The Guitar Summit 2024 - part 2

DeJa Wu Guitars

If you're into arch tops and semis (as I am), then DeJa Wu Handcrafted Guitars is a definitive visit if you're at the Guitar Summit. They do make some solids but their focus is the previously mentioned types. I tried the black Tele style and the red 335 style and I would be proud to own either of them.

Dhataratha Custom Guitars

Slightly new shapes applied to tried and true configurations.

Cool pickup covers.

Dingwall

I'm a guitarist at heart but I really do enjoy playing bass on occasion and a Dingwall is definitely on my wishlist.

Dr. Nitro

I not quite sure if Dr. Nitro builds these guitar or if someone else did, but either way, they are drop dead gorgeous.

Driftwood

I don't play much heavy rock or metal but if I did, then a Driftwood amp would be one of my first choices.

DSM Humbolt

The guys from DSM Humbolt traveled all the way from Chile in South America and their Simplifier analog amp modelers caught a fair bit of interest. One of the first reasons to check one out is the lack of digital latency in case you are bothered by that.

Earthquaker Devices

The friendly people at Earthquaker Devices came from across the Atlantic to display their full range of cool pedals. This entire board was a give-away at the end of the show. I didn't win it.

Eastman

Eastman showed some very fine instruments that seduced me into spending too much time in their booth.

This AR805SCE had me wishing for more income so I could get one. This plays as good as it looks.

To the Tele purist, this is probably not "it", but I really like the way this looks and the combination of a traditional Tele bridge pickup combined with a Charlie Christian style pickup is very interesting.

Les Paul Custom electronics in an offset Fender like body style.

Esh Bass

I think this black/green bass looks great.

Finger Gitarren

Peter Finger displayed some very fine acoustic guitars which I, unfortunately, never got the opportunity to play.

This top is something to behold. Just excellent!

Fabian Bahnen Guitars

There were a surprising number of young luthiers building fine guitars and Fabian Bahnen was one of them.

FGN

The people at Fuji Gen are still one of the top brands to consider in the mid price sector.

This one looks far more than the price tag says.

Fieldfare Audio

Fieldfare Audio was a new aquaintance at the summit.

Goldo

I didn't get a chance to talk to the Goldo guys but it seems they make parts and the matching blue Dusenberg Guitars caused quite a few heads to turn.

Gravity

Gravity has pondered the question about how to make our gear more visually acceptable to our life partners. These guitar stands have lights that can be set to any colour in the RGB spectrum either to match the instrument on display or to match a piece of the surrounding furniture. I appreciate that Gravity makes it easier for us to to place instruments at hand.

Gundy Keller

Gundy Keller is a super cool guitar player and I can't possibly count the number of times I've left his demos very much inspired. At the show he was making people aware of his Master Class educational possibilities.

I've been to so many of his demos through the years that he actually recognizes me now.

Gypsy-guitar.de

This is the guitar store that considers itself to be the "Home of Selmer/Macaferri guitars" and looking at these instruments I'd have to agree with them. I would love to be able to play the Django Reinhardt style but I must admit defeat in this project. But if I wanted a guitar for the style, this store would absolutely be one to visit.

Haar Guitars

Haar Guitars has always had a good reputation to build quality guitars based on the vintage classics but with a humane price tag. As they are very rare in my home country of Sweden, I was very happy to see them at the summit and to be able to check them out.

Harley Benton

Harley Benton has been very much seen in my Youtube feed and their new Modern series has been getting good reviews so I was interested in checking them out to see if they met my the expectations I had from watching the Youtube reviews. Conclusion is that they are indeed very nice guitar for the money.

It was news to many that they would release a line of reliced instruments.

Hartung Guitars

The first time I met Frank Hartung and saw his Embrace model for the first time was way back in Frankfurt. It's quite possible that Hartung Guitars was my first experience of a "boutique" luthier. I have followed him and his work through the years at the Frankfurt Musikmesse, NAMM, the Holy Grail Guitar Show and whenever I have the priviledge of trying any of his instruments I come away in wonder. Truly wonderful work!

Herbst Gitarrenbau

I don't have any steampunk stuff of any kind but I still love the style, so I was very happy to see this ubercool steampunk guitar from Mr Herbst. If you want an attention grabber, this surely must qualify!

Hils Guitars

Hils Guitars are in the headless camp and the headless concept seems to be catching on as there were a surprising amount at the summit.

Hylight Amps

Seems to me that these guys are aiming for the Hiwatt crowd.

IK Multimedia

These products as they are was not news at the summit. The software, however, was very much news for a few of us who were told about the new capabilities of both units. It seems like their engineers had realized that there were som DSP resources that was not used so they set about to see if they could use that for some more fx. And succeed they did as it now will be possible to have overdrive/distorsion, modulation and delay fx. Even in ToneX One. And to everyones joy, it will be a free update for exisiting owners.

Influencers

There were more influencers at the summit than there are movie stars at the Oscars. At least it seemed so to me. Everywhere I turned there was a familiar face from Youtube. One I often listen to is Marco Fanton. I even listen to his videos in Italian as I can alway fast forward to his tasteful playing.

Captain Lee and Dansih Pete and their camera team were very busy at the summit.

Apology to Paul from Studio Rats for this very grainy picture but we were both in a hurry. Studio Rats is one of my favourite Youtube channels.

Invader Amplification

From Belgium comes the Invaders brand of amps. Many sonic flavors to be had here.

Inverse Stringed Instruments

Headless like no other they say and I think that visually they might be correct. I didn't try them out so if you were hoping for an informed opinion I'm afraid you have to check them out for yourself.

Jens Ritter

I have known Jens Ritter for a few years and I've been offered to try his instruments but knowing the numers printed on the price tags I've never dared as I'm sure I'd be so nervous that I'd drop them. That doesn't stop me from taking every occasion to stop by and take in the visual audacity of his instruments and on the rare occasion Jens isn't busy talking to someone, I'll have a chat with him.

This blue bass is as much an artwork as it is a bass.

This guitar reminds of the old James Tyler finish he called "with bacon".

Jens Ritter himself with quite an unusual design.

JET

JET is another company that has sailed up as a brand that gives you much bang for the buck.

And at their price point they give you more than you would probably expect. I wish I had had access to instruments like this when I was a beginner back in the early 1970's.