London International Music Show Review 2008

June 12th saw Flaxwood guitars make their first appearance on the UK markets after previous success in mainland Europe and the United States. Brought into the country by BlackHawk Music (www.blackhawkmusic.co.uk), four different models of Flaxwood were on display at the London International Music Show 2008, held at the recently developed ExCeL centre in London’s Docklands district. The innovative design and manufacture of Flaxwood guitars, coupled with a conveniently timed review in UK publication Guitar Buyer Magazine saw a buzz of interest around the BlackHawk Music stand, with retailers and consumers alike taking an intense interest in the models on display.

One of the guitars on the stand was the actual model reviewed in GB magazine, which is a Liekki fitted with a tremolo in Kulta gold, which is now owned by Flaxwood endorsee Rick Graham. Another Liekki with a tremolo was there in Aurinko orangeburst, as well as a superbly finished fixed tail Rautia in the Karpalo redburst, and a divine Lumi white Laine. But for many retailers and members of the public trying the guitars, the Voima was a favourite pick. Sitting proudly on one of the raised guitar stands, this piece of six-string craftsmanship oozed attitude, from its sultry finish in Kivi oiled rock, to the sonic arsenal of having two humbuckers and then a single coil nestled cheekily between them. All of this, capped off with a trem that just invited people to take it for a dive bomb made the Voima a weapon of choice for a lot of guitarists over the weekend.

 

Flaxwood endorser Rick Graham & BlackHawk Session Ace Simon Robinson at the BlackHawk Stand at The London Guitar Show & Wojtek Pilichowski, Mayones endorser & Bass Supremo at the BlackHawk Music Stand @ the London International Music Show

People were pleasantly surprised by the weight of the guitars, and also the smoothness of the neck profile, but it was when they actually sat down to play the instruments that they realised the true quality of the luthiery from the Flaxwood workshop. Fingers moved freely over the strings and frets, with high notes ringing out as clearly and fully as their lower counterparts, and harmonics leapt off the neck with the utmost ease.

Rick Graham, a newly signed Flaxwood endorsee also appeared on the Friday, impressing passers-by of the Blackhawk stand, and providing a demonstration of just what these guitars are capable of, in terms of both tone and playability. Rick was with us again on Saturday and Sunday when the LIMS was open to the general public, continuing his guitar masterclass over the weekend.

Here’s to a long and prosperous partnership between Flaxwood and Blackhawk Music.

Just remember that ‘the one who dies with the most guitars wins.’