So first, let me say that I had already typed this once... but something happened to the forum between the time I started and the time I hit Post because the forum was down... so now I am retyping this. Argh
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Like I do every year, this is my NAMM Report. I see that Dave Dolson has posted his own report which I enjoyed reading. I contemplated not posting one since Dave already did, but since there are alot of things that I saw that Dave didn't, I figured it wouldn't hurt.
A few things to keep in mind about my NAMM Report 2008
1. I will not talk about anything bad or that I didn't like. - Last year, a poster didnt like the fact that I only posted positive things. Well, I am not going to post about things I didnt care for because they are my personal opinion. I am only going to post about what I did like from the show and give it from my personal perspective.
2. I am posting from my retailer perspective. - I obviously am looking for products to sell. That is actually the whole point behind the NAMM show. It is a show for retailers to find new products. Its also no secret that we are in business to make money. However, we pride ourselves on finding what we consider to be the best product out there and will only offer such items to our customers.
Soooo, on with the show!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
First, it was good to run into a few people. Ran into Dave Dolson at the Selmer Paris booth. I didnt recognize him at first - but I wasnt looking for him either!
Also ran into Rick Izumi. He bought a Shadow Bari from me last year and was there as an exhibitor for the new Kenny G sopranos that Dave Dolson mentioned.
I will cateogrize all of my report by company.
Conn-Selmer, Inc. (US distributors for Selmer Paris & Yanagisawa)
Conn-Selmer is most known on this board as the distributors for Selmer Paris and Yanagisawa here in the US. However, they also own and mnufacture many other items.
Leblanc "Bliss" by Backun Clarinets
Last NAMM, they released their new Leblanc designed by Backun line of professional American made clarinets. These clarinets were an absolute hit! Comprised of 3 professional models, they have been very well received by players/teacher/retailers.
This year, they are expanding this line to make it a complete line with 2 new student and 1 new intermediate model. Unfortunately, they did not have the intermediate wood model there at the show. The prototype was not fully ready so they didnt want to bring it.
They did have the 2 student models. One is all plastic, the other is plastic with a wood barrel. Both were not final production models either. The bells were not the final design. They will be adding the "Voicing Groove" concept into the final design with the display models did not have. However, the display models were fantastic! It was amazing how much like a wood clarinet the wood barrel model made it.
Absolutely wonderful instruments. I would fully expect these new models to become quick favorites of teachers within a few years. Its also nice as these are American made clarinets.
Availability is around April 2008 at the earliest.
Avanti designed by Bickford Brannen
The new Avanti flutes were officially released at the show. We received 4 of the 1000 model the Monday before the show and have posted a review in the Flutes section of the board.
We did get to play (and take home) a 2000 model and have been thrilled with them.
Selmer Paris
Selmer Paris had 3 new models of instruments at the show, but only 2 on the display for people to play. However, as a Pro Shop, we had access to the 3rd!
Privilege Bb & A Soprano Clarinets
The new Privilege clarinets were there. These models will be officially released in a few months with availability around April/May we are told. A few interesting changes to the design. We didnt play them as we just didnt have time.
However, we will post a full review as soon as we have them in stock.
Sigma Trumpets
As this is a sax forum, I wont post much about them here. They do feature an interesting "Concave" bore leadpipe. We did bring 2 back from the show so if you are interested in hearing more about them, please email me.
Series III Baritone Sax
This was the model that was not out in the open for people to play. However, it was in fact there and we did play on it.
First thing that we noticed was better ergonomics. There was also less bracing around the neck crooks. Selmer has gone "lighter" with the III bari.
The intonation was fantastic. Very even across all registers (which was one of the biggest complaints on the Series II). Responded extremely well and was an effortless bari to play. They tried to make it play as easily and effortlessly as an alto... and they succeeded.
It also features a very ingenious designed floor peg (discussed in a seperate thread on the forum).
Pricing is not released yet. The bari will be officially announced at the Frankfurt Music Messe in Germany in March. Availability will be near the later part of the year, my guess around October/November. We do have an order in for them as soon as they are out.
Keilwerth
Nothing new from Keilwerth. They did have a nice 50th birthday present for Mike Smith. An SX90R alto in a brushed matte finish, deluxe engraved and his name engraved on the inside of the bell. Nice present. Maybe when I turn 50, they will give me one too!
We did discuss with the distributor the possibility of stocking more horns, specifically the Vintage finish altos and tenors. We will see how that goes.
Yanagisawa
Also nothing new. Yanagisawa does not come to the NAMM show themselves. Instead, they are represented by Conn-Selmer. They had a decent little selection of horns. We brought back a handful of them.
