GotGuitars 2024- the good gets betterAfter the pandemic there was the question weather anyone would take up the challenge of putting together a guitar show in Gothenburg, Sweden. 2021 saw the birth of the Gothenburg Guitar Show (albeit with another name) and last year I decided to visit and, to my delight, I came across a guitar show that could very well earn its existence in the eyes of guitar enthusiasts. My show report from the Gothenburg Guitar Show can be found here: GotGuitars2023 This year everything was a little bit better. The live performances were at a separate location where the loudness constraints was not a strict as in the show halls. And to the pleasure of many visitors, that location also served drinks. The exhibitors were more varied this year. There were a few more distributors showing products that your local shops may have decided not to have in their regular inventory and new stuff. Some distributors had made an agreement with a dealer to showcase their products, like Fender and Suhr. Of course, there were a few private people alongside a few specialist dealers who sold old and vintage instruments and I saw everything from old Levin and law suite Ibanez to a very cool 1958 Les Paul Standard Gold Top. This year I felt I got a better overview of what the market in Sweden has to offer. So what can be done better next year? The question remains if it is possible to expand GotGuitars in the present venue as all spaces were booked. Ideally, a larger venue where they can combine this show concept with more distributor exhibits, rooms for trying out amps and acoustic guitars, rooms for workshops and hopefully get some international luthiers to show their stuff. Like Nik Huber, Juha Ruokangas and a few other we've seen at other guitars shows over the years. But even if it remains in the present venue, Sweden now has a very good show to go to so I'm looking forward to GotGuitars 2025. And now, on to the show! Please read my usual disclaimer here. This personal report should bee seen as my very own point of view and does not reflect the view and/or opinions of any other person or company of which I may be associated either through my work or in these pictures. If you find any faulty information in this report please e-mail me at mats.n[at]nermark.com. I usually place placed the products in alphabetical order for your convenience but here that has been difficult as very few brands had their own displays so you may find your favourite brand under the name of a music store. I hope you will forgive the somewhat hapazard order of products in this report. Please also accept my apology for any language
errors as English is not my native language.
Anders Andersson Anders Andersson has been dealing vintage guitars for a long time in Sweden and has a story (or two) to tell.
Old and nice? Yes. Expensive? Depends on your point of view, but they certainly cost a lot of money.
This is the only 1958 Gold Top I've ever seen. Price tag: SEK 1.800.000:-
Ashes and Fire
Ashes and Fire is not a brand but a band I really enjoyed listening to. I was only there to take a photo of the live part of the venue but the band was so good, I ended up staying for the entire set.
Fredrik is not only a tasty guitar player but also the guy behind the brand Fred Ash Guitars and here he can be seen playing one of his more esoteric guitars.
BäckBrandt
I don't think I've ever seen such a wide variety of sizes and scale lengths as the offerings from luthier Kristian Bäckbrandt. Whatever you would like to have, could probably be had here.
I seldom see 7-string fretless basses out in the wild. This sounded really good.
Child of Animus
This was the first time I became aware of Child of Animus. According to the builder, he only follows his own ideas and builds what he wants.
These guitars clearly show he dances after his own pipe.
Very unique designs.
Assorted guitars
Here's a PRS Modern Eagle in mint condition.
A Silvertone in its case with built-in amp.
Fredholm Guitars
Thomas Fredholm is still going strong with his acoustics. US guitarists interested in a Fredholm guitar can order through Gruhn Guitars in Nashville.
Fuzzdöden
Fuzzdöden translated into English means The Fuzz Death. This is a man-wife operation where he pulls apart old audio equimpent as sources of good components to build two different circuits of fuzz pedals. But as no two pedals contains the exact same components, they all differ more or less in sound and response. The theme of individuallity continues with the pedals being delivered in individually hand knitted pouches by the wife. The fuzz I tried was really aggressive and I think he sold out the first day.
Gitarrthomas
Swedish guitar dealer Gitarrthomas always brings some unusual and interesting guitars. In the front is a Gibson Herb Ellis Signature with the pickup mounted on the pickguard.
GotGuitars
The view from the mezzanine, where the smaller builders tend to be, shows the main hall.
This was the artist program for the show and this year the performances were in a bar across the street with permission to serve beverages of most kinds. Judging by the amount of glasses in hands I saw, music is thirsty work!
Leif Lundbäck (in the middle) is the big boss behind the Gothenburg Guitar Show and this year he was kind enough to invite me to a planning meeting with the staff. Lots of work, lots of laughter and a very good fish soup from the seafood restaurant on the corner.
The meeting took place at the guitar store No1 Guitars and we all fit in surrounded by some gorgeous guitars.
