Adios Guitarlington

[Hamerica]

Back in the day, the good Reverend Willie G and I had a discussion about Vintage Guitar Shows.  There might have been a small thread on the old board about that topic.   At the time we opined, in the arena of the Vintage Guitar Show Market if there ever was a "Guitarmageddon"  the last two standing would be the Original Dallas Vintage Guitar show started by Charlie Wurtz which Hamer Guitars were represented (Hamer Content Fulfilled) with Paul Hamer (now known as DIGF) and it's offshoot offspring the Four Amigos Production show which would become known the world-wide  renowned "Guitarlington".   

It was announced at the show this would be the last show at the old Arlington Convention Center. - end of an era.

The venue will be part of the new Museum for the National Medal of Honor complex currently being built, (a worthy cause by the way).  

So "Goodbye Arlington Heights"....er no that's not right - Adios  "Guitarlington" !  Goodnight!  It was announced the current plans are to move it to Mistake, sorry Mesquite, Texas.  That will represent a 25 - 30% drop right there alone.  Actually it doesn't matter where they relocate it to, (hey they tried to move it to Fort Worth and that didn't work out) and it's never gonna be the same.

Truthfully, the Guitar Show market today has evolved with the passing of time.   For someone who attended back in the 80's, 90's, 2000's,  even up to mid 2010's. The dealers aren't the same.   The shtick isn't even the same.   The rightfully definition of "Vintage" is being deleted from the vocabulary. 

HFC
Guitarlington is where I met some HFC Members for the very first time.   @Willie G. Moseley, @foodermon, @cajunboy, @greenfreak, @anotherfreak, @currypowder and posse (I said posse), @shankyboy, and somehow fittingly in it's last year@Dana_V  and his daughter.  If I missed someone here from meeting you at Arlington, please excuse the memory lapse. 

Epilogue
I've always said I have met some of the nicest people all due to a little ol' rock band out of Rockford, IL and a little guitar company out of the Northwest Chicago Suburbs.  By extension that has continued to this board.  I have some great memories from the Vintage Arlington Guitar Show (and others) and I found these from my files that were posted here back on one of my reviews from the old board.  This was at Guitarlington 2006.   One of the greatest marketing booth shots ever and one of an esteemed HFC member.  

Besides the pictures below, one of the memorable moments in Arlington was when Gibson decided to bring in Zak Wilde at a table as Brand Ambassador.   It was a f*&ing madhouse, people were everywhere.  More than once Gibson was asked to gain control of their area.  Some Vintage Dealers were complaining (aw that never happens),  I never met anyone who could drink as much as Zak, still stand upright,  and somewhat functional. He was drinking beer at the show at 10 a.m. and was still drinking when I left around 4 p.m. and I'm certain he started when he woke up until he passed out daily during that time period.  

I do wish them well but Meestake er Mesquite is not something I have any interest in.   I used to also post the sighting of any Hamer guitars but I pretty sure those have already been posted or I'll let someone else take over - most Hamers, I've seen lately at any given show.  

Hamerica

 

     

[ZR]

Guitarlington, sounds like something from the  King of the Hill show! 😃

[Steve Haynie]

1 hour ago, Hamerica said:

Yngwie's stash of Les Paul Specials?

[Jeff R]

It will be interesting to see not only the negative effect a Mesquite move has on The Show Formerly Known As Arlington, but also the residual boon effect on DIGF. I'm glad I already reserved prime location booth space (and a big'un at that) for Dallas in May.

[Hamerica]

"Yngwie's stash of Les Paul Specials?" - Steve Haynie

Steve, I don't recall the dealers name.  @cmatthes can tell us, he remembered it when I originally posted that picture and apparently the dealer did that at every show to engage in a conversation. It was a hell of an attention getter.   

Hamerica

[HamStd]

Gil Southworth, Southworth guitars.

[cmatthes]

6 hours ago, HamStd said:

Gil Southworth, Southworth guitars.

The one and only!  His shop was a little over a mile down Old Georgetown Road from my house for many years, and I’m still sad that it’s been 3 Nail Salons since he left the brick and mortar behind. 
 

I will say that although his booths at dozens of guitar shows were…a bit controversial…that was just his way.  His shop was immaculate, as was the crowded house over off of McArthur Blvd. that predated it.  It was like a well-kept museum.