2024 Year-End Rewind
2024 Year-End Rewind
December 28, 2024 | Eliot Hunt
As another year winds down, we're enjoying that special moment when we pause to reflect on the past 12 months before stepping into the promise of a new year. Looking back on an incredible year at the shop, one theme has stood out more than anything else: the growth of our vibrant musical community and the immense gratitude we feel to be part of it.
Every aspect of what we do is enriched by the people we connect with. From sourcing the vintage instruments we proudly showcase, to collaborating with the talented musicians who bring these instruments to life on our YouTube channel, to welcoming the legendary artists who unexpectedly walked through our doors this year—it’s all about the connections that make this journey so extraordinary.
What’s truly magical about being a part of a community like this is how inclusive and universal it feels. Whether you’re just beginning your musical journey, have been a treasured friend & customer for years and years, or you’re an icon whose work has shaped countless lives, we all share something profound: a deep love for music and the stories of how it found us. These shared passions and experiences are the threads that weave our community together, creating a space where everyone belongs.
Here’s to another year of music, memories, and meaningful connections. We’re so grateful to have you as part of this journey and can’t wait to see where it takes us next.
Remarkable Vintage Finds In 2024
If you’re a regular visitor to our website—thank you so much!—you may have noticed an exciting trend: a significant increase in our vintage inventory. As we reflect on 2024, we’re truly amazed by the incredible array of vintage instruments that have come through the shop. Each piece carries its own history, charm, and story, making this part of our work deeply rewarding and inspiring.
Building our vintage collection has been a labor of love, and we’re proud of the strides we’ve made in growing this side of our business. It’s been a journey fueled by our passion for finding and sharing these timeless instruments with musicians who appreciate their craftsmanship and unique character.
Looking ahead, we can’t help but feel excited about the possibilities 2025 holds for the vintage space. We’re eager to continue exploring, sourcing, and sharing more extraordinary finds with you.
In the meantime, enjoy the slideshow below featuring some of our favorite vintage pieces from the past year. We hope they inspire your own musical journey as much as they’ve inspired ours.
1959 Gibson Les Paul
1959 Gibson Les Paul
1923 Gibson Lloyd Loar F5
1923 Gibson Lloyd Loar F5
1943 Martin 000-18
1943 Martin 000-18
1924 Gibson Lloyd Loar F5
1924 Gibson Lloyd Loar F5
1957 Gibson Les Paul
1957 Gibson Les Paul
1941 Gibson J-55
1941 Gibson J-55
1959 Fender Stratocaster
1959 Fender Stratocaster
1927 Martin 0-45
1927 Martin 0-45
1959 Gibson ES-355T
1959 Gibson ES-355T
A Year of friends and Legends
To say we were honored to welcome a few of our favorite builders and some of the biggest names in music through our doors this year would be an understatement. It’s been an unforgettable reminder of the incredible community that surrounds the instruments we love.
Continuing A Tradition of Intimate, Unforgettable Showroom Performances & Events
Live music has always been at the heart of The Music Emporium, dating all the way back to 1968 when the shop was founded. Whether it’s a planned, intimate concert (our showroom comfortably hosts about 50 to 60 guests), a spontaneous jam session sparked by our amazing customers, or an event like our first Electric Guitarist Meetup, these moments connect us to the power of music in a deeply personal way.
As we look ahead to 2025, we’re already planning more unforgettable performances. Make sure you’re on our mailing list to stay updated.
April 4, 2024
In April, we hosted an intimate showroom concert featuring the incredible Jake Eddy and Matt Munisteri. Guests enjoyed an evening of masterful acoustic guitar performances, showcasing world-class vintage instruments in our cozy setting. It was a rare treat for guitar enthusiasts to experience these exceptional players up close.
November 8, 2024
In November, we hosted mandolin virtuosos Joe K. Walsh and Matt Flinner for an unforgettable concert in our showroom. Renowned for their tone, taste, and tunecraft, these new-acoustic masters delivered a breathtaking performance, perfectly suited to the intimacy of our space.
June 6, 2024
Our first Electric Guitarist Meetup was an unforgettable evening celebrating the artistry of Powers Electric guitars and their acclaimed A-Type model. Attendees connected with fellow guitar enthusiasts, explored in-stock Powers guitars, and enjoyed a presentation from Aaron Dablow of Powers Electric. The event culminated in an exclusive livestream Q&A with Andy Powers, making it a must-attend gathering for electric guitar lovers.
We're planning to host other meetups in 2025 - stay tuned for updates!
August 2024
Our first trip to the Fretboard Summit was an unforgettable experience! In August, Joe Caruso (owner), Andy, and Adam (pictured here with the Collings Guitars crew) ventured to Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood, where the Fretboard Journal and Old Town School of Folk Music hosted their incredible three-day guitar extravaganza. It was an inspiring weekend filled with amazing instruments, performances, and connections in the heart of the guitar community.