Halkans
In my world Halkans was the first store to deal in vintage guitars, maybe even before there was a vintage market. Back in 1979, I took my first three paychecks and took the train all the way to Stockholm and bought a beautiful black Gibson Les Paul Standard at Halkans. That guitar would cost a lot more today. Unfortunately, that guitar doesn't belong to me anymore.
As you can see in these photos, Halkan brought a nice variety of cool guitars.
This 1956 Strat was in exceptional condition. It looked so good that I didn't even dare playing it.
Heikki Rousso
I'm totally in awe of anyone who can build a top quality acoustic guitar. So my admiration is off the charts for luthier Heikki Rousso who seems to have the ability to build acoustic guitars of any kind he sets his mind to build.
Here are 11-string guitars that, by some, are called lute-guitars. The first time I ever saw and heard one played was by Swedish master guitar player Göran Söllscher.
A Macaferri style guitar for those wanting the Django sound.
Hörauf Guitars
Last year at GotGuitars was the first time I met Volker Hörauf and got to try his guitars and I was really impressed. Above from left to right in the front row you have:
Guitar players all over the world have experienced the great feeling of picking up a guitar and it just feel like an extesion of your creative mind. This Hörauf HO12 was such a guitar for me. Even in the kind of non-optimal listening environment of the show floor, this guitar was such a wonderful instrument with superb dynamics. If I could take home one guitar from the show, this would be the one.
Here is Volker and his newest design, the HF11.
Ibanez
Crafton, the Swedish distributor of Ibanez brought a selection from their extensive catalog.
Ibanez FRH10 is a slightly toned down version of the Tim Henson signature guitar. and this also have the side mounted sound port. The neck is very comfortable to play and I didn't at all need the time to adjust that I usually need when going from playing an electric guitar to an acoustic.
Magnus Olsson is the product specialist for Ibanez at Crafton and what he doesn't know about Ibanez guitars is probably not worth knowing.
Jakobsson Guitars
Jakobsson Guitars was once again in attendance and the double cut junior was a delight to play. In my book, the LP double cut is probably one of the coolest guitar shapes ever.
Kapten Gitarr
Kapten Gitarr had a few interesting guitars at the show. I love the fact that he scratched the F logotype off from the headstock of the black partscaster. I wish all dealers showed integrity like this.
Two legends on the Gothenburg music retail scene having a friendly chat. Göran "Guran" Blomgren from Kapten Gitarr och Jan Karlsson from Musikbörsen.
Karl Jürss, luthier
Karl Jürss got his luthier education at Musikinstrumentakademien outside of Stockholm and is now located in Flen in the south of Sweden. Here are few of his designs and as you can see he builds both nylon sting and steel string instruments.
Karl Jürss himself.
Lisa Mikhtarian
Lisa doesn't build guitars but she sure knows how to paint them. It's very refreshing for the senses to see something besides the ordinary.
Lundgren Pickups
I wouldn't be surprised at all if this is the most traveled guitar in the world. Nor would I be surprised if this guitar is the guitar having been played by the highest number of different people in all of history. I've seen it at so many guitar shows over the years being played by an untold number of players. Have I played it myself? Of course! Haven't you?
Here is the reason the guitar has been around for all the shows. All Lundgren pickups are mounted on sliders that goes into the guitar so you can get an idea of how they sound and compare the ones you are interested in.
If the guitar is popular why not make a bass version? Why not, indeed!
Here are some bass pickups. All ready to slide.
The ever affable Mr Johan Lundgren himself. Always at hand to answer whatever question you may have.
Martin
Martin showed up as one of the increasing numbers of distributors who have a presence at the show. It was great to be able to see and try quite a few models I never get to see at my local dealers.
I was personally interested in the SC-series as it is quite a different design than their more traditional offerings. It comes in many differnt version at different price levels from SEK 16.000 up to SEK 60.000. I'm very interested to see how and if customers will accept this design as I've never seen it being played anywhere.
Musik Utan Gränser (MUG)
MUG is another legendary store in Gothenburg with a very special vibe and they've been in the business since what seems like forever. My first visit there was, if my memery is correct, back in the mid 70's. That was the first time I ever heard a cranked Marshall up fairly close. Needless to say, my life hasn't been the same since.
I just love a good sparkle.
Musikbörsen
Musikbörsen brought a number of Taylor acoustics with them. A very well cared for WAL bass. I haven't seen one of those for ages.
Musiklagret
Musiklagret, located in the neighbouring city of Borås (sometimes referred to as the most boring city in Sweden) had a great booth due to their deal with a few brands. REVV was one of said brands and here's the fabulous G50. 3 channels of audio goodness and Two Notes speaker simulation to record directly. My personal favourite amp at the show.
Here the D40 head besides the G50.
