ONCE AGAIN, THE NAMM show took place at a strange time — in mid April as a sort of winter/ summer combo — and the buzz in the lead-up was (also once again) about the major players that weren’t coming, including Fender, Gibson and PRS. But once we were on the Anaheim Convention Center floor, the story turned from who wasn’t there to who was. And, as it happened, the gear surfing was actually quite awesome.
Acoustic currents came from many directions, including the east (via Martin, Fishman and Ovation), the west (Taylor, L.R. Baggs, Universal Audio, Bedell, Breedlove and Santa Cruz), the north (Godin and Seagull), from across the Pacific (Lava Music, Donner, Ibanez, Takamine, Yamaha and Australia’s Cole Clark) and the Atlantic (Lâg, Lowden). All in all, it sure felt like the acoustic world was well represented.
There were a few obvious undercurrents. Hybrid designs and acoustic electronics continue to be the most exciting developments in the entire guitar sphere. Environmental awareness is growing. As wood supplies dwindle, manufacturers are doing everything they can, from spearheading sustainability initiatives to becoming ever more creative with what’s available. The third theme is money, or the lack thereof in the wake of the pandemic. Every effort is being made to bring affordability along with innovation. For many brands, that sensibility co-existed with a “go big or go home” attitude, as lots of luxury was on offer as well. No complaints here. It’s always enticing to browse the dream machines on display in Disneyland.
ACOUSTIC GUITARS
Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av Guitar Player.
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Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av Guitar Player.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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TRANSCENDENTAL MAN
Luther Dickinson interpreted a priceless work of art in music. In the process, the blues guitarist wrote his own next chapter.
THE BEAT GOES ON
Together with Tony Levin, Adrian Belew and Steve Vai join forces for a Robert Fripp-endorsed revival of King Crimson's groundbreaking 1980s music.
I'M 100 PERCENT HAPPY WITH THE WORK I'VE DONE WITH PINK FLOYD. BUT...'MY FOCUS IS DIFFERENT RIGHT NOW'
Leading a rock group and being a solo artist were \"not what I asked for,\" David Gilmour says. For Luck and Strange, he assembled a team that shared the weight of his creative efforts. The result? \"The best album I've made since The Dark Side of the Moon.\"
DOUG GILLARD IS INDISPENSABLE
His six-string genius has proved vital to the music of Guided by Voices, Nada Surf and other indie-rock favorites. But all he really wants is to make good music.
Sol Salvation
The genius of Sol Hoopii is preserved in 16 timeless cuts on Master of the Hawaiian Guitar.
Pickup Artist
With its Wide Range humbuckers, the 1970s Fender Telecaster Thinline scores better than most of its contemporaries.
MY CAREER IN FIVE SONGS
Joe Walsh's Jazzmaster, Billy Cobham's bass line... As Bush head out on tour, Gavin Rossdale reveals the history behind a handful of their best tunes
TIPSHEET
We asked Brian Ray for his advice on playing Beatles tunes. After all, he learned from the best.
MAN AT WORK
A juke joint just wasn't in the cards. So Cedric Burnside turned the old building into a studio for his hardcore blues workout, Hill Country Love.
MADE IN THE SHADE
The Gibson Custom Shop created just 59 examples of the Jason Isbell \"Red Eye\" 1959 Les Paul Standard. We got our hands on one of them.