A Huge Thanks to the Incredible Musicians Behind Our Demos
Year after year we have the privilege of working with some truly outstanding musicians to bring our demo videos to life. Their remarkable talent helped showcase the instruments in ways that words simply can’t capture.
From soulful solos to genre-defining riffs, these artists poured their creativity into every note, giving each demo a unique voice and helping us all hear the full potential of these incredible instruments.
We’re so grateful for their contributions and couldn’t have done it without them. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out their work—you’re in for a treat.
New Sounds, Fresh Faces
This year, we were honored to add some incredible new companies to The Music Emporium family. Each brings their unique vision and craftsmanship to our lineup, and we’re thrilled to share their inspiring instruments with our community.
Breaking New Ground: The Year’s Standout Guitars and Gear
This year brought plenty of reasons to celebrate, with new releases from some of our favorite builders that pushed boundaries and raised the bar. From bold new designs and reimagined classics to models commemorating milestone achievements, the creativity on display was nothing short of inspiring.
These remarkable instruments not only showcase the artistry and innovation of their makers but also remind us why we’re so fortunate to do what we do. Here’s a quick look at the standout models that defined the year.
We couldn’t be more excited about the release of Collings’ new Hill Country Series guitars this year! Designed with bluegrass players in mind, these 1-Style and 2-Style instruments deliver a dry, earthy character and a full-bodied low end perfect for jam sessions. Yet their remarkable responsiveness and warmth make them incredibly versatile, ready to shine in a variety of musical settings.
Unveiled at the 2024 Fretboard Summit, the newly designed 620 SM LC represents the next stage in the evolution of Collings' beloved Statesman LC, offering an even deeper connection to its Gretsch 6120 inspiration. With a deeper body and trestle block construction, this model pushes the boundaries of design while staying true to its roots.
Collings is in the midst of an exciting evolution, crafting some of the finest instruments in the industry, from their Traditional Series acoustics to the groundbreaking 470 JL. 2024 brings another leap forward with the release of the Hill Country acoustic series and the debut of the 71, their latest solidbody electric. The 71 redefines the offset design with fresh specs, a new neck carve, and a bold new voice that delivers a completely unique playing experience.
Inspired by Bob Taylor’s original designs, the Legacy Collection guitars capture the essence of Taylor’s history, blending the classic design elements that put the brand on the map with the innovations that have kept Taylor at the forefront of acoustic guitar-making.
Don Grosh celebrated his 30th year in business with a run of beautifully spec'd guitars. Aside from Don's extremely high quality build, finish, and setup work, the 30th Anniversary guitars featured 1-piece, highly figured 5A Birdseye Maple necks, bullseye neck dots made of a black outer ring and abalone center dot, a 30th Anniversary rear headstock logo, a custom tooled 30th Anniversary case with embroidered logo, and lastly a 30th Anniversary CoA.
We were thrilled to introduce the first 3 guitars from Don Grosh’s new Roasted Pine Series guitars! Built from a select stash of roasted pine, these guitars deliver stunning tone and aesthetics, while the debut of his Timeworn finish adds a beautifully subtle, broken-in feel. This series is the perfect fusion of meticulous detail and vintage-inspired comfort.
One of our favorite builders, Laurent Brondel, has been lauded in the acoustic world for years and years - and for good reason. His acoustics are consistently incredible souding, playing, and looking. What fewer folks know, is that Laurent makes a hell of an electric guitar as well. This year, he introduced two original design electrics, the Burn and the Spark. Not surprisingly, both are phenomenal guitars that are worth your time and attention.
In addition to the excitement of becoming a Fender Showcase Dealer in 2024, we also took delivery of a stunning pair of guitars from one of the newer Custom Shop Master Builders, Levi Perry. We can't wait to showcase more Masterbuilt guitars in the coming year!
The Grez Grand Tour, a stunning 15" x 2" archtop, takes small-body guitar design and raises the bar. With its impressively full, rich tones, this guitar challenges the idea that only larger-bodied instruments can deliver such depth—a challenge we’re more than happy to embrace as who doesn't love a smaller bodied guitar?
Powers Electric introduced a hardtail version of the A-Type for 2024, crafted for players who prefer no tremolo. True to Powers' commitment to innovation and meticulous craftsmanship, Andy Powers didn’t just fit a standard hardtail bridge. These in-house-designed bridges not only reduce unwanted overtones but also offer a refined string break angle for an unparalleled playing experience.
Designed by Bob Taylor and his expert team, this two-channel acoustic/vocal amp blends warm sound, simple controls, and elegant tonewood craftsmanship.
Compatible with a wide range of acoustic pickups, it delivers smooth, natural amplification in any setting while offering Bluetooth connectivity for music streaming or performance enhancement—all in a beautifully crafted, furniture-quality design.
We were thrilled to welcome the new Carr Bel-Ray this year! With big, powerful amps from the golden age of guitar tone becoming harder to use on stage and in the studio, the Carr Bel-Ray reimagines three iconic ’60s and ’70s British tones in a portable, club-friendly package. It delivers classic chime, crunch, and kerrang in a format perfect for today’s players.
