Pete, the 8 string Fylde was quite something. I have watched this in various stages of development and was very interested to see the end result. It speaks volumes about Roger and the team to be able to take on a commission like that and come up with something so amazing.
Roger asked me to see what I thought from a playing point of view, it was certainly a strange ride at first, especially getting used to the fan frets. I could see real potential in modal tunings given time to get used to the radically mind shift involved in playing it.
My Fylde was the Custom Anniversary with a European spruce top/ brazilian back and sides and a nicely figured mahogany neck , I've had it since seeing it at a festival I was playing in the summer and falling in love with it ( I already had a 30th Anniversary custom ). Roger was pointing out the amount of fret wear I have managed to put into it already !

While still on Fylde, I tried the second hand Alexander on the stand, it played beautifully and had tone to die for ( also had a Baggs p/up system fitted ) . It looked like a very good buy for someone.

Elsewhere, Vince the guy who set up the show ( who I met for the first titme on Saturday ) had that nice small bodied 12 fretter there ( Martin pre 1930 000 size ), that was a sweet little player for fingerstyle.

The Ralph Bown OM was interesting, but it hasd been routed for a very wide saddle at some point.

I would like to see this type of event run in conjunction with a mini festival ( nice area for it ) which would create a better day out and give it some atmosphere.

Gary