NAMM 2008: Welcome To The Beautiful Chaos

You could consider it a guitarist’s Mecca or an agoraphobiac’s nightmare. For the 4 days that NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) was held at the Anaheim Convention Center between Jan. 17-20, boredom was not an option. One minute you might be getting an eyeful and/or earful of the music industry’s latest products and innovations, and the next you would simply be attempting to moving 5 feet without being stampeded by the crowd. NAMM was a roller coaster with its multiple highs and lows, with all the negatives being forgiven after I first gazed upon the new Jimmy Page Gibson model or spotted Joe Satriani (photo) around the corner.

NAMM is not an event that’s open to the general public, but should you ever have an opportunity to visit the massive music convention, here are a few words of advice. Eat your Wheaties (actually go for hardier fare like a Grand Slam breakfast); wear the most comfortable shoes you own; and be prepared to wait several hours in line to meet your favorite guitarist or singer, only to be turned away at the last minute when the artist has to leave. You’ve gotta love it. If NAMM is anything, it’s an adventure - one that left most of the 88,000 attendees and 1,560 exhibitors awed and a little overwhelmed.

Whatever You Do, Don’t Forget Your Badge

Before we could step foot into the Anaheim Convention Center where NAMM was being held, we had to retrieve our all-important badges. Much like any American airport, NAMM mean business when it comes to verifying your identification. Upon entering the hall, you always need your badge (which must be reserved way in advance) and a photo ID, and there were more than a few peeved expressions from individuals who likely left their drivers licenses in their cars several blocks away. If you happen to be sufficiently prepared enough to get through the gauntlet of metal detectors and anal-retentive security guards, the glorious circus awaits.

Although there is a map for the convention hall (most of the guitar-related paraphernalia is located in one area, drums in another, etc), finding a specific company’s booth truly puts your navigation skills to work. If it was just a matter of locating a booth number and walking over to that destination, things wouldn’t be all that difficult. But unfortunately you have to take into consideration the sea of almost 100,000 people who are either going in the opposite direction or blocking the aisles to get a glimpse of KISS’ Paul Stanley or Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx. Truth be told, I became one of those annoying blockades when Dave Mustaine (photo#1, photo#2) made an appearance…okay, make that Slash, too. That’s right, in one day you had Dave, Slash, Nikki Sixx, Billy Corgan, Herman Li (photo) and Yngwie Malmsteen all within reach.

The Main Attraction: The Goods

For as many celebrities that appear at the various booths, they aren’t necessarily meant to be the main attraction at NAMM. It’s the new Fenders, Deans, and ESPs that get the spotlight. While dealers, buyers, and exhibitors work out the deals to distribute the latest products to the general public, we learned what to expect on retail shelves in 2008. We’ll be posting a full guide of NAMM’s hottest items in the coming days, but there are a few items that deserve to be mentioned more than a few times.

Dean (photo) went above and beyond this year, with several new models that not only sound killer, they are visually incredible. The one that will likely find its way on to birthday and eventually Christmas lists is the Razorback Cemetery Gates (photo). Along with specifications such as a mahogany neck/top/body and Floyd Rose tremolo bridge, the cemetery-themed graphics feature a hidden Dimebag image. Truly cool stuff. If you’re in the market for something a little less metal-looking, check out either the traditional Soltero model (played by Tom Maxwell of Hellyeah) or the Mountain’s Leslie West model.

As expected, Gibson is releasing several impressive new models this year, with the custom shop featuring some huge names this year. Among the 15 new customs are 8 Slash-branded guitars, as well as models by Steve Jones, Mick Jones, and Johnny Winter. While we were in the Gibson booth, we did get an opportunity to view 2007’s illustrious Robot Guitar (photo). It was pretty unassuming at first - we actually walked right by it. A Gibson rep was in the process of demonstrating the silverburst blue model’s capabilities at the time, but it was experiencing a few technical difficulties. Long story short, we never got to see the tuning pegs turn by themselves thanks to a kink in the system.

Innovation was key at many booths, with SIMS Corp leading the way for the latest breakthrough products in the world of guitars. SIMS observed the obvious adoration that the current generation has with computers, and the company has created a line of products to connect old school instrumentation with the PC world. The USB Jammate UG-1 allows you to just plug in to your computer (no amp is required), play, practice, and record. So does it sound like a true amp? It is surprisingly similar, with the AmpliTube Live software delivering all the effects you’d get with a standard amp.

The Paul Reed Smith (photo) booth was teeming with celebs that came out to show their support of the guitar maker, with everyone from Carlos Santana (photo) to Godsmack’s Tony Rombola making an appearance. Santana was on hand to unveil his new PRS Santana MD model, which includes a new Mastering Voice Control to convey a tone that was made popular in the early 60’s. There were 12 new PRS models in all, including a full-scale hollow body and additions to the SE models.

