I saw just about all the Pelican folks at NAMM, ran into Nostatic and Slodave just by chance among 90k or so people. Hung with Jared for a bit on Thurs. too. Wish I could have spent more time there, but was staying with a buddy in Irvine and didn't want to leave him hanging. Wolfe gave me a pickup I am dying to install in my VH tribute guitar once it's up and running in about a month. I also went to the guitar show at the Orange Co. Fairgrounds yesterday and saw a lot of overpriced guitars and amps.

Some of the celebs I ran across at NAMM included:

Nicko McBrain
Alan White
Matt Sorum
Billy Sheehan
Rikki Rockett
George Lynch
Seymour Duncan
Ernie Ball
Albert Lee
Ritchie Kotzen
Alex Skolick
Rudy Sarzo
Eric Johnson

And plenty more I'm forgetting or didn't recognize. No EVH sighting, which I think is pretty lame, considering how expensive his brand is and how unknown all its other endorsers are. I wouldn't spend that kind of money on his stuff without a personal recommendation from Eddie himself.

Anyway, it was a great show, as always. I was sorely disappointed by the Drum Workshop and Ampeg exhibits. I was almost embarrassed for them, they were so lame considering how big and popular they are.

Seriously, it was not a big deal Todd & I was glad to help. And it was fun to meet Calvin. We finished just before 11 pm. Very tired & I will be very glad to head home tomorrow. 14+ days on the road, 2 shows, 3 cities, numerous restaurants, quarts of wine & liquor . . . is quite enough. I am officially burnt out.

Ian

The load out. If you have never knocked down a trade show, this is what the show floor looks like 4 hours after closing time . . .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1327418259.jpg

It was great to meet & talk with everybody. I will see you next year. NAMM starts on Jan 24. 2013.

Ian

I was impressed just going out to that smoking courtyard in the back and seeing the countless trucks, tents and tarps back there. It dwarfed a large concert's loading area.

It was a big show & I am sure that the logistics are a nightmare. When it is really humming, there are forklifts, mobile cranes, road cases, cartons, crates, union workers literally everywhere - filling every aisle. Our large crate arrived back to us about 5 1/2 hours after the close - a fair delivery time. They had to tarp everything because of the rain on Saturday.

Here is a night shot of the back staging area. A blurry phone pic . . .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1327419377.jpg

And our favorite quote from our Korean neighbors . . .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1327419619.jpg

Ian

Will there be a summer NAMM show in Nashville this year?

Been doing shows for 20 years.

My standard booth for e3 at the LACC was 12,000 sq ft and 2 stories.

I always found it fascinating that it took a week to build but only a day to come down.

Tip, rent a small meeting room off the floor to store the equipment crates that you need first. That way you can break down and pack some of your stuff while waiting for the shipping crates.

Day one find your dock foreman and give him six pack or two of beer every day during setup and your stuff will show up faster for breakdown.

Yes.

Summer NAMM 2012 | NAMM.org

Thanks! I'll contact NAMM and see if they want me to speak at the show.

I have always been jealous of the 2 story booths. ;)

We always manage to squirrel away some boxes but the wooden crates have to go to storage.

Ian

Dave, if I can get badges, you're always welcome to come. Had a great time! Get together with Phil X and turn him into a convert! :D
Well, we're home from NAMM. After arriving last Sunday after a 1100+ mile drive, we did Disneyland twice, then Universal Studios on Mon, Tues, and Wed. Then.. NAMM on Thurs, Fri, and Sat... and the return drive home on Sunday after hitting the Thorn Guitars jam before getting on the road.

Holy crap, we're burnt. :eek:

Rick, let me know how that pickups works in that Vh axe.
Ian, it was good to meet you there. Love my Focal speakers in the 911.
Wish I had met the rest of the people there.

It was funny, meeting Robert Mason of Warrant. The guy seemed like he was about to flip out about how much he loved them. Great timing, Dave! I'll be getting hold of him soon, I'm sure.

Still got a few days of recovery ahead of me. I did a six hour stretch of answering email earlier today, despite answering a bunch while there... sheeesh...

Hey Rick . . . here she is from the front. Fab is doing his UA shilling & Liza sings live as part of his demo.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FQXTaMjdeBY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

She sings :43, 8;13 & 10:21 . . . not a bad voice.

Ian