Gbase Welcomes Back Don Dawson as Managing DirectorGreetings to one and all, it's good to be back at Gbase.com! There's much to tell but I'll be brief and to the point so you can get back to your busy day. We're currently finalizing a plan to rebuild Gbase.com but first, we'd like to thank the many dealers that responded to our survey and shared their thoughts with us, regarding what they liked, what they didn't like, what they'd like to see added in the future, etc. Your thoughts and contributions are greatly appreciated. Over the course of the next 6 months, we'll be working on a site redesign to add value to the consumer experience as well as enhance how our dealers work within the site. In addition to the rebuild, we'll be launching a new consumer ad campaign for Gbase in the next 60 days. This campaign was designed to raise consumer awareness of what Gbase is and what we offer as a collective resource. We'll also be on the road visiting new guitar shows as well as new consumer shows, basically taking our message to the streets and spreading the word on Gbase. You'll start seeing this new campaign in several print publications as well as several of the more popular online music sites. As always, we appreciate your thoughts and concerns. If you'd like to share a comment or an idea with Gbase, please send them ahead to info@gbase.com and we'll add that to the proverbial mix. Thanks for being a "Gearhead" and here's to more guitars and gear than you ever dreamed of! 
Who's the BOSS?Maverick Music presents – Who’s the BOSS? Your Chance to win a BOSS GT-8 Guitar Processor. With much thanks to Phil Winfield and his crew over at Maverick Music, here’s your chance to win a BOSS GT-8 Guitar Processor. Be sure to visit their website (www.maverick-music.com) and check out their latest offerings on Gbase as well. Now onto the good stuff – the BOSS GT-8 will be awarded to some lucky Gearhead, chosen completely at random from our many contest entries. But we suppose you’ll want to know a little bit more about what the GT-8 does and what great features it packs. Well, the GT-8 comes loaded with twin COSM® modeling engines and it will bring you unprecedented performance and tonal control to the stage and studio. The Dual COSM amp section provides two discrete amp channels; you can layer and manipulate each engine independently to create wildly expressive sounds. Thanks to the Solo Switch function, lead sounds can be immediately activated — perfect for ripping through the mix. BOSS’s mega-popular GT-6 was a smash hit with guitarists, now the GT-8 is destined to become the go-to box for gigging and recording guitarists alike.
Dealer of the monthGbase Dealer – First Fret Guitar Shoppe, Jersey City, NJ1). Can you give a brief history of First Fret Guitar Shoppe and how you began (please try to convey a little differently that your profile on Gbase)? I’m glad you asked for a “brief” history. I’m schooled player with a degree in music, playing since age 9. I learned guitar repair while in my teens, with Ronaldo Orlandini from Pastore Music in Union City, NJ. I was the kid that came in every day, watched, learned, asked questions and such. I felt the need to know what the instrument is all about, aside from the playing end. I always bought and sold guitars and one day, I went to a guitar show and that was it! I found something I wanted to do. It’s great to love what you do! It’s not work! It’s my passion! 2.) Are you a player? Do you still gig? Yes, I’m a player. Most who know me, know that this is what I’m all about. We still gig, my band is called “Absolute Proof” and we are available for weddings, divorce parties and barmitzfers (just kidding!) 3.) What kind of music do you play? Originals and cover material, from Liverpool, The Beatles to Velvet Revolver or something like that. 4.) What are your specialties? This may include certain brands or models, years, repairs or restorations, building, genres, etc. First Fret specializes in clean, late model instruments with more than a smattering of vintage guitars for good measure. Complete restorations, including superior fretwork and finishing. We can make the guitar of your dreams a reality. We love trades…. 5.) What is your favorite guitar? That’s a loaded question. I have many favorites, but in reality, I am a Les Paul player and I switch to a Tele, for the most part. 6.) What are you currently on the hunt for? Vintage Gibsons, Fender, Gretsch, Martin in all grades. I guess, all the stuff I wanted when I was a kid. 7.) What is the finest guitar you have on the sales block at the moment? I have a 1968 Les Paul Custom, which is just a complete smoker!!! 
