Best in Show Showcases Top Gear at 2022 NAMM Show

Best In Show served as the final NAMM U session on Sunday morning with seven industry experts presenting their top picks for the gear they saw during the three-day show. The event was moderated by Frank Alkyer, publisher of Music Inc. and UpBeat Daily.

The categories discussed were:

Best In Show: The best product or service panelists saw at NAMM.
Company To Watch: An exhibitor with trendsetting products or services.
Gotta Stock It: A product retailers want to start stocking right now.
Add-ons & Accessories: A great product from the small-goods arena.

This year’s panelists were:

Robert Christie, President, A & G Central Music, Madison Heights, Michigan

Cindy & Rand Cook, Co-owners, The Candyman Strings & Things, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Jim Tuerk, Director of Business Development, Reverb, Chicago

Mike Risko, Owner, Mike Risko Music School, Ossining, New York

Gayle Beacock, Co-owner, Beacock Music, Vancouver, Washington

Chris Tso, Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing, Full Compass, Madison, Wisconsin

BEST IN SHOW

Wiseman Cases
Robert Christie
“Cases can be products that we think of as ‘throw away products’ in our minds, because we’re so focused on selling that guitar or keyboard. But these cases really protect the investment a customer makes in a guitar, and they’re cases that you can have pride in your ownership of.”

Sela Harmony
Cindy & Rand Cook
“They have amazing products and gorgeous singing bowls. The wellness percussion market is growing, and these are great additions for that.”

Oberheim OB-X
Jim Tuerk
“The main reason I chose this was the connection the company had to the late Dave Smith. His impact on the ecosystem of products in our industry can’t be overstated.”

Yamaha FSC-TA TransAcoustic Guitar
Mike Risko
“This is truly an amazing sounding guitar.”

Hal Leonard Modern Band Method
Gayle Beacock
“These are wonderful books with wonderful songs. We’re going to use these in our education center.”

Focusrite Vocaster One, Vocaster Two
Chris Tso
“These are made from 50% recycled materials, believe it or not, and they’re great gateway products. They’re going to increase the customer base in our MI community.”

COMPANY TO WATCH

Maple Leaf Strings
Robert Christie
“Maple Leaf Strings makes truly great instruments. On the product side, they have you covered. On the customer service side, they’re very easy to deal with.”

St. Louis Music
Cindy & Rand Cook
“For us, company culture is just as important as the products a company sells. St. Louis Music has celebrated 100 years this industry, and we still receive very personalized attention from them. They are honest and have integrity.”

Groove Synths
Jim Tuerk
“Seeing a company debut with an instrument this deep, [the new 3rd Wave synth], is really very exciting.”

Hoshino
Mike Risko
“They have a lot of female guitarists that are now promoting their lines, which I think is very important and shows their commitment to music makers.”

Proel
Gayle Beacock
“There are so many reasons why I’m choosing this company. They’re a very deliberate company — they do marketing and have great price points. They also have really innovative products.”

Exertis
Chris Tso
“Exertis has only been in the industry for about four years, and they’ve already acquired a bunch of large companies such as Jam and The Music People. Yet, they allow those companies to handle their own specialities and just handle the back-end logistics.”

GOTTA STOCK IT

Yamaha AG01 Streaming Loopback Audio USB Mic
Robert Christie
“This mic has a lot of applications. It has built-in DSP, great quality audio output and it’s so easy I can even use it.”

Cordoba Stage Guitar
Cindy & Rand Cook
“Crossover guitars have existed for a long time, but this is really a fantastic product.”

Guild Surfliner
Jim Tuerk
“This guitar looks cool and then you see the price tag, and you’re like, ‘I have to get this.’”

On-Stage BC1000 Bluetooth Converter
Mike Risko
“If you want to play music in between your sets, this converter lets you connect your phone and play music for your audience.”

Protec M404 Multiple Mute Bag / Protec Fiber Carbon Mute
Gayle Beacock
“The bag has pockets, and it’s easy to carry. And, when you’re playing with the Fiber Carbon Mute, you’re not weighed down because it’s really that light. These two make a mute package that everyone needs.”

Line 6 Catalyst Amp
Chris Tso
“This is a great amp. You absolutely have to check this one out.”

ADD-ON & ACCESSORIES

No Nuts Percussion Cymbal Sleeves
Robert Christie
“A good add-on is something you can recommend to a lot of people, and these are one. Help your drummers out and stock these.”

Taylor GS Mini/Travel Essentials Pack
Cindy & Rand Cook
“Anyone who grabs can Taylor can add on one of these packs and be ready to plug and play.”

Positive Grid Spark Mini
Jim Tuerk
“I’m really impressed with the power of these amps. To see Positive Grid shrink down an already small product and make it even smaller is awesome. You can throw it in a bag, take it on a trip or keep it in your office for a quick jam session. It’s surprisingly loud, and it sounds awesome.”

Gator Frameworks Stream Stand Series
Mike Risko
“With the increase of content creation, this is something we should all have in our stores.”

GripOPhone Lyres
Gayle Beacock
“This is the last lyre you will ever need. It’s made in Orange County, California, [not far from where NAMM is held], and the creator wanted to improve the lyre for himself and he really did just that with this. It’s genius.”

Gator Frameworks Elite Series Guitar Hanging Stand
Chris Tso
“This is perfect for the person who wants to display their guitar, but has a spouse who doesn’t want a tubular stand in their living room.”