Here is the Nov 22, 2008 Fall Philly Guitar Show! I did more extensive coverage on this show than normal. I try to show the more unusual items and is geared toward jazzers, but there were a lot of interesting items here. Even in the down economy, the show was PACKED. As many vendors as ever and prices were still up there. I didn't see many bargains, and didn't notice if many were buying. There are some new items adn a lot of fun stuff. So...here we go! I hope you enjoy!{content}

Here is a "Biker" guitar and the flames make a skull face. Only $1,800!

Nice Les Paul..there were TONS of Les Pauls...thats fine but i would like to go to a show where they don't have any Pauls or Fenders ..just to see other stuff for a change. .

This is the parking lot...just to get an idea of attendance...here were also 2 other shows at the Valley Forge Convention Center on this day ...i parked a mile away.

Here is the line going in ...i know...i could have put these in better order huh?

 

This is one of my favorite guitars at the show. It is the new solid body by Bill Comins. Bill told me the paint was done by Annie Haslam. She was the lead singer for Renaissance back in the 70s. She did the paint. I am thinking of a few guitars I would like her to paint for me. I REALLY liked this one compared to all the boring finishes that are on most guitars. What do u guys think of this stuff?

The show also features Greyhound rescue groups. You can adopt a dog at the guitar show, or even get a real dog as shown above. ok...no more jokes.

This is a parts counter mainly for home stereo but had also amp parts.

Here is a gold top Les Paul from the 50s. I think it was 50some grand...who even knows.

. Another stereo guy.. e A 1962 Marshall head. 22k. This has to be pretty rare..no??.

Some vintage Gibsons. When i was young, my friend Mike Dantone had a cousin. He had the white SG just like the one shown above. He offered to sell it to me for $200. I saved up $150 and then couldn't buy it...shoot me an email about your regrettable deals and Ill post them. I'm sure we all have deals that we still kick ourselves for! Id love to hear it...or tell me about a great deal and Ill post that too! BTW, the SG above was 12k

. Major amp guy at the show. I never saw him here before. Love the amp guys!

Here is a Firebird bass...there were a lot of Firebirds at the show and strangely, it seemed every other booth had a Hofner Beatle Bass...not the usual fare.

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II Took this for the 'Sitar' Guitar in the background. Cool guitar.

THese are 'Reliced" fenders. They are new guitars. I think this is crazy...what to do you folks think of this?

 

 

THis relic looks good because of the cigarette marks. Very authentic looking!

More from the amp guy.

Another gold top with amp. There were more than a few gold tops today.

A 57 strat..no price tag.

Alejandro amps near the Bill Comins booth. I love the look of these.

THis is the MOOG guitar. Its plugged into the MoogerFooger. It sustains like the pickups have an Ebow in them, or you can set it so that there is nearly instant decay. Cool sounds and something a bit new.

and JACK WILKINS at the show! He played as you will see below. Jack is great and there were more surprises at the show as well. This show was very good. It looks like they are making up for the missing Long Island shows. Bring the LI Jazz Bar down! ...almost with Jack and some other below. Not quite the Jazz Bar...but VERY cool anyway!

Wasn't sure what this is...i know its a firebird, but it looks like its signed by Johnny Winter. i didn't get the story.

One of the archtop booths. They had a huge selection of Peerless guitars with Frank Dibussilo playing. More below.

Some Gibson Dove and Hummingbirds.

THis is a leather cover on a G&L. Cool thing.

These are the Van Halen copies...got to give it up to Eddie for playing one of these and sounding so great.

ReReflectors on the back.

These are 'Official' looking lables for different kinds of speakers. I have also seen decals for Fender as well as other lables. THink about this picture the next time your thinking of bidding top dollar for a 'vintage' Jensen on Ebay.

Now that i see this pic, i should have played this one. i love the wood on this Heritage. I know 4 or 5 players that say the tops on their Heritage caved in. Anyone have experience with Heritage? They sure do make some nice looking guitars.

Again..if it looks 'perfect' and vintage, remember this.

A few Silvertones at the show. Same as Dan Electro ..no?

Again at the Peerless booth..that's Frank. I see the other guy at a few shows...can you tell me his name? He is a very good player.

