Disappointed in NAMM

[Element Zero]

NAMM is like going to Disney World or Las Vegas or New Orleans: Everyone needs to go at least once.

After that? The Summer Show has been here in Nashville several times over the last few years. They have a 'Civilian Day' on Sunday where you just pay admission and go see, and I've never got all hot and bothered to go.

I’ll be in Nashville next weekend all the way from California. Anything I gotta check out before the show I’m seein at the grand ole opry?

 

[TonyP-]

I didn’t read the whole thread and I don’t won’t to come off like a jerk.

Hear what NAMM owes you the consumer.
Absolutely nothing
Like zip
Goose Egg

The companies are looking to do business with retail corporate buyers and work with the appropriate media companies.

If it bums you out as and you have no stake in the game…Ahhh Sorry

 

[Element Zero]

I didn’t read the whole thread and I don’t won’t to come off like a jerk.

Hear what NAMM owes you the consumer.
Absolutely nothing
Like zip
Goose Egg

The companies are looking to do business with retail corporate buyers and work with the appropriate media companies.

If it bums you out as and you have no stake in the game…Ahhh Sorry

 

[blizzard]

That's smart, as long as they don't increase the prices without increasing quality as a "Fender tax". IMO the Indonesian factory has been outperforming the Mexico one for quite a while in terms of value.

That looks like exactly what they have done. Phil McKnight pulled apart a tele and Strat and they seem to be closer to Affinity instruments than Classic Vibes. 4 piece Poplar bodies, Indian Laurel fretboards, ceramic pickups and at a premium price. Seems like the Fender logo adds $200-$300 to the price.

 

[57pbass]

I didn’t read the whole thread and I don’t won’t to come off like a jerk.

Hear what NAMM owes you the consumer.
Absolutely nothing
Like zip
Goose Egg

The companies are looking to do business with retail corporate buyers and work with the appropriate media companies.

If it bums you out as and you have no stake in the game…Ahhh Sorry

You are correct in saying that NAMM owes us nothing since they’re the host.

Without us .. those companies that attend this event are not in business.

 

[Not_Shane]

Warwick has new amps and cabs they showed off

 

[Michedelic]

So, NAMM hasn't yielded much in the way of new amplification. Highlights seem to be Aguilar limited edition white amps( big deal), and maybe a bit more significant, GK led sleds. But, you'll have to haul 25 lbs in order to get 400watts @4 ohms. I don't know. I was hoping for more. Maybe there's a surprise or two lurking post NAMM from some companies. Still waiting for more combo amp entries now that weigh issues have been conquered.
P. S. There is a new amp from Seymour Duncan. Good to see a new contender.

Why are amps the indicator of anything? With all the posts I see about IEM’s and all the whining about having to lift anything over 6 pounds(let alone 26), I’m surprised that companies are even bothering.
There was all sorts of other stuff. I hadn’t been in seven years, it’s been scaled back somewhat, with many vendors missing from before. But I can understand how the internet, the growing disinclination to actually play musical instruments, and then the setback of covid had impacted things,
There were a number of effects pedal companies absent who I wanted to check out. I have a friend who works for WFL III drums, and he said they weren’t going to be there.

 

[agedhorse]

I’ll be in Nashville next weekend all the way from California. Anything I gotta check out before the show I’m seein at the grand ole opry?

Gibson Garage and see if you can get a factory tour. I don’t know if they are happening this time of year.

 

[pepj]

New product announcements every so often is more fun than one big batch of product announcements followed by 51 weeks of nothing.

Plus it dilutes the release...bacause you are competing for impact with so many others..imo.

 

[wintremute]

It’s also nearly impossible to hear or appreciate an amp or cab at NAMM.

Maybe it depends on your goal. I'm usually looking at amps for playing live. If it can cut through a loud crowd, then that's a positive check on the list.

 

[Gizmot]

I’ll be in Nashville next weekend all the way from California. Anything I gotta check out before the show I’m seein at the grand ole opry?

I haven’t been there in years but an interesting place to visit is SoundCheck @ 750 Cowan St. They have big rehearsal spaces, lots of sound systems and audio toys plus some manufacturers have showrooms on the premises. There are always interesting people to talk to. It’s on the east side of the Cumberland River across from downtown so it’s easy to get to. A visit to Corner Music and Gruhn’s is always a fun time too

 

[Zooberwerx]

I get better intel via the new gear releases posted by the TB fan bases. Case(s)-in-point:

Gibson > re-releasing a Tobias line.

Sire > headless basses (!)

Seymour Duncan > new bass amp & matching enclosure.

I attend a medical conference or two t/o the year and the number of participating vendors / sponsors has dwindled to near-nothing. The shows are expensive, time-consuming, and the pen-swiping time wasters (me!!) usually have nothing to do with the purchasing or distribution processes.

Riis

 

[TonyP-]

You are correct in saying that NAMM owes us nothing since they’re the host.

Without us .. those companies that attend this event are not in business.

