Winter NAMM 2009; pictures from the floor

[Ted Eschliman]

Winter NAMM starts in the mild SoCal clime. News of 20 below wind chills make this a pretty welcome place to be, even though most of my days are indoors. My task is to bring pictures of cool mando gear; understand it's a tough place to actually audition the instruments. The ambient noise is as overwhelming and unsettling as some of the outfits the participants wear.
Starting in Hall E, with a bevy of Breedloves:

[Ted Eschliman]

Next, the Weber booth. Didn't have a chance to talk to Tony or Bruce, but it's on my list today:

[Ted Eschliman]

Collings; I couldn't get a picture of the Fs, there was always a crowd standing in front of them.

[Ted Eschliman]

Cool National Resonator:

[Mandobar]

ted, what happened with the oval holt MT? did it make it to the show?

[Ted Eschliman]

This is something I must check out closer later; Elleuke electric mandolins. Some of these have MP3 jacks you can plug your accompaniments in. Unfortunately, the instruments weren't set up very well the first morning of the show. Cool look, though.

[Ted Eschliman]

Caraya, an "import" company

[Ted Eschliman]

One Hofner (import) mandolin

[Ted Eschliman]

Gianinni Bandolims (only a couple)

[MikeEdgerton]

Look at the differences in the scrolls on those mandolins from the Caraya company. The one in the middle is awful, the one next to it not too bad.

[Ted Eschliman]

Shameless plug at Mel Bay…

[Ted Eschliman]

Dunlop picks under glass. Amazing how many styles they make.

[Ted Eschliman]

Michael Kelly wall.

[Ted Eschliman]

Sean Chase and the new Dawg Bacorn. Sweet little ax. I know what the 3rd mando in the Dawg collection is going to be, but I ain't telling.

[Ted Eschliman]

Couple of the Loar Models, and an entry level Savanah Army/Navy knock-off.

[Ted Eschliman]

Larrivee. Much improved cosmetics since the last one I saw a couple years ago.

[Ted Eschliman]

Wall of Kentucky.

[Ted Eschliman]

Good to see Jeff Cowherd at J Bovier. This is the 3rd African Zebrawood F I've seen. Most impressive.

[Ted Eschliman]

At the Gibson booth, the (relatively) new Victorian and a Sam Bush model.

[Ted Eschliman]

This was the first of a four day show. I'm out here on my store business, so I really don't have a lot of time to pick, nor is the environment conducive to close aural scrutiny. At least I can snap some pictures. Maybe more later...

[Larry S Sherman]

Cool National Resonator:

It looks like the early reports are correct, and National Resophonics has moved from the art deco style headstock decals to a badge emblem.

Larry

[sgarrity]

The Breedloves are looking good! I know it's out there a little but I really like the FF design.

[JEStanek]

Thanks a bunch, Ted. I've never been a fan of the Breedlove bursts. I prefer their natural finish but that pale brown one looks great. And let me be the first to seriously d r o o l over the Dawg Bacorn model. any skinny on MSRP? Very nice.

Jamie

[Ken Olmstead]

The Bacorn model is simply SWEET! Nice job by Eastman!

[TomTyrrell]

Does the price tag on that Savanah Army/Navy knock-off really say $199.99? Could be another answer to that age old "I need a beater" question...