Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm currious as to whether anyone here is a NAMM member. I've just started to look into this and wonder, is it beneficial for a solo-builder to become a member?

Thoughts/opinions?

Thanks in advance!

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Michael Anthony

"Life's short. Play guitar!"

I wondered the same thing over the past few years.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

I was a past namm member.IMHO it/s good for folks who own a retail store to hobnob with others in the field , I ran a gtr/vln shop in LA.

Seems more geared to big boys and big box stores where orders come in the dozens/hundreds....

That was my impression as well. I really don't see a lot of benefit for 'small' volume producers, but I figured I'd poll the masses. I think it'd be fun to go to a NAMM show though!!

Thanks for the reply!

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Michael Anthony

"Life's short. Play guitar!"

It's fun.
When I doing service for a store in the 80's I went twice a year sometimes (the summer one sucked). Got to hang with Erlewine and meet other luthier folks and all that.
There are great concerts every night - and legendary jam sessions if you stay up long enough.
Did a little business, heard some great players, walked until my legs fell off.
Wrote an article for String Instrument Craftsman about "why you should go to the show" way back in the day.

Go.... once. So you can say you've been.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Sounds like fun Chris. So how does a regular-guy-guitar-builder get invited to attentd?

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Michael Anthony

"Life's short. Play guitar!"

Doing sexual favors for anyone in the biz is a start...... IGNORE THAT!

Do you know anyone with a store who might be going?
Or someone who is a vendor who can get you credentials?
Tell them you'll be no trouble - just a fly on the wall.
Once you are there - be nice, and blend in.

By the way - don't let ANYONE tell you no one but industry types can get in.
The place is OVERRUN by music store customers and fanboys who spent enough in the store to be brought along.
They are easily spotted - they are usually drunk before noon, and asking idiotic questions of Gibson and Fender reps, or trying to pick up the pretty ladies handing out literature at the booths, or pestering the hordes of rock stars for autographs and pictures.
Don't be THAT GUY.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

What Chris said!

I went a few years back to the summer show in Nashville.
I didn't see to many solo builders, maybe none. But everyone else and their brother were there.
It was fun.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

There is a group of small builders who bond together and then usually have an open house night at a local hotel where people can actually hear the guitars being played.

The link below is to the builders who do this.
It is a bunch of great guys that I enjoyed meeting in the past.
I look forward to seeing what they have again this year.


http://www.luthiersconsortium.com/

If you aren't already, I'd suggest membership in ASIA (Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans) and GAL (Guild of American Luthiers) first. NAMM is more for big music retailers, etc. ASIA and GAL are fantastic for sharing of exactly the kind of info we share here.

I went to summer NAMM 2011 in Nashville. I tagged along with a professional luthier friend who got a few passes from a friend who had a booth. In my experience it was mostly the big boys with a few "inventive" types with a grandiose new idea to push (i.e. Crystal Frets, fancy expensive performing chairs, Get a Grip guitar stands, etc.)...and cheap Asian imports with one inch thick plastic finishes, and ukuleles....lots and lots of ukuleles. I still have nightmares about all the ukuleles. It was fun though. Got to meet Mr. Martin and Mr. Hoover and afterwards we went up to the second floor of Gruhn's where they keep all the good stuff. Anyways, a trip to a NAMM convention is fun if you get a free pass but probably not worth it for the small guys.

I bought a ToneRite several weeks ago and ToneRite sent me an invitation. I can't go, but sure would love to go one time

Thanks Corky! Already a member of GAL. Love the quarterly American Lutherie when it comes in the mail!!

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Michael Anthony

"Life's short. Play guitar!"