Worst Instrument to Sneak Through TSA
Good luck fitting this giant Hohner accordion into an x-ray bin.
Best Onstage Meltdown
We’ll save her the unwanted Google searches, but this singer songwriter couldn’t stop pondering greener pastures (New York City, the Sundance Film Festival – anywhere but the Marriot lobby!) throughout her lunchtime set. “This is what’s become of my career,” she finally muttered while packing up her guitar. Chin up – you kind of opened for Sheila E.!
Worst Rendition of a Beloved Sitcom Theme
This dude’s shtick rapidly went from funny to creepy. Running around the Show floor all day, singing “C’mon Get Happy!” while covered in body-paint and wearing a… skirt(?) – I guess he was having fun, at least.
Best (Worst?) Instance of ‘Taking Things As Far As Possible’
Not a one-off, not a custom shop model, not a publicity stunt – the Ibanez RG9 is the first 9-string production guitar. Even with a super-thin horizontal width, this instrument’s neck profile would seem to be geared towards those out there with 10” long fingers.
Worst Place to Stand…
…if you have an intense fear of being crushed by music books, that is: Inside the Chesbro booth (braving it here is Jed Robertson).
Best Booth Team-Up
Deep in the basement lurked a workshop-flavored booth covered in cables and knobs and blinking lights, shared by modular synth companies like Make Noise, Harvestman, Koma Electronik, WMD, and 4MS in a quest for the most sci-fi cacophony in Anaheim.
Best Meal
The MMR team that went to Taylor Guitar’s 40th Anniversary Party were glad that prior to attending they read up on which fork does what…
Best Gadget
A nifty new tool for guitarists, The Roadie quickly tunes by attaching the unit to any tuning peg. It also can help keep track of string quality and assist with winding and unwinding when it comes time to change strings. Technology!
Best ‘Unlikely Trio’
Nothing like a Taylor Guitar party to bring together the “friendly competition:” MS&R’s Dan Ferrisi, Music Inc.’s Frank Alkyer, and MMR’s Kevin Mitchell.
Best Business Card
Doesn’t get much nicer than this card from Electronic Guitar Company, cut and etched in aluminum (the preferred guitar building material of that company as well).
Worst Reminder of Our Age
We know we’re getting old, Anaheim, but at a show where Lita Ford is still signing autographs, do we really have to refer to the ‘90s as “history” already?
Best Three-Peat
In 2012 and 2013 Madeleine Crouch’s fancy Western boots got the nod for “Best Footwear,” but this year she mixed it up with some “out of this world” (ba-dum-pssshh!) Star Trek themed flats.
Best Spot for a Quick Break
Lined with food trucks and boasting a large outdoor stage and fountain, the mall between hotels on Convention Way was the best place for a breath of fresh air and a quick bite.
