NewBay Media's team of reviewers took to the show floor at the 2015 Winter NAMM Show with one aim: to check out and identify the best gear on the show floor from a flurry of submissions. Yes, the Best of Show award judging was under way.
Armed with product descriptions and booth locations, anonymous reviewers put each and every product through its paces with the goal of singling out top gear.
Products were judged on value, versatility, design, craftsmanship, feel, sound, cosmetics and that elusive something special, “mojo.” Items were scored on an average based on a 1-10 rating that took into account only the criteria that were applicable for each product.
Products were reviewed from the perspective of the media outlet(s) for which they were submitted. Titles like Guitar Player, Keyboard, Electronic Musician, Guitar World and more each selected their favorites.
One judge shared, “There’s an overwhelming amount of new gear at the NAMM Show. Having the opportunity to judge some of the leading manufacturers’ most innovative new offerings was equally challenging and lots of fun.”
The first ever Best of Show Awards presented by the NewBay Music Group, top scorers for each publication were singled out and will be featured in an upcoming Best of Show NAMM 2015 Program Guide. Please join us in congratulating the winners:
Acoustic Nation D’Addario EXP Strings with NY Steel
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Bass Player Ampeg BA Series Fodera Monarch 4 Standard Classic
Electronic Musician Auro Technologies Auro-3D Creative Tool Suite McDSP v6 Release Shure MOTIV TC-Helicon Ditto Mic Looper
Frets Planet Waves Clip On Headstock Tuner
Guitar Aficionado Fodera Dyer Oak Emperor II Custom Bass
Guitar Player Fishman Fluence 7-String Modern Humbuckers Shure MOTIV Supro 1650RT Royal Reverb Amp Taylor Guitars 600 Series Tech 21 Richie Kotzen RK5 Signature Fly Rig
Guitar World Gibson Les Paul Reference Monitors Knaggs Steve Stevens Signature 2015 Taylor Guitars 600 Series WD Music/Kluson Revolution Series G Mount Tuning Machine
Keyboard Akai Professional Advance Keyboards
Revolver Kiesel Guitars Vader
Pro Audio Review Auro Technologies Auro-3D Creative Tool Suite Mackie DL32R Wireless Digital Live Sound Mixer
Mix Auro Technologies Auro-3D Creative Tool Suite Blue Microphones Mo-Fi, Powered High-Fidelity Headphones Electro-Voice EXX Series Portable Loudspeakers Gator Cases Inc. Frameworks Microphone Accessory Tray Gibson Les Paul Reference Monitors
Pro Sound News Auro Technologies Auro-3D Creative Tool Suite Blue Microphones Mo-Fi, Powered High-Fidelity Headphones Electro-Voice EXX Series Portable Loudspeakers JBL Professional by Harmon SRX835P Portable Powered Loudspeakers Mackie DL32R Wireless Digital Live Sound Mixer Marshall Electronics Mini Mixer+
Laura B. Whitmore is a music industry marketing veteran, music journalist and editor, writing for Parade.com,Guitar World, and others. She has interviewed hundreds of musicians and hosts the She Rocks Podcast. As the founder of the Women’s International Music Network, she advocates for women in the music industry and produces the annual She Rocks Awards. She is the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Positive Grid, making the world safe for guitar exploration everywhere! A guitarist and singer/songwriter, Laura is currently co-writing an album of pop songs that empower and energize girls.
