Our 30th anniversary is a reminder to me that there is no substitute for hard work, perseverance and a great team. I was a 9 year old kid when this photo was taken. My parents have worked so hard to build Wildwood into what it now is. I remember when my Dad taught guitar lessons at our house, and my parents’ decision to rent a tiny little space downtown for his teaching endeavors. And then I remember the storefront carrying some accessories like picks and strings so that if a student broke a string during a lesson, they could buy a quick replacement. And then I remember other accessories like reeds and cleaning kits for woodwind instruments because the local middle school needed some support in this category. And then some student guitars. And then a few more.
I remember my Mom, Marilynn Mesple (Wildwood CEO) driving to the middle school to deliver a clarinet book to a 6th grader because her Dad had forgotten to pick it up, and she needed it for the jazz band class that day. And I remember my Mom mailing a dime to a customer that had accidentally received short-change… with a 24 cent stamp. I remember the cheesy brown metal “cash register” box that didn’t close all the way and the 70’s love seat where parents of students (or children of the owners) could wait and hang out reading Guitar Player magazine. My Dad was featured by Mike Varney around that time in the pages of GP. It brought me a proud feeling to see my Dad in those pages alongside other rock heroes.
The Bullet bass guitar on the far left in the top picture eventually became mine, and I played it in the Louisville Middle School jazz band a couple of years later than this picture. At one point I took bass lessons in this very store. I was attempting learning to play Steve Morse tunes and the theme from “Night Court”. The Louisville Times published a picture of me with a mullet outside this little room holding my “Thriller” skateboard alongside school buddies in an article documenting “unseasonably warm weather” in October of 1984 or 1985. Beebo’s Bookstore was right next door, and my brother and I frequently found great books to read there, or sneakily sold books
from my parents’ bookshelves in order to get money for video games at the arcade beneath Kevin and Rhonda’s bakery. The aroma of fresh baked donuts and bread was intoxicating.
I remember my first job picking up pony poo at a pony ride at the carnival that traveled through once a year in the parking lot behind Wildwood which is now a huge multi-story library and parking garage. Back then it was just a lonely parking lot, but during carnival time it was filled with sketchy opportunities to win posters of a Lamborghini Countach or Cindy Crawford in and American flag bikini if you were lucky enough to pop a balloon with a dart. It was like Heaven to a 10 year old. I remember the Blue Parrot burning down and the wall of heat I couldn’t cross with my red Schwinn bike no matter how hard I tried. I remember the curbs I could grind with my skateboard and the wall I could climb by the dumpsters out back. That wall is still there.
And this was all before Wildwood moved UPTOWN (around the corner to Main Street) – this was the tiny side building on Spruce street that now houses a workbench and some storage. This was when my parents rented the tiny space from a nice landlord who lived in Arizona and warned them, “you can’t start a business with $500 to your name…”. This was long before Wildwood owned the entire building and the trophy shop, the Public Service office (the local utility company) and bookstore had to move out to make room for Wildwood’s expansion. I remember when Jimmy, the founder and owner of the Double Happy Chinese Restaurant, took guitar lessons from my Dad in this small space primarily so he could fine tune his English speaking chops, and learn a few folk songs, and how Jimmy later hired me as a dishwasher, I was honored and able to buy a lot more Lamborghini posters than before when it came carnival time.
But what I remember most about these years is that my parents worked so hard, sacrificed so much, and were never lazy for one minute. To see that all this hard work and integrity has paid off to the point where Wildwood sits as a landmark in the music retail industry, an innovator in the world of high end guitars, and a beacon of business success in our tiny little hometown of Louisville, CO is a beautiful thing. I’m proud to have witnessed the slow and humble rise to success from the most ragged beginnings. Wildwood is the American Dream.
I am in awe.
-Taylor Mesple (son of Steve and Marilynn Mesple, and Director of Strategic Marketing for Wildwood)
Many, many warm congratulations to the Mesple family from one of your biggest fans in the United Kingdom. You are a beacon of best practice in the retailing of guitars and associated products, as far as I’m concerned, and the best retail guitar outlet in the world. Your staff, service, inventory, kindness, sincereity and decency should be a template to and for all those who sell musical instruments around the globe. Thank you for all you do for us guitar-heads, and I hope to finally visit your store when I’m next in Colorado. Here’s to the next 30 years! Bless you and power to you all.
Whenever I’m in Colorado, I always make it a point to stop by and visit Wildwood. The first time I stopped there was 20 years ago, it’s amazing how much the area has changed in that time. It’s always great to stop in and chat with Steve. What a coincidence I stopped by on the very day of Wildwoods 30th anniversary. Until next time…
I first discovered Wildwood Guitars when I became a huge fan of the band Wind Machine back in the summer 0f 1991. There was something special about their original compositions. You would gain a sense of the personality behind the relaxing Colorado feel of those songs. When I approached Steve Mesple’ after a concert I met a great gentlemen and guitar player who invited me to come visit his store. In the years since, I have wonderful memories of countless visits to that unique store. You walk in and it’s like everybody knows your name. You are always treated with a refreshing and uncommon level of dignity. Without question, Steve and his staff put the needs of their customers above all else. Five Taylor’s, a few Fender electrics and amps later, I find myself going out of my way to recommend Wildwood Guitars. It gives me great pleasure knowing friends will be treated so well.
