The fifth GuitarCon guitar convention, held at Montclair State University April 14, allowed guitarists from pre-schoolers to professional heavyweights to browse among top-ranked, independent suppliers of guitars, amps and basses. Almost all of the fifty-three exhibitors were from the northeast U.S., which made it one of the largest exhibitions of local luthiers and their work in the area.Tanya Kays, producer of the show, said it was a resounding success, something that was echoed by many attendees and exhibitors.
“We had a really great attendance and everybody seemed to be very happy,” Tanya said. “We had a lot of great instruments and the amount of attendees were great.”
“Our shows are fun. Our shows are very kid friendly,” Tanya said. “If they stop playing, we’re not going to have any more guitar shows because we’re going to be too old to keep on.”
As an example of their kid-friendly nature, the show had performances by School of Rock, with a rock band made up of teens and tweens pumping out some serious jams.
Erik Ruhmann is the maker of Moxie Amps, boutique tube amps. He and his father, who makes the cabinets on his amps, drove down with a van full of them from Chelmsford, MA for the show. Afterward they had to leave immediately because they were booked at another show in Western New York the following day. When asked if that kind of drive was worth it to him the amp maker didn’t hesitate before answering.
“Oh yeah. That was a good time,” Ruhmann said. “For me, as a small business just starting out, right now it’s about getting exposure, getting out there.” He said this show was easier to get around than others and credited the organizers for that.
“Tanya, I think she did a great job,” Ruhmann said. “The fact was, they had everything laid out neatly, we were able to get power for the amps, everything was just great.”
But Ruhmann had another reason to be happy after the show. Just before the end of the show, Guns and Roses lead guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal wandered up to the Local Music Gear booth where several guitars that had been reviewed on the website were on display for readers to try out. Since Ruhmann had loaned Local Music Gear an amp to use for the day, those guitars were plugged into a Moxie amp.
Bumblefoot began by playing a couple of them, then joined by a friend, Tom Monda, created an impromptu jam session with wildly improbable jazz shredding and amazing arpeggios. The two were even joined by guitarists trying out equipment nearby.
Afterward, Bumblefoot had nothing but high praise for Moxie Amps, and Ruhmann had nothing but appreciation for Bumblefoot.
“What a great guy,” Ruhmann said. “You have to wonder how many guys who are at his level of the business would take the time to help out a little guy like me by providing feedback. For a new guy starting out, for someone to go out of the way like that, that’s a class act.”
As for Bumblefoot, interviewed after the show he said he had a great time just playing around.
“It was nice to go to a music convention solely focused on not just guitar, but predominantly local guitar makers,” Bumblefoot said. “It was great to meet some people that I only knew through e-mail or products, and finally make it personal.” And Bumblefoot didn’t need much time before telling his high point of the show either.
“The best part of the show for me was jamming at your booth,” Bumblefoot said. Then, after a pause, “It’s been a long time since I just got to sit and play guitar.”
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guitarconventioninc.com
Posted 04/2012
View photography slide show here
For photography prints contact gusphoto@yahoo.com
Contact:
guitarconventioninc.com
Posted 04/2012
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