SC Guitar Show

[Zentar]

I attended a large show in Spartenburg SC today. Very good crowd with lots of guitars. Tons of acoustics One vender came from as far as NY. I saw a bunch of old Martins in the $3-4k range. Also saw several 50s Strats and Teles. One Tele was $19k. Saw a couple of Strat bodies and necks but priced too high-$225 for a body not in good shape.
I looked at a good many LP Standards or similar but thought they were asking too much. $2150 was a common price.
I went looking to find a double cut Junior or Special but I don't think I saw one except a vintage from mid 50s at $4500.

Door fee was $10

I brought along $1100 but spent zero. I'm not sure why I spent zero but I drove 240 miles round trip. If it wasn't a deal I wasn't interested. If I had to say exactly why I spent zero I guess I'd say it's because I'm not paying retail if I drive a long way. Also a $7 door fee seems more fair than $10. People just won't budge belowretail either. If I spend $25 gas and a half days driving time just to get there I am expecting at least a decent product discount otherwise I'll buy online. Seems that way at gun shows too. This may have been my last guitar show today. I'm not sure it is worth the time and effort if no deals are to be had. Maybe their days over?

I left my glasses home and had to park a long way from the show too. Hard to say why I wasn't impressed today.

 

[Tom Wittrock]

I attended a large show in Spartenburg SC today. Very good crowd with lots of guitars. Tons of acoustics One vender came from as far as NY. I saw a bunch of old Martins in the $3-4k range. Also saw several 50s Strats and Teles. One Tele was $19k. Saw a couple of Strat bodies and necks but priced too high-$225 for a body not in good shape.
I looked at a good many LP Standards or similar but thought they were asking too much. $2150 was a common price.
I went looking to find a double cut Junior or Special but I don't think I saw one except a vintage from mid 50s at $4500.

Door fee was $10

I brought along $1100 but spent zero. I'm not sure why I spent zero but I drove 240 miles round trip. If it wasn't a deal I wasn't interested. If I had to say exactly why I spent zero I guess I'd say it's because I'm not paying retail if I drive a long way. Also a $7 door fee seems more fair than $10. People just won't budge belowretail either. If I spend $25 gas and a half days driving time just to get there I am expecting at least a decent product discount otherwise I'll buy online. Seems that way at gun shows too. This may have been my last guitar show today. I'm not sure it is worth the time and effort if no deals are to be had. Maybe their days over?

I left my glasses home and had to park a long way from the show too. Hard to say why I wasn't impressed today.

Is that the only reason you went?
Did you learn anything about vintage guitars [or modern ones] ?

I've been attending shows for 40 years and still gain something every trip. Even though I haven't bought many guitars in years. :hmm

 

[Zentar]

Is that the only reason you went?
Did you learn anything about vintage guitars [or modern ones] ?

I've been attending shows for 40 years and still gain something every trip. Even though I haven't bought many guitars in years. :hmm

You may have hit on another reason I wasn't thrilled today. I was hoping to see some old Harmonys but only saw two but one was really a Sears Silvertone. Maybe I just didn't see what I was interested in Dunno. Today didn't thrill me

 

[mingus]

I can understand your position. I have attended countless guitar shows and have noticed that since the recession, the shows have been getting smaller and smaller with fewer interesting pieces. I recently attended the Orange County show in January and was stunned at how small it has become. I didn't plan on attending, but happened to be playing a gig that night within a mile of the guitar show and decided I would check it out before loading in. I was surprised to see Joe B there with an impressive display (nothing for sale) and I was able to say hello to him the dealers I know who happened to be there. I bought a couple of straps, otherwise there was nothing there that I was interested in.

It's got to be expensive for a dealer to purchase space and then ship their inventory and man the booth. I can see why after that outlay of time, money, and headaches, they may not be interested in selling cheap. I think most dealers have been transitioning to more internet sales for a lot of reasons and we will probably see guitar shows becoming less and less relevant.

Of course, the big Dallas (& Arlington) shows are the kings and if one wants to learn about vintage guitars, they provide an excellent opportunity to learn and network. However, I think their days may be numbered as well.

Once again, the only constant in life is change.