A Look At NAMM 2012 - Part 2

While yesterday we looked at what's new in audio at the Winter NAMM 2012 show, today we'll look at lots of guitars and amps. Keep in mind that I'm not noting what may be the hottest things at the show, only the things that stood out to me. Let's get down to it.

A big trend at NAMM this year was small amps like this Orange Micro Terror. Not only were these amps low-wattage, but they were small as well. The problem with most of these kinds of amps is that they didn't have a case around them (although the Micro Terror at least has a metal cage around the tubes). Highly impractical for gigging, although that seems to be the hot thing, for this year.

 There were more amps than you could shake a stick at (see my video of how many guitars and amps there were back during the 2009 NAMM show for an idea), but I happened to like this particular design from Four Force. Sounded pretty good too.















Perhaps the most unique amplifier at the show was this Milbert GaGa (yes, that's the name). It weighs only 12 pounds, uses any type of tube that you care to put into it, and still puts out 90 watts. Supposed to be a new type of circuit design that can even power your pedals directly from the amp! Sounded pretty good, but I only listened for a minute. I'd like to find out more about it.

 Over to the guitars, when 7 strings just won't do, here's an 8 string for you.
















When your band is so bad that you can't pick up chicks, a least you can simulate having one close to you when you play.

Here's an interesting triple neck guitar. OK, I can see a 6 and a 12 string, but I can't see the need for the 2nd 6 string, unless maybe it had single coil pickups instead of humbuckers like the other. Uh, this one doesn't.

 When big just isn't big enough, how about a 6 foot guitar?

















These are all guitar and amp knobs. Every kind, shape, make, model, you name it. And there were 2 more cases just like this.

Here's a case with nothing but pairs of pickups, and it wasn't Seymour Duncan (hint: they're from that  country that makes everything cheaply).

Want to build your own guitar from scratch? I mean, really from scratch? Why not buy a brick of wood and route it yourself. There were actually a number of companies that sold guitar tone woods at the show, which I find incredibly cool.

And finally, when your playing just isn't enough, how about adding an iPad in the body?

If you think some of these were odd, tomorrow we'll look at yet another side of NAMM that most don't bother to look for.

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