NAMM. Wow. What a fun trip! It was really great to share a spot with my dear friend Perry Ormsby and get our guitars into the hands of as many players as we could over a 4 day stretch. It was a fantastic experience attending as an exhibitor, and I look forward to making it out there again for 2017.

The trip started with a stop to visit Grover Jackson; I shipped my guitars to his shop so Perry, Mrs. Ormsby, and I met there before heading over to the Anaheim Convention Center (where NAMM is hosted). It was an absolute thrill to show my guitars to someone who has had such a huge impact on me as a guitar builder. Little did I know that this would become a bit of a common thread throughout the show. It was great to get Mister J's thoughts about my guitars, to say the least.

We got the booth setup and ready to go, and we had non stop visitors, players, friends, and distributors all 4 days of the show. Premier Guitar came by the booth on day 2 to interview Perry and I, and I was stoked to learn that they featured the '71 in their highlights of day 2 coverage! It was just great meeting new people and seeing friends and fellow builders again.

Me, Grover Jackson, and '71 Trella #1

Grover and Perry

Perry and I at the booth

Arrived at the booth.

Booth setup

Mrs. Ormsby put the guitar stands together

Done! we're ready!

'71s at the booth

Stefan, me, and Shawn from Premier Guitar

Justin and the '71 Trella

Palo and a Hype GTR

Michael and Palo in a jam session; great players!

Youtuber Jared Dines and a '71 Limited. Super nice guy!

Kevin and the '71 Trella

Art and a '71 Limited

With Brad Gillis. Super nice guy!

Perry and Brad Gillis.

Perry and I with Jackson master builder Mike Shannon.

Perry and I with Brett from Premier Guitar

Perry chatting with Keith Merrow, Ola Englund, and Plini.

Was great to meet Gretchen Menn; she was on a great episode of the Amps and Axes Podcast. Super talented, and incredibly nice. We geeked out over our mutual appreciation of Randy Rhoads.

Photo by Chris Lazzaro

Michael and the '71 Trella #1 - Photo by Chris Lazzaro

Greg Marra and a '71 Limited - Photo by Chris Lazzaro

Mark and a '71 Limited - Photo by Chris Lazzaro

Cleaning up and getting ready for the day - Photo by Chris Lazzaro

Cleaning up and getting ready for the day. - Photo by Chris Lazzaro

Rudy and I - Photo by Chris Lazzaro

Getting a demo of a fretboard cleaner - Photo by Chris Lazzaro

'71s ready to go! - Photo by Chris Lazzaro

Fretboard cleaner demo - Photo by Chris Lazzaro

- Photo by Chris Lazzaro

Ryan from 60 Cycle Hum Podcast and Kevin Equitz.

Randy Rhoads Remembered at M3 Live. Moments later, we'd sneak down into the photo pit.

...in the photo pit at the Randy Rhoads Remembered show. Too much fun!

Perry, me, and Sean Michael Clegg. Great player and huge Randy fan!

Perry and me with Jared Dines.

As expected, it was a blast. Perry and I made some great contacts, sold guitars, and had a great time. Of course, if you'd like to hear more about the whole NAMM thing, check out the most recent episode of The Luthierist Podcast! Paul Rhoney, Doug Kauer, and I chat about the whole thing.

If you were there and came by, thanks! NAMM 2016 was equal parts exciting, rewarding, and exhausting. Cannot wait to do it again!