Despite the absences of some past exhibitors, NAMM 2024 was awesome. The numbers show 62,000 attendees, 33% more than in 2023, but still far from the record 115000 attendees in 2020. The number of exhibitors also increased: 33% more than in 2023.
Recently, Gruene Guitars shipped Guitar International one of its newer dreadnaughts for review, a prototype D-18 model named a “Saratoga”. Upon arrival I let it acclimate to its new surroundings, after its flight from San Antonio, Texas, the headquarters of the guitar company.
JOI Guitars only produces a handful of instruments a year with some of the most unique, rare and unorthodox materials in the world. Each has a one-of-a-kind story to match. He’s crafted acoustic guitars using a legendary mahogany called “The Tree”, hempwood, and even wooden boards handpicked from Jimi Hendrix’s dismantled childhood home.
PRS Guitars is reopening for factory tours in January 2024 for the first time since 2019. The PRS factory tour starts in Rough Cut with raw wood blanks and goes through every step of the electric guitar build process in Maryland. The tour also covers PRS SE Series inspection and the PRS amplifier department.
The National GUITAR Museum announced that Tommy Emmanuel, one of the most revered guitarists to ever pick up the instrument, will receive its annual “Lifetime Achievement” Award for 2023. Emmanuel is the fourteenth recipient of the award.
“I think it was a great first night. It was heartwarming to see so many people from both the DMV and music communities come out to support our new venue. It was an outstanding first night with many more to come!” – Michael DeMarco
My name is Michael DeMarco, and I am the owner of Earp’s Ordinary in Fairfax, Virginia. Four years ago, I started the long process of developing a business plan to create a music venue, restaurant, and bar here in the City of Fairfax.I have a lifelong love of music and have leveraged that love, along with my skills from the corporate world, to create a space for local and touring musicians to showcase their talent as well as provide a welcoming environment for music lovers of all ages to enjoy live performances.
PRS Guitars has announced the “Dead Spec” Silver Sky Limited Edition. Designed for John Mayer’s prominent work on Dead & Company’s most recent tour, the PRS “Dead Spec” Silver Sky is a significantly modded PRS Silver Sky that pays homage to Jerry Garcia’s iconic “Alligator” guitar tones. Only 1,000 “Dead Spec” Silver Sky Limited Edition instruments will be sold worldwide.
Paul Reed Smith is an internationally-known guitar maker, musician and guitar player. Those facts are brilliantly evidenced on the debut album from his Eightlock band, Lions Roaring in Quicksand, which releases December 1st on Steele Records, distributed by Amplified Distribution. The first single, “Breathe,” will be released digitally on Friday, November 10th.
Today Gretsch is expanding the Professional Collection with two Limited Edition models. This collection sets the bar with modern, professional-grade features designed to power classic Gretsch tones and bold, dynamic sound. The Gretsch Limited Edition models elevate the brand’s most celebrated designs with striking finishes and upgraded features and appointments.
