egitarrist.de – lorenz grünewald online

Hi Folks,

I’ve been to the Musikmesse in Frankfurt for eight years in a row now and I must say: It’s not getting better. Not that is has been a total disappointment, but it seems that it’s loosing its spirit over the years – the financial crisis has something to do with it for sure. This seems to be the point especially guitar-wise. You won’t see anything new around there. An adaption of the chapman stick here and more midi and modelling hard/software there but nothing that would be exciting. Even the possibilities of trying something have diminished along with cool shows, price-contests, stickers and so on. Vox had the new “Virage” Guitar which appealed to me but touching it wasn’t allowed. What kind of bullshit is that? Won’t be buying one of those for sure now.

The Guys from Finale/Klemm, my favorite notation-software, weren’t present and so wasn’t Apple. (I think they haven’t been last year neither?!). But besides these disappointments there are cool things around also. Steinberg did some good presentations on their latest software. The myMix, a tool to control your own monitor mix, was introduced and so was the brand DV Mark, which is actually MarkBass building Guitar-Amps. Nothing new either but very appealing products.

There were also some cool guys I met out there who actually like you to test their products, and who also like to chat over gear and invite you for a beer. So I tested some of the whole new TC-Electronic line-up: The Nova-Drive and the Polytune, I also checked the St. Blues Workshop series which I absolutely like and talked to the guys from Elixir-Strings about the possibility of an  endorsementdeal. I tried the Roland VG99, which actually was released last year but I didn’t have the time to test it then. Nevertheless I like its sounds (especially the Guitar-Synth) and I think I might get one in the future.

I haven’t seen too much shows this year but there was Bootsy Collins who really got the crowd to chant with him on the One of a groove for 10 minutes or so, without making a fool of himself or the crowd. He’s the only guy who can do that I believe . Now I have to read myself through a big stack of flyers and leaflets that I brought with me. Great reading for the WC which will last until next years Musikmesse . I’m excited if it or rather its exhibitors get over the financial crisis and come up with some new exciting products and presentations next year. If not, it’s still a great event to meet some people and friends from the biz that you don’t meet to often and to get in contact with manufacturers and artists. So see you next year!

-Lorenz