Highlights from the Fretboard Summit 2025: A Memorable Experience

My Unforgettable Journey at the 2025 Fretboard Summit: Where Craft Meets Soul

This August, as the summer sun lingered over Chicago's vibrant streets, I stepped into the heart of the Midwest's premier guitar celebration: the Fretboard Summit 2025, held August 21–23 at the Old Town School of Folk Music. This three-day extravaganza, organized by The Fretboard Journal, draws together luthiers, players, and industry trailblazers like moths to a flame. From the moment I crossed the threshold into the Old Town School of Folk Music, anticipation was in the air. There's something electric about surrounding yourself with fellow obsessives who have conversations that don't just exchange ideas but ignite them.

Deep Dives with Luthiery Legends

What elevated this summit from memorable to transformative were the unscripted, fireside-style chats with icons whose names echo through every serious builder's workshop.

First, there was Richard Hoover of Santa Cruz Guitar Company—a master whose instruments sing with the clarity of a mountain stream. We delved into the art of fitting dovetail necks, that age-old joinery where precision meets tradition. Richard's eyes lit up as he sketched neck joints on a scrap piece of paper, explaining how a hair's-breadth adjustment can unlock a perfect dovetail joint. His wisdom? A reminder that in luthiery, patience isn't a virtue—it's the glue.

Then came Bob Taylor, the visionary force behind Taylor Guitars, whose innovations have moved the entire guitar-making industry forward. Our talk dove into the wizardry of compound top radii, those subtle curves that make all the difference in the way a top is energized by its strings. Bob's enthusiasm was infectious; his blend of relentless experimentation and deep-rooted passion left me buzzing, eager to tweak my next top with fresh eyes.

Rounding out the trio was Chris Alvarez from Driftwood Guitars, a builder whose ethos of "let the wood tell its story" resonates with my own. He zeroed in on the often-overlooked ritual of initial setup and break-in—those critical hours post-assembly when a new guitar finds its voice. Chris dispensed gold: string-settling techniques, encouraging patience to let the neck and the belly of the guitar find their home before dialing in the saddle and nut.

Feedback That Fuels the Fire—and an Encore

But the real thrill? Handing over my own creation—an Escher guitar—to these titans for a hands-on trial. Each took the guitar through its paces, playing individual notes and chords up and down the neck. To their credit, none of these guys seemed rushed. They took time to really get a sense of the instrument. Their verdict? Very complimentary, I'd say. In a world of critiques, their endorsements were pure rocket fuel for my soul. I left that room counting the hours until I could get back in the shop again.

The summit crescendoed with an intimate evening concert by Lyle Lovett, whose wry lyrics and well-known croon felt like the perfect coda—a genuine one-of-a-kind personality bringing a luthier-made, one-of-a-kind instrument to life.

The Fretboard Summit 2025 wasn't merely an event—it was a gathering of a community whose knowledge flowed freely while egos took a backseat to shared growth. Whether you're a player, builder, or an appreciator of beautiful things, mark your calendar for 2026. Trust me—this summit doesn't disappoint.