This was a GREAT bass shop. They had TONS of stuff and incredibly unusual items. I liked the wood on this and wish they made guitars. They had some new ideas and styles, unlike most guitar builders these days who continue to copy Gibson and Fender designs over and over.

More More from the bass place.

THis is the Moog booth and some of the effects that go with the Moog guitars.

THis was neat to see...its a framed copy of the Beatles album with their autographs (see close up below). It was 10 grand.

This is a Breedlove. I liked the cool animal inlays ..no?

Benedetto booth. THese guitars do play great and sound good. No 7 strings were at the show except a single Eastman. I played it and must say, the quality is better than i expected. It didn't feel like the typical Asian guitar and it happened to be shaped so that it sat on my knee in the most comfortable and balanced position possible. I liked it a lot...im still waiting for a 7 string eastman, 17inch and with built in pups...so far, there is no such thing.

Some really nice les pauls with fancy tops...seen enough Les Pauls yet? how about less les at the show? no...you gotta have les paul at every show!

I bought one of these new when they came out from Santa Monica music. It got stolen in Hollywood right out of my truck. When ever i see one, i wonder if it was mine...keep your serial numbers for all of your guitars..you never know.

Yet another gold top.

JK Lutherie...they always get this space...i usually buy a book or DVD..nothing today though.

UNK Guitars. Didn't play one but this little kid was ripping on one. Nice display..anyone out there have one?

Another Hofner and Vintage SG (Les Paul).

Different finish for a LP...

paint jobs..no clue what these are.

Here is another guitar i should have played. I mean to try the L5 body on a short scale neck...otherwise known as the Gibson Byrdland. Next time...

10k for strat signed by SRV. Stevie Ray Vaughn. cool stuff.

One of my favorite stops at every show. The ROLAND booth. I use a lot of their products. I played the GT 10 today. ALso the micro cube...why don't they make it with a 10 or 12?...cool stuff

A shark guitar...see the wilmington show for the great penis guitar!

THis was $39k..an original 52 Tele.

Here is Jack again with Rick Stone. They played a nice set which i recorded. A few folks had video cams. Rick gets a wonderful tone from his Comins with a floater and was a great contrast to Jack's more agressive style. Rick is a great guy and does some very professional marketing.

Jack now with Frank Dibusala...Frank is great and has a great sense of humor. Frank played a Peerless for this set but i like his Benedetto better.

Bill Comins booth. Bill is awesome. This is his new solid body along with his Philadelphia model which is a take off on D Angelicos New Yorker. He didn't have any 7 strings this year...but he makes some great guitars.

JJack and Rick again..Great set.

Big surprise at the Benedetto booth. Howard Alden and Jack Wilkins jamming. Howard is playing Jimmy Bruno's Benedetto. This was definitely worth 10 bucks!

The Benedetto booth. Some very nice guitars.

THis was one of my favorite guitars at the show..really nice flame..great eye candy.

As noted above, this is the autograph of the Beatles. 10k...nice item.

Jack at the booth...he played through the jazzamp...I think there was a rule at the show concerning volume. Everyone played VERY quietly.

PRS guitars...for solid bodies...i like the PRS. I have heard some great jazz tones out of these as well.

I like the gibson chet atkins...

My buddy Wiggs has one of these...i thought it would cost more...

THThat's Howard Alden playing Jimmy's old guitar. Now owned by this Benny dealer. I got a close look at the guitar, the finish on the back of the neck at the 12th fret is totally worn off. Lots of vibe on this guitar, not sure if it was for sale.

Philly Guitar....in Baltimore. yea..that makes sense.

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ISome kind of Beatles super ball...or something..not sure, but expensive.

Beatle dolls, 900 bucks...Any experience selling Beatle items? I used to sell a lot on Ebay..seems like the market fell out about 2 years ago. Any one else seeing that?

Some cool Gretch guitars. I never had a nice gretch but wont buy a reissue, but they are sure nice.

FaThese are new guitars but made to look old. Good job...id never know the diff ..i guess..

 

WELL..THATS OUR SHOW! See you next May or June for the next show! Please email any comments.

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