The museum's initial concept was as a tribute to Hendrix. It was originally going to be called the "Jimi Hendrix Museum". It was then expanded to include other Northwest bands such as Nirvana. We don't forget our dead musicians around here. Well, except for Bing Crosby, godfather of multi-track recording, who inexcusably gets no mention.
In addition to the lame "learn how to scratch records" type exhibits, there are some priceless artifacts in the EMP collection. When you're a multi-billionaire you can collect pretty much anything you like. He's got the entire stage setup - amps, guitars (including
the Strat), drums, even costumes - from Hendrix's performance at Woodstock on display. Plus the original desk from Electric Lady studio, which is remarkably primitive. And there's Hendrix's personal diary, and the spiral-bound notebooks he composed lyrics on.
An acquaintance of mine was involved in the formation of the museum - he restored the aforementioned mixer. He told me of the time they spotted Eric Clapton standing in line to get in, barefoot. Said he'd come to visit his old guitar, a Strat named "Brownie" - the one he'd recorded "Layla" and Disraeli Gears with. They gave him a private tour of the place.
There is also Bo Diddley's Les Paul goldtop and "box" guitars, Roger McGuinn's original Rickenbacker 12-string, the original prototype for the Gibson Flying-V, Charlie Christian's hollow-body Gibson. Lots of extremely rare early guitar models, some hand-made by Leo Fender and Adolph Rickenbacker themselves. Only 50 guitars are on display at any time, out of a collection of hundreds.
You should have taken me along as tour guide, Beagle.