For over a year, we’ve been plotting the guitar weekend of our dreams. I’m happy to say that the 2024 Fretboard Summit is now just a couple of weeks away. The fun takes place August 23-25 at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music.
So it’s time for a round of updates.
-All told, we’ll have around 80 luthiers, guitar/amp/pedal makers on the exhibitor list, in addition to our major sponsors (who will also be exhibiting). This has turned into one of the largest “lutherie” showcases in the world, even though it’s just one component of the Summit. The full list is here.
If small production guitars are your thing and you just want to demo and shop for new gear (or you just can’t commit to full days at the Summit), you can buy a single-day lutherie showcase pass for just $25. There is ample paid and street parking near the venue and a guitar check-in desk if you need to store your instrument while you shop.
-A bunch of famed guitarmakers who aren’t exhibiting will also be Summit participants, including John Slobod, Isaac Jang, Michael Millard (Froggy Bottom), Creston Lea, TJ Thompson and EJ Henderson. Many of these have been featured in our magazine or on our podcasts over the years.
-The afternoon before the Summit officially starts, Josh Scott of JHS Pedals is throwing a bit of a “pedal” party on Thursday, August 22. Details are here. On Saturday, he’s also hosting our Science Fair, where forward-thinking guitar, pedal and amp creators share their latest inventions. We have about a dozen submissions so far, and they’re incredible.
-Martin CEO Thomas Ripsam is now coming to Chicago. He’ll be fielding all of your questions about that venerable acoustic company on Friday at 2 p.m.
-Mat Koehler, Gibson’s VP of Product, has just been added to the lineup, offering a history lesson on Chicago’s deep influence on Gibson on Saturday afternoon. Those quirky 1950s Gibson lapsteels that look so unique and “modern” (see pic above)? It’s a Chicago connection…
-On Friday evening, bluegrass phenom Jake Eddy is making his third appearance at the Summit. Summit alums Jordan Tice and Cameron Knowler will also be playing for the bluegrass lovers.
-We’ve added famed Fahey-style guitarist Nick Shillace to the workshop lineup. He’ll be teaching a workshop on Saturday.
-G. Weller, subject of our most infamous/confusing podcast to date, has agreed to perform on Saturday night in Szold, right before Adam Levy and Rich Hinman take the stage.
-Later on Saturday night, Dr. Molly Miller will be hosting a jam.
-Throughout the weekend, Bryan Galloup and the Galloup School are hosting a pop-up ‘Acoustic Cafe’ at the Galloup booth. Their goal is to foster interactive conversations through demonstrations, slide shows, and discussions where summit attendees are invited to participate in the experience. Any Summit ticketholder can take a deep dive into the world of lutherie and collecting from a wide array of experts.
To say we’re floored by the turnout so far would be an understatement. The official Summit schedule will get posted this week, but those are the late-breaking developments. It’s going to be a weekend to remember!
