I couldn’t believe how well organized the event was and I’d like to tip my hat to the founder, Jacques-André Dupont.

You can also drop them a line at http://www.salondeguitaredemontreal.ca

I’ve been playing for quite a few years now and the question always comes up:  If I had an extra $2000, what guitar would I buy?  Well, overwhelmingly, my response is always either a kick-ass Fender or Gibson, only because these have “market-values” and are expected to be worth more later on.  I have considered Epiphones, and Paul Reed Smiths.

I know a friend who’s had several “personal custom” guitars made for him and he swears by them.

So on to the show I went, expecting to see the established mainstays such as Fender, Gibson, and Marshall, but no!  This is truly a guitar maker show.

I couldn’t believe the quality of products I saw on display.  The expo is divided intelligently into an acoustic and electric section.  Walking into the venue, you first end up in the acoustic section.  The electric section is

I saw a strong Manouche movement in terms of makers and luthiers.  Many types of Manouche guitars are available and again, I was first made aware of the strong Montreal Manouche guitar style community.

Many other acoustic luthiers are putting sound holes on the sides and even variable with a sliding door to adjust the size of the sound hole.  Talk about dynamic range.  Enough of acoustics (I’m not currently shopping for an acoustic ever since I acquired a half-priced Parkwood PW-510 in Chicago).  For the list of acoustic luthiers, check out http://www.montrealguitarshow.ca/exposants_liste_en.aspx?ed=2010&cat=acoustique

The electric guitar exhibitors are another crowd.  There were fewer electric makers than acoustic but they sure made up for it in intensity.  I mean many models were intense.  For the list of electric exhibitors check out http://www.montrealguitarshow.ca/exposants_liste_en.aspx?ed=2010&cat=electrique

And they have several sound booths where you can try new product.  I was enthralled by the number of times an exquisite axe was pushed into my hands by its maker with a, “ come on buddy, take this for a try)

In addition to the acoustic and electric guitar makers, there were shows and workshops.  Master luthiers from around the world converged to discuss new guitar making trends.  Zeb Heintz and Andy McKee performed as well as many others.

The guitar show’s mood was great.  The electric side was festive while you’d think you were at some fancy auction house like Sotheby’s or Christie’s when you were in the acoustic section.

I would say overall that the time and place was formidable.  Having an annual guitar show during the jazz festival and on the same site is truly convenient.  One parking, one guitar show, many free concerts makes for a recipe for success.

Looking forward to seeing you next year.

Later.

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thanks for the comment!
written by guitarbites , July 13, 2010

cool thanks for the comment!

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written by Rowan Minnis , July 12, 2010

Sounds like a great event

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