Photo Gallery: Vince Goes to NAMM 2014

To say that the NAMM Show is overwhelming would be a massive understatement. If “815,000 square feet of exhibit space” seems extremely abstract to you — as it does to me — just know that it’s really fucking big. Insanely huge. Swarming with people — wannabes, has-beens and actually-ares — and noise from guitars, drums and instruments of all kinds coming from every direction. You couldn’t possibly see everything that’s on display even if you’ve got four full days.

And so: together with the crews from Gear Gods and Metal Injection, I set out to see all the metal-related stuff I possibly could at this year’s show in the three full days we had in Anaheim. Guitars, drums, metal celebrities, random weird shit… and below are a few of the highlights.

Remember to check out the ongoing 2014 NAMM Show coverage at Gear Gods for video demonstrations of dozens of new products, live footage of artist performances, interviews with bands and more.

We started at the Dunlop / MXR booth. None of these pedals are new, but that EVH design is such a classic, so pretty. Still gets me all excited.

Wall of (fake!) amp cabinets at Orange Amps. Immortal would be proud. Beautiful-looking nonetheless.

Dean central. Conspicuously missing: Michael Angelo Batio’s mullet and Dimebag Darrell’s corpse.

The new KM-7 Keith Merrow signature model seven-string at Schecter:

Absolutely gorgeous guitars by ESP:

Wall of Marshall amps! Real ones.

Wes Hauch from The Faceless gives a quick live performance at the Seymour Duncan booth. Check out video of this performance here.

An extremely pretty-looking guitar from the French masters at Vigier:

All our bass are belong to Warwick:

Laney’s Ironheart line is one of the sleekest looking amp heads on the market (because BLACK):

Peavey had a whole wall of guitars with finishes dedicated to movies, TV shows and comics. Check out this Star Wars model:

Again with that iconic EVH design. The EVH guitar line now belongs to Fender under the EVH name:

Navene K (ex-Animosity / ex-Animals as Leaders) gave several performances at the Tama booth throughout the weekend, playing music from his new solo electronic music project. To see video of the below, go here.

Jake Bowen of Periphery granted us an exclusive first look at his brand new signature model Ibanez JBM100. Jake told us all about the new guitar and walked us through its specs on video, which you can check out here.

Gear Gods EIC Chris Alfano and contributor Trey Xavier look thoroughly thrilled to be at NAMM!

Trey demos a 9-string Schecter. It seemed like every major guitar manufacturer with a foothold in the metal scene had a 9-string this year. Because… because… WHY?!?!

More purdy Schecters:

A fantastic shot of Jeff Loomis’ hair and Keith Merrow’s beanie. For a better view of this show, check out this must-watch video.

Kerry King signing autographs at, where else, B.C. Rich:

We were very hungover on Saturday morning, but Pantera’s “Medicine Man” provided us with just the juice we needed to get motivated and out the door. We listened to it three times a row, because of course.

A Brendon Small (Dethklok) model Epiphone “Thunderhorse” Explorer:

Probably one of the most recognizable guitar designs in all of metal needs no other introduction, also via Epiphone:

“Boycott Guitar Center” protestors outside the conventional center. GC allegedly stole an innovative design for a new drum pedal from punk band X lead vocalist Exene Cervenka. As if we needed a reason to boycott Guitar Center other than their shitty service and cut-rate prices that put neighborhood stores out of business:

Tomas Haake of Meshuggah signs autographs for fans. Didn’t anyone tell him that metal musicians aren’t supposed to smile?

A sparkly red drum kit by Mapex:

By far the winner of the annual “Best Product in the Nut Room” Award, downstairs in Hall E: Taybles‘ coffee tables built in the form of cassette tapes.

Also in the Nut Room, a machine gun-shaped guitar. Red, white and blue because of course. And a pretty blonde lady showing it off to boot. ‘MURICA.

A guitar from Minarik that looks like a broken mirror. With yours truly and Señor Pasbani posing. Bye!