Met somebody from the forum yesterday

jklotz · #1 02-13-2022, 08:51 AM

A guy who lives locally reached out via pm to me a couple of weeks ago. Suggested we get together to talk guitars. I was a little weary at first, but we talked on the phone and he was clearly a certified guitar nerd, like myself, so we set a date and he came over. He brought a Pre-War OOO18 (pre-war as in the company, not vintage) and a beautiful Kevin Kopp 12 fret dread. I let him play some of my guitars and we talked for a while. It was fun.

I learned a few things. If I ever want a Gibson style guitar and have the budget, Keven Kopp would be my 1st call. The sunburst finish on that thing was absolutely gorgeous and it rang like a bell. The pre-war, which I've always wanted to try, was really good too. It felt really broken in and was very comfortable to play. And it was nice to be able to nerd out over guitars and coffee with a real human being. Maybe we should do a regional AGF get together?

catndahats · #2 02-13-2022, 08:57 AM

somewhere back around 2004, wife and I attended an AGF get together out at Lake Houston one beautiful afternoon in Texas.

It was a lot of fun, got to meet a bunch of screen names face to face, swapped stories, and got to test/admire a bunch of cool guitars.

jklotz · #3 02-13-2022, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catndahats

somewhere back around 2004, wife and I attended an AGF get together out at Lake Houston one beautiful afternoon in Texas.

It was a lot of fun, got to meet a bunch of screen names face to face, swapped stories, and got to test/admire a bunch of cool guitars.

I figure it's about the only way I'd ever get a chance to play some of the guitars I'd love to try. We should consider it.

David Eastwood · #4 02-13-2022, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jklotz

A guy who lives locally reached out via pm to me a couple of weeks ago. Suggested we get together to talk guitars. I was a little weary at first, but we talked on the phone and he was clearly a certified guitar nerd, like myself, so we set a date and he came over. He brought a Pre-War OOO18 (pre-war as in the company, not vintage) and a beautiful Kevin Kopp 12 fret dread. I let him play some of my guitars and we talked for a while. It was fun.

I learned a few things. If I ever want a Gibson style guitar and have the budget, Keven Kopp would be my 1st call. The sunburst finish on that thing was absolutely gorgeous and it rang like a bell. The pre-war, which I've always wanted to try, was really good too. It felt really broken in and was very comfortable to play. And it was nice to be able to nerd out over guitars and coffee with a real human being. Maybe we should do a regional AGF get together?

I’ve done this a number of times, on the pretext of giving someone a chance to play one of my Emeralds. Without exception, it’s been a fun experience - I’ve met some nice people, who play a variety of styles on a variety of instruments. Lots of guitar nerds out there

Pre-plague, Marty (M19 here) organized a number of get-togethers here in the Twin Cities at a local coffee shop. I went to a couple of them - they were great fun. It was good to be able to put faces to names, and to realize just how many truly gifted players (and builders!) we have in our midst here. We have a local AGF Facebook page which has maintained modest traffic over the last couple of years - hopefully, as things open up again, we can contemplate another gathering.

E-OM · #5 02-13-2022, 10:31 AM

Guitar nerd get togethers... great idea.... I know it's tough right now with the "plague" (as some one called it) but I think it would be great.

A local fellow and now friend that I met when he inquired about a PRS guitar I had listed on Marketplace is coming over weekly for a couple of hours of playing and talking guitars. By the way, he now has my PRS and I have his Taylor 714CE. It's a lot of fun and I look forward to our guitar meet days.

I pointed him to the AGF, too.

Bob

Glennwillow · #6 02-13-2022, 10:36 AM

I have been to a number of regional AGF gatherings in the past in the Seattle area and they are a lot of fun. Obviously, it can depend on who is there, but it's fun getting to meet others who are just a little crazy about acoustic guitars. And I usually learn something.

- Glenn

Zissou Intern · #7 02-13-2022, 10:36 AM

That sounds like a good day, jklotz. And I wholeheartedly agree that Kevin Kopp makes the most beautiful 'bursts ever.

emtsteve · #8 02-13-2022, 10:53 AM

Very cool. I'd be down for a midwest AGF meet.

Tempotantrum · #9 02-13-2022, 11:19 AM

I would attend a Midwest AGF gathering. I am in Iowa- what defines “Midwest”?

sayheyjeff · #10 02-13-2022, 11:20 AM

Great thing to do. Hosted and attended AGF DC area gatherings more than a few times tho not the last few years. Really good times and made some great friends. Maybe when we get passed the Covid thing Will try another. Recommend to everyone here.

