Hello. This is Inoue from Advance Guitars.
From January 22nd to 24th, 2026, I attended the world's largest music instrument festival, the "NAMM Show 2026," held in Anaheim, California, USA!
This was my second time attending, following 2024. Once again, I'll bring you the electrifying energy of the event faster than anywhere else!
A turbulent start!? The journey to Anaheim
We departed Japan at midnight on the 23rd (Friday).
which was actually the previous day, Thursday the 22nd, at 5:00 PM local time. This feeling of "returning to the evening of the previous day" is quite peculiar.
Actually, this time, I forgot to notify the hotel about a "late check-in" when making the reservation,
and then couldn't get in touch with them through the agency either...
"Worst case, no place to stay from day one?" I worried, but just before arriving, the hotel emailed "OK"!
Checked in safely.
For a light dinner, I ordered a hamburger set at "Famous Star".
Price: $10.69, approximately ¥1,650 in Japanese yen.
I immediately got a taste of the weak yen and high prices.
Before I could even worry about jet lag, I fell into a deep sleep on the first day.
Exciting arrival at the venue! Head to the Gibson & Martin booth!
I was looking for a photogenic spot to capture that "I'm finally here at Namco" feeling.
In the Gibson exhibition space on the second-floor lobby, there was a huge monument that made you want to take a picture.
And a commemorative photo! Amazing!
And I just can't help but be drawn to acoustic guitars! Off to the Martin booth!
Molly Tuttle's signature model was unveiled at this year's NAMM!
Took a commemorative photo with the D-28 Billy Strings!
Martin D-18 Molly Tuttle
A brand-new model unveiled at this year's NAMM.
The moon phase-inspired inlay is stunning.
It has that characteristic mahogany sound—soft and bright—and feels light in the hand.
I could really feel that authentic 1940s D-18 vibe!
A brand-new model unveiled at this year's NAMM.
The moon phase-inspired inlay is stunning.
It has that characteristic mahogany sound—soft and bright—and feels light in the hand.
I could really feel that authentic 1940s D-18 vibe!
Martin D-28 Billy Strings
Inspired by the 1940 Herringbone D-28!
It's amazing that the actual Grover G-111 tuners used back then have been reissued!
Isn't this alone worth buying??
Inspired by the 1940 Herringbone D-28!
It's amazing that the actual Grover G-111 tuners used back then have been reissued!
Isn't this alone worth buying??
And the one I was most excited about, which I also introduced in my video, is Project 91!
https://youtu.be/Y7DYFbHz4ng?si=1E_ReNwBV6QgTXp_
I was wondering if there was any additional information... and then I noticed two new models on display!
D-45 1937 Project 91-5 (left image)
This is the first appearance of the double pickguard specification in the project.
While it may not be very familiar today, it seems there was demand for double pickguards even back then.
While strongly associated with country stars, many also recall Bob Dylan using a double pickguard SJ-200 in the 1960s, don't they?
D-45 1937 Project 91-6 (Image right)
This model is also based on the D-45, originally crafted in 1937.
It features a 12-fret joint, but the headstock is solid with a vertical logo specification.
It is said to be the last of three pre-war D-45s with a 12-fret joint.
We mustn't forget Gibson Acoustics, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of the flat-top guitar this year.
A reissue model of the "L-1," which changed specifications from archtop to flat-top in 1926, was on display.
Known as Robert Johnson's beloved instrument, this model's status remains unshakable to this day.
Gibson 1926 L-1
Anniversary
SJ-200 commemorative photo
Yamaha, Japan's leading instrument maker, is still going strong!
The FG Anniversary model was on display.
The position mark placement is so stylish!!
The FG is celebrating its 60th anniversary too! Congratulations!
It's wonderful to have models loved around the world!
The FG Anniversary model was on display.
The position mark placement is so stylish!!
The FG is celebrating its 60th anniversary too! Congratulations!
It's wonderful to have models loved around the world!
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I tried the newly announced Elixir ATTUNE too!
It felt very bright with a strong impression of abundant high-mid overtones.
It might actually pair better with high-quality Electric Acoustic sounds than with raw acoustic tones!
Tastes seem likely to vary quite a bit! Definitely give it a try when it arrives in Japan!
It felt very bright with a strong impression of abundant high-mid overtones.
It might actually pair better with high-quality Electric Acoustic sounds than with raw acoustic tones!
Tastes seem likely to vary quite a bit! Definitely give it a try when it arrives in Japan!
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Brands that caught my personal interest
The Canadian acoustic brand boucher was fantastic!
It perfectly balances a vintage-like aesthetic with responsive, high-quality sound.
It perfectly balances a vintage-like aesthetic with responsive, high-quality sound.
I really want to try them out more thoroughly in my usual environment!
Commemorative photo to remember NAMM
Simple and stylish!
Taylor x MLB™ GS Mini - Los Angeles Dodgers
Taylor x MLB™ GS Mini - Los Angeles Dodgers
The commemorative model from Lyon & Healy, who laid the foundation for acoustic guitars in the 19th century, was incredible!
We've also written a very niche feature article on parlor guitars here at our store, so please take a look!
https://tcgakki.com/pages/the-charm-of-the-19th-century-parlor-guitar
We've also written a very niche feature article on parlor guitars here at our store, so please take a look!
https://tcgakki.com/pages/the-charm-of-the-19th-century-parlor-guitar
I was able to meet many different people...
Vintage guitar researcher George Grun
I learned countless things from him and was able to express my gratitude!
Thank you!
I learned countless things from him and was able to express my gratitude!
Thank you!
Say hello to Abhi and Pooja from Gard Bags, available at Okubo Gakki!
We're excited to announce we'll be making guitar cases, so stay tuned for updates!
We're excited to announce we'll be making guitar cases, so stay tuned for updates!
And we met up with everyone from Ren Ferguson Co. again!
They're my favorite family!
We had the best time over dinner too!
Thank you always!!
They're my favorite family!
We had the best time over dinner too!
Thank you always!!
A birthday party was also held to celebrate Ren Ferguson's 80th birthday!
Singer-songwriter Antonio Grifoni, introduced at the booth
His Gibson is a specially made 1994 square-shoulder model!
The inlays on the fingerboard and pickguard are absolutely stunning.
I had the special privilege of playing it, and the aged tone from over 30 years of playing was truly breathtaking!
His Gibson is a specially made 1994 square-shoulder model!
The inlays on the fingerboard and pickguard are absolutely stunning.
I had the special privilege of playing it, and the aged tone from over 30 years of playing was truly breathtaking!
Antonio Grifoni
Chris Martin and Bob Taylor also rushed over to celebrate Ren's birthday party!
They kindly agreed to take a commemorative photo!
Thank you very much!!
They kindly agreed to take a commemorative photo!
Thank you very much!!
Surprises on the return flight too!
Would you believe it? I happened to be on the same flight as Ko-jun and Kent Nishimura!
Despite the long flight, they kindly agreed to take photos with me!
Thank you so much!
Please come visit the shop sometime!
Despite the long flight, they kindly agreed to take photos with me!
Thank you so much!
Please come visit the shop sometime!
Ko-jun
Kent Nishimura
Don't miss out on future updates...
Of course, I didn't just go to Nam for sightseeing!
I was also there for work, so please look forward to additional information about that!
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