Congratulations are clearly in order for the dedication and hard work of the entire Mesple’ family in their accomplishments and moreso, what they’ve meant to guitars players in every corner of the planet.
I lived in Colorado for 15 years before moving back to Arizona. When I was living in Denver, I’m not sure how I discovered Wildwood Guitars or I just don’t recall, but I sure am glad I did. I would say that in the last 10 years I have not bought a guitar from anyone else but Wildwood. The really are a class act, take great care of me, and are just a pleasure to work with! Thanks mostly to Bruce and Steve for being so good to me! Congratulations on the Big 3-0! Here’s to 30 more! Best wishes…always!
-Your friend in the desert,
-Bruce
Indeed! This is one of the best guitar stores in the world. The other is Bizarre Guitar in Reno Nevada.
Greg ALWAYS treated me VERY right when I lived in Colorado and shopped there. It was he who sold me my first guitar in 2004, after coming out of a rough time in Afghanistan. He really inspired me to try and play again (my arm was pretty chewed up from a 7.62 round tearing through it), and I have not looked back! When in Colorado, Wildwood is the ONLY music store I’d bother going into! Thanks much Greg K! I’m following your advice and things really took off for me. Very happy with my playing and the first guitar I bought from you.
I was one of the lucky ones to be around from the beginning. Growing up in Louisville I remember this cool guitar shop opening up in town. I was working at Safeway at the time and in the 10th grade at Centaurus High School in Lafayette. Rocking out to all that sweet heavy metal music at the time watching guys like Eddie Van Halen, George Lynch and Richie Sambora tear it up I had to get a guitar. After hanging out in the shop for a couple years, finally in 1986, senior year at Centaurus I went in and bought a guitar. Thinking I was leaving with a Flying V heavy metal monster, Steve talked me into a Sigma Acoustic and lessons, not exactly what I had in mind. Not being able to pay the entire $200.00 Steve and Marilynn let me make payments. A couple months later I started taking lessons with Joe Scott as my teacher. Joe helped broaden by musical taste the moment he pulled out his Martin guitar and Gibson banjo. I was hooked…flash forward 30 years. The shop is still how I remember it as a kid. Steve and the guys at the shop are the greatest, most down to earth and honest guys I have ever met. Guitars have consumed my life and I have no idea how many of them I have purchased through out the years from Wildwood. Every time I go into the shop I feel like that 16 year old kid again. Of course now the sales tax on my guitars usually ends up being more than the price of that first guitar. Thank you Steve, Marilynn, Joe, Taylor, Ethan and all the guys at Wildwood Guitars for helping bring so much enjoyment to my life. By the way, I still have that Sigma guitar!
very late to the party..Congrats on the anniversary.. Great to read Taylor’s missive…I have bought many guitars all over the world and thrilled to say Steve Troy..Lance et al are the best.By far..Not to slight the other fine stores around the world but…but…WOW…Wildwood has it all..Great guitars..Great people..and very straight forward smart dealings…and just watching another Greg video always brings cheer in to this guitar players day..Thank you Gang..Keep up the good work…
I have purchased several guitars from you guys – the best of the best of the best !! What a great place to buy a guitar!
For me?
My name is Jason Curtis.My father,Davis Curtis had been a “regionally renowned’ blues and jazz guitar player down in Colorado Springs during the Eighties.He had already been a well known “guitar slinger” in Arizona back in the 60’s and 70’s and his time in Colorado had proven to be very much the same.His bands “The Blues Union” & “Dr. Dave & The House Call” garnered quite a bit of attention back then to be honest.He taught on the side at Johnny Smith’s shop down on 8th. Street and even had his own shop that specialized in vintage pieces on East Fillmore..it was called “Rocky Roller Music”..but this was the age of thin keyboard ties and Yamaha DX-7’s..and of course,the age of Van Halen.My father hated that stuff and hated Floyd Rose even more! (..it didn’t help that I was learning how to play “Eruption” and “Flying High Again” in my bedroom at this time! LOL).Despite our intense interest in Tom Wheeler’s book and George Gruhn’s “Rare Bird” column in Guitar Player, The vintage thing was slow in 1984 and 1985. We were still a couple of years out from “Strat Mania” in 1987 and besides! How often did you “really” run into the Pre-CBS stuff anyway? I remember seeing nothing but a lot of three bolt necks back then myself.
Dr. Dave just couldn’t sell too many old guitars..as a matter of fact,he would tell me years later that he sold a ’58 ES-175 for $400.00 to cover the rent one month!
So.
