Last year, Melbourne’s Caulfield Racecourse opened its doors to thousands of guitar enthusiasts for the inaugural Melbourne Guitar Show: two days of guitars, gear and unforgettable performances.
This year’s show returns to Caulfield -- bigger, better and louder. With nearly 70 exhibitors, dozens of performances, exclusive deals, local luthiers and brands from around the world, organizer Rob Walker is building yet another amplified event.
We caught up with Rob to ask him a few questions as he prepares for the second installment of his annual guitar gala.
What led you to creating the Melbourne Guitar Show?
My work with the Australian Music Association involves promoting music making. The guitar is the world’s most popular instrument, and we wanted to celebrate it. The members of our association wanted to inspire the public to get excited about playing music by presenting the best products, the biggest brands and the best players all under one roof. It’s about promoting our industry, getting more people interested in playing and seeing live music.
How is Australia’s guitar scene unique from the rest of the world?
We share much in common with guitar enthusiasts all over the world. Australia has always had a vibrant live music scene, so it has given birth to some great guitar music and iconic players that are acclaimed globally. In the rock genre, we have a legacy of road-hardened, loud, powerful guitar players. In the ‘70s, guitar-orientated rock bands led by pioneers such as Billy Thorpe and Lobby Loyde were the first to bring festival-sized PA systems into the Australian pubs and in doing so, created the legendary pub rock scene which gave birth to internationally acclaimed bands such as AC/DC, Rose Tattoo and The Angels.
These bands became a great influence on the LA rock scene, as acts like Guns N’ Roses will attest to. They played like their life depended on it, and to a degree it did. If they didn't win over the audience, they wouldn't be booked again. Of course, the Australian music scene is now multi-faceted and we produce amazingly talented guitarists across all genres, but our rock guitarists in particular remain as fierce as any.
A performance from last year's Melbourne Guitar Show
What are some of the most coveted items at the show?
I will be surprised this year, as I was last year. We have a couple of vintage enthusiasts on board again. For example, Sunburst Music will present “pre-war” Martins in Brazilian Rosewood, deluxe Gibson archtops from the 1940s and ’50s, custom-color Fender Telecasters and Stratocasters from the 1950s and ‘60s, and some 1960s Les Paul Customs, Goldtops and ES-335s, along with rare and vintage Rickenbacker and Gretsch guitars.
Who are some of the local hand-crafters and luthiers exhibiting at this year’s event?
We’ll not only present at least a dozen of our best makers, we’ll also present guitar making educators. Punters will see amazing handmade stuff from Melville, Rizzolo, Delm, DiQuattro, George Evans Custom Amplifiers, Oakland Guitar Technology, Vase Amps, Fican, Cargill, Wildwood and more. Also featured, of course, will be Australia’s biggest guitar exporters, Maton and Cole Clark Guitars.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to a first-timer attending the show?
Because we’ve got four stages running concurrently covering as many styles as we can, use the program and plan your day (or your weekend). Check out the exhibitors’ profiles and news online in the show lead-up.
The event is aimed at all levels of guitar (and ukulele) enthusiasts—from the pro to the beginner, there’ll be something for everyone. The biggest guitar store in the southern hemisphere, open for business for one weekend only. Our show is aimed at those who want to see, try and buy the latest guitar products and pick up a bargain. So come to shop. That’s two pieces of advice!
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Melbourne Guitar Show
August 6 - 7 2016 | 10AM - 6PM
Caulfield Racecourse
Gate 22 Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145
Melbourne, Australia
#MelbGuitarShow
Presented by: Australian Music Association (AMA), Triple M, Australian Musician, Beat Magazine & Mixdown Magazine
Performances by: Kevin Borich, Phil Ceberano, Daniel Champagne, Dean Ray, Phil Manning and more.