MURRAY — Mike McQuilkin couldn't stop smiling Saturday about the electric guitar he'd just purchased at the School of Rock Foundation's first-ever Music Swapalooza.
The gently used Gibson Les Paul guitar will help McQuilkin, a laboratory technician in Salt Lake City who is starting a band with friends, perform "protest stuff that's more politically oriented."
But the money he and others are spending on instruments at the sale, which continues noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at 5444 S. Green St., next to Summerhays Music, will also benefit music students.
Bob Alder, a University of Utah law professor and a member of the foundation, said 15 percent of each sale will be used to help students in need pay for a variety of after-school programs including the School of Rock in Sandy.
Several hundred guitars, drums, flutes, harps and other musical instruments on display at the first day of the sale were donated and, if not purchased, will be made available to those students.
"I just thought of it. We were raising money through car washes and I thought we could do better," Alder said. The event is modeled after ski swaps that allow Utahns to buy and sell used equipment.
McQuilkin said he paid $839 for his guitar, which would have cost around $1,000 new. "I did get a good deal," he said. "I'm willing pay extra if it goes to charity, especially the School of Rock. That is really cool."
Ben and Cindy Spigle, computer experts from Sugarhouse who both play in Stucco Dogs, a rock band, and Callanish, an Irish band, liked the idea, too, even though they didn't find anything to buy.
"I think this has a lot of potential," Cindy Spigle said. A drummer, she did take a close look at some bongo drums. The couple said they will consider bringing in some of their own instruments to next year's sale.
Would-be buyers were able to duck in to "quiet rooms" to test out the instruments. But there was no shortage of music, with School of Rock students performing throughout the day.
Mary Jane McNamee was looking forward to listening to a "Wayne's World" set performed by her 13-year-old son, Gannon, and his classmates.
She said not only does she enjoy the 1980s-era songs from the movie, she also appreciates seeing her son excited about music.
"I never have to push him," McNamee said. "It's the one thing he enjoys doing."
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