Tips and Tone – NAMM & the Amp Expo
Tips and Tone
NAMM & the Amp Expo 2011
By John LeVan
One of the most exciting parts of my job is attending conventions where I can check out the latest gear. Two of the best are held in Nashville each year; the NAMM convention and The Nashville Amp Expo. Each is radically different, but together they provide the best of both worlds for all musicians. This Summer I attended both, here’s an overview of the events…
Summer NAMM
NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) convention is where music stores go to look at the latest products to buy for their stores. In the past, it has been reserved for manufacturers, distributors, instrument dealers and a select few musicians. This year NAMM opened the last day of the convention to the public (for a fee). It was a smaller convention than years past, but I found some great new products to talk about.
Taylor Guitars
My first stop this year was the Taylor booth. I spoke to Glenn Wolf about the new line of solid body electric guitars, and their NEW “Build to Order” program. This is a brilliant idea! Essentially, you can go to their website and actually order a guitar, built to your specifications — something I wish all manufacturers would offer. I was impressed with their new line of electric guitars. Here are a few that blew me away!
The Taylor Classic Solid body was awesome, and using their Solidbody Configurator, you can customize it. Here are some of the basic features:
- 15 colors to choose from.
- Solid Swamp Ash Body.
- Maple neck w/ 22 fret ebony board.
- Single or double cutaway.
- 8 different pickup/switching configurations.
- Solderless electronics! Just plug-n-play!
- Taylor Tremolo or stop tailpiece.
- BONE STRING NUT!
Taylor Classic Solid Body. Photo property of Taylor Guitar Co.
Plan to spend around $2,000 for this puppy, but it’s totally worth it! This guitar is studio/road ready.
Taylor Standard solidbody has even more features! In addition, they also offer the following:
- 14 Transparent colors to choose from.
- Chambered Mahogany Body.
- Quilted Maple Top.
- Mahogany neck w/ 22 fret ebony board.
- Single or double cutaway.
- 6 different pickgaurds.
- 8 different pickup/switching configurations.
- Solderless electronics! Just plug-n-play!
- Taylor Tremolo or stop tailpiece.
- BONE STRING NUT!
Figure 1.2 Taylor Standard. Photo by John LeVan.
I played this one, and it was great! This model will cost about $2,700, and is worth every penny! You can see more on their website at taylorguitars.com
D’addario & Planet Waves
One of my favorite booths at NAMM is the D’addario booth. It’s always a good hang. Every year they come up something new & useful for players. Brian Vance had me check out some cool new products for this year.
The Planet Waves NS Mini Headstock Tuner is perfect! It’s smaller and lighter than its competitors. It’s easy to read and you can rotate it 360°. I also found it to be very accurate compared to most of the tuners I’ve done bench tests on. A great value for only $22!
Figure 1.3 Planet Wave NS Mini Headstock Tuner. Photo by John LeVan.
The O-Port was interesting. It’s advertised as an accessory for acoustic guitar designed to improve clarity, volume and a richer tone. At first, I thought it was a cone to keep your pet from licking itself….. but then I listened to what it does. WOW! Now I’ll admit, I was very skeptical of this apparatus, but it actually works! I even talked to a few players that told me it also helps to reduce feedback when they play live. Only $23!
Figure 1.4 Planet O-Port. Photo provided by D’addario String Co.
I-Phone apps! Check out the new I-Phone apps from Planet Waves. Designed for all skill levels, these apps have everything from chords and scales, as well as, a music store locator and much more!
Check it out at:
http://www.planetwaves.com/PWiphoneapps.Page
My last stop was at the Kemper booth. I had heard about their profiling amp from several players, and had to check them out. The Kemper Profiling Amplifier is a very unique way to “profile” any amp and store that information into one unit. Basically, it creates a digital thumbprint of one (or several) amp(s) and allows you to store them. That way, you can just use one amp in the studio/gig and utilize the tone of several without lugging around a ton of gear. I was very impressed with it. It even mimics the tonal changes when you change your attack, or when you roll the volume down on your guitar. It’s a very serious piece of gear, with a serious price tag…around $1900. Check them out at: http://kemper-amps.com
The Nashville Amp Expo!
This was the third annual Nashville Amp Expo and, by far, the best one yet! It’s organized by Gary “Sarge” Gistinger (President of Creation Audio Labs) and the good folks at Pedaltrain. Sarge and the boys outdid themselves this year. Over 110 exhibitors, several free concerts and seminars, for three solid days! What makes this event cool is that it’s held at a hotel where each exhibitor has a private room. Unlike NAMM, you don’t have to struggle to hear what you’re playing or worry about the “Noise Nazi’s” barking at you to turn the volume down! In addition, the price was great, only $5 per person. Then to make it even better, the event is open as late as 1 AM! Here’s what I found at the expo…
Nashville Amp Show Flyer
Delgado Guitars
I caught up with Manuel Delgado to check out his latest creations. Manuel is a Luthier’s Luthier! In fact, he comes from a long line (3 generations) of Master Luthiers. He had amazing classical and flamenco guitars that he let me play, along with some really cool ukuleles. All of his instruments are hand carved from the finest woods, and sound absolutely amazing!
One of my favorites was “Monica”. Monica is a flamenco guitar named after Manuel’s sister. She is built with European Cypress sides and back, German Spruce top, Indian Rosewood Bridge, Cedar neck and African Ebony fingerboard. Monica has a beautiful full tone with great balance.
Figure 1.6 Delgado’s “Monica” Flamenco Guitar. Photo by John LeVan
Manuel also had several Ukuleles on hand. I was blown away by how loud these little guys were. For such a small instrument, they were very balanced and quite loud. But then again, what else would you expect from a Delgado?
Check out all of Manuel’s creations at: delgadoguitars.com
Figure 1.7 Delgado’s Ukuleles. Photo by John LeVan
G’Zan Guitars
Luthier Mark Newsbaum, of G’Zan Guitars showed me a sweet S-style electric he built. I was surprised at how well it played and how affordable it was. To find a custom built guitar for around $1500 is a steal! Mark has been a Luthier for over 30 years, he understands quality, tone and performance.
Check him out at: www.gzancustomguitars.com
Figure 1.8 G’Zan Custon S. Photo by John LeVan
Sybil & and all of her personalities!
I got a kick out of The Sandberg Guitar Company’s “Sybil Bass”. For those of us who grew up in the 70”s & 80’s, the name Sybil brings back vivid memories of a girl with multiple (and disturbing) personalities. This Sandberg bass is like a Luthier interpretation of Sybil!
Figure 1.9 Sandberg Bass “Sibyl”. Photo by John LeVan
Loudest Amp Contest!
Got earplugs? The loudest Amp competition is not for the faint of sound. This year’s winner (overall loudest amp) reached a brain splitting 127.1 Decibels (That’s louder that a jet plane taking off)!!!
The honor went to Lickliter Amplification’s 120 watt XD120. This high gain guitar amp has two independent channels, global depth and presence controls, FX loop (with true bypass) and is hand crafted in the USA. Earplugs not included.
Needless to say, the Nashville Amp Expo was a huge success. Sarge told me he’ll be expanding the Expo next year. He plans to add more studio gear and other exhibitors. I’m really looking forward to next year, hope to see you there!
John M. LeVan
Be sure to visit with John at his site – Guitarservices.com
Copyright © 2011 John M. LeVan all rights reserved.
