2015 Portland Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibit

[Jason Rodgers]

This coming weekend, April 25 & 26, the Pacific Northwest is putting on one of its best instrument shows at Marylhurst University. Brought to you by the Guild of American Luthiers, there will be a who's-who list of great builders displaying, including our very own David King, Loren Schulte, and Chet Bishop. Also, humbly displaying our work (right next to John Greven and two tables down from Mike Doolin!), will be John Sonksen and me, representing garage lutherie at its finest.

Marylhurst University is just a quick jaunt south from downtown Portland, entrance is $2 or $3, and there are mini concerts every 15 minutes all afternoon. Join us!

http://www.nwmusicalinstrumentshow.org/

[Bryan Bear]

Why does the Pacific Northwest have to be so darned far from the Midwest?

[Larry Davis]

Tectonics?

[Bryan Bear]

lol

[Jason Rodgers]

I'll post some pics here of the weekend.

[David King]

Thanks for posting this Jason, I'll see you there. I'll be next to Ted Megas and his awe inspiring archtops.

[Pat Foster]

I'll be on the other side of Ted Megas. Looking forward to it.

Pat

[Jason Rodgers]

It was a great first day! This show has gotten pretty big, and the crowd was considerable. For those of you who have been to the GAL Conference, the exhibit hall at Marylhurst is just a little smaller than the main hall at PLU. John and I had quite a number of folks stop and ask about our work, and more than a few took our cards. As always, it's fun just BS-ing with folks on the sidelines, talking shop, and sharing ideas. Can't wait for tomorrow!

[Jason Rodgers]

Woo! What a weekend! I need to resize my pics, but I'll get a few shots of familiar faces up before long.

[Pat Foster]

It was a good show, as always. I enjoyed chatting with Jason and David, others too. I traveled with a fellow builder, and through his brother, met Mike Mitchell, lead guitar player for the Kingsmen (who can forget "Louie Louie?"). Nice fellow. Great weekend, it was!

Pat

[David King]

I sold 5 knobs and a switch tip for a total of $15. Not my best effort but as always this show is much more geared to exhibitors socializing and the visitors are more of an afterthought. I'd say only one in ten visitors has ever played an instrument. Max Sipe did sell a guitar which has happened for him before so sales are possible. It helps if you have an instrument for sale which I never do.

[Jason Rodgers]

Ok, here are a few pics I took of the weekend. First, the MIMF folks.

John Sonksen (left) and me at our table.

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David King (right) and former apprentice (Aaron, was it?).

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Hanging with Loren Schulte.

Pat Foster.

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Mike Doolin (right).

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Violin maker Chet Bishop was also there, but I didn't get around to chatting with him.

[Jason Rodgers]

Here are a few more...

Portland builder Clayton Pledger, talking with John Greven.

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Met Portland builder Ryan Boutte of RGB guitars. This picture doesn't capture the hand-carved detail on the top of the guitar on the right. Very talented guy!

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I was really excited to talk with Ted Megas! He was one of my early inspirations when I began "studying" lutherie. Still haven't built an archtop, but someday.

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And one more of the full exhibit hall.

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John and I also talked quite a bit with Chris Klumper and his wife Glenda of Lutherie Tools, who are some great folks. They were very encouraging of our work and are a wealth of information.

This is something I'll definitely do again. And at the rate I build, I should probably start planning for next year!

[Pat Foster]

I'm with David. I don't expect to sell, so I'm never disappointed! But I do take guitars that are for sale, just in case.

Pat