They did have a very attractive and updated brochure though. Woo Hoo!
P. Mauriat
We did happen to stop by the Mauriat booth. Dave Dolson had mentioned that he played the sopranos and didnt really care for them. However, we didnt even play the soprano. We played the tenors, specifically the rolled tone hole models.
I will have to admit, they were impressive playing tenors. However, they are on the pricey side for a Taiwanese made horn. That being said, we did talk with them about possibly carrying the horns based solely on their playing merit.
We are seriously considering handling this line.
Antigua Winds
Nothing new as far as designs go. They did have some new finishes for the Power Bell series of altos and tenors. We did order a few Satin Nickel and Satin Brass models as they looked great. They also have a very cool Tweed case for them!
Pearl Flutes
Pearl has a new 40th Anniversary model flute that really impressed my father. It has a very large sound with very quick response. Personally, I thought it lacked a focus to the sound that I prefer, but that is just my preference.
We are looking at stocking a few of these as well as the plastic Pearl piccolo which is fantastic.
Sonare Winds
2007 was a rough year for Sonare flutes. The factory that was making their main models is now making flutes solely for Gemeinhart now. So Sonare had to completely re-invent their line of flutes.
The new main models (601 & 705) will now feature body tube and headjoint made in the USA by Powell, keys and assembly by Keilwerth in Germany. While this sounds great on paper, the problem was availability.
For 2007, we received a total of 3 flutes from the new designs, even though they were supposed to start shipping in March 2007.
However, 2008 is already looking up. We have already received 6 flutes this year in the new designs and it looks like quality problems are fixed. These last 6 flutes played extremely well and are living up to our initial impressions based on what they are.
Hopefully this continues. The real question is this: is it too late? The "Advanced Intermediate" segment of the flute market is now quite crowded. While 2007 was bad for Sonare, it was a good year for other companies. Can Sonare regain its position on top?
Kessler Custom
We did meet with our factory representitive at the show. We are working on a few things for our horns that I am not ready to announce just yet... but so far these things are looking good.
We are looking at releasing a curved soprano again with improved keywork similar to the SC991. However, we are not 100% sure about this yet. We did play a prototype and are encouraged. We will see.
However, there are 3 new products that we are going to be getting production samples of soon. This is the final stage before we launch the product. I am 95% confident that we will be releasing these items so I will go ahead and tell about them now:
Kessler Custom Low C Bass Clarinet
An ABS bass clarinet with keywork to low C that plays like a million bucks. Key strength was initially one of our bigger concerns but the new prototype seems to have this fixed. This model will likely sell brand new at $1,895.
Kessler Custom Oboe
An ABS plastic oboe with triple octave, left F, low Bb with resonance key, articulated C# and banana trill. The only mechanism not there that would make it a full conservatory would be a ring system D.
Plays evenly in tune and with a focused sound. Will likely sell around $1,095.
Kessler Custom Bassoon
Modern bassoon design. Good bocals. Ergonomically sound. ABS body so it is not too heavy. Will sell around $1,695.
Some may ask why? Well, why not? We have been looking for a good low cost oboe and bassoon for about 7 years. While a few years ago, we started to see some that played well, they would have manufacturing/ergonomic issues that were holding them back. The prototypes we played had all of these issues finally resolved.
As for the bass clarinet, an affordable low C bass clarinet is a god send. How many sax doublers need a good low C bass clarinet for certain symphonic situations? If we can offer a great playing model for the price of a student Eb keyed model, we feel that it will be a welcomed item.
Even if we just used them for rentals it is worth it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
All in all, it was a good show. I had a very interesting conversation with a gentleman from PMS-Mouthpieces (not a typo) about his Dave Guardala handmade mouthpieces. Interesting that there are several different people making DG mouthpieces. They are not all the same.
Had many good meals at various places like the Crab Cooker in Newport Beach and Mr. Stocks in Anaheim.
Also this was my older brother Mark's first time at the show. So it was fun having him experience all of this for the first time. I have been to the show probably 10-12 times now so some of the "oohs" and "ahhs" have worn off.
We definately evaluated more product then this, so if there is a specific question you want to ask, feel free.
- Dave Kessler
This post reflects the person opinion of Dave Kessler. It does not necessarily reflect the view and opions of Kessler & Sons Music, its owners, officers or employees.
SOTW Forum:
Topic of November Contest
NAMM Report 2008
Linear Mode
![[Valid RSS]](images/valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed"){kind=small}