Tamworth Regional Council launched the brand-new National Guitar Museum during the recent 48th Toyota Country Music Festival, located at the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre (home of the iconic Big Golden Guitar).

More than 45 guitars have been installed to form the foundations of the museum. Smoky Dawson's original riffle guitar from the 1950s era when he w as reigning supreme on radio, records and in comics.

There is also Brian May's (guitarist from QUEEN) travelling guitar that he produced as a replica from his iconic red guitar; world-great, Tommy Emmanuel's first Maton guitar from the start of his career along with one of his much used Fender guitars; a personally signed Washburn guitar from KISS' Paul Stanley and two final and customised guitars that belonged to Slim Dusty; along with signed guitars from Keith Urban, Dolly Parton, Brooks & Dunn, and The Eagles are just some of the guitars that you will find when you take the time to explore the museum.

There is a guitar signed by Keith Urban that was played at his Nissan Stadium Performance in Nashville, 2015 referring back to his humble beginnings, being signed 'Tamworth, where it all began'.

Each of the guitars has been generously gifted to Tamworth, and the collection is complimented by a world-class photography exhibition by Chuck Bradley.

The exhibition, titled 'Instrumental' is an illuminating picture collection of guitars and instruments from country to rock icons that include Midnight Oil, INXS, Guns 'n' Roses, Troy Cassar-Daley and many more.

Tying in with existing country music collateral, such as The Gallery of Stars Wax Museum, The Big Golden Guitar and The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame, the museum will be a draw card attracting visitors with a passion for all genres of music.

The museum has such a solid foundation, there is room to grow and expand the collection over time.

"As Paul Kelly sings, "from little things, big things grow."