No one could quite explain it (and I still can’t), but our 2026 Fretboard Summit quickly became everyone’s favorite Summit to date.

Vibes were high, countless guitars were sold, but – most importantly – everyone just seemed to be smiling the whole time.

We had three days of talks, master classes, and panel discussions; around 100 exhibitors/luthiers; and a series of concerts with our most eclectic programming to date. Most importantly, we had fun.

Our next Summit takes place August 19-21, 2027 at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. Stay tuned for details.

Chris Martin IV (Martin Guitars) with an extra special talk featuring John Lennon’s old D-28. 

Steve Dawson not only played in the Volcano Brothers with Richard Bennett at this year’s Summit (their first appearance outside of Nashville), but he also interviewed Richard about his extensive career as a guitarist. The interview will be shared soon on the Fretboard Journal Podcast. 

Musician, historian and Fretboard Journal contributor Cameron Knowler opening for Jake Xerxes Fussell. 

Offerings from Santa Cruz Guitar Co.

Fretboard Summit picks from Tone Slabs!

Maryland’s Cartouche Guitars. 

Luthier Todd Lunneborg (TL Guitars) reprising his role as our Pinewood Derby emcee and officiant. This year we had around 20 luthiers build Pinewood Derby cars to compete.

New York’s Gillander Guitars knows how to make a flattop and a fast Pinewood Derby car.

Acclaimed bassist/cellist Gabe Noel shortly before his mind-blowing master class and Summit set, where he performed on a 1930s Rickenbacker tenor guitar. 

Jacob Jolliff and Michael Daves. 

Josh Scott of JHS did a session called Can You Hear It?, a blind taste testing featuring players trying to identify a coveted pedal versus its clones.

The Fretboard Journal’s Sofia Wolfson introduces Jessica Dobson of Deep Sea Diver.

The Fretboard Summit, where you may just catch Taylor Guitars’ co-founder Bob Taylor checking out the guitars of others. In this photo, he’s hanging out at the Breedlove booth.

Our first-ever Guitarmaking for Kids class at the Summit, where the next generation of luthiers learned about guitar construction, pounded some frets, and had some laughs.

Our next Summit takes place August 19-21, 2027 at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music.