Dallas International Guitar Festival

awagner · Feb 13, 2023

I will likely be in Dallas from May 7-9, and I discovered that the festival is from May 5-7, so I am thinking about flying out early to attend.

Looks like a fun event, but I have never been. Anyone else going or have some insights to share?

chazmo · Feb 13, 2023

Like any event, awagner, don't expect much if you show up on the last day. Have fun!

My ex- and I showed up at the last day of Guitarlington (or whatever it was called) several years ago. Got to meet Harry (gilded) and Don (dklsplace), but didn't even go to the show. My ex- wouldn't have wanted to anyway. Note the "ex-".

awagner · Feb 13, 2023

I will be going stag, so no issues there.

This whole thing came about rather quickly. My 2 closest friends from college live in Hawaii and Houston, respectively. The 3 of us have not hung out as a trio in almost 30 years. The Hawaii friend will be attending a conference in Dallas, and the other friend will drive from Houston to see her, and they asked if I would join. I was inclined to say yes anyway, and when I looked up events in Dallas that weekend, I saw that the Guitar Fest was scheduled immediately prior to the conference.

Coincidentally, I was just introduced to my friend's brother-in-law, who lives in Dallas and is an avid guitar collector (archtops). He is planning to attend, so it looks like everything is falling into place.

West R Lee · Feb 18, 2023

awagner said:
I will likely be in Dallas from May 7-9, and I discovered that the festival is from May 5-7, so I am thinking about flying out early to attend.

Looks like a fun event, but I have never been. Anyone else going or have some insights to share?

It is very different from the Arlington Guitar Show. That's just my impression. The Arlington Show is sort of quiet and reserved compared to the big Dallas show in my opinion, which was very loud the last time I attended. Back then, as I recall, the Dallas Show was held at Market Hall, which I think has since been named the World Trade Center, but I could be wrong. It was there on Stemmons, which is I-35 North. To me the Dallas show is (was) a bit more geared toward electrics than the Arlington Show, which always struck me as primarily and acoustic show. The Arlington Show is also larger than the Dallas Show. Since I'm not an electric guy, I always much preferred Arlington. In fairness though, I haven't been to a Dallas Show in about 18 years, so who knows what the do there these days, or what preferences they cater to? There will be tons of guitars and a whole bunch of people there for sure.

West

SFIV1967 · Feb 19, 2023

West R Lee said:
Back then, as I recall, the Dallas Show was held at Market Hall,

The show is still there:

Dallas Interntional Guitar Festival

Dallas International Guitar Festival is the oldest and Largest Guitar Event in the World! Manufacturers, Collectors & Musicians come together to create the best guitar and music festival. Located in the heart of Dallas, Texas. Shop, Sell, Trade and Enjoy!

www.guitarshow.com

Ralf

Guildedagain · Feb 20, 2023

I like the energy at shows, lotsa people, young/old, the noise.

GGJaguar · Feb 20, 2023

My favorite part is watching the shark line in action.

awagner · May 6, 2023

Really fun day. When I arrived before the doors opened, there was a line of people, some of whom had guitars to sell. I noticed someone with 4 guitar cases, 2 of which were Guild cases. So I approached him to find out what he had, we started talking, and I quickly learned that he was our own Ralph (F312).

He had a nice G312 and near-mint Blues 90, and sold all of his guitars within 30 minutes. So we spent the rest of the day walking the aisles, and came across quite a few Guilds, which was nice to see (pics to follow)

awagner · May 6, 2023

Here was an odd one. Described as a Starfire 50 BL, but it appeared to be as thick as a jazz box like the X500

Here’s the label. I assume it says Starfire 5 D BLD, not sure.

GGJaguar · May 6, 2023

The maple on that is fantastic and I like the pearl button Rotomatics!

awagner · May 6, 2023

Here’s a ‘70 F50R with what looks like Brazilian rosewood. Asking price $4,500

awagner · May 6, 2023

Here’s a prototype arched back mahogany 6 string jumbo

GGJaguar · May 6, 2023

awagner said:
Here’s a prototype arched back mahogany 6 string jumbo

Didn't someone here own that (or one very similar to it)?

West R Lee · May 6, 2023

I didn't remember many acoustics at the Dallas show, but then it's been probably 12 or so years since we've been. Great shots and cool to see the variety of guitars there,

West

SFIV1967 · May 6, 2023

GGJaguar said:
Didn't someone here own that (or one very similar to it)?

It might have been the one PreacherBob sold which was stamped F-212XL. But on second look I don't see runout there, the one at the show had runout. I had not saved pictures, the below is just a 500% screen grab. It still might be the same.

Ralf

GGJaguar · May 6, 2023

Thanks Ralf, that's the guitar that I was thinking might be the same.

sailingshoes72 · May 6, 2023

awagner said:
Here was an odd one. Described as a Starfire 50 BL, but it appeared to be as thick as a jazz box like the X500

Here’s the label. I assume it says Starfire 5 D BLD, not sure.

That 1955 Gretsch Round-Up with the black DeArmond Dynasonic pick-ups is way cool! It has the cattle-brand "G", the western belt buckle tail-piece, Melita Synchrosonic bridge and pearl fretboard inlays etched with western themes. A cowboys dream guitar! 1955 is a birth-year guitar for me, but at 15 Grand it will remain in my dreams.

awagner · May 6, 2023

Some others that were for sale.

HeyMikey · May 6, 2023

Did you buy anything?

GGJaguar · May 6, 2023

awagner said:
Some others that were for sale.

I haven't been to a show in so long I forgot how inflated the asking prices always tend to be.

Dallas International Guitar Festival

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