As always, NAMM 2012 was jam packed with new gear, huge promotion, and of course, major celebrities. GI’s own Rob Cavuoto was on the scene at this year’s conference to check out the big names that were on hand to promote their new gear, demonstrate products and meet the fans.
It seems that every Winter NAMM tops the last one we covered and NAMM 2012 is no exception! We saw more gear, more celebrities, more shows and more parties than years past. This can only give us the impression that the economy is improving and their optimism in the music industry. As international markets open up and new builders and inventors of innovative gear show up, it becomes that more evident early in the year at NAMM. The folks at NAMM did a tremendous job putting on the greatest music industry show on earth! Here are a few more aisle roaming shots by our photographer, Robert Cavuoto.
This year’s Winter NAMM was a huge whirlwind of action, new gear, celebrity sitings and we were shooting whatever grabbed our attention as we struggled though the crowd. You might expect NAMM to be a stately set of exhibits of music instrument companies and their reps glibly showing off their latest stuff. But, that’s only part of the story this year. There were parties; concerts; and an enormous crowd of gear gawkers in the aisles that we had to wade through and squeeze through to get shots. Here’s a group of photos we took on the run to give you a feel for the mix of eye candy at NAMM 2012!
What better way to kick off 2012 NAMM than with a Rock & Roll Roast of Zakk Wylde? The inaugural event took place at the City National Grove of Anaheim on January 19th and was presented by Epiphone Guitars and sponsored by Monster Energy Drink, EMG Pickups, Revolver Magazine, Marshall Amplification, Dunlop, Eagle Rock, Marshall Headphones, E1 and Samson; a portion of all proceeds will go to the MusiCares charity.
Exhibit A Gallery founder / artist Richard Villa III and legendary skateboarder Tony Alva have put on the ultimate tribute to Metallica with the Obey Your Master art exhibit. Obey Your Master features a collection of artists from the worlds of Art, Fashion, Film, Music and Skateboarding paying tribute to Metallica.
Agile Partners has joined forces with Peavey Electronics to bring you AmpKit, the ultimate amps, effects and recording app for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, and AmpKit LiNK, a high fidelity electric guitar interface.
Tom Wheeler’s been coming to NAMM since the early 1970s, he’s been the editor of the best known guitar magazine in the world, has written a series of outstanding books about guitars, including his most recent, The Dream Factory: Fender Custom Shop, and has built a professional reputation as a highly respected and bonafide guitar historian.
Washburn Guitars have been around since the late 1800s, as a Divison on the early guitar makers, Lyon and Healy, in Chicago, Illinois.
Originally Charvel Guitars were produced by Wayne Charvel during the 1970s, but the company would be sold and the brand would continue with a series of highly regarded guitars.
From its early guitars from the 1930s to the current line-up of electrics today, Gibson Guitars has been innovative and a formidable competitor in the music industry.
