thoughts on NAMM

January 23, 2006 at 6:57 AM

I just got back from a day at NAMM. For those that don't know, it's the largest music show in the country (maybe the world for all i know). The main reason I was there was that I was suspect of a pickup in my electric violin. Sure enought, the pickup for the A string is defective, so I have to get it serviced. Hope it doesn't cost much.

Anyway, here's my thoughts on NAMM. First, it's about dealers and secondarily musicians. When there, I went from booth to booth, and the first question always was 'are you a dealer?' When answered, no, they were deflated, but still went through the motions.

A few booths though, were genuinely interested in the musician. I found that nearly all the strings makers were really nice and interested in everything a musician had to say. At the Super-Sensitive booth, they were practicly gushing over themselves when I told them I've been using their Sensicore's for years. That kind of service made me buy 3 sets of strings from them too. Oh word to anybody thinking of going to NAMM, if they sell in their booth, buy, since the prices are dealer prices!

I went to a lot of different case companies there, and found each very interested in all their products, and listening to the artists to make sure their cases meet their customers needs. One, Accord, even said they'd make custom cases for even one off instruments, all they'd need is measurements. I'd say that's good service, but then again, their violin case is made of carbon fiber and costs like $1500. I did go to the Bam France booth, and saw the case that will be shipped to me next month. It's ABS Carbon Fiber look, and it looks nearly as good os the Accord, so I'm not complaining;)

Every booth that had violins I took a look. Most were just so so, but there were some beutiful ones in the german section. Heinrich Gill had the largest crowd, but right next door, Heinrich Roth, looked nearly as good. I also visited the electric violin luthiers too. Jordan Electric Violins were there, and they had about 8 of their nice models. Their tone really is nice and their craftsmanship is great. I'm glad I bought one of theirs. I also went to the Wood Violins booth, and well, the best part to me was the booth was stocked with nice skinny female sales people. The wood violins might play well, but I don't think they look as nice.

Other booths that made a noteable impression to me was Moog. They had their Therimin Pro, which is beautiful and haunting at the same time. One booth was Girl Guitar Company, that sold really girly instruments. They were pink with flowers or butterflies on them. The whole booth was pink, and moms brought their daughters wearing pink to the booth. It was all, well, pink.

I found that when people asked what instrument you play and you say 'violin', you get two reactions. One is disdain, like 'it's an archaic instrument, how can you possibly be so stupid to play that'. Or two, 'wow, you play violin, you must be one of the truly gifted to play that'. The only booths that didn't have that kind of response were violin makers. They were like, 'oh good, tell me what you like best about the violin'. Very refreshing.

I thought it was funny when some booths asked if I've tried their rosin too. I'm like, 'you mean this stuff runs out'? Honestly, has anybody every bought a replacment rosin? I don't mean, if you lost it, left it, broke it, but really used it all up? Hee hee, anyway.

From Emily Grossman
Posted on January 23, 2006 at 9:11 AM

I'm trying to, by using it in such a way so that I never wear any grooves. The entire top is flat. But if you drop it just once, it's all over.

It's not going to happen, though. I'm going to get sick of this rosin, I think. Once I'm good and sick of it, I'm going to chuck it against something hard and see what happens.

From Bill _
Posted on January 23, 2006 at 5:30 PM

"First, it's about dealers and secondarily musicians"

Uh, yeah, it is a *trade show* :^)

Did you see any fo the performances that happen at NAMM? From reading, I saw that Z-z Top played the NAMM show once.

I didn't know that there is "general admission" to NAMM. Many trade shows don't allow that. For instance, the Harley Davidson dealer convension is like that. I got in once by wearing a *cycling* polo shirt that just happened to look like a *motorcycle* dealer shirt. I simply walked through the gate in a purposeful "I belong here" way.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on January 23, 2006 at 5:34 PM

Barry, thanks for writing this. I'm not at all familiar with this kind of music show. I especially like your remarks on the pink guitars, rosin, and the way people respond when you tell them that you play the violin. I've had some interesting responses to the latter, too.

From Barry Berman
Posted on January 23, 2006 at 10:17 PM

Yeah, it's a dealer show. I have gone a couple times due to some connections I've made in the music industry. The luthier says I'm his employee and I get a pass;)

I didn't see any of the performances. I was mainly there to see the violin stuff. There were performances all over the place, but I was on a mission. BTW, my pickup is now mailed off. I'm told it might take 6 weeks to get fixed, ack.

From ES The Paranoid
Posted on January 24, 2006 at 9:49 PM

Get to see Dave Mustaine?

From Barry Berman
Posted on January 25, 2006 at 3:47 PM

LOL, I used to help publicize Dave Mustaine and Megadeath when I was in college. I had a summer job at Capitol Records. Nope, I didn't see him there, but I saw a lot of people that wanted to be him, dressed like him, had his haircut, etc.

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