Kilkenny Vintage Guitars: addendum

Original post, 29 July:

It sounds like one of those stories about a shop that appears by magic in some unexpected location, supplying exactly what the hero needs (whether the hero knew it or not). But that's practically an exact description of Kilkenny Vintage Guitars, at Pipe Street, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, on the N9 between Dublin and Waterford, and in the midst of the beautiful countryside of the Nore and Barrow valleys. KVG's Chicago-raised owner Tom Peterson explains:

'When I first started coming to Ireland several years ago, I was surprised at the selection that I found in the guitar shops. There was the odd Fender or Gibson, maybe in a cryogenic chamber, but mostly off-brand or less expensive guitars. This place is loaded with musicians! Surely there must be one really cool guitar store, with all kinds of vintage stuff... I looked and looked, and couldn't find it. Then I went and bought strings and picks, and almost fell over. €1.25 for a plec? I thought: "If someone ever did open a serious used and vintage shop here, they'd be the best damn guitar store in Ireland." So that's what I did, and that's my goal.'

One of the welcome new features at this year's Athy festival was Tom and a selection from his stock (including two vintage Dobros) at a table outside the main concert hall. The acoustic guitars and mandolins in his current catalogue include Gibson, Martin, Bernabe, Dobro, Larivee, Lowden, Moon, and Taylor instruments. A vintage Gibson formerly in the KVG catalogue was played on stage at Athy by Niall Toner, its new owner.

If you need an excuse in the next few weeks, the International Guinness Bluegrass Music Festival at Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, is an ideal opportunity for a stop in Thomastown - only about twenty miles from Waterford city, and eleven from Kilkenny. But this pleasant little town was always worth a visit, and with Kilkenny Vintage Guitars it now has a major new asset for the acoustic (and electric) string instrument scene in Ireland. The excellent KVG website gives all the information you need. 'Phone Tom at +353 (0)56 7793288 or e-mail him at this link.

New, 13 August: Dee Hallett of the BBMA, who put news of KVG on her recent e-mail circulars, adds the following from former BBMA chairman Tom Travis:

'It was surprising to read about the wonderful vintage guitar shop in Thomastown, as I dropped in there with my mandolin player Dave Howard, when in Ireland earlier this year. It really is worth a visit. Tom the proprietor is really friendly, allowing Dave and I to sample the goods and to sit and pick for a while. Dave, who collects vintage instruments, was in his element... Dave has told me that since our visit, he has done a couple of good deals with Tom and has taken other musicians to the shop. I am gritting my teeth, resisting temptation, and sticking with my faithful old Martin D28 guitar; but others be warned, they might not have my iron resolve.'

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