This was probably the only opportunity this year where you could see as many Suhr guitars as this at the same time. These are, indeed, fine instruments catering to a variety of tastes.
Even more Suhr guitars and quite a few Suhr pedals in front. All available to try and buy.
And a bunch of Suhr amps. I've tried both the Bella and the Hombre and they are such good amps.
MW Guitars and Boes
MW Guitars and Boes shared a table on the mezzanine. Both are graduates from Musikinstrumentakademien and it's very nice to see the youger generation getting into buildning fine instruments inserting their own desigs ideas into traditional concepts. If there had been an award for Best Customer Care it would probably go to Boes as he provided both guitar picks and candy.
No.1 Guitars
No.1 Guitars not only arranged the show but also took the opportunity to display a number of fine instruments. This table was located in the acoustic part of the show.
I've always liked Larrivée guitars and this instrument was no exception.
In another part, there was the "electric table".
More electrics and mainly Fenders.
If you are more into glued necks there were guitars for you as well.
More Gibsons! The ES-175 was a really nice one.
The Fred Ash line of guitars are assembled to custom order at No.1 Guitars. Quite possibly the most bang-for-the-buck guitar at the show.
Oscar Guitars
My favourite display of old guitars was by Oscar Guitars, a store located in Stockholm. When entering their room, I was met by this drool-worthy display of sensual semi hollow curves. I'd like to bring them all home with me.
An American Showster is not a guitar that you get to see very often in real life.
Some really nice rosewood fretboard Strats. Too bad I didn't win the lottery that day.
If you prefer sunburst Strats, then they also had you covered.
Per Lidén
Per Lidén is a private collector/dealer who usually brings some unusual hollowbodies to the show. He had a very nice Eastman that I wanted to try but that was already sold and gone before I got to his table.
Peter Naglitsch
Peter Naglitsch has been a familiar and welcome sight at a lot of guitar shows through the years. As you can see here Peter is not afraid of taking traditional concepts and shapes and doing his thing to them.
A closer look at a few of them.
The man himself, holding a blue sparkle offset with Filtertrons. One cool little detail for this specific guitar is that his daughter molded the knobs with the same blue sparkle as the guitar. The details are important!
Rozawood Guitars
Rozawood Guitars, from Kolin in the Czech Republic, always bring nice looking guitars.
They seem to be equally good at different shapes and design concepts.
An interesting detail is this soundhole design.
Sonnemo Guitars
One of Sweden's foremost and popular luthiers when it comes to electric guitars is Mattias Sonnemo. More and more player of note in Sweden play his guitars.
There are two factors that make Sonnemo extra appealing in todays market.
Mattias Sonnemo holding a Twangster.
TMA Scandinavia
TMA Scandinavia is a distributor who graced the halls of GotGuitars for the first (but hopefully not the last) time. As previously stated, it's very good to be able to check out stuff that the distributors have and believe in that dosn't reach the local dealers in a way that best benefits us as customers. Here are some Richwood acoustics. Different shapes in cool colors.
Some Kremona nylon strings made in Bulgaria.
Woodstock
Woodstock is a Danish dealer/distributor coming across the waters to tempt us all with some fine instruments. Here's a silver Ibanez Satriani model.
And, if you get the silver one, you obviously need the matching gold one.
Blad and Magneto guitars. The Magneto brand is one that has been flying under the radar for too long. If you have seen Eric Gales play and wondered what guitar that is, that's a Magneto.
Zuta
This may not look like much but the products here pack a whole lot of punch. Baskim Zuta is an amp designer that has created a lot of stir in the guitar world lately. I had the priviledge of visiting Mr Zuta in his "sound lab"and try some of his products and I can see why the recognition of the Zuta brand is increasing. Baskim's interest in knowledge of classic studio gear has his designs being an interesting mix between guitar amps and traditional high end studio gear.
The end Thanks for reading all this. I hope you have found the time here well spent. My visit at the show left me in a very good mood. I got to see a lot of new product, learn a lot from highly skilled craftsmen/women and meet a lot of old friends who tend to flock to events like this. I was very happy to see a balanced mix between luthiers, vintage dealers, retail music stores and distributors. So what would I like to see at GotGuitars 2025. More! More of everything in a larger venue. That would be ideal for me with a interest in almost everything guitars. Finally a heartfelt thank you to all the exhibitors who made me feel welcome and who gave generously of their time and knowledge. I hope you have enjoyed reading my report. If so, please share it with your friends. If you are planning a guitar show and would like me to report, please let me know. As always, until next time, I wish you all peace, love and creative freedom (all which seem to be in lessening supply today)! Cheers, Mats N |
A bunch of siz string wonders, including the very latest Steve Lukather signature Luke.
PRS guitars and a few Dusenbergs.
