The Steel Guitar Forum

This has been asked before I bet..but when you go to a steel show,what do you look for most when your buying something other than a guitar or amp?...cd..t-shirt..etc?

It's a time for me to replenish my stash of strings, picks, both thumb and finger, pac-a-seat possibles, if you will, any broken or worn out parts like quick connect balls and sockets, nylon tuner nuts etc.

The Geo L's booth generally gets the lion's share of my biz.

CD's, if I got the spare cash. I've been playing for 35+ yrs., so not much in the way of instructional material. [Not that I couldn't use it.]

I've been disappointed by the lack of public relations skills exhibited by all too many of the venders at the really big shows.

I've attended more than a dozen of the BIG shows and was never once invited, either visually or audibly, to sit down and/or try out one of their products. Many of them have their local 'friends' dominating the instruments on display in their booth.

I've encountered the cold shoulder treatment at the Rittenbury booth for several years. That is one guitar that I truly would appreciate knowing more about. Visually, it appears to be right up there with the Clinesmith in highlights and finish.

A lot of the ladies are more invovled with their crocheting than meeting 'strangers' from around the land. Others seem always to be leaving the booth to go to lunch throughout the day or evening.

Just a few points that I've noticed down thro' the years. Oh, I'm not a tire kicker but a buyer when the product is right.

Just a few points that I've noticed down thro' the years. Oh, I'm not a tire kicker but a buyer when the product is right.

Miss or Mrs Johnson, I'm so glad to hear you are thinking of picking up a steel and getting started on being a musician. You have always described yourself as a non player in your posts. I'm so surprised that you have not been treated with the proper respect at steel shows. There are very few women that attend so they generally get plenty of attention. I'll bet you will be a very good player in no time at all after reading your amazingly knowledgeable posts about tuning variations.

S.M. Johnson wrote:.. disappointed by ... venders
...
I [can] never .. sit down and/or try out one of their products. Many of them have their local 'friends' dominating the instruments on display in their booth.

Bob Hoffnar wrote: I'm so surprised that you have not been treated with the proper respect at steel shows.

I blame the "friends" more than I blame the vendors. Some "friends" seem so desperate for attention that they hog the demo guitars for a half hour or more. Some of them even bring their own prerecorded backing tracks! What's up with that!?!? It doesn't take a half hour to check out a guitar!

guys..can we get back to the subject please...

I've encountered the cold shoulder treatment at the Rittenbury booth for several years.

Mr. Rittenberry is apparently an excellent judge of character

Sorry Jr.................carry on........

Jr,

I look for things I may need mostly. A certain sort of pick or a bar. Maybe a steel or a gizmo of some sort. Its nice to hand the cash directly to the builder. One of the things I like about steel guitar is that I can see the face of the builder on most every item I use.

Sorry this is off the subject but would like to know Junior if you will be playing with Jody Nix on August the 6th?

yes I will be with Jody until the first of the year.
Last job is new years in Big Spring Texas.

Junior. I go mostly to look at learning material and to get tips from guys like Reece Anderson and Herb Stiener who are always happy to talk to us hacks and help us stumble through learning. Other than that, I like to look at guitars and I will typically sit down and watch someone play if there is room for me. I am not a T-shirt/ cap buyer at all.

The shows truly offer a wide variety of 'interesting'
items from which to select. I believe we're all most grateful for the variety and availability.

I'm pleased Mr.Bovine, to see that someone other than myself has found the dominance of the guitar displays by groups of 'friends'......to be somewhat disheartening. It was not meant to be a criticism of the vendors themselves. You said it well.

And you Mr. Hoffner.......One doesn't have to be 'a player" to know and appreciate good music. I'm blessed to have an exceptionally good musical EAR....and I apply it.

Sorry Junior......... Did you ever tour the Northwest with Hank Thompson? Decades ago?

I don't really go and buy things at shows-if there are any guitar companies at the shows, I always check out the steel guitars-that's how I got interested in the steel I play now-Jackson Blackjack Custom. David Jackson asked me if I wanted to try out a Jackson and when I did, I was amazed. In addition to listening to players, I usually walk around at the shows to see the guitars and things on display.

Brett

Junior Knight wrote:This has been asked before I bet..but when you go to a steel show,what do you look for most when your buying something other than a guitar or amp?...cd..t-shirt..etc?

A good looking women wearing shorts?

S.M. Johnson wrote:I've been disappointed by the lack of public relations skills exhibited by all too many of the venders at the really big shows.

I've attended more than a dozen of the BIG shows and was never once invited, either visually or audibly, to sit down and/or try out one of their products. Many of them have their local 'friends' dominating the instruments on display in their booth.

I've encountered the cold shoulder treatment at the Rittenbury booth for several years. That is one guitar that I truly would appreciate knowing more about. Visually, it appears to be right up there with the Clinesmith in highlights and finish.

A lot of the ladies are more invovled with their crocheting than meeting 'strangers' from around the land. Others seem always to be leaving the booth to go to lunch throughout the day or evening.

Just a few points that I've noticed down thro' the years. Oh, I'm not a tire kicker but a buyer when the product is right.

Mr Johnson, What show did you get the cold shoulder at concerning the Rittenberry. Gary has only did two show's. Two years at Mount Vernon and I think two years at Dallas. I think he was at Georgia.
I assure you that everyone who owns a Rittenberry are very proud and will show you anything you want.
So your statement of several years is false.
The Rittenberry is a tone machine, superb playability and the craftsmanship is like none other.
I will be playing the St Louis show this year. I will have My Rittenberry there and will be happy to show you anything you want to know. If your really interested.

I go looking for a Jr. Knight CD................

Ray Harrison wrote:I go looking for a Jr. Knight CD................

I go looking for Junior Knight cuz he owes me five bucks...

Ray..all gone..lol
Jim..wrong!! you owe me $1.50 (plus tax) lol

1. Hear great players-get inspired/depressed
2. Schmooze
3. See what's new in guitars and gadgets-then realize once again that what I really need to do is practice more.
4. New CDs

Looking for a vender with public relations skills seems a good answer to Juniors question and not the least off topic.
A persons perception of being snubbed is a fact and something that should not be debated on bases of validity.
Presenting products in crowded rooms is far from ideal for anyone new and automatically legitimizes that person feeling snubbed.
Since I'm usually with my son who is in a wheelchair, checking out a vender is next to impossible so we usually just go by on our way to the restroom and check out the latest plumbing. The latest in shiny urinals, commodes, sinks and etc. If Stuart and I ever need to redo our bath we're all set.