One passion, one place!

At last, an event devoted exclusively to guitar lutherie! In keeping with their philosophy of promoting music making, and following the huge success of the luthier component of the SIMM, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal and the SIMM launched the Montreal Guitar Show in 2007. Their aim: to spread the word about these artists and artisans—true stars in the eyes of guitarists—who devote their lives to this amazing instrument, and to offer all guitar fans the ultimate event for coming together, all in a perfectly suited venue. A venue where they can admire, try out and purchase the most beautiful guitars handcrafted by the world’s greatest luthiers. A tour of the world of lutherie, with Canadian, Quebec, Argentinian, American, Hungarian, French and German guitars… nothing less than guitar heaven for all guitar aficionados!

Right from its opening days in 2007, Canada’s biggest guitar show surpassed all expectations, as confirmed by the long line-ups of fans eagerly waiting to discover the musical and artistic masterpieces inside. In fact, we welcomed five times more visitors than anticipated! And no doubt that these same people will be back next year with others in tow! Because the MGS is much more than a mere exhibition; it’s a show that makes you feel as if the instrument of your dreams, before your very eyes, was designed specially for you… and better still, you can buy it! Yes indeed, these veritable works of art—acoustic, classical, archtop, gypsy-style or electric—crafted by dozens of the greatest lutherie artisans are also available for purchase!

A close-up of the guitar

All you have to do is feast your eyes on any creation of Mario Beauregard, Bill Comins, Rick Davis, Michael Greenfield, Peter Hopkins, Michael Lewis, Linda Manzer, John Monteleone, Tom Ribbecke, Jean Rompré or others, and you will understand how it is that all guitarists are totally fulfilled at the Show! Add to that the free mini-concerts, the free workshops on all aspects of the guitar—the ABCs of lutherie, best ways to choose a guitar, choosing your wood, putting on strings—hosted by top luthiers or guitarists, and the shows, and you’ll have some idea of the sheer joy experienced by guitar fans! Also awaiting discovery are the superb guitars in the Ste-Cat permanent guitar collection, a unique collection that offers a helping hand to the most promising young musicians in the form of free guitar loans. At each edition of the Montreal Guitar Show, at least two luthiers are randomly chosen from among the participating luthiers and each asked to make a high-calibre guitar bearing the Ste-Cat cat logo.

This world-class show would not be possible without the invaluable advice and support of the famous luthiers and great guitar lovers who sit on our advisory committee: Mario Beauregard, Bill Comins, Rick Davis, Sergei de Jonge, Charles Fox, Oskar Graf, Michael Greenfield, Peter Hopkins, Michael Lewis, Linda Manzer, John Monteleone, Tom Ribbecke, Ervin Somogyi and Jeff Traugott.

The 2nd edition of the MGS will be held next year on the first weekend of the Festival, from June 27 to 29, 2008. Guitar fans or amateur musicians, we’ll be waiting for you! In the meantime, visit our regularly updated website to find out which luthiers will be participating in the Show and about the activity program, or to reserve your hotel stay at a competitive price. And for the heads-up on the SIMM and the Montreal Guitar Show, subscribe to our Newsletter.

2007 luthier's comments

Congratulations on an outstanding show on its way to becoming one of the premier luthier shows in North America, trully international like the great city of Montreal!.
Jacques-André and the crew listened to all the advice and proved their commitment to success is uncompromising!
Tom Ribbecke, États-Unis

This has been, by far, the best run festival I have been to.
Alan Carruth, États-Unis

Very nice layout, good promotion of the event, friendly atmosphere, helpful staff. The Montreal Guitar Show is a major event in the guitar world.
Michael Lewis, États-Unis

The organization, atmosphere and energy are first class, thank you!
Peter Hopkins, Canada

The Montreal Guitars Show is a wonderful show, full of fantastic instrument to see & play.
Cristian Mirabella, États-Unis

Very organized, amazing show in a incredible city! This show is a most.
Mike Baranik, États-Unis

The Montreal Guitars show and the MMMIS has in the short years became a mega for the world best luthiers as well as a great chance to meet and show to many of today’s top performers. One of the best show I have been to.
Jake Robinson, États-Unis

The staff, service, set up, location etc. were excellent. The best run guitar show in North America.
Randy Muth, États-Unis

His is the best custom acoustic guitar show in North America, period!
Paul Woolson, États-Unis

Very well organized, in 10 years of exhibiting at guitar shows, this one is the best!
Mike Doolin, États-Unis

The festival up there in Canada was surprisingly very enjoyable for me and I thought the guitar show was fantastic. I'm a good ole' conservative, proud, God fearing "midwesterner" you could say. So, I wasn't sure I would enjoy the environment up there, especially lugging around a 5 month year old baby through downtown Montreal. But, I have to say we had a great time and people were very nice to us every where we went.
Jason Rawlings of Shawnee, Kansas

Throw in the third annual Montreal Guitar Show, a gathering of luthiers showcasing their beautiful handmade wares-from Seattle's McElroy and Oneonta's Vinny Colletti to Pat Metheny's personal luthier Linda Manzer-and you had six-string nirvana happening north of the border.
JAZZ TIMES MAGAZINE

L’accueil, la fréquentation, le lieu, la couverture médiatique, la disponibilité de toute l’équipe, bravo!
Pierrick Brua, France

Très bonne publicité, j’ai été enchanté de l’affluence durant les 3 jours du salon. Après seulement 3 années d’existence, le Salon de Guitare de Montréal est déjà rendu à un niveau international, bravo!
Bruno Boutin, Québec, Canada

Un des salons des mieux organisé qu’il me soit donné de participer, avec beaucoup de professionnalisme.
Jean Rompré, Québec, Canada

Cette première édition du Salon de Guitare de Montréal annonce d’ores et déjà que cet événement annuel peut être considéré comme un incontournable en son genre. Une organisation chaleureuse et impeccable, un niveau des participants exceptionnel; bref tout pour ravir les passionnés de la guitare tout en éclairant de pleins feux la scène de ses créateurs!
René Wilhelmy, Québec, Canada

Une très bonne promotion pour un salon qui vaut la peine d’être fait, merci!
Martin Tremblay, Québec, Canada

Bonne promotion et visibilité, merci de faire la promotion de notre métier,
Jeff & Mélanie Demers, Québec, Canada

... you had six-string nirvana happening north of the border.
Jazz Times Magazine, 2007

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