The Summer NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Show kicked off in Nashville on Thursday with music professionals and music vendors from all around the globe gathering at Music City Center.
Brad Paisley showcased a new signature Fender Telecaster on the show's opening day, with the guitar finished in a silver sparkle with a paisley pickguard.
"We literally went through and tried to compile a greatest hits package out of his favorite features from his favorite guitars," Justin Norvell, senior vice president of Fender products, explained.
Fender also announced the launch of a Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Beck and Nine Inch Nails bassist) Signature Mustang Bass, a George Harrison Rosewood Telecaster (made famous at The Beatles' rooftop concert, their last public performance together), a Jimi Hendrix Monterey Stratocaster (made famous at the Monterey Pop Festival 50 years ago), and an Ed O'Brien (Radiohead guitarist) Sustainer Stratocaster.
Martin Guitars debuted a new version of their flagship D-28 model.
With Martin guitars being some of the most played guitars in Nashville, Chris Martin, Martin's CEO, hasn't missed a show in years, and he said he enjoys the fact that companies of all sizes are able to showcase their products.
"You will find people that have a dream, they have a dream, they have an idea, they have a product, and they'll test drive that product at this show to see if in fact the market will respond," Martin said.
One of those smaller companies is Mythos Pedals.
"My wife and I build the pedals in our apartment right off 8th Avenue here in Nashville," Zach Broyles said.
The pedals bear the names of legend, such as Mjolnir (Thor's hammer), Erlking, Herculean, and many more.
"The philosophy was: create pedals that give you a mythological sound," Broyles explained.
The 2017 Summer NAMM Show is Broyles' first NAMM Show, and he said it's a great opportunity to showcase his pedals and make contacts.
"It's hard to get an idea of something when you can't actually touch it or hold it, and this gives everyone the opportunity to check something out," Broyles said. "It is just a big opportunity for me to grow my business and show people what I can do."
The NAMM Show is open to the public on Saturday. Tickets are $10 in advance, $20 at the door.
