE: Show Man

DESCRIPTION

wow ! I had no idea guitars could fetch such astronomical prices ! I though well, an old guitar is just that but the day I attended the Santa Monica Vintage guitar show, organized by co founder Larry Briggs, my perceptions changed. I couldn't believe my eyes. Price tags were all over the map and attendance was to say the least, heavy

META TAGS

Vintage Guitar, magazine, , ijamr, ijamr magazine, exhibitors, Texas guitar shows, Larry Briggs, StringWest, Les Alpin, World Guitar Show, Santa Monica, gig, music, trade shows, manufacturers, refurbishers, collectors, bottom line