Just thought I'd file a report on what many consider the "world's biggest guitar show". There's always the chance to see 10K+ guitars and be able to play the ones you like, hear some really good players, and check out the latest in gear and books, memorabilia, etc.
There was the usual smattering of new Gibsons and Martins interspersed with the unusual (several Bruno Brazilians, and what Bill Collings calls "home-made" posing as "hand-made"). Lots of 50's Les Pauls and Fenders and many, many vintage acoustics. The one's I liked were some 30's OM's ($9K-$80K) and a surprisingly good new all-koa 000 12 fret Martin that I was sorely tempted to buy for $1.9K but didn't. The most pleasant experience was meeting, for the first time, Kevin of Hill Country Guitars. I put on my best redneck accent and asked him if his many Collings on display were comparable to a Yamaha. To his credit, he didn't slap me and we talked Collings for a long while. I again came away without the Gurian I have been searching for these many years, but got a great deal on some Tommy E DVDs and books, 58 Acoustic Guitar magazines ($40), T-shirts and strings. Well, there's always the next best show in April!!