From a young age, the allure of the guitar captivated Dave, the founder of Dave’s Guitar in La Crosse. Inspired by his older brother’s involvement in a local band, Dave’s fascination with guitars quickly grew into a full-blown passion. In a time when guitar heroes dominated the music scene, he found himself completely immersed in the world of guitars, spending every moment he could learning and dreaming about them. This early fascination would ultimately shape his career and lead to the creation of a renowned guitar destination.
Dave’s journey into the guitar business began with a position at a local music store. However, when the store unfortunately closed its doors, Dave faced a turning point. Despite applying to other music stores in the area, he was met with rejection due to his specialized knowledge – his expertise lay solely in guitars. Unwilling to divert his focus to pianos or band instruments, Dave decided to forge his own path. In 1982, fueled by his unwavering passion and personal collection of 17 guitars, he bravely opened his own guitar shop. Every penny earned was reinvested back into the business, expanding the inventory and solidifying the foundation of Dave’s Guitar. For the first five years, Dave dedicated himself entirely to the shop, foregoing a personal paycheck to ensure its growth and success.
Today, Dave’s personal collection has expanded significantly, boasting approximately 600 guitars and 150 amplifiers. His collection is heavily oriented towards Fender instruments, particularly custom color Stratocasters, 50s and 60s Telecasters, and various pre-1970s models. Alongside these iconic Fenders, his collection also features a notable selection of Gibson, Gretsch, and Rickenbacker guitars. The amplifier collection largely consists of Fender amps, complementing his guitar preferences.
Among his vast collection, Dave’s favorite guitar remains the iconic 1950s two-tone Stratocaster with a maple fingerboard, a testament to his admiration for classic designs and tones. This preference is deeply rooted in his lifelong appreciation for Eric Clapton, whom he cites as his all-time favorite guitarist. Similarly, his preferred amplifier is the Fender “Red Knob” Twin from the 1980s, highlighting his appreciation for both vintage and later era Fender equipment.
At Dave’s Guitar in La Crosse, customers can expect to find a staff that shares Dave’s passion and deep knowledge. The team is committed to providing friendly and expert service to all visitors. Whether you are able to visit the shop in person or prefer to explore their extensive online inventory, Dave’s Guitar welcomes you to discover a wide selection of instruments and experience the passion that has driven Dave’s Guitar for decades.