I’m not seer, but I’m going to take a guess.

That IF you choose to play an instrument in your life and IF you chose to stay to continue playing that instrument, IF you actually make money with said choose instrument(s).

That you going to purchase musical equipment and accessories weither NAMM exists or not.

If a company does does not make the exact instrument you like…Well I’m sure you are gong to own at least one instrument that someone purchased with $ that is not perfect but you will play it…and that goes for anything music gear related.

Sure we musicians keep them in business, does that even need to be said? I don’t see government grants coming in to them.

However NAMM and the companies that attend are doing what they think is best and don’t care about “wishlists” (unless the numbers are overwhelming).

 

[FullumMusic]

I was expecting some type of AI infused Bass head with built in SIRI type functionality..

I’ll use @agedhorse for example… “ Hey Andy..Make me Sound Like Jamerson”

Then your amp responds, "Jameson (/ˈdʒeɪməsən, ˈdʒɛməsən/) is a blended Irish whiskey produced by the Irish Distillers subsidiary of Pernod Ricard. Originally one of the six main Dublin whiskeys at the Jameson Distillery Bow St., Jameson is now distilled at the New Midleton Distillery in County Cork. It is by far the best-selling Irish whiskey in the world; in 2019, annual sales passed 8 million cases.[1] It has been sold internationally since the early 19th century, and is available to buy in over 130 countries."

Like when Google AI gave me this gem of a wrong answer:

 

[SJan3]

Just a matter of time before AI built into amps becomes a reality…if it’s not already being used.

Oh, I thought you meant, " make me PLAY like Jamerson".

 

[Parzival]

Then your amp responds, "Jameson (/ˈdʒeɪməsən, ˈdʒɛməsən/) is a blended Irish whiskey produced by the Irish Distillers subsidiary of Pernod Ricard. Originally one of the six main Dublin whiskeys at the Jameson Distillery Bow St., Jameson is now distilled at the New Midleton Distillery in County Cork. It is by far the best-selling Irish whiskey in the world; in 2019, annual sales passed 8 million cases.[1] It has been sold internationally since the early 19th century, and is available to buy in over 130 countries."

Like when Google AI gave me this gem of a wrong answer:
View attachment 7140508

Who knew? I been buying drinks at the gig and could have just gotten an onboard preamp with high alcohol content.


As far as AI goes or SIRI type stuff, no from me. I can see me talking to the bass,

Me: "Bassiri, I want a Geddy Lee kind of crunchy sound that is very touch sensitive with the drive and a tight punchy bottom end".

Bassiri: "You said I want spaghetti crunch rounds with much senses in with chives and a right crunchy stop and end".

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I’ll be in Nashville next weekend all the way from California. Anything I gotta check out before the show I’m seein at the grand ole opry?

Check and see who's on the calendar at the Station Inn. Station Inn

Once upon a time in the days of my ill-spent youth, the band I was working with got a gig playing at trade shows, the Summer NAMM Show in Nashville being one of the bigger ones. It was absolutely a sensory overload being in there.

 

[SJan3]

I didn’t read the whole thread and I don’t won’t to come off like a jerk.

Hear what NAMM owes you the consumer.
Absolutely nothing
Like zip
Goose Egg

The companies are looking to do business with retail corporate buyers and work with the appropriate media companies.

If it bums you out as and you have no stake in the game…Ahhh Sorry

Jeez, I never said NAMM owed me anything. Only that I, the end consumer, wasn't roused by the bass amp offerings for 2025. That said, some have pointed out some interesting gear by Seymour Duncan, GK and Trickfish. So, there's that.

 

[TonyP-]

Jeez, I never said NAMM owed me anything. Only that I, the end consumer, wasn't roused by the bass amp offerings for 2025. That said, some have pointed out some interesting gear by Seymour Duncan, GK and Trickfish. So, there's that.

That’s just it…You are absolutely entitled to be disappointed and feel like it all blah. Absolutely…

My response was a blanket statement to the subject in and off itself, because at the end of the day, it’s ok to be bummed….But it also doesn’t owe you anything either.

There are a lot of keyboard warriors that complain like it justifies them . I’m not saying you in particular, but they do.

I am on the inside and I know what these companies go through…

I come in peace

On a side note: That GK “led sled” took best in show. There was enough of a demand for years to be back something RB like and it sounds amazing. I plan on not having one in my tour rig, but 2 of them

 

[J Wilson]

I’ll be in Nashville next weekend all the way from California. Anything I gotta check out before the show I’m seein at the grand ole opry?

I'm a caregiver for my wife, so to quote the song, 'don't get around much any more'.

For stores, this is vintage heaven so I'd suggest Carter Vintage, Grunh's, and Rumble Seat, all within a few miles of each other on 8th Avenue. The Gibson Garage as well.

There's the terrific Musicians Hall of Fame.

Clubs, I couldn't tell you. AND steer clear of the Nashville Hot Chicken unless you want your GI tract pressure tested!