2015 Elmira Vintage Guitar Show

For the second year, I spent a Sunday morning at the Elmira Vintage Guitar Show.  Whenever I could, I pulled out a camera to capture a quick pic (before getting bowled over by the crowd).  Despite being a small town show, there's definitely enough to keep your attention for a few hours.  Pics after the jump.

Start your Fenders

Clockwise starting top left:  The 62 Stratocaster was being mobbed, so the shot is incomplete.  A janitor was summoned to mop up the unholy combination of sweat and drool forming in an ankle deep pool nearby.  The Telecaster on the other hand was getting no love.  The humbucker means not original, and you could hear gear snobs scoffing every few seconds.

The Custom Shop Rosewood Telecaster was nice, but meh.  I get the "oh la la" factor of an all rosewood neck, but an all rosewood body?  It was obviously laminated (rosewood does not come that big).  There's also a lot of controversy with rosewood harvesting, so while I'm not going Michael Moore on anyone, George Harrison probably wouldn't approve nowadays either.

No idea what model that Fiesta Red Stratocaster is - There was no COA with the guitar, so likely not Custom Shop, and the condition belies it being original.  In any case, it was a pretty sharp looking example, and may reinvigorate my search for Fiesta Red.

Finally, a relic'd '60s Stratocaster from the Fender Custom Shop, in my mind the best looking of the bunch. Can someone explain how in the inside of the upper horn would get worn like that in real world conditions? Strumming vigorously at the 17th fret I guess? The rest of the relic job looks good (and I'm no fan of faux relic), but that just seems silly.

Speaking of George Harrison...

One of the vendors was entirely dedicated to the Beatles.  Look - Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, that other chap, blah blah blah blah blah.  I don't care.  I've never understood it, but to each his own.  Along with various Beatles memorabilia, a selection of guitars meant to evoke John and George.

Couple of problems. First, that Epiphone isn't a casino - I'm pretty sure that is a "dot" with some new hardware.  Selling for $500 tells me I'm right.  Also ripoff. Second, that "Rocky Strat", based on Harrison's hand painted Strat, is a replica - custom paint over a MIM Stratocaster.  Nothing wrong with that, except for the $1200 price tag.

But if you love the Beatles... I guess?

Two Telecasters

The one on the right, a 1966 Telecaster for $9,375 CAD.  On the right, a MIK Squier Telecaster for $275. Funny how two guitars can be so similar, yet not.  That '66 Tele would have been my choice of everything there, money no object.

Three Unrelated Guitars

No idea about the guitar on the left.  To be honest, I didn't even notice it until I was reviewing the pictures. Probably a custom build - there were a lot of these guys at the show, each hoping to be the next Paul Reed Smith I guess.

In the middle, a Les Paul Double Cut in Heritage Cherry.  A production run example (as opposed to Custom Shop), indicated foremost by the $1200 price tag.  Not cheap, but I guess the thinking is that with Gibson's price increase in 2015...

The one on the right is what really made me linger - A Reverend Rocco, from when Reverend was producing guitars in the USA and getting rave reviews.  Check out this site for more info on the Rocco. $1200 initially seemed steep, but for a USA made instrument, no longer in production, with a handwritten serial number on the back of the head stock, I could have been convinced.  #2 for me at the show.

The Guitar Corner

I really like the Guitar Corner, a shop located in Kitchener, Ontario.  The owner is a great guy, and his shop maintains an old school friendly approach to guitar shops.  The Guitar Corner is a big presence at the show, and while you're not going to find any real steals here, there is some cool stuff.  It was exceptionally crowded there, so I couldn't get at everything.

On the left, a Fender Lead I, modified I think (because the Lead I only had one pickup right?).  What counts here is the color - Shell Pink, I think.  Faded at that.  I want a Strat this color.

In the middle, a brand new Vox Teardrop.  Such a weird looking guitar, and basically just a Strat, but cool nonetheless.  I'm not sure I'd even spend my own money on this, but still.

The Telecaster on the right is the most interesting, if only because I know the story.  Someone put a deposit down on with a custom builder to recreate a long lost Telecaster, right down to the incorrectly cut pick guard (look around the control panel).  Then he bailed on the guitar before paying the final bill. How lovely.

I mostly love the look of this guitar, but I know it has been in the shop for at least a year.  If it were me, I'd replace the bridge with a 3 barrel brass affair, and swap out the pick guard for parchment or red tortoise shell to change the look.

Questionable Decisions - Customized!

I'm not trying to be shitty here - There are a lot of custom builders hoping to strike it big, and they have more talent in their little fingers than I do in my entire body when it comes to turning a hunk of wood into something useful. But...

So many good choices ruined by a couple of stupid ones.  First, that headstock is terrible - The top right quarter looks like he just gave up.  Second, and this one upsets me the most - Beautiful flame maple neck (you can't see it, sorry) with a CAPPED maple fingerboard.

What. A. Shame.

Odds and Ends

Not much else worth commenting on, but more pictures to share:

Almost stepped on this one.  Early '80s Deluxe.

1963-64 Kay.  Very cool, but not $700 cool.

Kramer Pacer.  Love the stripe.  No price listed, not interested enough to ask.

Oddballs.  Love the Lone Ranger decal, but $250 for wall art is a bit much.