The Graph Tech team has been busy this summer, attending some of the best music tradeshows in North America. From Sweetwater GearFest, to the Vancouver International Guitar Festival and, most recently, the 2017 Summer NAMM Show in Nashville...
The Graph Tech team has been busy this summer, attending some of the best music tradeshows in North America. From Sweetwater GearFest, to the Vancouver International Guitar Festival and, most recently, the 2017 Summer NAMM Show in Nashville (watch for a future blog on this one), we want to show you a glimpse of all the nerding out we’ve done over this summer’s hottest music gear.
A Little Rain Didn't Put a Damper on Sweetwater GearFest 2017 GearFest 2017 brought more than 14,000 guests, artists, and vendors to the newly expanded Sweetwater campus. We had a blast geeking out about the latest gear with passionate musicians and experienced engineers over two days of non-stop classes, workshops, and performances.
Sweetwater is already planning how to make GearFest 2018 even better, but until then, click here to check out the top highlights from GearFest 2017.
Sweetwater hosted over 14,000 people from all over the US at their Sweetwater campus in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
On display was Eric Singer's all-new Pearl custom drum set, which he will be touring with for KISS this summer.
Sweetwater Sales Engineer Extraordinaire, Andy Rice, poses with Jordan Sokoloski of Graph Tech Guitar Labs.
Sweetwater Techs Mark and Doug get a Ratio® Tuned Machine Head demo from Graph Tech’s Lefty Ambassador and Customer Service Rep, Justin Stadig.
Attendees were treated to performances by clinicians and celebrities, including Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa), Robben Ford, Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), and many others.
Over 475 manufacturers presented their product lines with hands-on demonstrations, answered questions, and provided plenty of freebies.
Graph Tech Guitar Labs stops by Fort Wayne’s Guitar Center to visit Head Tech, Jay Carrol.
Meeting Good Friends, Old and New, at the Vancouver International Guitar Festival
Last month we joined guitar builders, players, collectors and aficionados for three days of live music, master classes, special events, and the opportunity to see, hear and play some of the world’s finest handmade stringed instruments. You can learn more about the guitar heros from this festival here.
Highlights from this show include seeing our Ratio® Tuners on guitars made from Jimi Hendrix’s family home! The fronts were made of baseboard from his living room or bedroom; living room because his record player was there, and bedroom because that’s where Jimi slept - obviously. The necks were made of flooring from his bed or living room as well.
Fun Fact: Did you know Canada is a global leader in the craft of guitar-making? B.C. produces 80 per cent of the most sought-after tone wood luthiers rely on to create the tops — Sitka and Engelmann spruce and western red cedar — as well as the curly maple used in backs and sides.
A portrait of Jean Larrivée, who was on hand to accept his 2017 Industry Builder Award.
The Kauer(s) of Love.
Hometown heroes Prestige Guitars’ impressive array.
Stay tuned for photos from the 2017 Summer NAMM Show in Nashville coming soon!