Portland Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibit at Marylhurst

[Jason Rodgers]

I'll be wandering the exhibit hall tomorrow afternoon at the Portland Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibit wearing a black Lewis & Clark t-shirt. Maybe I'll see ya!

[John Sonksen]

I'll be wandering the exhibit hall tomorrow afternoon at the Portland Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibit wearing a black Lewis & Clark t-shirt. Maybe I'll see ya!

dangit! I wanted to go to that but tomorrow is a super busy day, my wife's Grands are in from England and we're showing them our new house that they don't know anything about! Guess I'll have to try again next year...

[David King]

It's on Sunday from noon til 5 PM as well. Admission is still just $3 for both days and some world class performers included as well.
I'll be there in the corner next to Ted Megas and his super archtops.

[John Sonksen]

It's on Sunday from noon til 5 PM as well. Admission is still just $3 for both days and some world class performers included as well.
I'll be there in the corner next to Ted Megas and his super archtops.

sounds good, I'll see you tomorrow David

[Jason Rodgers]

Man, this Exhibit is a good thing. Such a range of instruments - guitars, ukes, violin family, harps, flutes, Persian instruments - and such a range of experience - from Elliot, Megas, Ruck, Novak, Kerr to new bucks on the scene - and a wide range of approaches - from traditional to contemporary and experimental. It's very open and laid back, and I get very inspired walking down those aisles.

And don't forget some of our MIMF members, who fall right in the mix. Chatted with David King for a bit and spent all of my allowance on some sweet 1-piece 1" maple tops he had for sale. Talked with Chet Bishop and actually got to hold one of his 5-string fiddles.

Also saw Loren Schulte and Stephen Boone, whom I met at the 2011 GAL convention. Mike Doolin is a popular guy, and is often performing, so didn't have a chance to catch him. Could have talked with Jay Hargreaves about his Kasha instruments, too. It's amazing to see the caliber of folks we have here in the northwest, and this is a fun event.

As David said, if you're in town tomorrow, it's running one more day!

[David King]

Jason and John, it was really nice see you both and have time to chat. Sunday seemed about twice as busy. Dozens of really great players on all sides. The Demo rooms were constantly in use all day so I'm hoping a few sales can come about for the community. I know I cleared out a lot of old stock for which I am so thankful.

[Jason Rodgers]

I went home and tidied up the shop to get some build processes rolling again: I'm itching to use that spalted top, David (and not because I got fungus on my arm from carrying it around for half an hour)!

[John Sonksen]

yeah it was really cool. I was surprised by the range of instruments and the quality and innovation of some of the things there. It was definitely inspirational to see what some other people are doing and I got to talk to a couple builders who were very supportive of a newbie getting into building. Good to see you again David, glad I finally caught up with you and I'll talk to you about those knobs as soon as I go over it with the guy I'm building this one for. I'll have to catch up with you next time Jason, too bad I couldn't make it on Saturday, it would have been cool to meet you in person.

[Jason Rodgers]

Well, seeing how we all live in the Portland area, maybe David could be our "Den Dad" for some monthly lutherie get-togethers. Is there anything like this going on already?

[John Sonksen]

I can't speak for David but once I get my shop moved up here from Canby, I'd be down with hanging out and doing some guitar work. I did get the impression that David was pretty busy, and I think he has an apprentice so his guitar time sounds a little more valuable than ours right now, lol.

[Pat Foster]

I was there, sort of behind and to the left of Loren Schulte. I had a small-body guitar with a bevel cutaway. There was such a stream of names and faces. Did any of you gents stop by?

It was my first time at the Portland show. I had a great time.

Pat

[David King]

Well, seeing how we all live in the Portland area, maybe David could be our "Den Dad" for some monthly lutherie get-togethers. Is there anything like this going on already?

Actually there is a ad-hoc luthier's lunch group that's organized by Mark Roberts. Send him an email and I'm sure he'll add you to the list. We try to meet every month or two.

[Jason Rodgers]

Cool! Yeah, I wasn't thinking anything formal. More like packing into someone's shop, drinking beer, pointing at tools and wood and nodding and grunting knowingly.