Waking up early at a bluegrass festival is no small feat. Yet, for the last five years, the Fretboard Journal, a couple hundred vintage guitar collectors and some stellar pro musicians have arisen in the wee hours (relatively speaking) for our annual Vintage Guitar Workshop at Wintergrass.

For 2018, Kenny Smith and Eli West – both veterans of our crazy concept – put about two dozen guitars through their paces, from a Lakeside Jumbo (arguably the first dreadnought-shaped guitar) to vintage Martins, Gibsons and Washburns from the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s. Needless to say, it was fun and educational.

Here is the workshop in its near entirety. We hope you enjoy it.