Interview with Dallas Guitar Show Promoter, Jimmy Wallace10 Questions with Jimmy Wallace of the Dallas International Guitar Show
1. Jimmy, for those not familiar with the Dallas International Guitar Show, can you give us the cliff notes version of the shows’ legacy? Where did this all start? Jimmy: From its humble beginnings in a small meeting room of a Dallas hotel in 1978, to 140,000 square feet of display space at Dallas Market Hall today, the Dallas International Music Festival celebrates 31 years of bringing musicians, guitar makers, collectors, celebrities and music enthusiasts together. Today there are more than 2,000 guitar shows and festivals staged around the world, but the guitar show phenomenon actually began in Texas with the vision of Dallas guitar shop owner Charley Wirz. Charley conceived the idea of establishing and promoting a vintage guitar show similar to other collectible shows, with booths leased to dealers and collectors. Build it and they will come, he thought. And they did. In partnership with John Brinkmann and Danny Thorpe, he staged the first Dallas guitar show. The partnership was dissolved after the 1981 show, and Charley continued to stage the Dallas show until his untimely death in 1985.That first show – the Greater Southwest Vintage Guitar Show - was a modest success for the 10 exhibitors who leased booth space to show off and sell their prized vintage guitars. Each year, the Show attracted more exhibitors and attendees, changing venues to accommodate the growing crowds. But in 1985, show founder Charley Wirz died unexpectedly. Charley’s Guitar Shop and the rights to the Guitar Show were then purchased by Mark Pollock, one of Charley’s closest friends, a good customer and a touring musician himself. Mark had some ideas about the show’s size and location, so he began a series of changes that have led to its’ prominence today. Mark’s first big change was to expand the show by moving its location to the Dallas Convention Center. He envisioned bringing together both guitar purists and everyday music fans, so he hosted a party on Saturday night and hired some outstanding musicians to entertain. Thus, the annual Saturday Night Jam was born. In 1989, Mark initiated a second major change by bringing guitarist and 1978 Show exhibitor Jimmy Wallace in as his partner. A record 10,000 attendees moved through the gates the following year, and Mark and Jimmy were onto something. The Dallas show kept growing larger, and Mark and Jimmy moved the location to Dallas’ Fair Park in 1996. In 1997, the 20th annual show was expanded to include Music Fest, a celebration of local, regional and national bands performing on two stages throughout the weekend. This was Mark and Jimmy’s third major change and it added even more appeal to the general public. In 2004 Mark and Jimmy moved the show to Market Hall, the largest privately-owned exhibition hall in the USA. This new venue features a larger, more flexible exhibit hall, easy access, and plenty of free parking. The layout of the Hall easily accommodates the variety of displays and live music that make up the Dallas International Guitar Festival. 2. This is the 31st annual Dallas International Guitar Show. There must be a favorite tale to tell from one of the past shows. Got one you’d care to share, briefly? Jimmy: Some 15 years or so ago, back when this show was held down at the Dallas Convention Center, for some unknown reason, I walked out the back of venue, back near the loading docks. Now at the time, we were using D & L Security and the whole place was union and security was super tight. D & L handles all the major concert events and has lots of policeman, you know the types. Well anyway, I walk out the back door by one of the loading bays and when I do, the door closes and locks behind me. Well, the security guard is standing right there and he sees me and I tell him, “I’ve gotta get back in there.” Now this is a big ole’ boy and I mean bi-i-gg. Clearly the guard just thinks I’m jerking him around and I just want to sneak back in the place. I had no pass, no credentials, nothing to prove this otherwise. So I told him, that if he could catch me, he could remove me from the show and with that said, I took off. So here’s the 6 foot something monster, chasing me through the aisles of the Dallas Guitar Show – I’m just hoping to beat him to the front desk so I can prove to him, I am who I say I am. Lucky for me, I beat him to the front. But the good news is, he was