Barry Wood's NAMM Oddities 2009 Edition

 Packrat Barry

Instruments

Silence of the Lambskin

This could be the single greatest invention for the parents of aspiring pipers. The piper can don a pair of headphones and use the built-in sounds or run the MIDI ouput to the sound module of their choice.

I'll bet Martyn Bennett would have done something wonderful using the MIDI output.

  • Scott's Highland Services Ltd.
  • 143 Stronach Crescent
  • London, Ontario N5V 3G5 Canada
  • (519) 453-0892
  • www.scottshighland.com

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Silence of the Lambskin

Monster Shredder

At the SnapJack booth, I caught Monster of the band, Jugular, with his custom skateboard bass by Mammoth Guitars. If he intends on riding this in concert the SnapJack connector will come in handy.

I see he's drinking a Rockstar, maybe he avoids Monster drinks for fear of creating a rift in the space/time continuum.

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Monster Shredder

Triple Threat

This triple wood flute has one drone, a six-hole flute, and a three-hole flute. The player can play one, two or three of the flutes at a time depending on their mouth position.

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Triple Threat

The Cadillac of Hooters

When only the best will do, reach for the Hammond 44 Melodion. It's got 44 full-sized keys, a built-in dynamic microphone, and comes with a gig bag… 'cause you know you'll be an in-demand session player if you own one of these babies.

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The Cadillac of Hooters

Hoffnerzilla

Stap this on and you can pretend you're an 8-year-old Paul McCartney picking up a Hofner for the first time.

Glen Burtow designed this 60" scale-length "Subsonic bass." While it might not reach subsonic frequencies, it does produce a lovely flatulent tone.

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Hoffnerzilla

2-4 Servings a Day

Did you know that Watermelon is an important part of the Ukulele food pryamid?

Then again, maybe it's the fruity tropical drink pyramid, in which case all it's missing is a tiny umbrella on the headstock.

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2-4 Servings a Day

Somewhat Less Fruity

So maybe watermelons aren't your style. Here's something a little more stylish for the ukulele connoisseur.

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Somewhat Less Fruity

Slapstick Bass

Before you go on stage, you could use this dual-purpose lumber to knock the bisquit around the barn or [insert your favorite hockey slang here.].

This was made for Roman Glick of Jackyl, who intends to deliver a few surprises to fans at concerts.

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Slapstick Bass

The Latest in Ancient Instrument Technology

Todd Johnson was kind enough to demo some of the carbon fiber/aluminum didgeridoos. They've got fixed didges' as well as a couple of different slide models, just in case you need more than one note.

  • Pipe Makers Union, LLC
  • 419 NW 18th Street
  • Corvalis, OR 97330
  • (541) 829-3016
  • www.carbony.com

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The Latest in Ancient Instrument Technology

A Globular Cluster

Ritter is using an interesting form factor for their basses that wouldn't be out of place in Prince's band. Here we've got gold speckled 5-string fretless and a 6-string fretted bass with blue LEDs.

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A Globular Cluster

B-Flat Slide Trumpet

Getzen was displaying some of the instruments they made in years' past. This gem was their B-flat slide trumpet that originally sold for $19.99 and was played by both Dizzy Gillespie and Louie Armstrong.

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B-Flat Slide Trumpet

Tasty Apricot 8

This 8-string behemoth weighs in at a svelte 10 lbs., due largely to the fact that it's hollow. I'd never heard of an instrument being made out of apricot wood so I did a little googling. I found out that apricot wood is unique among fruitwoods in that it does not split when it dries. I also found out that apricot chips make for tasty BBQ.

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Tasty Apricot 8

Big Mouth

It wouldn't be a NAMM show without some gigantic version of a product on display. This year's entry is a humungous harmonica.

  • Hohner, Inc.
  • 1000 Technology Park Drive
  • Glen Allen, Virginia 23059-4500
  • (800) 446-6010
  • www.hohnerusa.com

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Big Mouth
Next Up: Techno Geek Toys

©2009 Barry Wood