Winter NAMM 2017 highlights - Guitars (Supro, TV Jones, Hamer, BC Rich, etc.)

stratguy23 · Jan 25, 2017

I went to NAMM this year for 2 days and wanted to share some of what I saw. I'll be starting threads in the Pickups, Guitars, Amps, and Pedals sections. Please note the following disclaimers:

DISCLAIMER 1: These previews are by no means comprehensive. I was at NAMM for only 2 out of 4 days. There are, like, 10 billion things there. I only checked out what interested me.

DISCLAIMER 2: Guitars and Amp threads will be more substantial because those interest me most. Pedals and Pickups threads will be skimpy because those don't demo well in the NAMM environment.

DISCLAIMER 3: My 5 year-old phone has a terrible camera.

Enjoy!

NAMM 2017 Amps thread
NAMM 2017 Pedals thread
NAMM 2017 Pickups thread

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1. Supro - New line of guitars

These are super cool, well built, and feel good in the hands. I have reservations about the non-intonatable bridge on some models, but I suppose that's historically accurate. One can play most anything on anything, but even shiny new, these just invite you to get your garage and swampy blues on.

2. TV Jones - New line of guitars

TV Jones is making guitars again. This time they are MIJ, and I believe I was told they would be in the $1800-$2Kish range. Not cheap, but you will get what you pay for. That matte black and white one with P90s is beyond stylish and as rock-and-roll as you get. The two models shown here are in that between-a-335-and-339 size that I wish were more well represented. Very comfortable and high quality.

3. Hamer - 'New' line of guitars

It was a little surreal and sad to see no one take an interest in this. I was the only one I saw checking out these guitars. It was also a little surreal to see that headstock come back to life, so to speak. Time will tell whether or not this is a zombie resurrection. Some models are familiar - hurrah for the Vector - but this PRS-style fiddle with trem bridge and locking tuners seems to be new (correct me if I'm wrong). These are made in Indonesia.

4. BC Rich SL-1 prototype

This was a neat surprise, a "normal" looking BC Rich guitar. It was, true to its appearance, a stripped down, no-nonsense rock 'n' roll machine. I liked it a lot. Evidently someone within BC Rich used to be at Yamaha. You can see the AES DNA here. The model name (and look) is probably also a sly nod to the Gibson L6S.

stratguy23 · Jan 25, 2017

Re: Winter NAMM 2017 highlights - Guitars (Supro, TV Jones, Hamer, BC Rich, etc.)

5. Danelectro 66

This was a pleasant surprise. Until this, I had mostly associated Danelectro with entry-level slabs in GC. This is a beautifully made, upscale-for-an-import MIK model. P90, lipstick, semi hollow - super, super hip. Aluminum zero fret nut is interesting. The guitar felt great in the hand. This may be a sleeper hit this year.

6. Gibson Johnny A - Joe Bonamassa Spruce Top

I have a soft spot for fully enclosed semi hollowbodies. This looks to be a Johnny A minus the f-holes and Bigsby. It is sexy but, judging from the split blocks, will likely be $$$$. That's OK, because there's

7. Reverend Kyle Shutt signature

This guitar rules. It's super comfy and ready to rock. I like most of Reverend's stuff, but this is extra bad-ass for them. Fully enclosed semi hollowbody within $ reach (or at least more so than the Gibson) - I love it.

8. Schecter Sun Valley SS FR, PT Special

The Sun Valley SS FR is basically a Charvel superstrat. Its main point of interest here is that it comes stock with EMG Retro Actives, in a set called the "70". You can't buy the "70" set aftermarket as a set. It is actually the Retro Active 55 neck and 77 bridge.

The PT Special is just bad-ass. I love Teles with P90s. This has a forearm contour, which gets a big thumbs-up from me. Michael Kelly does this with their Teles, and it makes all the difference in comfort, and I feel it doesn't compromise the aesthetics.

stratguy23 · Jan 25, 2017

Re: Winter NAMM 2017 highlights - Guitars (Supro, TV Jones, Hamer, BC Rich, etc.)

9. Framus - Actually affordable guitars

Has Framus done this before? I don't know. I tried the HSS model - dig the stock Seymour Duncan pickups - and it felt very good. But it definitely lacked the heavens-opening-up perfection of a true German Framus. Those things are works of art. If I were a dentist and had the $$$$, I would get a Framus.

10. Ovation Viper

Ovation is reviving the Viper name, though this is definitely not a reissue. There seem to be 2 flavors of Viper, one with humbuckers that looks like an electric, and one that looks like a traditional Ovation acoustic. I really, really dug the comfy C neck of the acoustic. I like how the electric has Lace Alumitone pickups - not the usual thing.

