Barry Wood's NAMM Oddities 2019 Edition
You Figure It Out
Duck Dodgers Contemporary
After reading the IronBunny website I was pleased to find that Mr. Bunny-san is from the 24th century, which means that he has to know the famous Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century.
- IronBunny
- www.ironbunny.jp
Rigged Rotini
The Cosmic Truss has a distinctly pasta-like appearance but is likely more structurally sound.
- German Light Products
- www.germanlightproducts.com
Gilliamesque
I don't know what this contraption has to do with twisted guitar necks but it was photo-worthy in any case.
I beleive I may have seen a hipster writing a screenplay on one of these at non-corporate-affiliated, fair-trade, locally-sourced coffee shop.
- Helix Neck System
- www.helixnecksystem.com
That's a Pipe of a Different Color
This triggered another Brazil connection– that is, if Archibald Tuttle was a woman and was a roadie instead of a freelance heating and cooling repairman.
- Bespeco Professional Srl
- www.bespeco.it
Chair in the Box
Posteriorial consistency while on the road is an oft-overlooked issue. Now you can take your newest favorite chair with you.
- Cozy Roadie
- www.cozyroadie.com
All the Comforts of Home
Why just bring a chair on tour when you can bring a bed, too? Your tour manager will love saving the money they would have spent on hotel rooms.
- Armando Custom Cases
- www.accases.com
Double Dip as the Singer and Bouncer
This brass knuckle mic accessory should do an admirable job of discouraging fans from rushing the stage.
- Metaldozer Machine Works, Inc.
- www.metaldozer.com
Foggy Bottom
Speaking of low-lying things in Washington.
And thus starts the coverage of vapor-related entries…
- MT-Electronic
- www.mt-electronic.com
Mister Mister
I think they missed a naming opportunity for their humidity control device. This may be one of the last companies in the world without a website.
- TAC Water & Misting Systems
- tacmisting@gmail.com
The Foibles of Fobbles
Both fog and bubbles exist in nature, but fog bubbles are an abomination.
- Froggy's Fog
- www.froggysfog.com
Yes, They've Been Asked That
My first question to the VocalMist folks had to do with the options for mist "flavoring" that may or may not be legal in your state.
- VocalMist
- www.myvocalmist.com
Push Ups for Your Lungs
In only fifteen minutes a day, you won't have to worry about getting sand kicked in your face by those other muscle-bound lungs at the beach.
After taking a hit from the VocalMist you can use this to measure your progress.
- Lung Trainers, LLC
- www.lungtrainers.com
Filling a Much-Needed Void
I'm not the type to seek out celebrity but when I saw that Derek Smalls was going to be performing on an 11-foot-tall bass amp, I had no choice but to go see him play.
- Ampeg
- www.ampeg.com
No Need To Be Mean
Some companies would do well to consult a native speaker in the country in which they are planning to do business.
- Big Fiag Enterprises Co., Ltd.
They Might Be Giants
NAMM had their own entries in the humongous instrument category scattered here and there at the show.
Ready For Action
Should an aging rock star fall victim to the march of time, there is a fast response team poised and ready for action. The team's vehicle is styled for the era in which said rock star likely was born, so as to keep them calm.
- Anaheim Fire & Rescue
- www.anaheim.net
That Doesn't Sound Very Hygienic
Then again, neither does Gorilla Snot nor Boogie Juice.
- Q3 Poly LLC.
- www.lizardspit.com
All Jacked Up and Nowhere to Go
With this guitar you shouldn't have any trouble connecting with your audience.
- Switchcraft, Inc.
- www.switchcraft.com
Overthink Much?
As I thought about the name Boytone, I considered the idea that they were implying that this turntable produced a full spectrum experience, from the lowest tones of a Barry White the the highest yelp of a Jon Anderson. I then listened to it and promptly discarded that theory.
- Boytone
- www.boytone.com
Photo Booth Redux
The classic photo booth gets a high tech refresh that includes one-way glass, a touch screen, and photo previews. I'm curious if the Photo Booth Girl would find these attractive?
- Portable Mirror Booth
- www.portablemirrorbooth.com
Grocery Store Flashback
I saw this and was immediately taken back the local Alpha Beta grocery store of my youth. When your TV was on the blink you could test out the tubes to figure out what needed replacing. It was a different technological age.
Faux Retro
A film composer I know named Brian Ralston showed me a recording from a recent film he scored that was a cassette shell with a USB drive inside.
- Discmakers
- www.discmakers.com
Rex 'N Roll
Epilog often has demo pieces that have absolutely nothing to do with musical instruments, and it doesn't bother me one bit.
- Epilog Laser
- www.epiloglaser.com
Dead and Loving It
I like how the picture of Victor Wooten in the next booth over seems to be keeping an eye on the Skull Strings mascot.
- Skull Strings
- www.skullstrings.com
Nationalism & Weather Phenomena
MXL has three models of their 990 mic: the Patriot, Blizzard, and Blaze. I don't know that I need a red, white and blue mic but I do kind of like the LEDS in the other two.
(I want to add something about the red, white, and blue mic being rust-proofed to withstand the flying spittle of frothing wingnut podcasters, but that's probably ill-advised.)
- MXL
- www.mxlmics.com
Peter Max Peak SPL 108dB
This is the winning entry in a contest that JBL put on. While this is reminiscent of the well-known pop art artist from the 60s, it was Elliott Baker of Los Angeles who created the winning design.
- Harman International Industries
- www.jbl.com
To Infinity and Beyond
The infinite mirror trick seemed to be in vogue this year. I saw at least three booths with displays using that effect.
- Spaceman Effects
- www.spacemaneffects.com
©2019 Barry Wood