2023 Fretboard Summit Updates – Fretboard Journal

I thought last year’s Summit at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music was about as awesome as a guitar gathering can get: Julian Lage (above) surprises us all with this supernatural solo set? The Milk Carton Kids teaching 100 of us all how to harmonize on a new song? The Nickel Wound Chef that pitted Creston Lea against Duncan Price? The luthiers who did their best and presented some truly stunning creations? Collings with the matching acoustic and electric pairs? When I think back to all these memories, it feels like a dream.

Well, we’ve been hard at work planning this year’s Fretboard Summit (24-26 August 2023) in Old Town and I can confidently say that it surpasses last year’s. As far as I know, this might just be the greatest gathering of guitar pros outside of a NAMM show ever… and you’re invited.

Register here.

We haven’t updated the fretboardsummit.org website with the latest developments, but I’m happy to share everything here. A staggering array of artists are taking part: Artists include Joey Landreth, Jeff Parker, Tommy Emmanuel, Nathan Graham, Via Mardot (who just appeared on our podcast), Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Broadbent. Bill Frisell will lead a guitar orchestra that you (yes, you) can join. Bob Minner and Cameron Knowler (another recent podcast graduate) will lead a workshop on the music of Norman Blake that will be full of surprises. YouTube Homeskoolin’s Nashville studio ace Tom Bukovac will perform alongside bluegrass legend Bryan Sutton. Luthier Wayne Henderson is in attendance; He will surely play along with some surprise guests at our acoustic jam sessions. We also have Adam Levy and Ethan Sherman leading a workshop on the duo’s art, and a host of world-class artists like Mason Stoops and Jamie Stillway telling me they’re coming now… just to see the Summit firsthand experience.

Last year’s Nickel Wound Chef Partscaster competition was so great that judge Josh Scott (founder of JHS Pedals) is presenting his own version at this year’s Summit: the Germanium Chef (yes, it’s another Iron Chef themed fight). Robert Keeley and Heather Brown will compete to create the ultimate fluff in one hour before you all. There will also be sessions on vintage Martins with Summit alums TJ Thompson and Mark Stutman; Workshops on buying your first custom-made guitar by Paul Heumiller from Dream Guitars; and sessions on everything from custom inlay to film scoring.

Listeners to our Truth About Vintage Amps podcast have an entire room to hang out all weekend, filled with vintage and rare amps and PAs ready to play podcast host Skip Simmons, who he worked on has. We’ve got secret after-hours jams, places to hang out with your new friends, and some gear giveaways that’ll blow your mind.

A few people have asked if this weekend is for the pros only. The answer is a clear no. Most of our participants love guitars…that’s all. Whether you’re interested in acoustics or electrics, whether you’re a beginner or touring artist…it doesn’t matter. We have made it a point to create workshops that are fun, eye-opening and non-intimidating.

As busy as the program is, I hope that most attendees will skip a number of sessions. Why? So that they can spend valuable time with the builders. It’s a who’s who of guitar making, big and small. Taylor’s Bob Taylor and Andy Powers will be in attendance, as will the crew from Collings, Huss & Dalton, Preston Thompson Guitars, Martin, Yamaha and Santa Cruz. In the handcrafted luthiers section, Bryan Galloup has returned, Grez Guitars, Noemi Guitars from Italy, Jason Kostal, Cardinal Instruments, Mike Baranik, Rob Robinson, Michael Bashkin, Ralph Dammann and about two dozen other acoustic and electronic builders… All presenting their products, play their latest creations and answer any questions you may have about your next guitar purchase. A number of experts including Mass Street Music’s Jim Baggett, Nashville repair guru Joe Glaser and Elderly Instruments’ Lillian Werbin will also be in attendance.

A show like this pays homage to everything fretboard-related…and Fretboard Diary. It is an affair of the heart and a kind of family reunion. If you are reading this, you too are part of our family. We would be happy to see you there. I guarantee you’ll want to make the summit an annual tradition. There is simply nothing that compares.

We still have a limited number of discounted ($350) three-day passes at fretboardsummit.org that include all concerts, workshops, showcases and parties. But act fast, they will be sold out.

Starting June 1st we are offering day passes for guitar shows only for people who just want to go guitar shopping without going to concerts/workshops/parties.

Either way, you won’t find this diversity of talent anywhere else. I hope to see you there.

This year’s summit begins on the morning of August 24, 2023 and lasts until August 26. I’ve currently seen a number of great Chicago hotel deals for this section on Expedia and elsewhere, including many nice places that cost less than $200 a night. www.fretboardsummit.org

Below are pictures from our meeting in 2022.