San Mateo Guitar Show Day 1....

[Mr. Burton]

.....SUCKED. A lot of overpriced LP's and Strats (which is honestly expected). KJQ Guitars were pretty cool but $5k with abalone inlays is a deal breaker for me. Not many amps at all. King Amps had a Komet 60 and another dealer had a 3rd Power British Dream on which some 8 year old kid was totally bringing the heat. That said there wasn't a lot to see. I went to the San Rafael show last year and thought it was better. People were friendly enough and after chatting with several folks, the consensus was that the show has steadily regressed over the years.

It simply amazes me how bad the market is right now for gear. I brought in an Alvarez Dana Scoop, which admittedly is way out of it's element at this show. Still rare and a good icebreaker for the other 3 guitars I was looking to unload. Several people commented on it but the icing on the cake was the dealer that offered me $30 for it. The fucking hard case is worth more than that.

Anyway for any of the bay area guys that might consider going tomorrow I would save the $25. If anyone has any recommendations for decent shows in the area I am always interested.

 

[verderacer]

This really does not surprise me... Do you know if any of the guys from from B Street or Tony from Aantones was there if ya know them?

 

[Mr. Burton]

This really does not surprise me... Do you know if any of the guys from from B Street or Tony from Aantones was there if ya know them?

Not too sure on either. There were at least 3 dealers there other than King. I am fairly new to the bay area and haven't yet gotten around to the shops in San Mateo. I have been to Bananas Music, Rocker Guitars, King Amps, Guitar Showcase, and Gelb Music so far. I get out to east bay on rare occasions but will check out Aantones next time I'm out that way.

Somewhat unrelated, but I dropped into Tone Merchants a couple of weeks ago and chatted with Mark Day for a bit. I played on his Suhr through the Brown Eye. My jaw was on the floor with how many awesome amps and guitars were there. That is one of the only places (Gelb is a close second) that has simply knocked me out walking in the door.

 

[verderacer]

This really does not surprise me... Do you know if any of the guys from from B Street or Tony from Aantones was there if ya know them?

Not too sure on either. There were at least 3 dealers there other than King. I am fairly new to the bay area and haven't yet gotten around to the shops in San Mateo. I have been to Bananas Music, Rocker Guitars, King Amps, Guitar Showcase, and Gelb Music so far. I get out to east bay on rare occasions but will check out Aantones next time I'm out that way.

Somewhat unrelated, but I dropped into Tone Merchants a couple of weeks ago and chatted with Mark Day for a bit. I played on his Suhr through the Brown Eye. My jaw was on the floor with how many awesome amps and guitars were there. That is one of the only places (Gelb is a close second) that has simply knocked me out walking in the door.

If you get a chance do go to Aantones in Newark. Tony is the owner and one helluv a great guy and one of the better sources for classic instruments and guitar work. The guys down at Showcase are pretty decent also and used to be the only a major competitors to GC on Stevens Creeek. Now Gelb and Banana's I have not been to in ages and both were kinda of holes back in my day. One other place you want to check out is Starving Musician in Santa Clara off El Camino and in Santa Cruz. They used to get alot of used stuff.

 

[Mr. Burton]

If you get a chance do go to Aantones in Newark. Tony is the owner and one helluv a great guy and one of the better sources for classic instruments and guitar work. The guys down at Showcase are pretty decent also and used to be the only a major competitors to GC on Stevens Creeek. Now Gelb and Banana's I have not been to in ages and both were kinda of holes back in my day. One other place you want to check out is Starving Musician in Santa Clara off El Camino and in Santa Cruz. They used to get alot of used stuff.

Gelb is in my opinion the best in the bay. The amp selection is pretty stellar (Swart, 3rd Power, Bogner, Orange, Dr. Z, and 65 Amps) and they're the only Anderson dealer around. The guys are really cool too.

Funny you should mention it, I have been in the upstairs repair shop of Starving Musician in Santa Clara. I sold my Sunn 4x10 to the repairman after hours. Didn't get to actually see the store but have been meaning to get back over there.

 

[tonedog]

If you get a chance do go to Aantones in Newark. Tony is the owner and one helluv a great guy and one of the better sources for classic instruments and guitar work. The guys down at Showcase are pretty decent also and used to be the only a major competitors to GC on Stevens Creeek. Now Gelb and Banana's I have not been to in ages and both were kinda of holes back in my day. One other place you want to check out is Starving Musician in Santa Clara off El Camino and in Santa Cruz. They used to get alot of used stuff.

Gelb is in my opinion the best in the bay. The amp selection is pretty stellar (Swart, 3rd Power, Bogner, Orange, Dr. Z, and 65 Amps) and they're the only Anderson dealer around. The guys are really cool too.

Funny you should mention it, I have been in the upstairs repair shop of Starving Musician in Santa Clara. I sold my Sunn 4x10 to the repairman after hours. Didn't get to actually see the store but have been meaning to get back over there.

Gelb is as good as it gets in these parts at least in my opinion. Tone Merchants is a step beyond though.

 

[verderacer]

Next time when I am back I will have to go an check it out... It's been many years since I have been there.

 

[MississippiMetal]

There are so many boutique makers up here, I'm surprised any Nor Cal guitar show isn't massive. Not only are there oodles of boutique amp, guitar, and accessory makers, there's a shit-ton of rich guitar players in and around Marin county. Maybe the big guys like Two-Rock, Mesa, EMG, and Tone Tubby aren't interested in the local conventions?

 

[verderacer]

There are so many boutique makers up here, I'm surprised any Nor Cal guitar show isn't massive. Not only are there oodles of boutique amp, guitar, and accessory makers, there's a shit-ton of rich guitar players in and around Marin county. Maybe the big guys like Two-Rock, Mesa, EMG, and Tone Tubby aren't interested in the local conventions?

That was true back in the 60's through 80's too.