Songbirds, the World's Largest Collection of Vintage and Rare Guitars - JT Guitar

JT visits Songbirds in Chattanooga, the world largest collection of vintage and rare guitars.

[@putzengiler]

The Bertha and Esther sister's duo Teles were a cool story..

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

This video kills me. It's Sept 9, 2020 and I just heard that this museum is going out of business. I am distraught. I live in Florida but going to Songbirds was like going to Mecca. This is like losing my family. Things in life will never be the same. It's the end of the world as we know it. And for you children, just go ahead and feel fine.

[@BeerandGuitars]

Wow, incredible

[@LarryC-stratboy]

I live about 20 minutes from Songbirds and can confirm - this place is amazing. Your video is the best peek inside I've seen so far. Great shots and descriptions. Well done.

[@jtguitartv]

+stratboy Lc thank you, kindly! It is an awesome place. I can't wait to return. And to return to Tennessee in general! :D Friendliest, most humble people ever!

[@barnwsa1]

Me& my buddy Dave Coleman made the effort to drive down from Nashville, while on our Boys own tour. Al I can say is thanks to Bluebird who made us very welcome & we took the guided tour so entered the inner vault. It was a great time & if you can possibly make it you MUST MUST go & visit. Thanks again Songbirds,

[@jtguitartv]

+Steve Barnwell that's so cool! Glad you enjoyed it and had the full tour! I can't wait to go back next time I'm in the US. :D

[@papotorres9064]

SO SORRY TO HEAR THEY WILL BE CLOSING THE DOORS , TO THIS AMAZING PLACE , HOPE IN THE NEAR FUTURE SOMETHING LIKE THIS WILL OPEN AGAIN TO THE PUBLIC . BE SAFE , ALFRED NYC/PR

[@jtguitartv]

Nooooooooooooo!!! I didn't know about that! What a loss for the guitar world.

[@DieselCat18]

@@jtguitartv Yes...I just heard the news today, very, very sad. I hope there will be some other groups or organizations that would be able to continue this type of experience that Songbird offered, so many people of all ages and generations can see and learn about the history of of these guitars and how it influenced music from the early '50's to today......sorry to those that think guitars like these don't belong in a place like Songbird , but these guitars are not meant to be owned and played by most anyone, where they diffidently would not be seen or understood what they really are...most likely the history of them disappearing forever. Many of these where obtained from collectors and some of the musicians that made them famous to be displayed here for all the people to view and appreciate.

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

NO ALL CAPS. DUMB*$$

[@harlanclayton1761]

Just watched this. Never knew it existed. What a shame...❤

[@russellmoore7564]

Visited last year amazing so great, anyone who visits will be in guitar heaven. Russ

[@jtguitartv]

Well said! ^^

[@harlanclayton1761]

Is this..."The Russ Moore" of Moultrie fame??

[@jray5363]

Really cool! Never heard of this place until now. Might need to visit!

[@jtguitartv]

I highly recommend it. I had a great time. :D

[@darrenwood6520]

Just heard they are closing their doors for good. That's terrible news, as I live in Chattanooga and enjoy seeing concerts there. They will be sorely missed

[@jtguitartv]

So sad! A massive loss for the guitar community!

[@darrenwood6520]

@@jtguitartv it really is. I was hoping either Vince or Joe B might take it upon them selves to save it, but I suppose not. So sad

[@jtguitartv]

The place is incredible. It must cost a lot to keep it running. I'm deviated it's closing, but so grateful I got to meet the team and experience it. I'm also so happy they let me make this little video so that others can get a glimpse of what it was like.

[@RobbyMillerPage]

MATE. This is going to be your biggest video yet I think. Jealous doesn't even come close to how I'm feeling right now. Brilliant!

[@jtguitartv]

+Robby Miller thanks buddy! You have to go! Do Memphis to Chattanooga and Nashville. That place was just amazing though, I can't wait to go again!! :D

[@slickyjorj]

Cool and all...it's just a shame they are not being played.

[@ryanwalsh2455]

Actually the top “telecaster” was an esquire

[@johnstone3957]

But nobody can play every single one 😢 I’d love to! I treat every guitar like it’s my own

[@turnaround2219]

This is awesome but I can't help feeling sad that none of those guitars will ever make noise again.

