Design Symposium | How a guitar gets its soul | MELBOURNE STREET STUDIO

DATE:Friday 24 February 3:00pm - 6:00pm
PLACE: Melbourne Street Studio | 170 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane
DETAILS: 3 x 45 minute panel discussions with demonstrations and Q&A
3 hour event - $15 entry fee - Cash Bar.

Whether you're a seasoned guitar shredder or a humble enthusiast, this is an event not to be missed. Join us and our list of special guests including musicians, lecturers and curators to discuss the importance of guitar design and materiality.

Accompanying Szephyr Guitar's current exhibition at artisan,the Symposium is designed to inspire, captivate and educate. Hear directly from musicians and makers about their relationship to materials and design, explore sound aesthetics and see live demonstrations. LOCKED IN GUEST SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Builders/luthiers

• Sean Hancock & Family 
• Dave Leddin - leddin Vintage Guitars
• Tim Brennan
• Andrew Hopkins, Balmoral Electric 
• Jim Gall, General Guitars & Gall Architects
  

Musicians

• Zoe Middleton - Bad Neighbour, Acid Cherry // Punk, Rock & Grunge
• Dana Gehrman - Solo band, The Honey Sliders, Pub Choir // Soul funk, Blues, Folk, Rock
• Campbell Messer - Solo, King Stingray // folk, indie, bluegrass, yonglu (Yolŋu) surf rock
• Tim Brennan - Solo // blues, folk, soul
• Blair Thompson - BRAT, Passion Cactus // Grunge/Punk, Desert Grunge Psychedelia 

PART 1 - Luthiers
We will start with the bottom up, with the building materials. Why is materiality important? How does the material impact the instrument?

PART 2 -  Luthiers and musicians
This section explores tactility and the musician's relationship to the instrument. How tone translates through timber to fingers... Vintage vs new..... Pedigree timber vs reclaimed materials.... How does the instrument get a 'soul'?

PART 3 - Musicians 
In the final part you get to experience these comparisons. Musicians discuss their approach to sound aesthetic in relation to the instruments, pedals and amps. Hear the difference between digital and analogue, vintage vs new. Maybe give it a go yourself!

Finishing with Q&A


Join us for some refreshments, get inspired and celebrate our talented designers, makers and musicians. 

Artisan is a not-for-profit organisation. All ticket sales go directly to the artists, collaborators and events. 

Image credit: Szephyr Guitars, Peter Cabral Photography