doing his job and doing it well. 3. How many people attend the Dallas International Guitar Show each year? Jimmy: Over 20,000 4. I’ve lost count as to how many Dallas Shows’ I’ve attended but each year, you always manage to put on more than just an exhibition-based show. There are multiple stages for band performances, workshops and other interesting events. What have you got planned for us this year? Jimmy: Continuous music on three stages, plus acoustic and other workshops, and the Texas “10 Under 20” and The Guitar Solo Contest on Our Stage is drawing a lot of great entries. The finalists play Sunday at the show. 5. Got a quick list of players that have appeared at the show in years past? Jimmy: Rick Derringer, George Lynch, Will Ray, Johnny A, Black Stone Cherry, Kentucky Head Hunters, Bugs Henderson, Joe Bonamassa, Chet Atkins, Brian Setzer, Garry Hoey, Andy Timmons, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Vinnie Moore, Boz Skaggs, Billy Gibbons, Eric Clapton, Ronnie Montrose, Ted Nugent, James Burton, Rick Vito, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmy Vaughn, Jeff Carlici, Junior Brown, Ed King, Pat Travers, Howard Leese, Dan Toler, Vince Gill, Tracy Gunn, Dimebag Darrell, Johnny Hiland, Greg Martin, Bugs Henderson, Kim Simmonds, Eric Easton, Paul Reed Smith, Lee Ritenour and many more! 6. If you had to guess, how many guitars and basses do you think will be on display over the course of the 3-day show? Jimmy: Over 20,000 7. Gbase will be on-hand once again, at this year’s show, as we always find it interesting. You’ll have your own booth on-site, as well (you can always visit Jimmy @ jimmywallace.com). Got anything extra-special to exhibit at this year’s show? Jimmy: One thing we will be showing is a nice ‘59 Sunburst Les Paul Standard 8. Most everyone that runs the Guitar Show circuit knows that both you and Mark (Pollack – co-show promoter and a key cog in the Dallas Guitar Show machine) are players. Will either of you be performing at this years event? Jimmy: Jimmy and the Stratoblasters will definitely be playing at the All Star Jam and other concerts throughout the festival. 9. Please give us the who’s, what’s, when’s and where’s: (Fill in whatever I missed and add whatever seem pertinent).
10. Care to add anything I’ve missed? For updated performance information and schedules, please visit www.guitarshow.com. Dallas International Guitar Festival and MusicFest hours are 12 noon to 7 p.m. Friday, April 18; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 19 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Sunday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m with music all day. A single day ticket price is $20 for adults and children 11 or older; free for children under 10. Two-day passes are $35, and three day passes are available for $45 each. Admission to the Friday night concert will be $5, and the Saturday night All Star Jam is also $5. Student tickets are available at the door only for $15 one day ticket; $30 for two day student pass and $40 for a three day student pass. Two and three day passes include tickets to the Friday Night and Saturday Night concerts. VIP passes that allow ticket holders to sit in the front few rows of all concerts are also available for single, two-day or three day admission tickets, priced at an additional $20, $35 and $45. All tickets are available at the door. Performers scheduled to attend and play at the event include: George Lynch, Johnny A, Andy Timmons, Will Ray, Jim Suhler, Lord Tracy, The Kentucky Headhunters, Maylee Thomas and the Believers, The Stratoblasters, Doyle Dykes, Matt Smith, Rocky Athas, Johnny Hiland, Rick Derringer, Van Wilks, Black Stone Cherry, Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown), Paul Reed Smith Band with David Grissom and Bugs Henderson, Dead Pyrates Society (Jimmie Randall, John Staehely and Jo Jo Gunne), Point Blank, Texas Gypsies, Rhett Butler, The Ascenders, Becky Middleton, Hillbilly Orchestra, the Drawing Board, Super Nova Remnant, Garage 34, Jr Clark, Quinten Hope, Ruben V, Jonathan Tyler & Northern Lights, Power House, Johnny Red, Landin Spradlin, Josh Weathers Band, Mike Ryhner & Petty Theft, Kirby Kelly, Comes Alive!