While I sit in the airport getting ready to board for the first leg of my trip I decided that I should kick of my NAMM 2013 coverage with what I am look forward to and my plan of attack.

• What I am hoping to see
  • Eastman Guitars is jumping into the ukulele world. Hoping they bring as much to the uke as they do to their guitars.
  • The Martin Iz ukulele- it’s a uke based on Iz’s uke that he played on many of his albums. I guess his wife has signed the label?
  • Godin Guitars has a ukulele now. I have played the chambered guitars and it looks like they are using the same technology to make ukuleles. With all the controls on top and everything.
  • The Beard Reso-ukes. Saw one last year at the Gold Tone booth. Hoping he is still making them.
  • Bill Tapia – Really hoping that he knew about this before he died and they are not just using his name
  • Blue Nessie- Blue Mics new consumer mic that is made to make you sound better.
  • Cordoba – I have heard they have a Pepe Romero designed uke? If so that should be really interesting
  • Gretch – They have 5 new ukes this year, including a camp uke!
  • Peavey – Have heard rumors they have a ukulele, we shall see…
  • Kamaka bass – Not sure if it is true, but I hope it is.
  • Lanikai – I know what is new from my friends who are demoing, but not sure I should say. All I can say is that it will be one of the first to do it with a ukulele.
  • Beside that I will run into tons of things I don’t know about.
  • Also looking for the Jim Beam uke?
  • The plan
    • Photo dumps at lunch and dinner, with thoughts later on.
    • I will try my smartphone and see what highlights I can post.

Last year on the first day I walked 11 miles on the first day (I had a pedometer on) and by the end of the day I was toast. I will make sure to take pictures of the jams and concerts to.

Hold on tight and we shall see how this goes.