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For the second time in my life I was able to attend one of the biggest, baddest music-industry conferences in the world: NAMM.
The first time I went was back in 2018, and you can read all about my NAMM 2018 trip in this blog post.
Because that was my first time attending a NAMM show–the fulfillment of a lifelong dream–and I wasn’t sure when or if I’d ever get to go again, I took a bazillion photos. I also did near-real-time updates… uploading a full day of photos every evening after I returned to my hotel room.
It nearly killed me.
Well, okay, I didn’t actually nearly die, but sifting through hundreds of photos every evening, editing them, and trying to get them all uploaded before bed proved to be a major challenge and actually had a negative impact on my enjoyment of NAMM.
So, this year I’ve done things a bit differently.
I’m writing this post a full 3 weeks after returning from Anaheim, and there will be fewer photos overall. This year I focused more on just taking it easy and enjoying myself–and not trying to take fifty-zillion photos every day and upload them in near-real-time.
So, let me shut up now and start showing you the highlights!
Photos Highlights From NAMM 2020
No trip to NAMM would be complete without the obligatory shot of the banner-adorned Anaheim Convention Center
Fortin Amps and Solar Guitars shared a booth this year
One of the new Ibanez Pia models
I’d just like to pause a second to talk about how freaking loud it can get on the showroom floor(s) at NAMM. This is why I always wear earplugs. This is just one snapshot from my decibel meter, but I got readings just over 100 db in some places:
A reading from my decibel meter on the NAMM showroom floor
One of my guitar heroes, Sarah Longfield, performing at the Fishman booth
Thomas McRocklin seems to be giving me the stink-eye here at the Abasi booth
A view (from the escalators) of just one tiny portion of the massive Anaheim Convention Center lobby
The heavy hitters, like Gibson, didn’t have booths at NAMM. Instead, they rented a whole wing of the convention center and occupied multiple rooms
The Charvel Guitars room, with one of my favorite guitar models of 2020 featured in the forefront: the Angel Vivaldi signature Nova (in satin black and satin sage green)
Here you can see just how crowded it gets at NAMM, which makes it really difficult to try out any gear
Nita Strauss at the D’Addario booth announcing her new Guitar First Aid kit
The ESP Custom Shop never fails to disappoint with some the most stunning guitars on the planet
One sample of the many ESP Custom Shop guitars
One of the Pluto series from Russian guitar maker: Padalka Guitars
A rather odd and interesting headstock design at the Boutique Guitar Showcase
Closeup of a couple Ormsby models
The Teuffel Birdfish guitar
Ergon guitars
That’s It, Until Next Year
Another NAMM show in the bag. I’m always sad to have to leave, but the year will fly by and before I know it I’ll (hopefully) be planning for NAMM in 2021. If I’m lucky enough to go again, you can count on me to post the highlights here on the blog.
great bro thanks for this information
Thanks, This is about the best report I’ve seen from NAMM. Great pictures nice short and to the point comments. Again thanks
You’re welcome dave!
I so much wanted a close-up shot of a Fender Strat. Maybe you have one but did not include it in this album. Regards.
I do have a lot more Fender photos. If you’d like to see them, I’d be happy to put them into a Dropbox folder for you. Just send me a message through my contact form here.
Why are there no Fender Guitars?
There is! I posted 2 pictures from the Masterbuilt walls, as well as 1 photo of a Fender pedals display. I do have more Fender photos than just what I’ve posted here. If you’d like, I can place them on a Dropbox folder for you. Just send me a message and let me know through my contact form here.
Or, if you’re on my email list, then you already have my direct email address and you can message me there too.
Thanks for taking the time to post. Great shots!
You’re welcome Marcus!