Official Luthiers Forum!

How was it? Please do tell!

_________________
Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

show pictures

I posted some pictures over in the off-topic room, but here goes a recap in no particular order.




notice the spelling on the table sign...

_________________
Reguards,

Ken H

_________________
Reguards,

Ken H

A guitar made completely from materials bought at home depot.







That is what it looked like on the end of the hall where my booth was. Rumor has it that there were sushi bars and belly dancers on the other end of the hall

_________________
Reguards,

Ken H

Very enjoyable, great to meet all the OLF folks as well as seeing many old friends from past ASIA conventions.
Best of all I think were the demos where we all got to hear
our instruments in the hands of first class players.
Like Muriel Anderson


or Enrique Gordano



or Michael Chapdelaine

Most useful for me was player feedback on my latest instrument as well as general reaction and comment.
Most worthwhile!

You should have heard and seen Muriel Anderson playing the theme from sesame street. She never once looked at the guitar and just laughed and smiled the whole time. I was impressd that she didnt even have to look at the guitar for position confirmation.

_________________
Reguards,

Ken H

Did any customers show up? Were sales good? Or was it just a feel-good thing?

I'm not sure what the total customer count was for the show, but it was a steady flow of people for the three days. Sunday was the biggest day and I was busy all day. I sold one guitar and took a comission on another. I know the guy next to me sold one and Tim McKnight sold a couple. Seems like there were a lot of sales. It was a good show for me because it gave me a chance to put my guitars in the hands of a ton of players.

This was a first year for Miami. I'm sure that next year the show will be even bigger. I'll try to find out what the total customer count was and post it when I get the info. Right now the promoters are busy with video editing and storing all of the gear from the show. It might take a while to get the count.

_________________
Reguards,

Ken H

Hopefully this weekend some others will pitch in too. AGF has some good posts as well

Thanks for the photos, Ken.

After one has done a few of these, one starts thinking more like Rick. A good show is one that has good sales. I hope Henry will follow up with a survey and make the sales data known.

_________________
Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I look forward to getting that kind of info as well, Howard.

I wonder how it was for Lance and Brock... ?

_________________
Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

I was very pleased with the show. I sold 2 instruments (one demo/take away and one commission). I also had more serious try-outs than at any other festival. The arrangement of quiet rooms was far more convenient that at say Healdsburg, so it was much easier for prospective buyers to take one for a spin. We'll see if any of those turn into orders.
As for the feel-good aspect; what's wrong with that? Festivals are one of the few chances I've got to see some old friends who don't live nearby, or to meet new luthiers or players. Plus, for those of us who live in more inclement regions a week in the sun was a very welcome break from our endless Northwest winter.
-C

_________________
Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

Hi Guys,
The show was great for me, I have 2 good prospects, I delivered a guitar at the show and only had 1 to sell, which I brought home. It will be going with me to Montreal. I have decided for me that the first priority of these shows is to reconnect with my guitar building brethren. Solidify new friendships and renew old ones.
Brock and I had a blast hanging out with Rob Bustos and his buddy Larry, with out this show, he would be but another internet friend, now we are "for real" friends.
If I sell a guitar that is a big bonus. But to be able to spend a few days a year with the people I so admire is my main priority.

A perfect example is I had the great pleasure to meet face to face with a dear friend John Creech. I have know John for almost five years, we email weekly, I have made him two guitars and NEVER had the change to sit and have dinner with the man. Now I have.

I think "show success" means different things to different people. To me, its all about friends. Sales and commissions are icing on the cake.

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Hey gang! It's been a while since I've posted here, although I do dip in to the search engine whenever I get stuck on something and want to know that I'm not alone

Miami was a really fun show to do. I like South Beach a lot, and for me, it's a vacation disguised as business, haha. As Lance said, he, Brock, Larry and I all had a good time hanging out and discussing the state of lutherie, haha. I think Larry's eyes might have glossed over a little with all the geek-talk, but he was happy to meet you guys, LOL.

Besides meeting with the people we only ever get to chat online with, or look at pictures of their work, it's nice to hear your guitars played back at you by some really serious musicians. Don Alder played some demo concerts for me, but the best was hearing him play back at the hotel room for just Larry and I. It sounded GREAT in there!!

So, I just wanted to say hi to some of the people I got to meet who hang out here at the OLF. I hope we can get together and chat more at the next one! Nice to meet you: Chas, Lance, Brock, Brian G., Sam G., Rod S., Ken H., Craig L.!

Talk soon,

Rob

_________________
Searching for toasted wheat under-pinnings

I thought it was a very good start and I hope it is continued. I think it will grow into a very good show. The crowd seemed a little short on Friday and sunday but It may just have been the ease with which people could move about that made it seem light. The layout was very nice I thought, one long and amply wide room with quiet rooms and concert rooms all along both sides. The concerts were all videoed and broadcast into the mail room in realtime and playback during breaks. First class players all provided by the show. I had Paul Asbell for two shows and Jamie Stillway for one.
I sold one guitar and sent two more home with dealers. Made lots of new friends, visited with old friends and heard a ton of great music. I had one of the video monitors right in front of my table so I got to hear a lot of concerts. Sorry, I didn't take a single picture though.

_________________
Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.