The Winter NAMM 2000 OddBalls

April 4, 2000 - Boy the NAMM show was filled with Oddballs this year. They were everywhere! And that was just the people. Some of the guitars were pretty weird too. But, seriously . . . Seriously?!? This is the OddBall guitars collection. How can you possibly be serious when you’re looking at some of these . . . hmm . . . how shall I put this . . . very creative designs. I always have fun with the Oddballs and this year was no exception. In fact, this year there are twice as many as last year.

I would like to state for the record, that the term "Oddball" doesn’t mean that these are bad instruments. On the contrary, some of these instruments actually play and sound fantastic. Plus, you have to admire the extreme mass amount of creativity that went into some of these babies. So the title, "Oddball" is really a term of endearment as far as I’m concerned. Although I do poke fun at them sometimes, I would like to take my hat off to the fine luthiers who have created these masterpieces. If you like the weird, the unusual, the down right out silly, than this article is for you. As Ripley use to say, "Believe it, or Not"! So here they are in no particular order.

(Click for a view of the back)

Let’s start with this gem. This guitar comes from the minds at Norton guitars. This "S" shaped model is a combination of wood bolted on to an entirely steel frame. Almost everything on this guitar moves or is adjustable in some way. The "S" wings can even be folded in. I had a chance to play this guitar and it actually plays and sounds real nice. You can contact Norton at rons@acminc.net.

ESP's Super Hero Guitar

ESP gave us several fine examples of unusual guitars to, ummm . . . marvel at. The first is this super hero graphic. I’m not sure who this is supposed to be, but it was cool. I know it sure was an eye catcher. You can see more from ESP at www.espguitars.com.

Well, what can I say about this except, "Didn’t your Mother ever tell you that you could poke somebody’s eye out with that thing". I wouldn’t mind owning this one, but I think I’d have to stock up on bandages. This guitar is also from ESP.

ESP's aluminum body guitar

Teuffel Guitars' Coco

Once actually played by the monster from Alien, this guitar was found in a asteroid fragment. With a body made up mainly of aluminum, could this guitar be the new heavy metal shredder? I leave that to your imagination. Once again, this guitar is from the just plain twisted, minds over at ESP. Good work guys, keep it up. (In my best Arnold voice) I’ll be back – next year to see what other wild stuff you can concoct. Also, check out the ESP finalist in the Golden Axe Unlimited guitar division later this month.

Whacky Music

Salwender International has the audacity to import this beast from Germany. Made by the same gentlemen who made the BirdFish guitar (Teuffel) which was a finalist in last year's Golden Axe Awards, this is another perfect example of what you can do when you forget about what a guitar is supposed to look like. But all kidding aside, if you close your eyes and forget about the fact that the guitar looks like a giant, gray radish, it plays and sounds really nice. A very well executed guitar. To reach Salwender International (the American Distributor), go to www.salwender.com.

Then there is this guy on the right. Oops, sorry about that chief. Wrong article, but he was odd. This is the representative from Whacky Music. You never know what you might see at the NAMM show. If you want to find out more about Whacky Music check out www.boomwhackers.com. I think somebody whacked this guy upside the head one too many times.

Robin Guitars' Oddball

Hmmm . . . what do you think . . . show this one in the opening of the next 007 movie? A very nice graphic on a nice guitar. If you look closely at the head stock you will notice that the guitar has a tiger maple neck. Proving that you can be flashy and good at the same time. Check out Robin Guitars at www.robinguitars.com.