Announcement: The Fretboard Summit, Chicago

Word is spreading fast: Fretboard Summit is back for 2022, with a new venue, some exciting additions and a few surprises. Our third International Guitar Gathering will take place August 25-27, 2022 at its new home, Chicago’s famed Old Town School of Folk Music. We can’t wait to see you there.

The Local Area: The Old Town School of Folk is such a Chicago institution that we featured it in our sixth edition. Many of our favorite musicians have walked its halls, given workshops or concerts in its 400-seat theater. Of course, that fits an event like this. The staff at OTS live and breathe music and gear just like us.

As with the first two Summits we held in 2015 and 2016, you can expect three days of great music, talks and stories. You’ll also meet many of the brands and players we’ve chronicled, get a feel for where collecting and designing guitars from the best in the business is going, learn how to play better, and meet some new friends. Basically, we bring the pages of the magazine to life.

Best of all, the Old Town’s numerous theaters and halls offer plenty of fun could not Subtract at the first two peaks. Example: We devote an entire hall to a showcase for violin making. Around 50 major manufacturers of electric and acoustic guitars will be on hand to display their wares to both Summit attendees and the general public. The Midwest was long overdue for a handcrafted guitar show… it’s about time we made it happen. We even recruited Chris Herrod, the guy who ran Healdsburg’s legendary guitar show, to keep things running smoothly.

We also have a few special surprises because… Chicago! How often do we all meet up in one of the coolest music cities in the world? Expect plenty of local talent, side tours to guitar attractions and, of course, great food at the Summit.

We’ll be releasing more details in early April, but we hope you’ll mark your calendars and start browsing the AirBnb listings…it’s going to be a great time.

Just to tempt you, some scenes from the first two Summits…