Behind the Guitar Shows
If you've never been to a UK guitar show, the format is straightforward. A large venue — usually a sports hall or conference centre — filled with exhibitors ranging from major retailers to small independent makers. Thousands of guitarists walking around, picking things up, trying things out, talking to the people behind the tables.
Dan's Guitar Store has a stall at most of the major UK shows.
In 2026 that includes Bristol, Leeds, Coventry, Cardiff, London, Liverpool, Northampton and Guitar Summit in Mannheim, Germany.
The First 30 Seconds
Most people who stop at the Dan's Guitar Store booth don't know what a Precision Pick is before they arrive. They see a display of brightly coloured picks or a strikingly shaped guitar, they're curious, they stop.
The first thing that happens is they pick one up. Not to buy it — just to hold it. And the grip texture is usually the first thing they notice. It's immediately different from a standard pick. Not dramatically different, but noticeably so.
That's the core function of the booth. Not sales, primarily. Discovery.
The Conversations That Actually Happen
Guitar show conversations are different from online interactions. People are more direct. They'll tell you immediately if something doesn't work for them, and they'll tell you exactly why.
Through the years we've been doing this I've taken feedback for both our guitars and picks to make improvements and in some cases deliver new designs! The Tapered series was a direct response to customers at the shows who were keen to try our picks but found the original too heavy. The Mini's development was informed by the same process in the opposite direction. Shows are where the product range gets stress-tested by real players with real opinions.
The Deals
Show pricing is typically better than standard retail. If you're planning to attend a show where Dan's Guitar Store has a stall, it's worth waiting to buy in person rather than ordering online beforehand. Shows also occasionally feature limited stock or early access to new products.
Why Shows Matter for a Small UK Brand
Dan's Guitar Store is not a large company. We're based in Sheffield, ships globally, and sell primarily through our website and Amazon. Guitar shows are the closest thing to a physical retail presence — where the brand becomes tangible, where you can meet the people behind it, and try the products without committing to a purchase.
For a brand built on a specific product with a specific feel, that physical interaction is genuinely important. A pick is a tactile object. Reading about grip texture is not the same as feeling it.
The 2026 Show Calendar
— Bristol Guitar Show — 14 June, Ashton Gate Stadium
— Leeds / Bradford Guitar Show — 6 September, Stanningley
— Guitar Summit, Mannheim — 25–27 September (first European appearance)
— Coventry Guitar Show — 11 October
— Welsh Guitar Show, Cardiff — 18 October
— London International Guitar Show, Sunbury-on-Thames — 25 October
Full schedule here
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