Musikmesse Frankfurt 2011 – Photos
Our trip to the Musikmesse Frankfurt in Germany was definitely a hallmark moment of 2011.
It’s been a few years since we have told the story so we will recap the tale if you don’t mind.
Usually we would have hundreds of photos to go along with this story but our big data crash of 2012 (an unfortunately timed power blackout and faulty back-up system) wiped out all of them expect the few we had uploaded to social media before: the ones you see below.
Our plan to visit the Frankfurt Musikmesse, Europe’s biggest music fair, came about in the middle of the recording sessions for our debut album “When We’re Together”.
We had been in the midst of working out new songs and arrangements, and there has been one aspect we kept struggling with: the guitar sound.
We were using our very first guitars as well as our guitar teacher’s Stratocaster but none of them quite had that 60’s “twang” that we were looking for.
We knew we had to expand our collection and get fitting instruments. It was time to ditch the 100-pound guitar from Aldi and invest in the right gear. Now we only had to figure out what “the right gear” was exactly …
Our local music stores only had a very limited selection of the types of guitars we were considering, so we decided to book the trip to Frankfurt to visit the music fair. We wanted to try the instruments first hand and also visit the Cologne “Music Store” (Europe’s biggest music shop) and the “Dorsden Musikkeller” close by – a guitar/bass shop for German vintage instruments.
It was paradise. We spent two days at the fair and tested hundreds of guitars from dozens of manufacturers.
Of course we took the opportunity to capture a lot of the experience on video as we do on most of our trips. Quite fittingly, a lot of it ended up in our video for “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. The one that is now the most watched video on our channel 🙂
The fact that we had spontaneously decided to film this “little video” there would have made the trip worth it alone.
However, we also returned home with the red Höfner bass that you have since seen in countless videos and live shows , a 12-string acoustic Höfner guitar, and an old 12-string Framus electric guitar, with dampers AND a tremolo – a real weird but awesome guitar that we used heavily on the “Nothing Is In Vain” recording.
We also came back with a much better understanding of the different guitars and guitar sounds out there. Knowing exactly what we wanted, we went on to buy our trusty Gretsch Duo Jet and Rickenbacker 350v63 on the Internet – the instruments we recorded “When We’re Together” with! ♥ An investment definitely worth it.
Have any of you ever been to Frankfurt or even the music fair there? What did you think?
Below you can find the few photos that have survived. The whole trip left a big impression on the 16-year old versions of ourselves, and we are so glad it got immortalised in the “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” video.
Have a groovy day,
Mona & Lisa
So nice to hear the story on how you actually got your guitars. It looked like there were 2 black Gretsch Duo Jets on the rack where Mona touched the one that clearly stated “Do not touch”. Lol. I thought you bought that one but apparently not. Very cool and smart of you to know what sound you wanted and to seek out the instruments that gave you that sound. I think it is why your Beatle covers sound so much better than most covers I’ve heard. That tone of that Gretsch and sound of the Ricky and Hofner bass through the Vox amps makes all the difference. Bravo!!
Surely no surprise that you ended up making heavy use of the Gretsch, Rickenbacker and Hofner guitars used by, er, what were they called … ?!
Fun pictures, and sounds like a fun time that created some happy memories. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Makes me feel good. And, I love the “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” video.
Thanks for expanding on the details surrounding your trip to the music fair/store -now made famous by your “most watched video”. I could always feel the tremendous excitement and fun you were both having while I viewed it. (Talk about “like being a kid in a candy store”!!) But I never understood the importance of that trip as the seminal event that decided the choice of the principal instruments that have become your trusty companions on your musical journey for so many years now. I find it fascinating how mere inanimate objects can become loved like one’s closest friends, pets or family, especially those that are used to convey your most significant emotional experiences through. Whether they are guitars, cars or tools I think they can somehow sense one’s dependence and love for them and respond in kind.
These pictures are great. Thanks for recapping the story behind them. It’s a new story to me. Very interesting indeed. This just makes the video better. Looks like it was a great adventure.
When I bought my acoustic guitar, I walked into a nice shop and told the owner I wanted to play a bunch of different ones, but I was definitely buying one that day. Before I knew it a couple of guys were telling me everything they knew about each guitar. It was like a competition. They left me alone to try them when I showed interest in one. After spending most of an afternoon there playing guitars I couldn’t afford, I settled on a Takamine from their G-Series. It was fun and I found one that fit my hands perfectly. That was about 20 years ago. It still plays like a dream. I have not been playing much lately, but I am feeling very inspired. I got a kool new guitar pick. Now does anyone know how to slow the clock down, so I can find some practice time?
