MIDWEST CONFLUENCE SET! MILWAUKEE 21-23 APRIL!

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 2:57 pm

For all we know, this could be Jared!

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:43 am

Just made our reservations, Pamela was very friendly and helpful. Paul, thanks for setting everything up, please let me know how I can help.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:06 am

Just being there is all I need. Not to discredit others who have set these up, but as conventions go, there's nothing to it with these informal Confluences. I'll end up making name tags and a register book, but basically all who come do their own setup and teardown, security is relatively self-enforced by the attendees, and there's enough oggling and conversation to fill up the days. But thanks for offering, and I look forward to meeting you and everyone.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:12 pm

Jeff-

Perhaps you've seen my 4003FL JG/BT/NO-BS that I'm playing in a coal bin at midnight w/no flash...

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 3:30 pm

Yeah, I 've seen that. Very cool!

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 4:30 pm

So, Jared, will you be able to come to the show? Inquiring minds want to know!

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:23 pm

I'm thanking Sunday...But Sat may be cool-get into ORD about 2:00PM.

Staying in Gurnee Sat night.

Will there be any action on Sunday?

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 2:19 am

Should be, but I don't know what attendees schedules will be. I know I'll be there, probably Ted, Jeff Thomas (both from Chicago), so right there is a wide (close to 40 basses) selection with some nifty vintage items (Tux, Blackstar, '68, V63s, 4004s). If you're staying in Gurnee, you have just under an hour's drive north to the Confluence. I don't know if Ted or Jeff is staying over at the hotel, so it's possible they might commute from home each day, and a pickup could be arranged if you don't have a rental car. Keep in touch.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 2:30 pm

My mother-in-law has been very ill with cancer. Due to the constant commute to the University of Cincinatti, ( several surgery's, late nights, and many hotel stays), I didnt think that I was going to be able to make the confluence.

On a sad note, she suddenly passed away on Thursday due to complications.

My wife and I have been taking care of the arrangements, and all of the stuff that you just have to do when these things happen, you know what I mean.

Today she looks at me and says, "when is your Rickenbacker thing"???

Astonished, I says,"well its at the end of the month, but I didnt really think that I was going to be able to make it considering everything that has happened.

She says, well, you really wanted to go to this, and I could really get into getting away for a while.

So, in a roundabout way, all things considered, I really think that we'll be there Friday evening, I'll stay, and my wife will go hang out with a freind that lives nearby.

Life is really funny sometimes.

Unless things change, I'll be there Friday evening with 7 Ricks, a Carvin como, and extra stands.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 4:15 pm

Exxxxxxxxxcellent! Sorry about your loss. Looking forward to your visit. Things are shaping up.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 2:40 am

Sorry for your loss as well Scott but I'm glad to hear you'll make it to the Confluence.

I'll be in Friday evening and leaving when I feel like getting up on Sunday.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:55 am

Well, we're about two weeks away from the Midwest Confluence. I've given the table arrangement to the hotel. We'll have room for a few smallish combo amps in the corners, and my photo setup in one corner. Room is 48' x 23.5' and on a second floor, not far from an elevator. There will be 16 8' x 30" tables. They are making me a key for a hard (non-electronic) lock on the doors for overnight security.

Would all attendees please do me a favor? Please put some sort of I.D. on your cases (they'll be dozens and all look pretty much alike). Take note of your instrument's serial number so you don't go home with someone else's guitar or bass. I'm going to provide little hang tags and ask if everyone would please put their name, model, and year on each instrument. I'll also have nice name tags for everyone. And most importantly, bring a stand for each instrument. Nearly all will be placed on tables -- I want to avoid having guitars on the floor where they may be stepped on or tripped over.

These confluences have been traditionally free, but that doesn't mean they don't cost somebody some cash. I'll put out a donation box if you feel like you'd like to help. The room costs $250 for the three days (pretty damn good, actually!), so donate what you feel is fair.

Being close to the airport (right across the street, actually), there is a hotel shuttle if you're flying in. Lots of good restaurants close by, everything from 99 cent McDonalds to $30 steaks. And of course, beer. This is Milwaukee.

Gettin' amped up for the Confluence!

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:36 am

Also, if you're driving from Minnesota, Madison, and points west, watch out for the major reconstruction of the downtown Milwaukee I-94/I-43 interchange. You won't be able to turn south (to continue on I-94 east). Either take the I-894 bypass toward the airport as you approach the outskirts of Milwaukee, or continue through downtown to I-794 which will lead you down the lakeshore, over an attractive bridge, and put you on a 40-mph parkway south. Exit the parkway on Layton Avenue and go right (west). Go past the airport and turn left (south) on Howell Ave. The Four Points is near that corner on the right.

If you're taking the I-894 bypass south then east, it will merge once again with I-94 on the south side of town. Take the right side of the split to get on I-94 toward the airport and Chicago, and get over into the far right lane quickly for the airport spur. Exit the spur onto Howell Ave and turn left (north). Follow that past the airport to the hotel on your left (west) near the corner of Layton.

From Chicago and points east, take I-94 into Wisconsin, and as you approach the south side of town, prepare to exit for the airport spur. Exit the spur onto Howell Avenue, turn left (north) and pass the airport to the hotel on your left (west) near the corner of Layton.

From the north (Green Bay -- go Pack!, Sheboygan, etc.), take I-43 and merge with I-94 east through the downtown interchange (under construction). Stay on I-94 and follow the signs for the airport. Once on the airport spur, follow the directions above to the hotel.

If anyone has questions on directions, please e-mail me at pboyer2 AT wi.rr DOT com. (replace at and dot -- duh!).

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 9:25 am

so close...

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:55 am

C'mon, Jared. You just can't miss this. What are you going to do Saturday evening and Sunday? We'd love to have you. Meet Ted Staberow, Jeff Thomas, Brian Crisman and a host of others you know but have never met!

Ja Red!
Ja Red!
Ja Red!
Ja Red!