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Mid Atlantic Guitar Show strikes the right chord

Many guitarists from the past and present attended the 2025 Mid Atlantic Guitar Show. Doug Lewis, chief luthier of Fair Guitar Repair, was there to sell guitars and tell stories from his days of playing with the group Peppermint Rainbow who had the 1969 hit “Will You Be Staying After Sunday.” DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
March 29, 2025

Guitar enthusiasts and dealers from around the East Coast swarmed to the 2025 Mid Atlantic Guitar Show March 21-23 at Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center in Rehoboth Beach. Proceeds from ticket sales benefits the Frantic Music Project, a nonprofit organization that helps support local musicians in the state of Delaware that are facing catastrophic illnesses or catastrophic events. the nonprofit also offers specific fundraising events for those musicians, and offer programs such as open mics and different performance opportunities. If musicians are struggling, they also offer subsidized services.

More than 25 vendors displayed and sold their new and used instruments at the show.

“We want to thank all of our community partners, amazing volunteer crew, exhibitors and everyone who attended for supporting our Frantic Mid Atlantic Guitar Show fundraiser,” said Al and Mary Frantic. “The Atlantic Sands Hotel team worked hard to keep everything flowing throughout the weekend. Droves of guitar enthusiasts were able to play everything from vintage guitars to custom luthier-built instruments, and some even got to play some that once belonged to Les Paul. The guitar show is certainly a guitar player’s dream event.”

“While we loved having a beach-front location, we have quickly outgrown the space,” said Al. “The Frantic Mid Atlantic Guitar Show and Swap Meet will be held in a new location at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington the weekend March 27, 2026.”

Exact days and times will be announced at www.midatlanticguitarshow.com.

 

Paul Packett of Bay Tunes Guitars in Edgewater, Md., displays some of his beautiful instruments.
Dawn Augsburger of Beachside Stained Glass sells her unique sun catchers at the event.
Gordy Ramsey of Gordy’s Guitars displays his wares.
Gordy Ramsey sold this Dyna Cord Cora from Germany, which is 1-of-30 made in 1965. It was for sale for $3,500.
Robbie LaBlanc, guitarist and lead singer for Earth Jam, demos a guitar from Boucher Guitars.
Take a pedal, any pedal. Effects pedals from Bob Nordeman Pedals of Schenksville, Pa., had hundreds of pedals for sale.
Dana Sutcliffe is a master luthier that provides instrument and electronics repair at Dana Sound Research Inc. He provides clients throughout the country with the highest-quality instrument repair and historic instrument restoration. He holds a 1960 ES 175 Gibson worth $30,000. The guitar was featured in the book “The Complete Guitarist” by Richard Chapman.
Getting started young at Jim Singleton’s Guitars is his daughter Lilee, 7.
Event volunteer Will Bragg demos a Gibson Les Paul at the Les Paul lecture.
A 60th anniversary Fender Precision bass was for sale at the event.
This Fender custom was for sale at $4,200.
Dennis MacPherson of Soulfire Guitars made this beauty. He makes all guitars sold at Soulfire Guitarworks.
Jim Wysocki, a friend of the famous Les Paul, lectures about the life and times of the famous guitar luthier.
Dan Givin demos a lefty guitar from Left Hand Designs.
Sometimes a banjo sneaks its way into the displays of guitars.
Steven Scott, left, speaks about looping with former Mr. Softee guitarist Chuck Adams.
Mary Frantic welcomes visitors to the Mid Atlantic Guitar Show and Swap Meet.
Sam Michael, left, speaks with Al Frantic as they admire the inventory from Frantic Frets in Milton.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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