Guitars on display at the first Guitaranooga last year.Due to the success of the inaugural Guitaranooga guitar show last year - all vendors' booths sold out and several hundred guitar enthusiasts passed through the doors - the show is returning on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
And there's no better place to hold a guitar show than the venue housing the city's premier collection of guitars: Songbirds Guitar Museum, 35 Station St.
"For those who aren't really sure what a guitar show is, think of it like any other trade show where vendors have booths set up ready to buy, sell or trade musical equipment," describes Darren Patrick, founder of Guitaranooga.
"It will be mostly electric guitars but there will be acoustics, amps, effects pedals, basses, etc. One guy sold an upright bass last year, so you never know."
Patrick says the show offers a great opportunity for buyers and sellers in one convenient location.
"Collectors will be there, ready to pay on the spot for used and vintage gear. It is also a great buying opportunity for those, 'I've been looking for one of these for years!' moments. In addition, there will be local guitar builders (luthiers) showing off their beautiful creations, which will also be available for sale."
Patrick says a big factor in his decision to launch the show was the opening of Songbirds Guitar Museum. Songbirds had a booth in the first show and, while there, curator David Davidson approached Patrick about holding the second show in his venue. The answer was a no-brainer.
"I thought, what better place to have a guitar show than surrounded by the rarest collection of guitars on display on the planet," Patrick says.
In honor of Guitaranooga, the venue will offer a special ticket price for visitors, says Patrick.
"Normally it is $15.95 to visit the main Timeline room at Songbirds, and $39 for the guided tour, which gives you additional access to the Green Room and the Vault. The day of the show, $15 will get you access to Guitaranooga, the Timeline room and the Green Room. A 45-minute tour of the Vault will be available for an extra $10 this one day only," says Patrick.
For more information: Guitaranooga.com or call 423-875-5250.