The Montreal Guitar Show
The Gear Page, for the first time in its history, has chosen to affiliate with a guitar show. We made this decision regarding the Montreal Guitar Show because of its unique approach, the wonderful group of luthiers who will show their work, and the association of the guitar show with the Montreal Jazz Festival. We encourage our members to attend the festival and the show!
Previous Exhibit At Montreal Guitar Show
by Jacques-André Dupont
Founder, General Manager and … guitar junky!
The 3rd edition of the Montreal Guitar Show (www.montrealguitarshow.com) is on again this year, from July 3 to 5, 2009 at Hyatt Regency Montréal! It’s the ultimate place to admire, try out and purchase some of the most beautiful high-end guitars, handcrafted by several of the world’s greatest luthiers.
How it all got started
A few years ago I fell in love. I fell in love with the artists who transform wood into what I consider to be one of the most interesting modern art pieces around: the handmade guitar. Luthiers, who I affectionately refer to as modern time Geppettos, need to be better known, as they create amazing instruments. Being a pro event organizer (I am also VP of the world renowned Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (www.montrealjazzfest.com), I felt it was my duty to create the ultimate high-end guitar event to help spread the word about luthiers and to create a gathering place for guitar junkies like myself. My goal was simple: this show needed to be nothing less than guitar heaven for all guitar aficionados! So for the last few years we have produced the Montreal Guitar Show, which is now considered by many to be one of the world’s most prestigious events of its kind.
A new room for electric guitar luthiers and high-end amps, effects and suppliers
For 2009 we decided to go a little further… The Montreal Guitar Show, although already well-known for its acoustic, classical, gypsy-style and archtop guitars, is innovating by creating a new hall specifically for electric guitars, as well as a new room for boutique amps and effects, which will pave the way for the arrival of dozens of electric guitar luthiers as well as small manufacturers of high-end accessories, including amplifiers, pedals and effects.
The ideal place to find and purchase the guitar of your dreams
Right from its opening days the show surpassed all expectations, as confirmed by the long line-ups of fans eagerly waiting to discover the musical and artistic masterpieces inside. In fact, we welcomed five times more visitors than anticipated! And no doubt that these same people will be back next year with others in tow, because the MGS is much more than a mere exhibition; it’s a show that makes you feel as if the instrument of your dreams, before your very eyes, was designed specially for you… and better still, you can buy it! Yes indeed, these veritable works of art—acoustic, classical, archtop, gypsy-style or electric—crafted by dozens of the greatest lutherie artisans are also available for purchase!
A rich and varied program of free activities
All you have to do is feast your eyes on any creation of Matthew Artinger, Mario Beauregard, Bill Comins, Michael Greenfield, Peter Hopkins, Michael Lewis, Linda Manzer, John Monteleone, Tom Ribbecke, Jean Rompré, or Scott Walker to name a few, and you will understand how it is that all guitarists are totally fulfilled at the Show. Add to that the free mini-concerts, meet and greet sessions, free workshops hosted by top luthiers or guitarists, and shows by amazing guitar players, and you’ll have some idea of the sheer joy experienced by guitar fans.
When and where
The 3rd edition of the MGS will be held from July 3 to 5, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Montréal. In the meantime, visit our regularly updated website to find out which luthiers will be participating in the Show and to check out the program of activities, or to reserve your hotel stay at a competitive price. And for the heads-up on Montreal Guitar Show news, you can always subscribe to our Newsletter.
