Drawing thousands of guitar lovers and enthusiasts to the 2018 Melbourne Guitar Show, #MGS2019 is growing year on year and is gearing up for the biggest event yet. Champion of the Australian music products industry.
We caught up with Nick Charles to talk about guitars
What was the first guitar you ever owned? Tell us about how you got it.
My first guitar was a Maton classical nylon string which I confiscated from my sister! This was about 1970. I tortured that poor instrument trying to sound like Clapton, Green and Robert Johnson to no avail. I finally ruined it by putting on steel strings and tuning it up for slide.
What was the first song you ever learned to play?
Wait for it – “Hang down your head Tom Dooley” still a good song isn’t it. Nothing like a murder ballad for a teenager.
If you could add any guitar to your collection what would it be and why?
I’d like a 50’s D18 thanks and/or anything that sounded like early Merle Travis.
Who do you think are the top three male guitarists in the world?
Only three? I could name 300 at least but let’s go with Martin Taylor, Bill Frisell and Tony Rice.
Who are the Top Three female guitarists?
Maybe Rory Block, Mary Flower and Sharon Isbin.
If you could design your own custom guitar what features would it have?
I’d like a classic sunburst OM size with mahogany back and sides, Sitka spruce top, ebony fret board, Waverley tuners. Hey, just like Maton made for me!
If you could play a gig alongside any guitarist ( alive or dead) who would it be?
Perhaps Martin Taylor , for the lesson I’d learn if I could follow it. Sitting in on a shuffle with Eric would be nice too.
Five musicians you’d invite to dinner and why?
I think Keith would be a beauty, although he’d arrive late. Ry Cooder seems to know everything so he’d be good. Ralph McTell is a great dinner guest. Daniel Baremboim for an absolute genius and he could explain his book to me! And then someone completely wacky like Kirk from Metallica! Quite a mix, I’d buy a dinner ticket.
The Melbourne Guitar Show will be held at Caulfield Racecourse on August 3 and 4.
Tickets are on sale June 7.
The Melbourne Guitar Show is produced by the Australian Music Association, an incorporated not-for-profit. Proceeds, if any, are used to provide services to the Australian music products industry, particularly the promotion of music making to the community.
Online ticket prices when pre-ordered:: Adult day pass $20, adult weekend pass $30, family day pass $40, concession day pass $10, concession weekend pass $15.
MELBOURNE GUITAR SHOW DETAILS
SATURDAY AUG 3 | CAULFIELD RACECOURSE |10.00am – 6.00pm | TICKETS
SUNDAY AUG 4 | CAULFIELD RACECOURSE |10.00am – 4.00pm | TICKETS
#MGS2019
