Look around. What do you see? Sadly, over the years life gets to be rather routine, and unfortunately so are the visuals we interact with. So, in order to think outside the box, you have to get outside the box! New ideas require a spark to ignite a firestorm of creativity. The real trick is being able to find where those sparks are flying.
The NAMM Show is a focal point for those seeking out the hottest innovations in musical products, the recording industry, and related aspects of the music business. Bottom line, this is where the cool kids come and get their sugar rush, or at least the buyers for the candy stores come to stock up.
Most of us aren’t strangers to the creativity found in making music, and the tools of trade. At the very least, we’re friends with those that have been known to rock the house without scaring the neighbors or family dog.
But, for the rest of us, or even those that know one end of a drumstick from another, there’s a whole lot of beauty that can be found in everything from guitars to horns. And, if you have an open mind, there’s plenty that can carry over into automotive. It’s all in how you look at it!
AutoDesignO is leaving almost no stone unturned to find the musical products that incorporate innovative materials, colors, and textures.
Here’s a snippet of the show, and what’s catching our eyes.
__________________________________________
In late January, the Anaheim Convention Center is overflowing with an almost endless assortment of guitar makers. Virtually anything that could be desired from acoustic to electric can be found here. Tucked away in the back corners of the halls are lesser known, dime size guitar companies trying to squeak out living. On the flip side, well-established industry giants like Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, and Rickenbacker have a massive presence at the show.
Generally speaking, the giants are sticking to what has made them the powerhouses we see today, such as the Fender Stratocaster. Most of the guitars rely on what are now traditional, and conservative designs. But, none are resting entirely on their laurels. A couple striking examples are an entire line of guitars with superheroes from Peavey, and the numerous signature guitars created around many of the superstars of music, like those by Gretsch.
Gibson is proud of their extensive line of attractive guitars, but they don’t want to be seen as just another pretty face. So, attendees are welcome to plug-in and play. Similar to cars, styling is important, but functionality matters.
NAMM exhibitors display simple guitars that retails for a few hundred dollars, to others that cost tens of thousands. While just a few types of wood make the bulk of electric guitars, due to the sound reproduction qualities of those, there seems to be an infinite way to finish these off. The paint treatments and eye-catching veneers are endless. Everything imaginable from metal flake to translucent stains, such as those found on numerous Tribe guitar models, are available.
A natural finish appears to be the dominant choice for the acoustic guitars and ukuleles. The products from Cole Clark from Australia allow the warmth of the wood to show without any heavy treatments that overshadow the unique woods found only down under. However, even within the ranks of those offering natural finishes lies tremendous diversity.
A couple lesser-known brands that can run with the big dogs in terms of style are Rockbox and Mayones. These guitar finishes would fit in perfectly in other settings, such as for the trim found in cars or private jets.
Of course, not all sting instruments are guitars. Looking at the details of the wood and metal on the harps are as interesting those on any of the other products at the show. Dusty Strings epitomizes class and quality that one expects from harps. The trick is being able to zero-in on the nuances with so many distractions on the show floor.
On par with the guitar diversity, drums and symbols present a wide field of products. While some of finishes are purely esthetic, others are driven by functionality. A few of the brands that stand out include traditional players Pearl, Premier, Sakae, SJC Customs, Sonor, and Taye.
And, then there’s a whole host of other procession manufacturers that create new products and sounds, like those found from Tycoon and Gon Bops. The woods and skins on drums and other instruments are eye-catching, regardless if hammering on a drum is your thing or not.
There are tweaks to the tried and true drum set, such as the Pearl illuminated kits with lights imbedded within the drum. Like the guitars, use of wood, metal, and painted surfaces are as impressive as any luxury car, and could just as easily be integrated within a Jaguar or Infiniti. One could say this is even nearly affordable luxury with a beat!
From a design perspective, symbols provide a broad spectrum of styles, albeit most of the finishes are simply metal. However, Paiste does offer an appealing indigo finished symbol coincidentally called Blue Bell. These, along with many other models, have a dimpled finished. Sabian offers a model that also has a dimpled, almost a mottled look as part of a collection called, are you ready for this, Big And Ugly. Well, it’s a name you can’t forget.
It appears as if in many cases the metal has been stamped or treated with processes similar to electroplating, or acid etching to effectively vary the surfaces. The flat finishes of these against the shiny surface are often simple in design, but brilliantly attractive.
The symbols from Zildjian, Paiste, and Sabian all offer incredibly diverse options, and it’s hard to believe these are made just for music. As a matter of fact, the Hard Rock Hotel found these just as appealing as shades for the lighting sconces in the hotel hallways. So, maybe it wouldn’t be so strange if these found their way into car design. Wheel covers? Probably not!
Instruments that don’t allow for nearly as much embellishment are still decorative, and have fine details to enliven them. Eastman Company produces a nice selection of horns that look just like they have for ages. But, take another gander and there’s engravings and plating that makes these come alive. Adams Marching Brass and other brands have metal parts that rival the precision parts found in the engines of the best sports cars. It’s the high attention to detail that translates into outstanding musical performances, and it’s visually intriguing as well.
Of course, going back to the roots of NAMM, the pianos show the unbelievable level of woodworking craftsmanship and finishing that goes into making a classical instrument. Unlike virtually any other instrument, pianos are impressive in size and are typically not very mobile. But, with the right person behind the keyboard, the cumbersomeness of this stringed instrument falls by the wayside. Painted or not, pianos are regal, and become as much a part of a room as furniture. Hence, the added emphasis on the esthetic properties.
Really, NAMM is flooded with all manner of cool products from all over the globe that also include microphones, amplifiers, tubes, speakers, engineering boards, harmonicas, tambourines, bongos, and even a few disco balls. Similar to the automotive world, refinement in design is in some cases the result of decades of ongoing evolution. Practice makes perfect!
Related Images:
