Anybody going to be at the Arlington, TX show?

[mrblanche]

It's this weekend. I expect to go over Saturday.

[VintAxe]

So what were your impressions of the Show?

[mrblanche]

It seems like every year, one type of guitar stands out. To me, this year, it was Rickenbacker, especially the 12-string models.

There is always a lot of trash on display, and lots of very optimistic prices. You quickly get your fill of $30,000 Teles and Strats. And I have to be honest: More than guitars, I like wood. I saw several examples of fantastic custom guitars in exotic woods. I saw one guy who did fantanstic stuff with exotic woods and inlays, and then built a matching amplifier enclosure.

I DID see a number of old Harmonys and others, including a...Silvertone?...complete with its original case with the built-in amp.

[VintAxe]

Interesting that more of the budget market guitars are beginning to be exhibited at shows. Like you say, for years around here it's been high end guitars that dealers seem to sell/trade among themselves. Not much on the tables for the "working" musician.

I've heard good things about the Arlington show; hope to get there some day myself.

[mrblanche]

If you're coming to the area, contact me, and I'll take you out there.

Actually, I saw lots of "working musicians" buying and selling. I forgot my camera, so I can't give you an idea what it looked like, but it's impressive.

The Arlington show is largely a vintage/collector show, but there are some new guitars, too. The Dallas show, I think, is more like NAMM.