Guitar Summit 2026: From Yorkshire to Mannheim
Every September, guitarists from all over the world head to Mannheim in Germany for Guitar Summit, one of the biggest guitar shows in Europe. This year we went too.
Guitar Summit 2026 ran from 25 to 27 September at the Rosengarten in Mannheim. For three days the whole building was about guitars, basses and the people who play them. More than 600 exhibitors filled four floors, from the big names to small boutique builders, and over 100 workshops ran across seven stages.
Why we went
Pluck & Play is part of Red Chilli Audio, the UK distributor for brands such as Richter, D'Andrea and LOCK-IT. Shows like Guitar Summit are where we meet the people behind the gear, see new ranges before they reach the UK, and get our hands on the products you'll find on our shelves.
We also like to see and feel something before we ask you to buy it. You can't judge a leather strap from a photo.
Richter: German craftsmanship up close
We spent most of our time on the Richter stand, and it was a treat. Richter has made straps in Germany for decades, and seeing the whole range on one wall shows how much variety there is:
- Leather in every finish: smooth, textured, embossed and distressed, in black, tan and rich browns.
- Padded and contoured straps: designed for heavier guitars and basses, and long sets.
- Artist and signature designs: the stand carried a big banner for Richter artist Chris Kael, and the signature straps looked even better in person.
- Richter strings: a full wall of Ionised strings sat next to the straps, a range we're excited about.
What stood out most was the build quality. The stitching, the thickness of the leather and the finish on the ends are the details that show a strap is built to last, and they're easy to appreciate when you can pick one up.
The buzz of the show
Walking the halls was a reminder of why people love these events. Every stand had players testing gear, trading stories and swapping tips, and the atmosphere was friendly and full of music. The evening concerts ranged from fingerstyle sets to all-star jams with international players.
It's also a good way to see where the industry is heading. The trends we noticed were vegan and sustainable materials, straps built for comfort on long gigs, and bold designs for players who want their gear to say something.
Bringing it back to Batley
We came home with plenty of ideas and a list of products we'd love to bring to the UK. Keep an eye on the site and our socials over the coming months for new arrivals.
In the meantime, the Richter range is in stock now, with same-day dispatch on orders before 12pm and free UK delivery on orders over £50.
If you'd like to see the straps in person without flying to Germany, our Batley showroom is open by appointment. Call 0113 457 5222 or email sales@plucknplay.com to book.
