Official Luthiers Forum!

Is anyone else here going to be attending the show in Portland this weekend? I'm heading south with three guitars to show including one I just strung up for the first time yesterday. I'm looking forward to seeing a bunch of cool instruments and meeting other builders from this part of the world (heavy representation from Oregon).

The show is open to the public Saturday and Sunday afternoons. I have a question for guitar show veterans here. This is my first time exhibiting my guitars and on the very slight off-chance that one of the General Public might wish to part with their hard earned dollars in exchange for one of my guitars, I'm wondering what the best (and worst) option(s) for carrying out a transaction would be. Has anyone here dealt with that situation and have advice? My experience so far is limited to transactions with the people I built guitars for.

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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

Jay,



That's a nice low-key show, with a lot of variety of instruments, and Cyndy Burton and crew are the best. I like that it's not a glitzy show, though it does attract some great builders. I've shown there 4 or 5 times, but had to drop out this year. I've always had a good time there.

I can't give much advice on payment, having taken only cash or checks from regulars who have visited my tables in the past.

Have fun!

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Thanks, Pat. I had been wondering if you would be this year there since I saw your name on a previous year's list of exhibitors. Maybe next year.

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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

I wish I could make it Jay. It would be great to meet up with you. If you can, try and post a few photos here.

Cheers!

You should look into the "square", it turns you phone into a credit card reader. The card reader's free, but they do charge a transaction fee.
I've also had no issues taking checks at shows. But then again I may too trusting.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

I've had great luck selling high dollar items with payment via Venmo (its a PayPal company) - quick money transfers, and no fees.

Well, Danny, I was so busy at the show that I only got a couple overview shots of the exhibit room.

The show was a lot of fun. A good bunch of builders with strong representation from builders of guitars (classical, steel string acoustic, and some electric), ukuleles, mandolins, and violins. Also builders of banjos, cellos and double basses, marimba, harp, hand drums, and flutes. Several wood suppliers (Danger!). Lots of very nice instruments.

I was surprised by the strong public attendance particularly on Saturday. There was a long line to get in when the show opened at noon and the people kept coming. It got pretty crowded. Lots of people make a point of coming to the show every year and I talked to many people who had driven long distances to come to the show. With the exception of one guy who had a weird somewhat incoherent philosophical axe to grind about the proper pursuit of "true tone" (fortunately, I managed after what seemed like too long a time to redirect his interest elsewhere), everybody was great to talk to. Many of the attendees were really good players and I had a great time hearing my guitars played by a few of them. The show is very well organized and run and the builders who were there were a great bunch. If you are in the area next year, I recommend attending and if you are located within reasonable distance of Portland, you may want to consider showing your work.

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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

Great show this year! I got a couple pics about the same as yours, but didn't have time to do table by table shots, as I was glued to my own table the whole time. This show is such a gem.