He closed “Rocky Roller” and dove headlong into playing. My father had met B.B King fatefully on my parents’ wedding night back in the day and had developed a style on his ’59 ES-335 that was a “perfect storm” of B. & Freddie King,Clapton,Bloomfield and then Kenny Burrell & Wes.His main amp was a ’66 Super Reverb with a master added to the back.He also had a red ’63 ES-345 as a second..and at home there was a ’62 Florentine Byrdland.I loved that Byrdland!
Dr. Dave had “scary chops”…the band worked more and more..all over the West.They opened for everyone.There were too many to list comprehensively,but off the top of my head I can recall Son Seals. Luther Allison..John Mayall. (Several times..with both Mick Taylor and Coco Montoya..) Koko Taylor. James Brown. Elvin Bishop.James Cotton.The Legendary Blues Band.The Nighthawks.Buddy Guy & Junior Wells.The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Greg Allman (The Late “Dangerous” Dan Toller would let me play Duane Allman’s ’58 Les Paul that night-if only for a minute!)..Robin Trower. Etta James. Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets. Roomful Of Blues(They had Ronnie Earl back then…) Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows..Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. Delbert McClinton..I can’t remember anymore of em’..but I don’t want to forget Albert Collins.
Albert and Dr. Dave were very close..and Albert would always call me “The Little Doctor”..
The night they first shared a stage, Albert walked into my father’s dressing room and scowled “You that motherf***** playin’ all those Wes Montgomery licks!?” LOL!
Dr. Dave never made it nationally. I still have the decline letter from Bruce Iglauer even..and after Albert passed on back in 1993,Dr. Dave dove deeper into jazz..
Fast forward to 1997.
I had just “proudly” bought a Korean Epi Emperor Regent from some shop up in Ft. Collins.The guitar cost me $1,000.00 and I thought I had done pretty well to be honest..the last time I had seen an L5 or a Super 400 in a shop was at Thoroughbred Music down in Florida.They had one of each to offer..both in a glass case.The L5 was $9,500 and the Super was $12,500!!
My friend Michael C. Wright-AKA “Alabama Slim” or “Curley Wolf” of The Denver City Salt Licks brought me to Louisville and a small shop called “The Wildwood Guitars”..there was a very nice man named Steve there who was extremely kind and helpful.
Steve had a BUNCH of Gibsons..he had a 1973 L5 in Iced Tea..it had the Norlin ere “Gibson” logos stamped on the pickup covers..for an entirely reasonable $4,500..I couldn’t belleve it..still out of my range,but I started to feel that “sting”..
..then I saw TWO Tal Farlow guitars…You have to realize,I didn’t know that Gibson had even reissued the model! One wine red..and one blonde…there were others..these are just what I recall..
Then. The killer of the bunch for a novice like me. An ES-165..Not one of those guitars with “Herb Ellis” on the headstock like a Les Paul Standard..it had a crown like a 175..and Steve wanted $1,100…
I was devastated!
I had just blown that $1,000 on a cheap Korean Johnny Smith copy!!! LOL!
All that aside though-I called my father as soon as I got home that night. I had written down all the Gibsons that I saw there and recited the list to him..
As it turned out,I didn’t talk to him for a little while after that..and the next time we did speak,he had indeed taken the drive from Pikes Peak up to Louisville with his friend and guitar student Greg Kohler..and there they first met Steve.My dad bought the red Tal Farlow and Kohler bought a blonde ES-345 that day..
Dr. Dave and Steve kept in touch and Dr. Dave made a habit of visiting the Wildwood website..he always said that Steve’s website was the best on the net!
A year and a half later.Dr. Dave decided to take his ’59 335 up to Steve and see what was up with a new 1999 L5 Wes Montgomery that Steve had..it had the very rare walnut stained back and sides and Dr. Dave was pretty taken with it..
As my Dad told the story,Steve had him go in the back with him and then handed over the “keys to the car”..”Doc? (..as Steve called him..) you try any guitar you want and we’ll talk about a deal after you have decided..”
Dr. Dave played all sorts of archtops that day(even a late 70’s Benedetto with a tree of life inlay..) but kept coming back to that Wes..
Steve gave my Dad the Wes and a big check for the ’59..and word on the street was that Steve had sent the ’59 to Nashville when they were making a new press for the semi hollowbody line(!!!)..(hope this is actually true since I am typing it here!!)..true or imagined-Dr. Dave was really proud of that..and he continued to play that Wes and that Tal for many years to come….
Dr. Dave passed away on October 1st. 2015..we were all really shaken by the event..and not a day goes by that we don’t think of him and all the music he made on those guitars..
Steve was an integral part of the last seventeen years of my father’s fifty year music career..and I though it might be appropriate to let you all know that fact as you all celebrate your Thirtieth (or 33rd. rather!) Anniversary yourselves!!
Here’s a few pics of Dr. Dave with that Wes..with that Tal Farlow..and that old 1959 ES-335 he traded to Steve nearly twenty years ago..
..and a pic of Dr. Dave with Albert Collins too…God bless you all at Wildwood Guitars!!
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