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Anyone have good or bad comments on a guitar display in an outdoor show? Does anyone do outdoor shows?
There is a 2 day local art show where I live that is quickly approaching deadline time for acceptance. I've done this show many years ago as an artist with woodcarvings...but have reservations about setting up a guitar display with 8 guitars. The last 4 years of this art festival have had afternoon wind and rain showers. This is typical weather for August in the Colorado mountains. People without 10X10 display tents without sides were scrambling to save their wears. My thoughts are to buy a 10X 10 with sides, build an enclosed glass display case and attempt the show...just so people in my area know I have veered into making guitars from my normal artwork. I assume the glass case will help with sudden changes in humidity and sudden changes in temp. and the tent can be a direct sun deterrent.

It's one thing taking a guitar to a gig that may have inclement weather...but quite another taking an inventory of 8 guitars.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Deadline for application is tomorrow...

Kent

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Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

How about making plexiglass cases - with some sort of humidty control ?

I would take only 4 guitars or 3 - just to show what is available - taking 8 is a lot of work and added risk.

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It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

John,
Good point. No need to haul the entire shop down there.
KB

_________________
Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

Hey Kent,

I usually do 1 or 2 outdoor shows a year. I have a 10 X 10 tent with sides (Caravan brand). A few things I've learned.
-put a few coats of waterproofing spray on the seems of the top. They may say they are waterproof but I've found most vendors at the outdoor things have to battle leaks.
-Get some big stakes or weight to hold your tent down. Wind is the worst thing I have had to deal with.
-If the weather appears to be getting bad take the guitar off the stands and put them in their cases. No sense risking your instruments.

Like John said you probably don't want to bring more then 4. For outdoor shows the guitars are either my personal instruments or designated demos. I usually build 2-3 guitars in the spring to use as demos for the year. I assume that after 2-4 shows the guitar will have some minor dings and scratches. No matter how well you try to protect them they always seem to get some marks on them. The only way I've seen to avoid this is to put up big signs saying "Don't touch or play the guitars". Signs like that tend to turn people off (at least that is what I have observed). At the end of the summer I sell them as new demos at a slight discount if the guitar do end up with some dings.

The other big thing to watch for with outdoor shows is bug spray and sunscreen. These products will do a number on your finish real quick. I place signs on my table asking people not to touch the guitars if they are wearing these products. I also try to remember to ask people if they are wearing these products before I pass them the guitar. If they are I ask them to wash it off. Even with all these precautions I've had 2 instances where at the end of the day I look at the guitar and saw an arm print in the finish, bug spray. That is why I bring designated demos...

Hope that helps

Josh

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Josh House

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All good info....especially about bug spray/sunscreen...etc. I probably wouldn't have thought about that until after the first slippery arm print and slime hit the neck.
Kent

_________________
Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

A buddy and I just did a 1 day guitarMAKING demo outdoors, with 3 guitars on the last table. Mind you that this is in Mission Viejo (Orange County) CA.

10x10 opens sided tent. 70 degrees and light breeze in the afternoon.

As you know, the sun moves during the course of the day, making it essential to move the guitars into the shade as the day progresses. Make sure that you can do this. Also, "sandbag" the guitar stands against gusts of wind.

Suggestion - Although there were a modest number of business cards passed out, it wasn't a real sales event; mostly just a way to get our names "out there".

If I were you, I'd combine the woodworking and guitarmaking exhibit; bring just one guitar, as a sample; bring a 3-ring binder with pictures of your previous guitars; have a contact/sign-up sheet; and a stack of business cards. If you've got a buddy who plays that will help man the booth, bring 2 guitars and have him play - it's a real attention getter.

BTW - 8 guitars is crazy. What with talking to folks, monitoring the sun, the wind and the crowd - and everybody asking if they can test drive a guitar - you can't keep track of that many instruments.

Good luck.

Larry

Larry,
More great info. I will be carving as a demo and will also attempt to attract people, rather than deter people to the booth with my unique woodcarver paws, (no-can-keep nails) finger-plinker picking style of play.

I'm committed. Money for booth space was sent in this morning. Haven't done an art show in 20 years.

Thanks to all who replied.
Kent

_________________
Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com