[@jtguitartv]

They will, the collection was a rotating one. Guitars would go on and off display and didn't all being to the museum. Unfortunately they have since permanently closed due to the Coronavirus. They still operate running events as a shadowy though, I think. :)

[@jayadams681]

and this is why vintage guitars cost so much. i agree that these are thing that were built to be used

[@rdickinsondickinson]

Sunburst 50s Strat is what I have.

[@jtguitartv]

Nice!

[@jerrymorganjr]

I've got a few myself

[@stardust5379]

Check out Norman's rare guitars in LA. He sold a broadcaster to Richie Sambora.

[@jtguitartv]

I love Norman's Rare Guitars!

[@jtguitartv]

I actually did a tribute to it on my Instagram. I called it "John's Not So Rare Guitars". Thought I'd have a go at Instagram video. No one's watched it. :P

[@pshep138]

Did I just hear him say they have THIRTY FIVE '58 - '60 LP Bursts?!

[@jtguitartv]

I think you did! :P

[@pshep138]

Christ on a crutch.

[@tannerdogan4783]

Did they let you play any bursts?! I read on their website for $1000 you can play a burst.

[@jtguitartv]

I had a noodle on some of the ones Damien took out, but I didn't plug anything in and have a proper play.

[@maxpuppy96]

Wonder what the total value of all the guitars in there? 10 million alone in 35 59 LP's

[@jtguitartv]

I know, I wonder how much the insurance is?!

[@southfloridaarcheryguy114]

So there are 35 ‘59 bursts sitting behind glass? Why???

[@jtguitartv]

I don't work for the collection, but if I remember rightly, that's a rotating exhibit. So they'll be something different every few months or so.

[@southfloridaarcheryguy114]

JT Guitar - Sorry. The point I’m trying to make is that it’s a bit of a waste to put functional instruments of this quality behind glass. Perhaps they’d be better off in the hands of players rather than being gawked at in a temperature controlled room.

[@jtguitartv]

No worries, my point was that it's temporary. They're up for people to see for a limited time, then they go back to the owners. I can't speak for how the owners use them. :)

[@anarchodandyist]

Big Bertha.

[@robnolan6556]

Driving a yellow Camaro and looking at , top of the top, guitars, lucky b%@#£rd 😀

[@jtguitartv]

It was a rental while I was in America. I miss the Camaro and Chattanooga terribly! :D Nice to see someone watched it until the end. :D Thanks for watching, I hope you enjoyed it!

[@robnolan6556]

Ah, I drove a ford mustang whilst in California, drove to a Guitar Center to buy a telecaster, only to find that there was more choice of fenders, in my ‘yard’ Birmingham U.K :(

[@jtguitartv]

I wanted a Mustang, hey we're all out! One of my targets is to buy a Mustang when I turn 30! :D Yeah, selection of guitars is really good here in the UK. We don't realise how good we have it really! :)

[@allanjmcintyre3535]

CLOSED.

[@jtguitartv]

I know, very sad.

[@bubbaluvv]

I didnt know dick dale had a prooer strung lefty. I thought he only played a lefty guitar with the strings reversed like an upside down righty. Anyway awesome stuff

[@truthfulrobot9295]

Can you buy one or just a museum of guitars?

[@jtguitartv]

It's a museum. No guitars for sale. You could probably make them an offer though. :P

[@truthfulrobot9295]

JT Guitar that would be so awesome!! Thanks for the video

[@jtguitartv]

You're very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. It's such a cool place!

[@truthfulrobot9295]

JT Guitar yes it is, looks very awesome. Can't wait to visit soon!

[@mariozamprogno1654]

True guitar porn

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

I must add that this museum was very mis managed. No seemed to know much of anything. I knew more history. I asked two employees if I could offer$200 to just hold one of their 32 bursts and was refused. So it wasn't about money. I'm not rich, but it would have helped both of us. Now it's fire wood. Very, very sad. If you offered me a curating job, I would take it!

[@chrisgoodwin9504]

This must be an old video. We went there this weekend , 5/7/22. There are very few guitars there. The guy said most of them have been returned to their owners. Of course he didn't tell us that until after he charged us $15.00 bucks each to get in . Total ripoff. Don't waste your money.

[@S-T-E-V-E]

So you went to a vintage guitar museum to point out the guitars that you and your brother have cheap versions of?

[@simpsimpson5175]

all these great instruments locked up.. what a fucking joke.. give them away to poor musicians

[@nuendo2496]

Meh......Bonamassa has a better collection.