-Dave Hineman, Rob Hunt, Christian Brooks, Lance Lopez, and Frontal Lobotomy Boogy Band with Bo & Jim. Vintage InvestmentsWhat to look for when buying a vintage guitar.By John Levan In 1985, John LeVan studied under many repairmen and Luthiers to learn his trade. He opened his own guitar repair business in Auburn, California in 1990. He relocated to Music Row in Nashville Tennessee In 1997 and inaugurated guitarservices.com and Guitar Services Workshops. These workshops provide hands-on repair training for players, technicians, retail employees. A Mel Bay Author, John LeVan has composed five guitar repair books. His best seller; Guitar Care, Setup & Maintenance, is a hands-on guitar care and repair guide with a forward by Bob Taylor. He also produced several Mel Bay DVDs on guitar care and repair. A vintage guitar can be an excellent investment; however, it’s important to distinguish the difference between a valuable, vintage instrument and just an old guitar. There are several prerequisites that will help you determine the difference. The key elements to look for are; condition, playability, tone, manufacturer, model, age and the state of originality. Let’s examine these essential elements and how they will affect value. CONDITION The condition of a vintage guitar has a substantial effect on its value. Here are a few things to look for:
PLAYABILITYA guitar that plays well more than likely is in good or excellent condition. A common problem with many vintage guitars is the neck angle. To be specific, low (or under-set) neck angles. This results in high action and a low saddle, rendering the guitar very difficult to play. Worn frets, string nut & bridge saddles will also cause a guitar to play poorly. TONETone is a critical element to the value. I have examined many vintage guitars that played well, in good condition, but sounded like a tub of mud. These “dogs” will not be as desirable as the same model guitar with a broad dynamic and projection. A guitar made of fine woods, will produce the best tone. Most of these woods are scarce, making them more expensive to use. MANUFACTURERMany guitars are judged by the company or person who made them. Excellent craftsmanship, appointments such as inlays & purfling as well as the types of wood used will help determine the value of a guitar. Mother of pearl, abalone inlays are a plus. Likewise, Adirondack spruce, Brazilian rosewood, Honduran mahogany and Koa are also rare and desirable woods. MODELSome models are more desirable than others. This is predicated on the materials used, the craftsmanship and number built that particular year. A pre-war (before WWII) Martin D-18 is far more valuable than a 0-17 made the same year. The fewer guitars made, coupled with the demand for that model will help to determine the value of your investment. Before buying a guitar, a little research goes a long way. AGEThe age of a guitar can lend a few clues to how it was made. One of these advantages is that many, if not most, were made from air-dried wood. In other words, the wood was aged naturally and will be more stable as well and tonally pleasing than a modern guitar made from kiln-dried wood. Combined with the other elements previously discussed, age will help determine the current and even future value. STATE OF ORIGINALITYA guitar that is totally original, (as it came from the factory) will always be worth more than the same guitar that has been altered or even repaired. A “re-finished” or “customized” guitar will look better and maybe even play better, but will not hold its value as an original guitar will. A re-finished guitar, even done well, can be worth half of what it was worth with a checked or worn finish. In most cases, it’s better to leave the finish alone. It’s better to have a guitar that is ugly & original than pretty and worthless. Unfortunately, many of the vintage guitars out have had some time of modification or repairs done to them. Factory quality repairs that are un-detectable will have little effect on the value. However, work performed by an un-trained repair tech will greatly diminish the value. General repairs, such as neck re-sets and fretwork, many times are necessary to make the guitar playable and improve its tone. When done correctly, these repairs can increase the value. When restoring a vintage guitar, be sure that it is done by a reputable Luthier so that you don’t lose on your investment. To summarize, before purchasing your vintage investment, be sure you know what you are buying. Compare the instrument to the key elements in this article. I recommend that you have the guitar authenticated and appraised by a reputable expert, so that you can properly insure your investment. 
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