NAMM 2024 Day One

Pinch me. Seriously, NAMM is a bit overwhelming but it’s a unique situation where folks who are passionate about gear, folks who design gear, and all of the subsections of each comingle in a sonorous conglomeration of dissonance, distortion and discussions of everything in that regard.

The two days I was there went by in a blur. I met the folks from Huss & Dalton and played their acoustic guitars and had the privilege of playing a Statesboro, their single cut solid body electric which we will have available later this year at the shop.

I got to meet the man, the myth, the legend… Doug Kauer. Together we’ve designed several of the instruments in your hands and available today. It was killer to see the Kauer guitar contingent amongst the Boutique Builders area of the show. I also met the mighty fine Stephen McSwain of McSwain Guitars through a mutual friend who used to gig with me in Charleston, SC. There are so many awesome builders and we are honored to carry the likes of Kauer and Rock N Roll Relics.

Traversing the floor of the guitar area was an endeavor unto itself. The amp builders, guitar companies and accessories at the show offered new shapes, ways to implement new technology and styles to the public. TV Jones had some cool designs incorporating their pickups. We also met with LR Baggs to see about their acoustic offerings for our shop. Their Para DI and venue DI are some of the staples of live acoustic sound and we are eager to have them available at Rusty’s.

I also visited booths for Eastman, RBI Vintage, Danelectro, and Tagima. Each company had their newest models available for demo and inspection.

Day One concluded with meeting the guys at Stringjoy strings and Franklin Straps. Matthew and company at Stringjoy were so warm and welcoming. The folks at Franklin showed us new customization options for straps. Dinner was had at a busy restaurant abuzz with the attendees, vendors and buyers from the show. Day two held some great surprises, too.