Store's event helps musicians to swap instruments

By Alex Paul

Gazette-Times reporter

"Do you know anything about this?" Lori Wilson asked as she handed an old but seemingly well-cared-for guitar to Todd Duckworth, a Gracewinds Music employee.

Duckworth looked over the acoustic guitar, pulled it in close and strummed some notes. There were, he said, some issues with it, and with a $500 price tag, Wilson's interest quickly shifted to another model.

Although it wasn't fancy, the second guitar proved to be just what the Ashbrook Independent School Spanish teacher was looking for. It had a smaller frame that she could easily handle, and it had the right price tag - just $50.

"I want to teach the kids how to sing in Spanish," Wilson said of her plans.

Wilson was one of many area residents who took advantage of a musical instrument and gear swap Friday at the downtown Corvallis music store.

Store owner Travis Oefelein invited area musicians to bring in old instruments that were in good working condition. The customers set their asking price, and Gracewinds put the instruments on display. If the instruments sold, consigners could apply 100 percent of the purchase price toward other items in the store or donate the money to local schools.

Oefelein said he got the idea for what he believes is the only program of its kind in the state by attending area ski swaps.

"We had a half-dozen people waiting at the door when we opened this morning," Oefelein said. "We've already sold a handful of guitars."

Among them was a Les Paul model that, although not a collector's dream, was considered a good buy at an asking price of $500.

Other items on display included drum sets, bongos, electronic keyboards, drum pedals, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets and a French horn or two.

Oefelein said some of the trumpets and saxophones were of professional quality.

Gracewinds employees were available to help people evaluate their instruments and, for a $15 to $20 fee, troubleshoot any deficiencies that might require repairs.

Duckworth said one customer "made a beeline this morning for a $600 guitar that sold for $200. She went straight for it."

The swap meet will continue until the store closes at 7 p.m. today. Customers can either pick up their instruments, contract with the store to have them included in its regular consignment program, or donate them to schools or other groups.

Oefelein said he was encouraged by the amount of activity the program generated, and he plans to make it an annual event.

Alex Paul can be contacted at alex.paul@lee.net or by calling 758-9526.