Barry Wood's NAMM Oddities 2012 Edition

Packrat Barry

Guitars

Your Guitar Appears To Have a Crack

It's probably a good thing that this guitar is "lightly breasted." Otherwise you wouldn't be able to use the neck pickup.

Meanwhile, just across Hall E, Dwarfcraft was showing a signal processing device that makes the perfect companion for this guitar.

kozm guitar

Classic Lines

If your taste in the female form runs a little more along the lines of Peter Paul Rubens, Minarik's 7th entry into the NAMM Oddities might appeal to you.

Minarik guitar

I Am Death

Well that's cast rather a gloom over the evening hasn't it? This is a frightening guitar, even if you didn't have any of the salmon mousse.

ESP death guitar

Play Guitar on TV

If you're not famous enough to play guitar on TV, then just play on a TV guitar.

The 2010 Oddity of the Year recipient Visionary Instruments was showing their new TV guitar complete with working channel selector, which, if I'm not mistaken, goes to 11.

Re: Your Brains

I know zombies are a bit over done these days, but hell, what's not to like about them? I mean, they're not unreasonable.

ESP zombie guitar

Order Up!

These just have the look of the metal shelf that the cooks put your plates on before the waitress brings them out to the table.

They just need heat lamps to complete the diner experience.

HeliArc guitars

Found Art

Building his guitars from irregular chunks of wood, Rick Toone's guitars are each unique works of art.

Seven strings, fanned frets, and the Toone & Townsend hardware all contribute to the appeal as well.

Rick Toone guitar

Like Fine China, Except from Japan

The "RRC-12 Dragon" guitar looks like it should be kept in your grandmother's china cabinet. It's definitely got that Flow Blue look.

Freedom Custom Guitar Research

More Dragon Explorations

I suppose the fact that 2012 is the Year of the Dragon helps explain this recurring motif. GMP did a good job of being bold without crossing over into gaudy.

GMP guitar

Mixed (Up) Metaphors

After two beautiful examples of guitars-as-canvas, here is something of an artistic train wreck that combines a classic monster movie with the back of a bored high school student's notebook.

Collings guitar

Through Thick and Thin

O'Donnell had a pair of unique metal guitars at NAMM this year.

The top one has just the slightest suggestion of a guitar shape. They must use all the leftover material from the first guitar to make the extra-hefty hunk of religious symbolism below.

O'Donnell Custom Guitars

It's Like an Oreo

…except that instead of cream filling between two chocolate cookies, it's acrylic between two aluminum plates.

Fano guitar

Saddle Up Pardner

I could see John Wayne or Jeff Bridges (depending on your particular taste in "Grit") packing one of these guitars while on the trail tracking down miscreants.

Paoletti guitars

Git Along Little Dogie

To continue on with the Western theme, We head South of the border for this Bajo Sexto with a decidedly cow-like visage.

Paracho Bajo Sexto

Covert Chops

Not only is it compact, it's easy to sneak through enemy lines.

Traveler guitar

Nerdvana

Smells like cross marketing. Marvel is making the most of the current comic book-as-blockbuster trend by partnering with Peavey on this set of superhero-themed guitars.

Peavey superhero-themed guitars

Art'chtop

Godin had a couple of their 5th Avenue archtops painted up by Joseph Arthur. The graphic style reminded me of the album cover artwork on Gary Myrick's "Lagnuage."

Godin guitars
Next Up: Other Goodies

©2012 Barry Wood