The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #58990   Message #937244
Posted By: Songster Bob
21-Apr-03 - 02:25 PM
Thread Name: NEFFA '03 4/25-27
Subject: RE: NEFFA '03 4/25-27
I hope/expect to be there, doing two sessions, "Histories/Mysteries" with Jennifer, my wife, and "Roots of the Folk Revival" with my sidekick, Pete Kraemer. Both are on Saturday, but we'll be there Sunday, too (but not Friday night -- travel is sooooo tiring!).

I had thought to maybe bring instruments to sell, but the hassle of getting a booth (and manning same) is too much, so I didn't do it. If anyone sees me there, ask if I have anything to sell -- I might just have something (I'm thinking a mandolin, a banjo or two, or one or two archtop guitars). It partly depends on space, since I am bringing a flat-top guitar, an archtop guitar, a banjo, a 12-string guitar, and perhaps an autoharp, plus Pete's guitar and our luggage. I love to talk instruments and play same, and buying, selling and trading are opportunites for doing that, so that's one of the things I do. In fact, that's how I ended up with the flat-top guitar I now play -- I went to NEFFA and walked through the crafts area (this was in 2000). There happened to be about five guitar makers there (plus at least one other instrument maker, whose specialty was hurdy-gurdies). Since I didn't "need" a guitar, I was free to play as many as I wanted, and one kept calling me back. In fact, I couldn't let it go, like it had this magnetic plate on the back that kept attracting my tummy, not to mention the brain-washing machine that brought my hands into playing position. To solve this hostage situation, I had to buy the thing. It's a Running Dog guitar, the Concert Jumbo model.

This is what it looks like; mine is the non-cutaway model.

I don't know which craftsmen will be at NEFFA this year, but I'll be sure to walk through and check 'em out!

Whether you want to see me perform, talk instruments, or just ignore me, NEFFA is a great place to be this coming weekend.


Bob Clayton