The National Vintage Guitar Expo

The National Vintage Guitar Expo 2023 is a celebration of vintage and rare acoustic and electric guitars, amplifiers and accessories from around Australia, held in the auditorium at the Harmonie German Club in Canberra over the weekend of 7-8th October 2023.

Expo visitors can meet and talk with makers and exhibitors, see interactive demonstrations of vintage instruments and explore everything to do with the world of guitars. While a display of historic instruments is a feature of the Expo, most items exhibited will be for sale.

Over the course of the weekend there will be a number of scheduled events including Guitar Workshops during the days, and a Saturday Night Expo Concert with special guest artists, in the Keller Bar at the Harmonie German Club.

Expo Concert: Jeff Lang and guests – 7pm Sat Night, The Keller Bar (See separate event for tickets)

Skip Sail Workshop - Sat 11:00am - 12:00pm The Keller Bar

Multi-instrumentalist musician, collector and performer, Skip hails from King Island in the Bass Strait and is now based near Castlemaine. With a lifetime passion for folk and blues music of the last century, together with a deep knowledge of the instruments used, Skip will be sharing songs, vintage instruments and the techniques for playing them, in an interactive workshop.

Dave Leslie Workshop - Sat 2:00 - 3:00pm The Keller Bar

Known for his band Baby Animals and the Dave Leslie Band, electric/acoustic performer Dave Leslie is a professional guitar player and songwriter currently based in Melbourne. The recipient of three ARIA Awards and numerous nominations, Dave will play, chat and answer questions about his guitar journey since taking up the instrument in 1973.

‘Made in Australia” Workshop - Sun 11:00 - 12:00pm The Keller Bar

An interactive panel hosted by Ian ‘Doc’ Stehlik, with Chris Johnson, Mark ‘Watto’ Watson, Frank Grubisa, Charles Cilla and more, playing and talking about a selection of rare Australian-made instruments, from the earliest 1930s examples through to contemporary luthiery and hand-made amplifiers.

Lez Karski Workshop - Sun 2:00 - 3:00pm The Keller Bar

Known for his live playing with The Hippos, The Nervous Investors and more, Lez is one of Australia’s busiest guitar players. As a producer and session musician, he’s worked with Midnight Oil, Nick Cave, Tommy Emanuel, Yothu Yindi and many others. With a passion for acoustic and electric guitars that goes back many decades, Lez will be playing and sharing his deep knowledge of equipment, tone and technique.

Ticketing
Expo Entry
- Pre-Sales tickets $10 + bf
- Door Sales tickets $15

Workshops
- Pre-Sales tickets $20 per clinic + bf
- Door Sales tickets $25 per clinic

Sat night Keller Sessions concert - (run as a separate event)
- CBS members Pre-sales tickets $30 / General $35 + bf
- Door Sales tickets $40