Jeff

Mak2525 · #11 02-13-2022, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jklotz

A guy who lives locally reached out via pm to me a couple of weeks ago. Suggested we get together to talk guitars. I was a little weary at first, but we talked on the phone and he was clearly a certified guitar nerd, like myself, so we set a date and he came over. He brought a Pre-War OOO18 (pre-war as in the company, not vintage) and a beautiful Kevin Kopp 12 fret dread. I let him play some of my guitars and we talked for a while. It was fun.

I learned a few things. If I ever want a Gibson style guitar and have the budget, Keven Kopp would be my 1st call. The sunburst finish on that thing was absolutely gorgeous and it rang like a bell. The pre-war, which I've always wanted to try, was really good too. It felt really broken in and was very comfortable to play. And it was nice to be able to nerd out over guitars and coffee with a real human being. Maybe we should do a regional AGF get together?

I had the same thing happen on Friday. There was a Taylor GA3 listed on the forum for sale that was priced below market due to a previously repaired crack. The price was plus shipping, but turns out he was located a little over an hour from me - okay, now the price is much more appealing to pick up a great travel guitar / beater. So I agree to buy it and went to schedule a pick up time. Lo and behold, he has to come to Tampa, so he agrees to meet me just down the road outside Replay Guitar Exchange to complete the transaction. Of course, we HAVE to go inside to check out the current inventory. Figure the least I can do is buy him lunch for saving me the trip to Venice. Had a great lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings and got to spend an hour talking guitars - a great way to "waste" a Friday afternoon!

So, thank you Flyboy Woody aka Mike for an enjoyable transaction and a new guitar friend. Hope you find that Iris AB you are looking for!

Definitely with you on Kevin Kopp guitars - absolutely beautiful build and stunning finishes. To me, they are the best sounding slope shoulder replica being made today. I would love to pick up that K35 currently for sale, but it's just not in the budget right now!

Here's to hoping we can get back to group meet-ups in the near future!

jaymarsch · #12 02-13-2022, 12:28 PM

I remember the days of the Healdsburg Guitar Festival and Mary McKnight was instrumental in gathering the names of AGF members and making special name badges for us so we could find each other at the festival and gather for even more good guitar geek fun.
I also attended a Taylor Roadshow at a Napa Winery and met up with a fellow AGFer there. Lovely day of playing and chatting about guitars.
So, organizing local gatherings is a great way to keep the community vibrant and swap songs, guitars and share our passion.
Best,
Jayne

rllink · #13 02-13-2022, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tempotantrum

I would attend a Midwest AGF gathering. I am in Iowa- what defines “Midwest”?

Where at in Iowa?

jseth · #14 02-13-2022, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

I remember the days of the Healdsburg Guitar Festival and Mary McKnight was instrumental in gathering the names of AGF members and making special name badges for us so we could find each other at the festival and gather for even more good guitar geek fun.
I also attended a Taylor Roadshow at a Napa Winery and met up with a fellow AGFer there. Lovely day of playing and chatting about guitars.
So, organizing local gatherings is a great way to keep the community vibrant and swap songs, guitars and share our passion.
Best,
Jayne

That was my experience as well, at the Healdsburg Festival... only went one time (2011), as it was discontinued thereafter...

But I truly enjoyed meeting and talking with a dozen or more members of this Forum, as well as meeting a few of the luthiers that are members... great to put faces to names!

I've also made connections with a few members that have turned out to be good friendships...

Face-to-face is SO much more real than typing words in a faceless void...

volman · #15 02-13-2022, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jklotz

A guy who lives locally reached out via pm to me a couple of weeks ago. Suggested we get together to talk guitars. I was a little weary at first, but we talked on the phone and he was clearly a certified guitar nerd, like myself, so we set a date and he came over. He brought a Pre-War OOO18 (pre-war as in the company, not vintage) and a beautiful Kevin Kopp 12 fret dread. I let him play some of my guitars and we talked for a while. It was fun.

I learned a few things. If I ever want a Gibson style guitar and have the budget, Keven Kopp would be my 1st call. The sunburst finish on that thing was absolutely gorgeous and it rang like a bell. The pre-war, which I've always wanted to try, was really good too. It felt really broken in and was very comfortable to play. And it was nice to be able to nerd out over guitars and coffee with a real human being. Maybe we should do a regional AGF get together?

That sounds cool. I don't have any friends or family who are into guitars, so it would be neat to be able to spend some time around some other guitar folks and everyone get the chance to play some guitars that aren't easy to come by.