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GALLERY: People of NAMM, Part 1

Whether giving blistering gear demos or autographs, these well-known artists drew crowds in Anaheim this year.

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Just a friendly jam at the Gretsch Guitars exhibit.

One of the draws for the industry crowd at Winter NAMM is the appearance of many notable musicians. Sometimes they’re there to look around at the gear but most are there to perform and demo the latest gear (the things with their name on it), meet people, and sign autographs. This year Steve Morse played for Ernie Ball, George Lynch played for ESP, Greg Koch played for Fishman, and Mickey Mouse brought the whole darn Disney Marching Band for the opening ceremony. People lined up to get selfies with Eric Johnson, John Petrucci, and Corey Feldman. Yes, people lined up to meet Corey Feldman, the guy from The Goonies and Stand by Me. He’s in a band. Who knew?

FINNEAS, known for his Grammy Award-winning collaborations with Billie Eilish, collaborates with Fender on his signature Acoustasonic.

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Pure nickel wound strings designed to capture classic tones. Available in popular gauges (9s and 10s), these strings are intended to offer rich, warm tones and longer string life.

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Big New York may have six strings, but he’s leading from the low end.

Bandleading on bass offers a unique challenge. Here’s how one player rises to the occasion.

Bassists are natural leaders, both rhythmically and harmonically, but filling the foundational function doesn’t always lend itself to becoming an actual bandleader or solo artist. For most of us, that’s just fine. We’re perfectly happy holding it down and creatively keeping things together. (Of course there are plenty of exceptions: Stanley Clarke, Les Claypool, Meshell Ndegeocello, Thundercat, and Victor Wooten, to name a few.)

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This Delgado 6-string tres reflects the instrument’s global history. It’s made with a Sitka spruce top, Mexican rosewood back and sides, a Macassar ebony bridge, African ebony fretboard, and African mahogany neck.

Our columnist traces the history of the 6-string Cuban tres—from Africa, to Cuba, to the top of American country music.

I love that I was taught by my father and grandfather to build a variety of string instruments. I have continued to do this—I have built so many different types, and I learn from each one. I am currently building a nanga, a rectangular, harp-like African instrument played by the Ganda people of Uganda.

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