This handsome guitar is the Taylor 814ce DLX, one of the three models in their new 800 Deluxe line. Custom thickness and bracing (note the diagonal braced back) is used on the Spruce top and Rosewood back and sides in this series. The 800 Deluxe guitars also have a round radius armrest on the bass side of the lower bout. Also new from Taylor is the more affordable Academy Series.
Supro came on strong with three lines of vintage-style guitars. This Westbury model is one of the Island series that features “Clear Tone” gold foil pickups. The body, while looking like the original Reso Glass instrument, is constructed of wood with a Reso Glass top. The hybrid allow for a more rigid, stable body, but retains the characteristic tone of the originals.
The Supro re-issue White Holiday model is from their Americana series. In addition to the single Vistatone pickup, the White Holiday as has an acoustic piezo pickup mounted in the bridge, which can be used separately or blended with the magnetic pickup. The body is a hybrid of wood and Reso Glass, offering more stability than the originals while retaining the identifiable Supro tone.
Riversong Guitars developed a new kind of pickup (shown here installed on a JN guitar) that is designed to provide both a natural acoustic tone and guitar body resonance for those that use the body as percussion (think Tommy Emmanuel).
Gibson Memphis continues to drawl off the wealth of the company’s heritage by reissuing some iconic guitars from specific eras. The model name of this guitar, 1964 ES-345 Frost Blue VOS NH1, pretty much says it all. It is equipped with MHS humbucking pickups along with the instrument’s classic Varitone circuitry.
Some of the more progressive builders from around the world took part of the Boutique Guitar Showcase. Here is a piece of functional art from TAO Guitars from Brussels, Belgium.
Gretsch Guitars expanded their line with the Broadkaster (pictured here) and the single cutaway, smaller-bodied Broadkaster Jr. The Broadkaster series are semi-hollow guitars with a chambered spruce centerblock running the length of the body allowing for higher gain without feedback.
ElectroPhonic Innovations displayed a colorful array of their Model One guitars with built-in amp and speakers. The idea of an self-amplified guitar is not a new one, but the Model One put an emphasis on tone more like a conventional guitar/amp rig. The high gloss body may look like plastic, but a company rep assured NAMM attendees it was made of wood.
For some of us, it might be hard to believe that George Benson’s affiliation with Ibanez Guitars has reached its fourth anniversary…yet, here we are. To commemorate the event, Ibanez released the limited edition GB40TH (shown here) and the GB40THII.
Gold Tone Music Group has an entire line of folk and bluegrass instruments for the guitarist that is looking for the element of different tonality without the new instrument learning curve. The F-12 Mandolin is actually an octave 12-string guitar.
Zamaitis Guitars motto is “Art with Strings” and this pearl-top C24PF LR PH certainly has an artistic appearance…it’s even framed. Other Zamaitis models feature beautifully etched metal tops, and the company produces an equally visually intriguing line of acoustic guitars as well.
A couple years back Guild Guitars was purchased by Cordoba Guitars and they appear to be very dedicated to the line. In addition to adding new models on a consistent basis, they now have a line of acoustics made in the U.S.A. Here is a beautiful, loud and proud, made in America D-55(e) with LR Baggs electronics.
This decal model Recording King Dirty 30’s Series 7 captures the vibe of the pre-war guitars that were available for purchase through mail order catalogs of the day. Aside from the predominate golden decal on the face of the guitar, there’s some cool checkerboard binding, too.
Music Man has several bold designs in their collection, and the new St. Vincent series adds another one to it. The distinctive hourglass shaped body is made of African Mahogany and the three mini humbuckers are wired with a 5-way switch.
Martin guitar uses NAMM to showcase some of their more ornate investment grade instruments in addition to their new models, limited edition guitars, and popular mainstays of the Martin line. Here is an exquisite custom guitar.
This handsome guitar is the Taylor 814ce DLX, one of the three models in their new 800 Deluxe line. Custom thickness and bracing (note the diagonal braced back) is used on the Spruce top and Rosewood back and sides in this series. The 800 Deluxe guitars also have a round radius armrest on the bass side of the lower bout. Also new from Taylor is the more affordable Academy Series.
Suhr Guitars made a big splash at NAMM showing off a wall of amplifiers and another wall of Suhr Custom guitars.
Cole Clark out of Melbourne, Australia has some interesting designs and works with interesting timbers (that’s Australian for wood, mate). This 2 Series Little Lady (CCLL2E-RDBL) has a Redwood top and back and sides made out of Blackwood.
Like many of the manufacturers at NAMM, Warrior Instruments displayed a custom showpiece along with their line of standard guitars and basses. The torn/vine inlay on the fingerboard of this guitar is complemented by the relief carving on the body.
Here is a Hofner Gold Label Club Bass that almost glows in its natural finish among a couple of “Beatle” basses. In the early days of the Beatles, John Lennon played a Hofner Club model guitar.
While the Fender name is nearly synonymous with solid body electric guitars, the company dabbled in constructing hollowbodies from time to time. To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Fender Custom Shop Fender displayed this Custom Archtop built by Steven Stern. Stern is renown for his work at the Gretsch Custom Shop.
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