Oh yeah, in the Musician’s Friend catalog, they were marketing this guitar as the model Bruce Springsteen owns. One of the guys at this guitar store told me the same thing. I think his boss told him to tell me, cause he was kinda smiling when he said it. It was funny. I think that was supposed to close the deal. I was all about the best sound and the best fit to my hands.
Now had it been a MonaLisa Signature model, well that would be a no-brainer 😉 “I’ll take two please” (I am assuming two guitars will be bundled together as a set)
JP
JP I hope you find a way to slow down the clock so you can start making some sweet sounds on your Takamine. When the MLT siignature series comes out I will be right behind you to order mine. ?
I’m a big car fan (what the English call a gear head) and I love the picture of you gals with the early 60s Corvette! Wish I had one! Also wish I could meet you two and your wonderful family!
Sorry folks! The English term is petrol head! I sometimes forget where I am!
Michael, ever since that drifting in the snow video, I can envision Mona and Lisa showing off their drifting skills around tight hair pins in these!
Certainly one of the best versions of while my guitar gently weeps ( awesome video)., and the greatest musical talent, that I saw in decades The MonaLIsa Twins., were at that music fair..I loved the pics. Stay groove dear girls.
I spent about a week in Southern Germany with my family as an 18yo. We only flew in via Frankfurt am Mainz, and stayed a day or two in Koln (Cologne). Most of the trip was driving around the scenic towns and villages of Bavaria. Rothenberg and Heidelberg were particularly memorable.
We have Aldi in Australia too. I think that is so endearing that you started out on a budget model from Aldi. You mentioned getting Lisa’s Gretsch and Mona’s Rickenbacker shortly after the Fair – from the sound of tracks like ‘I Wanna Kiss You’ off the next album, I could imagine Lisa in particular, being glued for a month straight to that fretboard … Listening to the awesome groove you made from just guitar and bass on ‘Tired of Waiting’ also shows what a difference those classic instruments make in getting that ‘authentic’ sound.
For myself, discovering your music invigorated my enthusiasm for playing again. Last week I upgraded my old charity-shop clunker with the half-inch action and wobbly pegs, for a $100 semi-acoustic cutaway. Sounds great!
Matt, yeah they sound awesome playing Tired of Waiting with their guitars. The same with If I Needed Someone, love that jangly guitar sounds. ?
Is that where the inspiration for “Orange” came from?
That bloke in the Carvin picture is the same bloke who heads up Keisel guitars isn’t it?. His name escapes me. They’re pretty much the same company I think. Someone out there will know 🙂
*Edit – Jeff Keisel maybe?
Oh Wow… Wasn’t even aware of this massive music fair until you had told the story years back, and it’s great you ‘ve refreshed my memory of it, and now the “WMGGW” holds even more meaning, as it survived the DataLoss Blues you unfotunately had encountered. I’ d of been in awe and glory at this fair, those guitars…. Well, the whole concept of having mass amounts of musical instruments on display and for buying, open invite to testrun their sound… Ohhhhhh…. I can only imagine the adrenaline from within and so pleased you came home with worthwhile investments to ensure lifetime music guarantees… Thankyou for sharing once more, this story, and surviving photos, and ever more thankful for additional footage captured in “WMGGW” video, cheered me up on a rainy day ?☔????
Really enjoyed reading your descriptive write up, and it’s great to learn how you acquired the Hofner Bass, Framus 12 string at the fair, and got to experience the Gretsch and Rickenbacker to find the ones (Duo Jet and 350v63) you got on the internet later. Loved seeing these photos as they complete the story from the While My Guitar Gently Weeps video of your trip. I remember sharing this video at my fountain pen forum a couple years ago when I first discovered you and people were blown away by the guitar work! Thanks for sharing this, really enjoyed it as always! 🙂
This is really a groovy and insightful story Ladies.
Its a shame that so many files were lost in the system crash.
Seems like their was one a couple of years ago, but this time the backup held. And I believe Papa Rudi installed an even better backup, afterwards, just in case.
You answered a question that I had been meaning to ask in the Club. The question was how did you come about getting your Gretsch, Black Ricky, Drums, and Hofner Bass. Whether you bought them or someone sent them to you. Now I Know?
Thanks Ladies for gracing us with your music and all you do.
Thank goodness for the Gretsch DuoJet and the Rickenbacker 350! Those guitars are so cool to see, especially in your Cavern performances. And the entire MLT Club appreciates the red Hofner bass – especially liked Lisa playing it with Mike Masse. It’s unbelievable you were able to so amazingly cover one of the great master pieces in 20th century music at only 18 years of age. Loved the pictures and it was definitely worth the trip!