In Their Element

Although celebrity sightings abounded (apparently even Bill Murray was somewhere in the house), actual performances by musicians were somewhat rare. A few did cater to the masses, however. Black Label Society’s Nick Catanese (photo) and Queensryche’s Mike Stone played an acoustic performance as a way to introduce their new project titled Speed X, while legendary 80’s rocker George Lynch showed off his shredding skills at the Samson booth. I’m still kicking myself over this next one - apparently Yngwie Malmsteen and Paul Gilbert were seen shredding at their respective Boss and Marshall booths as well. That’s the one discouraging aspect about NAMM - multiple events are going on at the same time and you’ll inevitably miss out on something. I guess we’ve always got next year to watch Malmsteen in all his glory.

Article & Photos by Amy Kelly
Ultimate-Guitar.Com © 2008

Check out more photos from the event: Fender Booth, Chris Caffery, Jackson Custom Guitar, Kerry King, Peter Tork of The Monkees, The Cure Guitars from Schecter, Traveler Guitar

Comments

[zObiPhiOn]

First?! too bad i couldnt go....

[zigslip]

is it just me, or do chris caffery and MAB look alike in that photo

[Sean-Man]

now thats guitar news

[sizzlefizzle]

some nice stuff there.

[jthm_guitarist]

So people from the UG team actually went? That's awesome. I expected this to be an article borrowed from another site. Nice job UG!

jthm_guitarist wrote:

So people from the UG team actually went? That's awesome. I expected this to be an article borrowed from another site. Nice job UG!

haha yes, Amy Kelly, our writer, went to the show this year. There will be more article (3 or 4) dedicated to some brands that deserves attention.

FYI, we also have people on most major Tours for the last couple years.

[Xeus]

i cant wait for the new articles

[CJRocker]

Once again Jackson gets no respect =\ I would think their new Demmelition V (Phil Demmel sig) would of been mentioned somewhere.

[Shabalaba]

Cant wait for the other articals

[schecter_r0cker]

Damn is there any more pics?

[chillaxehn]

i wanna see some laid back shredding at NAMM.

[TomD03]

Gibson also announced an Alex Lifeson signature ES 335 that is pure white with a very nice bigsby on it, gorgeous guitar

[i_am_metalhead]

For anyone that wants to see the gear from NAMM head over to guitarworld.com - they have a bunch of pics from NAMM and descriptions of some of the new gear that was introduced!

[ctb]

Cheers for this UG!

[Chris311]

I got the oppurtunity to play the Gibson Robot at the factory. F-ing sweet.

[HavokStrife]

The V in the background of the Jackson Custom Shop picture down at the bottom looks way way way way awesome. The artwork looks like it come off of the bottom frets.. too bad all I get to galk at is background pics of Jacksons!

[Decembero]

Newsworthy, definately. Keep them coming UG!

[zapatista89]

NAMM? you werent there man.

[dimebagsmygod]

I really wanted to go to NAMM have to put up with music live instead

[Horizon FR-II]

Awesom possum!(bonkers) Though I know PRS are good but i still dont understand what they are marketing towards.

[Spoony_Bard]

If anyone cares, I've played a Gibson Robot, and they definitely work just how Gibson described them. They really tune themselves. Now whether or not that's important is up to you...

[Popsai]

wtf dave's so old xD

Fender needs to create some new guitars ...

[tands]

cool stuff, would have loved to go

[tands]

paintITblack39
m
:
Fender needs to create some new guitars ...

nah, they own a ton of other companies like Jackson etc. so theres no real need for it if there current line is doing fine

[omega5]

jesus christ dean needs to quit whoring dimebag out

[NewsoftheWorld]

I only got to go on Sunday.

[mobious128]

I went to namm once. I was never the same : (

[kjlee2112]

i heard that the boss gt-10 might be coming out at NAMM.. did it?

[NewsoftheWorld]

Y

kjlee2112 wrote:

i heard that the boss gt-10 might be coming out at NAMM.. did it?

Yep.I saw some "famous" guitarist doing a demo of it.

[the boogieman]

tands wrote:

paintITblack39
m
:
Fender needs to create some new guitars ...
nah, they own a ton of other companies like Jackson etc. so theres no real need for it if there current line is doing fine

well they need to do something

experiment and mix it up a little. they've gotten way too predictable and boring

[Kanthras]

Jackson always has some seriously kickass custom paintjobs on their NAMM guitars. Too bad there are no more pics of them

Also, Dave has a grey beard! He's sure getting old.. Hope he can still rock out on the next album.

[shoolocomous]

omega5 wrote:

jesus christ dean needs to quit whoring dimebag out

+1

and the rest.

[Flying Afros]

that jackson is butt ass ugly.

and i think Dave should grow a beard like Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top

[Megallica666]

wow sweet. wish i could have gone on well...

[SL!!!]

jthm_guitarist wrote:

So people from the UG team actually went? That's awesome. I expected this to be an article borrowed from another site. Nice job UG!

Yeah, no kidding. This was good. Bill Murray was there supposedly? Haha, that's awesome. You gotta love Bill Murray.

[SL!!!]

Horizon FR-II wrote:

Awesom possum!(bonkers) Though I know PRS are good but i still dont understand what they are marketing towards.

People who want really nice guitars? Haha.

[Havok19]

that place is gear heaven, man you guys were lucky to go
go UG

[tubab0y]

Am I the only one that doesn't see Satch in the Satch picture?

