Northern Guitar Show - Haydock Park 17th May

Tex_Mexico

Anyone attending? I've decided to go, and this will be my first ever guitar show at the ripe old age of 45.

Anyone who's been before, do you have any advice on how to get the most out of it?

Also. I see it's a place where the attendees can buy, sell and trade - how does that work? I'm considering bringing along one of my guitars to see if I can get a trade - would I be walking around with a hardcase in my hand all day? (My girlfriend's offered to share the carrying but she's not experienced hauling around a cased Lester before, so I don't think she'd last long.)

Thanks!

Blackdream

Good questions! I’m a guitar show novice too and I’m thinking about going this year. Hopefully someone can help.

Musicwolf

It can get quite busy, just work your way around methodically.  Stalls are spread over, from memory, three floors.

At 45 you might even be considered a junior.  Be sure to have the correct attire.  Jeans (preferably with a crease), grey ponytail is a must, leather jacket for the electric players or something with loads of pockets for the acoustic players.  Think Spinal Tap II, and you won't go far wrong. 

If you bring gear with you then you'll need to get some sort of receipt on entry (I've never done this myself) and, should you buy something whilst you're there, you'll need to show the receipt at exit.

I usually bump into a couple of people from the FretBoard whom I've come to recognise over the years.   Maybe we should wear forum name badges so that we can say hello / avoid at all costs* ?

  *delete as applicable

Musicwolf

Last year

NorthernStomps

We'll be there - come and say hello.

Some shows have a stall where you can leave a guitar for sale bur I don't know if this one does - @guitars4you will know.

Enjoy the show. With so few guitar shops around to visit, it's always great to see so much gear, from the standard stuff to the oddball selections...