UPDATED: July 25, 2001

The dust is still in the process of settling here at Guild HQ from another fantastic convention. Three hundred-plus luthiers and friends rolled into Tacoma last week for five days of lectures, exhibitions, demonstrations, concerts, inspiration and fun. While this wasn't our biggest convention many people agreed that it may have been our best. The staff will agree that it was the smoothest running convention in history of the GAL. A few unforseen problems with the power couldn't even dampen anyone's good time. The weather was gorgeous and the PLU campus seemed more spectacular than ever. After hours the members spent long pleasant evenings outside playing music, talking shop, and swapping stories. Even though the full 2001 convention coverage will appear in the pages of the next American Lutherie, we couldn't resist giving some of the highlights of this amazing meeting. The staff would like to personally thank all our great members who made this one such an exceptional and memorable event. We always knew it, GAL members are the coolest!

Yes, there we are. This photo was taken on Friday morning after a fantastic lecture by Bob Benedetto. Everyone still looks relatively lively despite a day and a half of full-on conventioneering. That feeling was soon to change after another two days of convention action! That's the GAL staff in front and directly behind them are all the 2001 presenters. GAL photographer Hap Newsom took this impressive photo hanging out the window of the Mary Baker Russell Building. In fact all of the photos on this page are Hap's.

This years convention was packed with interesting and informative demos. The members got "up close and personal" with many of today's top luthiers including Frank Ford, Dan Erlewine, Geza Berghardt, Scott van Linge, Mike Doolin, Eugene Clark, Charles Fox, Don Overstreet, and Ralph Novak. At left David Giulietti gives everyone a lesson on metal engraving and right, Ervin Somogyi and John Greven show off their carving skills.

Over the years GAL conventions have been famous for some very in-depth lectures. This year didn't disappoint as Harry Fleishman (left) and Steve Klein (right) gave lectures on inlay and guitar design respectively. Other fantastic and informative lectures were given by Bob Benedetto, David Gusset, Jeffrey Elliott, and Richard Brune.

Of course the real excitement kicks up during the three days of exhibition. Two floors of tables with so many suppliers and instrument exhibits it was hard to take it all in. The "lutherie show and tell" began on Thursday and didn't let up until Saturday afternoon. Members revelled in seeing each others' work and snagging lutherie bargains from the record number of suppliers who attended this year. From top to bottom, that's Australian luthier Victor Listkow taking a musical break from the action, Paul Bristow and Kerry Tafoya checking out a Ralph Novak electric guitar, Marc Connelly manning his table, and John Bigelow from Guitarma, the Oregon Adventure Guitar Building Camp showing off a recent project. Below, the downstairs instrument exhibition is in full-swing.

We were fortunate to be allowed to display the work of Robert Lundberg at this year's convention. His wonderful daughters, Branwyn and Tabitha, were on hand to talk to everyone and enjoy the convention with our membership. We thank them for their participation. During the same time the impressive collection of Dan Most was also on display. Thanks to everyone who made these two special exhibits possible.

Of course, great music is the ultimate goal of our members work and this was reflected in many fine concerts and impromtu "jam" sessions. At left a crowd gathers around the "Brune/Somogyi Show" outside in PLU's University Center courtyard. This was the site of many such gatherings. Each night's formal concerts were nothing short of spectacular. On Wednesday PLU experienced a power outage. Lutenist Thomas Berghan took that as an opportunity to do his performance by candle light. Everyone agreed that this "hardship" actually added to the ambiance of his incredible performance. Thursday's concert was performed by classical guitarist extraordinare, David Franzen who wowwed us all. The Friday show featured the gypsy jazz stylings of the amazing Pearl Django pictured above after their red-hot performance. At left in Pearl Django is GAL member Shelly Park who made the two guitars they played at the concert.

Saturday night is held open for the giant GAL benefit auction/party. Just look at the excitement on the faces of happy revelers (left to right), The Duke of Pearl (Chuck Erikson), Steiny of Steiny Guitars (a division of Steinyo Enterprises), just behind him Todd Taggart of Allied Lutherie, Ervin Somogyi trying to outbid Steiny, and George Armstrong looking on. There were many hot bidding wars but probably the most exciting and intense was the frenzie over "The Little Man". For those who are not familiar with the story, the Little Man first made his appearance in 1990. Every convention since then it is the tradition to add something to The Little Man and donate it back to the auction. Last year's winner, Stuart Murphy, came up with a new ax for him replacing the old electric guitar with a lute. The bids on this GAL icon climbed quickly. Suddenly The Duke and Duchess of Pearl were in a bidding war against each other! It was an incredible sight and both were determined to win. Finally the Duke had to give in to the persistance of the Duchess. At right, The Duchess of Pearl, aka Cheryl Erikson, obviously cherrishing her prize while Jay Hostettler looks on. We can hardly wait to find out what adornment he'll end up with at the next convention.

One thing can be said for GAL members: they are one generous bunch! Some of the most notable donors were Fred Lyman, Stewart-MacDonald, Saul Koll, TV Jones, Allied Lutherie, Pauline Dickens, Tom Ribbecke, Harry Fleishman, and Ervin Somogyi.

The open house at GALHQ, that's Tim and Deb's place, was a terrific success once again and a great way to end the convention. Deb really laid out a nice spread of food for everyone and we all breathed a big collective sigh while we gorged ourselves on sandwiches, fruit and desserts. We'd had a blast and even though we were exhausted it was hard to say good-bye to all our wonderful Guild friends.

Let's end with a photo of our friend (and incredible artist) Fred Carlson. We've been so lucky to have Fred's work representing the two most recent conventions. Everyone agreed he outdid himself this year. This was one of the giant backdrops Fred's banners covered on stage for the concerts and lectures. Fred always donates all of his banners to the auction and and this year they made a heap of cash for the GAL. They are definitely "hot items" (and rightly so!) at our auctions.

Again we want to thank each one of you, luthiers and friends, for making this convention so successful. GAL conventions are such great events because GAL members are such great people. Like years past, getting the chance to know our members better has been a total pleasure. We are delighted that you came and we hope to see you again next time. Maybe we'll eventually get to meet all 3,300 of you!

2001 GAL Convention Comments

Have anything you'd like to share about the convention? Email tim@luth.org to share your convention memories/experiences.

PHOTO MEMORY BOOK STILL AVAILABLE!
Convention attendees: a small quantity of the Convention Photo Memory Books that were offered at the convention are still available from the LaserWriting Company. This impressive 37 page, 8 1/2 x 11" booklet is jam-packed with color photos from the 2001 convention. If you missed out on getting one of these souvenirs contact John Leach at laserwriting@callatg.com.