[TONY strat]

damn dave looked old in the first pic.

[Vantage]

Jesus, Dave looks old in that pic.

the boogieman wrote:

tands wrote:

paintITblack39
m
:
Fender needs to create some new guitars ...
nah, they own a ton of other companies like Jackson etc. so theres no real need for it if there current line is doing fine

well they need to do something

experiment and mix it up a little. they've gotten way too predictable and boring

My point exactly. I love Fenders, but the only time Fenders come up, you would think of a Strat or Tele. At least bring some better Jaguar or Jazzmaster models into production.

[metal Lover]

I was there

[f1sk]

damn

[StratPat]

Wish there was something like that in Australia

[Set-Abominae]

I love Schecter, but those Cure guitars are pretty ugly.

[powerage225]

It was awesome this year, but a little chaotic with so many people. And especially with so many things going on at once. I did meet Kerry King, Jerry Cantrell, Rob Trujillo, half of Mastodon, Alexi Laiho, Vinnie Paul and Gene Hoglan.
I saw Slash, Yngwie and Paul Stanley, but didn't bother with the 2 hour lines....

[elcapitan1800]

the boogieman wrote:

tands wrote:

paintITblack39
m
:
Fender needs to create some new guitars ...
nah, they own a ton of other companies like Jackson etc. so theres no real need for it if there current line is doing fine


well they need to do something

experiment and mix it up a little. they've gotten way too predictable and boring

You obviously have not checked out the Fender Strat VG. VG = orgasm

[Wiegraf]

My dad goes every year, and I didn't get to go this time.

Excuse me while I commit suicide. =[

[DenHond]

CJRocker wrote:

Once again Jackson gets no respect =\ I would think their new Demmelition V (Phil Demmel sig) would of been mentioned somewhere.

All the attention goes to Gibson and Fender as always, people just like to see the same guitars again and again and again (ok the robo git is finally a new guitar...).

[Flying Couch]

Good lord, the Dean Soltero is sexy.

[Flying Couch]

I just looked it up - the new PRS stuff is sexy as well.

[JerkyChid]

Wow UG is really on top of things..... Seriously... This is rather old. If anyone was on ANY guitar forum they would know everything about this years NAMM already. Step up the game people! ..though I can't really expect much from illenlightened Gibson, Ibanez,ESP, and Fender fanboys anyway

[ElectricMammal]

I went to NAMM, one of the best times of my life

[cobain_is_king]

The Cemetery Gates looks bitchin'

[wyldeshredder]

DenHond wrote:

CJRocker wrote:

Once again Jackson gets no respect =\ I would think their new Demmelition V (Phil Demmel sig) would of been mentioned somewhere.

All the attention goes to Gibson and Fender as always, people just like to see the same guitars again and again and again (ok the robo git is finally a new guitar...).

i also think jackson is somewhat falling back to esp...i'll always go for a jackson before an esp,but i think esp really outadvertises jackson and is winning over most of the young players,especially since they have so many artists with them now;metallica,jeff hanneman,george lynch,alexi laiho,the list goes on...jackson's only upcoming artists are mark morton and phil demmel but if u look back to all the classic records,that stuff was done with jacksons, but i dont think too many people realize that. esp and jackson are both great companies,but i think esp is really at the forefront right now

[Tubyboulin]

Gunsligner FTW!!! man i wish i could go to NAMM someday...
At NAMM are you allowed to Touch the guitars haha?

[hookerkiller]

Isn't that Kerry King in the picture -- not nick catanese

[hookerkiller]

Isn't that Kerry King in the picture -- not nick catanese

[MedicreDemon]

That custom jackson looks awsome.

[Night_Lights]

FYI, Jeff Loomis was shredding it up in the Schecter booth, check youtube.

[ready2breakdown]

Mustaine looks like father time in those pics... I dream of going to NAMM. It's the most unbelievable event.

[Black_Fender]

I would give a leg just to go there for one day... wow.

[STRINGGURUX]

Bill Murray was posted at the Ernie Ball booth. I saw him and Slash chilling with Steve Lukather and Steve Morse. Bill was hilarious;

[reaper_x]

Chris311 wrote:

I got the oppurtunity to play the Gibson Robot at the factory. F-ing sweet.

Lucky you.

[SchitzoJoe]

Looks ****ing incredible.

[ross1234]

that cemetary gates razorback looks awesme

[Viking_Swede666]

This year was the best!!!

this was my first year at the NAMM show, and my uncle can get me a badge every year now!!!

it is so great there! I met a bunch of people, but the two that really left an impression on me were Alexi Laiho & Gus G. they were really cool with me and everything I did they were cool with. Let me tell you, after seeing all of the endorsees of ESP and they ESP family, I'm definitly getting an ESP for my next guitar. they REALLY made an impression on me!!! My Jackson RR3 is still in great shape and kicks ass, but the ESP family is amazing, and I agree with Wyldeshredderr, ESP is definitly on top of Jackson now, I'm definitly getting an ESP

[one vision]

Road trip next year :p:

[dave1Mustaine]

What the hell the ywrote nothing about jeff loomis watch him at his namm performance on youtube for this year its sick