Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases.

Gallery: 2016 Santa Barbara Acoustic Instrument Celebration

Showcasing hundreds of drool-worthy, handcrafted instruments, a new U.S. guitar show makes its successful debut.

Rick Turner Guitars

Renowned luthier and innovator Rick Turner brought several guitars to the show, including his jumbos and the famed Model 1—an instrument that will forever be associated with Lindsey Buckingham. Turner’s jumbos feature 15" or 16" bodies and an optional cutaway. Turner also brought several ukuleles from a class he teaches where students build a uke under his direct guidance.
rickturnerguitars.com

The inaugural Santa Barbara Acoustic Instrument Celebration was held September 29 to October 2 in sunny coastal California. The event brought hundreds of top luthiers and players who displayed their craftsmanship, gave seminars, and held intimate concerts. The Earl Warren Showgrounds served as a fitting venue, as in decades past it hosted concerts from such acts as Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Beach Boys, the Doors, Cream, the Grateful Dead, and Janis Joplin.

The show pulled widely from Canada and Europe, with heavy representation from the U.S. West Coast. Also on sale were top-grade woods, inlay materials, and custom bindings. Luthiers were open with their time, and many fans enjoyed hearing builders talk shop. Among the visitors was Santa Barbara resident and guitar pickup guru, Seymour Duncan, who could be seen checking out all the beautiful instruments on display.

100% of "I Can Breathe" song proceeds to benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI.

Read MoreShow less

Reader: Daniel Switkin

Hometown: Oakland, California

Guitar: Doublecaster

Here’s the doubleneck dream realized, even if it weighs 9 pounds, 5 ounces.

Taking a Squier Affinity Stratocaster and Mini Precision Bass, one reader created a super-versatile instrument for looping that he can pick, pluck, tap, and slap.

Read MoreShow less
Photo by Randee St Nicholas

Twenty-seven-time Grammy winner Alison Krauss reveals new tour featuring Jerry Douglas. Their first tour together in a decade next year.

Read MoreShow less

Wampler Pedals releases the Brent Mason signature ReWired pedal.


Read MoreShow less