Been talking with some of the VintageKramer.com guys about maybe joining them again for their summer convention, as it's time to start making plans for it.
The first year ('03) they went for a small, informal type of gathering. This past year they tried taking it a step further, and planned a much larger event. But in all honestly most guys enjoyed how it ran the year before; it seemed a little more personable and less hectic. Less work that's for sure. So this year it's safe to say they'll be going a little more informal again, with the exhibits in the same space as the entertainment with far less structure or bands and more time for jams.
There's also some question as to where it would be best to hold it. NAMM is going on the road again for the summer show and will be in Indianapolis this year. So if we follow NAMM we'd be going to Indy too. However many of the Kramer guys are from the south, and it would be a far longer drive for some. NAMM seemed to be more of a diversion for some of their attendees.
Another idea is to keep it in Nashville, perhaps early in the summer. That would minimize NAMM conflicts and also encourage Epiphone involvement - both in terms of sponsorship and allowing all of their personnel to attend. We'd also be able to find better accommodations, since we wouldn't be competing for space with a big trade show. Some ideas thrown around are to go right downtown, and maybe try to team up with either the Gibson Cafe or the Hard Rock to host the big Saturday event.
Again this is all talk right know, but wanted to get a feel from the gang here what their inclinations are. I've created a poll on the site so please vote to help us come to some conclusions. To be honest we were very, very much in the minority last year. If we can't get some kind of growth from the Steinberger contingent, I'd almost prefer to stand aside and let them have their event to themselves. They've been kind enough to invite us again but don't want to be just a footnote again.
Please vote on the Yahoo! Group site to make your opinion heard.
Posted by andyyak 10/15/2004 04:04:42 PM
Epiphone has finally realized that trying to go through Gibson for bodies just isn't working. They tried, but it seems no one at Gibson wanted to bother and the timelines got longer while the quatities got smaller.
They also tried to get this place in Nashville to do both the CNCing and finishing for the XQ basses. Cutting was they're specialty but they aren't really a finisher. They tried but have had ongoing QC issues, so that wasn't working out either.
So now here's the latest scoop: The place in Nashville will be cutting the XQ bodies (like they did back in the 90's). Another place in CA will be be cutting the guitar bodies. Right now they're getting the GLB's and Newburgh GM's back up and running. I know the rough XQ bodies are good to go, and the first samples of unfinished guitar bodies looked good.
Both places will be sending the bodies to Wilkins Guitars in CA for finishing. This is very good news. Pat Wilkins name came up several times when I was trying to help USA staff source another body provider laste last year. He's also doing the finishing work on the Headless Horseman GM you've seen shots of. Not cheap, but does top notch work. Current clients include Tom Anderson & Sadowsky, so the guy's no slouch. How this affects the USA prices I'm not sure, but I think overall thbe market would support $50-$100 more on the price if buyers know they're getting a premium finish.
Again, many bodies are cut but to my knowledge the first batch have yet to be finished. That process should start shortly. Wilkins has a 2-4 week turnaround time (I called and talked to him in depth). Add about another 2-3 weeks shipping & build time in Nashville. There will still be a wait in the short term.
The upside is that all these vendors are capable of supplying a good steady stream of product, so we (hopefully) won't have this kind of roller coaster (actually mostly "out of stock) when it comes to inventory.
Posted by andyyak 10/9/2004 04:42:00 PM
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