We happened upon The Gallery of Iconic Guitars aka The Gig by mistake. We went to Belmont University to visit The Frederick Hart Studio Museum (see other post). Across the hall was this beautiful, small, mighty room, full of unbelievable guitars. We thought, why not, we're here. We were met by a wonderful Belmont student. She was so excited, she told us the story about how the exhibit came to be. Told us all about the many many guitars.
The museum is designed so well. As you enter, you walk through a makeshift hall with acoustic guitars on both sides. As you leave this hallway, you enter a huge room, there are displays around the walls by Fender, Gibson, and Martin. In the middle of the room is a "stage" where you are encouraged to pull up a stool, pick a guitar, and play.
Off this main room is a small outcove filled with the most beautiful mandolin collection. Simply, beautiful.
This was a great find and I would recommend it to everyone. Parking is free and only $5 to get in, you can't beat it.
The Gallery of Iconic Guitars at Belmont is Music City’s premier venue designed to celebrate some of the most rare and iconic guitars and stringed instruments ever known, including:
1939 Martin D-45, one of only 91 made between 1933 and 1942
1923 Gibson F-5 Mandolin, signed by designer and visionary Lloyd Loar
1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard, among the most enduring electric guitars in history
1887 Martin 0-28, still stamped with “C. F. Martin & Co. New York” on the back of the peghead
The Loar Quartet Master Series, featuring the F-5 mandolin, H-5 mandola, K-5 mandocello and L-5 guitar—all signed and dated by Mr. Loar
The GIG features an intimate experience for visitors to view these prized instruments up-close, along with historically and technically in-depth information on each. It is our hope that these magnificent instruments and their stories serve to inspire legions of music enthusiasts from all generations.
THE STORY OF THE GIG
The origins of The GIG at Belmont trace back to the generous gift of a stringed instrument enthusiast to an institution that treasures music and music history.
An avid collector of iconic stringed instruments, the late Steven Kern Shaw invested much of his inheritance in acquiring historically significant guitars and mandolins. Shaw’s passion for music emerged as practically a birthright. As the grandson of the late Jerome Kern, Steven grew up under the influence of one of America’s foremost composers of musical theater and popular tunes. Kern’s hits included such classic songs as “Ol’ Man River,” “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” among countless others.
Following Steven Kern Shaw’s death, his will specified his desire that his prized instruments be donated to an institution capable of properly exhibiting and caring for the collection, preferably in the Nashville area that had become his home. He also felt strongly that “these instruments are to be played and heard,” not just collect dust in a display. Thanks to the input of a family friend, co-executor of his estate, and vintage guitar expert George Gruhn, the Shaw Collection of nearly 500 unique and irreplaceable instruments came to Belmont University and established the foundation of The Gallery of Iconic Guitars at Belmont. Now, beyond just conveying the important history and design of these instruments this museum will bring new life and music to these unique, irreplaceable guitars and mandolins rather than merely displaying them behind glass.
Gruhn said, “These instruments are to be played and heard in concerts and recordings as well as to be available for students, musical instrument builders and scholars to study, play and learn from association with them. Belmont University was the natural choice for a permanent home for this collection. Belmont draws students and scholars from around the world and is noted for the excellence of its College of Entertainment and Music Business and the College of Visual and Performing Arts which can incorporate aspects of this collection into their curriculum.”
Location:
The Gallery of Iconic Guitars at Belmont is located on the campus of Belmont University inside the Lila D. Bunch Library. Parking is free on the street and in designated visitor lots.
The GIG is open Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sundays from 1 pm to 4:30 pm
Admission
Adults and Youth 13+: $5
Youth 12 and under: FREE
Belmont Students, Faculty and Staff: FREE with Belmont ID
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