Small Companies Make Their Mark at NAMM
Harmony Central's Guide to the Unknown
By Kit Benge
kit@harmony-central.com
Some of the most innovative products on display at the NAMM show don't come from the Yamaha's, Washburn's and Peavey's of the world. NAMM showcased dozens of small companies and individuals creating outstanding gear. Harmony Central looks at some of the current crop of trailblazers that impressed us.
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| Slash with his Coffin Case | ||
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| Jon Edwards with some of his work |
The Coffin Case Company and it's owner Jonny Edwards have been making custom guitar cases that are works of art for Slash, Keith Richards, and dozens of others for about five years. With exotic woods, hand-etched hardware, and an incredible attention to detail, Jonny's cases have built a strong following among the top guitarists in the world for both their creative look and quality craftsmanship. The only problem was that the company's custom cases were priced in the thousands of dollars, well out of reach for most players.
This concern has been addressed with an agreement between Coffin Case and giant case manufacturer, Anvil. Anvil has licensed the Coffin Case design and has introduced a line of Coffin Cases that retail for about $150. The Anvil version comes in black and white, with future colors and designs planned for later this year. The case is lined with a velvet type material that will fit most guitars, and comes with sturdy hardware and the patented Coffin shape. That shape not withstanding, this case is one innovative product that has put a new spin on an old product. The Coffin Case will have your guitar resting in peace ... instead of pieces. Visit the Coffin Case Company at www.coffincase.com.
Wood that Rocks
Steve McSwain and his company, McSwain Guitars, create guitars that are as intricately detailed as the finest furniture you can find. The guitar's main feature is the amazing carving work that Steve puts into every guitar based on the client's wishes. Hardware is also custom, and is combined in any fashion that the customer wishes. The graphics and designs that McSwain puts into his guitars are only limited by imagination. One guitar designed for David Lettermen featuring David with a big stogie in hand is but one example of the brilliant work that goes into these guitars. Steve Vai, Vernon Reid, and Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains are all proud owners of McSwain's guitars. If you ever get the chance to have that dream guitar built for you, you can't go wrong with McSwain's works of art that rock. Visit McSwain Guitars at www.mcswainguitars.com.
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| The Axys slide |
Every once in a while, someone comes up with an idea that is so simple, it borders on genius. The Axys Reversible Guitar Slide is one such product. Machined from brass and coming in four different sizes, the innovation lies in a slide that is built "one-sided" allowing you to flip the slide around when not using it so that you can use the slide finger in a natural way. Kind of like having a sixth finger, the Axys Slide makes changing from conventional fingering to slide a snap. For more information, go to www.sixthfinger.com.
Manage Your Cable Mess
The Quick Cord System allows you to rack mount your PA and instrument cords. The system includes interchangeable cord reels. Each reel can hold a mic, instrument, speaker, or AC cord with the ability to extend the cord up to 20 feet and then lock into place. With a slight tug, the cord automatically retracts back into the rack-mounted unit. The Quick Cord System come in a 2 space box that can hold up to four reels and a 5 space box that holds up to 14 cord reels. It's easy to see how the Quick Cord System could save tons of time in set-up for the average PA system. The reels are sold separately so that as your system grows, you can add the reels/cords that you need. A great time saving product that will have you hanging with your friends instead of wrapping cords at the end of the gig. Contact Quick Cord Systems at www.quickcord.com.
Kit Benge (kit@harmony-central.com) has written for BAM, The Rocket, The Chicago Reader, and gobs more. He has been a sound engineer, tour manager, booking agent, and personal manager for dozens of acts since 1978. Kit currently operates a public relations/event-planning firm, plays with lots of gear, and is rarely seen outside of an island near Seattle ... except for conventions. This year's NAMM show was his 31st.
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