11. Fender Exotic Collection

Fender guitars made from atypical woods - see Fender site:
https://fender.com/articles/namm-20...mited-edition-exotic-collection?tag=electrics

Amongst other models, there will be a pine Tele, a pine Strat, and a pine Jazzmaster. The pine Jazzmaster felt SO GOOD. I love me a good pinecaster.

stratguy23 · Jan 25, 2017

Re: Winter NAMM 2017 highlights - Guitars (Supro, TV Jones, Hamer, BC Rich, etc.)

12. ESP M-1007 multi-scale prototype

It's interesting that ESP is dipping its toe in these waters, following Ibanez' lead. This was the first multi-scale guitar I've ever played. It's kind of fun in a wacky funhouse way. What was straight is suddenly all angles. It wasn't as difficult as I expected - the system kind of makes sense - though I was certainly glad to pick up a normal guitar afterwards. I found single notes much more navigable on multi-scale than chords.

13. John Page Ashburn HSS

The Ashburn has been out for a few years now, but the HSS configuration is new. That's not a huge deal, but I'm just flagging this because Ashburns are fantastic guitars. They're MIJ, but I would easily equate the quality to Fender American Deluxe/Elite, at less teeth-rattling prices.

The necks are slightly more beefy than American Deluxe/Elite - which makes sense for the target audience (i.e., not kids) - and they feel great. The Gotoh locking tuners on this model are a beautiful and functional touch. Go check out Ashburns if you can. Sam Ash currently carries them; that's where I learned about them.

14. Michael Kelly Patriot with P-Rails and Triple Shots

In a perfect world, this guitar would end all those how-do-I-wire-P-Rails threads in the Pickups section. This upcoming limited edition run - isn't it beautiful? - will have P-Rails WITH Triple Shots stock. That's frigging awesome. I will definitely be on the lookout for this.

15. Sterling STV60 St. Vincent signature

The St. Vincent was my favorite new guitar design from 2016. People made a big deal about the shape, but it's basically just a cut-down Explorer. It is really comfortable to play. I'm glad a cheaper (street looks to be $600) import version will bring this shape to the masses.

I put my hands on it, and instantly I could tell a huge difference in quality from the original Music Man model - which isn't a fair comparison because Music Man guitars are some of the finest production guitars today. Sterlings are very respectable imports. Fender isn't going to give you an affordable 22-fret 25.5" scale bolt-on guitar with three mini humbuckers, so this will fill that small-but-really-cool hole in the market.

dave74 · Jan 25, 2017

Re: Winter NAMM 2017 highlights - Guitars (Supro, TV Jones, Hamer, BC Rich, etc.)

Supro?,,,,,,sup bro.

Love that white Sun Valley FR!

Rand-O-Monium · Jan 25, 2017

Re: Winter NAMM 2017 highlights - Guitars (Supro, TV Jones, Hamer, BC Rich, etc.)

Again,Well Done & Thanx!!!

Esp dig the PhilX SG-thingie & teh Michael Kelly,go figure...

rgand · Jan 25, 2017

Re: Winter NAMM 2017 highlights - Guitars (Supro, TV Jones, Hamer, BC Rich, etc.)

Thanks for the great pics. There are some outstanding instruments. I would welcome any one of them into my line-up.

Mincer · Jan 25, 2017

Re: Winter NAMM 2017 highlights - Guitars (Supro, TV Jones, Hamer, BC Rich, etc.)

I did play those Ovations, and they were remarkable. I had a great conversation with the builder, too. They are working really hard to revive the brand, and every guitar I played at the Ovation booth was a winner. I also dug the Boutique Guitar Showcase section, with smaller builders, as well as the Eastman booth- I played a few awesome archtops there.

BloodRose · Jan 27, 2017

Re: Winter NAMM 2017 highlights - Guitars (Supro, TV Jones, Hamer, BC Rich, etc.)

Awesome!! Again, thanks for sharing!!!

Now, my input. (as if anyone cares...)

Wonder if the ovation is trying to cut into Taylors hollowbody hybrid market??
Being a Charvel lover, the Schecter SunValley looks killer!! Nice neck??

The Kyle Shutt does look pretty killer! Plus, hear lots of positives about the Rail hammers..

Wonder if lack of interest in Hamers are because they are imports now.. Did you play the standard? Look like quality stuff??

Lastly, Michael Kellys... Really an unsung gem.. I know alot of guys dont like the build style with the abalone and all that, but they are an awesome bang for the bux.. If I had to really sell all to raise money and could keep one guitar. Id prolly keep my Patriot. No, not cuz its the best I have, but it is all the guitar I NEED. Solid built, great player, sounds great.

stratguy23 · Jan 27, 2017