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So...who's going?

I'll be there all day Thursday and Friday. Looking forward to meeting some of you folks!

I'm skipping this year. I'm too much of a patzer on the instrument itself to go around imposing myself on public pianos. Pianos don't change very fast and I haven't found people on the piano floor to be all that outgoing or talkative (compared to the main floor). It may be different if you're already a dealer, Del Fandrich or work for Larry Fine. I've been positively mis-treated in one big name's booth and simply ignored in many others. It's not that I don't understand NAMM and it's purpose. We've been members for 20 years and my first NAMM was probably 36 years ago when it was still held at the LAX hilton. There's a few people from here I wouldn't mind getting to at least greet. Norbert, Rich G, Del and a few others but not enough to hang around pianoland all day trying to catch a glimpse of their badges.

Thursday and friday are good days. Saturday is impossible unless you have a high tolerance for crowds. Sunday has become surprisingly doable. I think more people that don't have to stay are heading home before Sunday.

I'd love to go, but alas it is bit far and the wrong time for me. But to those who are going, please youtube your experiences and post a link here.

Predicted high temperature in my hometown tomorrow:
-4 (with wind chill: -25)
Anaheim:
+73

Come on, connecting flight-- get me there!!

OK Owen, it's your job to create an Anaheim Vortex and blow the temperature this way!

Not going this year, sorry too busy.

Very interested in reviews about the $ 50,000 new Artist grand piano by Ritmuller/Kayserburg.

Hand made persoanlly by Lothar Thomma and select staff.

Will be "in concert" throughout show.

Special welcome for all dedicated nay-sayers...

Norbert

Is it possible for a non-technician non-piano-salesman to get in?

It's a trade only show. If you're not a member of NAMM, you show up with proof of your being in a music related business and give them something like $100. If you're a member of NAMM you're provided with the passes for yourself and listed employees plus a certain number of passes for guests. We dish our guest passes out to friends and best clients. Now that they're older, the kids get one as well. Badge trading used to be commonplace but now there's a lot more checking that I.D.s match the name on the badge even as you head in and out of the main show floors during the day.

It occurs to me I have not answered the question well. You can get in but it's not easy or cheap unless you cadge a badge (heh) off of a friendly dealer.

I am just arriving and I look forward to seeing and meeting some folks. Owen I will look for you. BTW, I left 4 degrees.

Bring your sunscreen. It's been in the 80s here.

Rich, please post any word on what's new from Kawai this year! Can't wait to see what they have to offer!

Many Thanks!

Yes - It would be great to have the 2014 edition of the Galassini Gazette.

Rich:

I'm with Marty on this and will welcome any contributions to the
Galassini Gazette.

Thanks.

Karl Watson,
Staten Island, NY

For only the 2nd time in 35 years, I'm not going. I hear the same from an unusually large number of dealers and other industry pros.

As for new stuff from Kawai...how does a whole new upright line sound??

K-2 replaced by K-200; K-3 replaced by K300; a new model K-400; K-5 replaced by K-500 and the K-8 by the K-800.

New digital prototypes also rumored to be on display.

I may not be going, but I "hear things"!!!

Not in the industry myself, just an amateur musician with an interest in fine pianos.. I went last year for the first time and it was decent, but not going this year as I have to pay to enter.. Maybe next year.

But I am looking forward to updates here..

If I were more into digitals, then I probably would go.. but I don't think there are a lot of changes for acoustic pianos..

Just a quick moment before dinner: Kawai k-400 is like the old K3 but with a more usable music desk like you get on their flagship upright (along with some other minor changes). Tried Kayserburg grand very briefly and it played very well, though it's out in the hallway and people are being hired to perform on that piano (limits my access somewhat). Schimmel and Samick/Seiler are back exhibiting this year. Still enjoy the Hailun H-5 a lot, and they had a nice 178 on display. Met Joey Calderazzo (PW forum member, by the way) and really looking forward to hearing his performance. Got to play the new piano he just picked out - Schimmel K219. Really nice... Tried a nice new Baldwin 5'10", but it's really loud next to Fazioli's booth. Liked the Yamaha CF more this year than last. Mostly met people today, but will try to do more playing tomorrow.

This is sad to hear. And yet there are also a lot of people who want to get in, and can't.

Maybe there's an opportunity here for another kind of show, perhaps keyboard instruments only, but with room for some end users, too.

These had always been my 2 favourite Hailun models.

IMHO no major improvements since...

Norbert

Played a super nice Fazioli 225 at the show today. Actually preferred it to the 9'er. The action and sound connection were like butter.

The total ambient noise was the worst I've ever experienced in the main acoustic piano room. I've been going for 28 years. The Fazioli folks didn't even have a room, just a half partition. They were right next to this giant circular keyboard ala the "Jetsons". It electronically triggered synth, drum loops and all that thrilling stuff. Trying to play a Ballad on the the Fazioli was near impossible.

Played a really sweet 48" Bluthner upright. Beautiful little piano. Loved the action for an upright. Plus a real nice mellow sound that I would have liked to have heard better in a more quiet environment....like my living room.

Spoke with Mr. Jansen about getting a pair of his artist benches re-stuffed. Even though I have a fairly skinny rear end- it's a lot of hours over the years that add up. Both benches, one from my S6 in'97 and the one that came with the D in '06, are starting to feel not so cushiony anymore.