Question revolving NAMM '13

[Orpheo]

Hi guys and gals, I have a bit of a self imposed pickle. I have 2 nice les pauls waiting for me  in LA (or greater LA; I don't know how to call it ) but I need to wire them up. I've got the pots harnassed, everything is ready to go, I just need to solder a grand total of 8 wires. Who can help me out? I have no idea of distances, nor have I got an idea if the guys of Seymour Duncan will bring along a soldering iron, and I can't bring my own to fix it in my hotel room cause my iron runs at 220 volts and you guys have 110...

If not, I'm a big loser for forgetting a detail like that and I'll have to hold off showing off my 2 master pieces (cause hell; thats what they are: koa, rosewood, flamed maple and 1 piece mahogany?! thats masterpieces avant la lettre! ) till I get to Santa Barbara.

 

[AutoBat]

It's not common, but you could make your wiring harness ready to accept speaker style connectors or use alligator clips.  I would do a lot of jumping around with it, but it should function in a pinch.

 

[Maka491]

Slightly off-topic but...are you planning to take the guitars into the show?

 

[Wyliee]

Do you need the soldering iron inside or outside of NAMM?

 

[Jumble Jumble]

If you have time, put a Liberator in there.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

This whole thing seems a little weird.

You have a pass but haven't mentioned any affiliation with a vendor, so you're basically a hobbyist that scored a pass to an industry only function, and is going to walk in with 2 custom guitars that were soldered with a borrowed soldering iron done on a coffee table.  Most of my builds were not playable in the hours after setup, requiring nut work, fret work, and truss rod settling and readjusting.

If you're looking to impress, I'd bet each of the builds is spectacular visually, but the setup will be less than spectacular.  Mind you, everyone there is familiar with, has seen, or even owns a Warmoth.

If you're going to demo an amp for purchase, how will you really know what it sounds like playing a guitar you don't know what sounds like.  Follow me, we all have guitars that sound different thru different amps.  By knowing the guitar, you can better evaluate the amp.  We have an amp that sounds different, with different guitars.  By knowing the amp, we can better evaluate each guitar.  What does a guitar you'be never heard sound like through an amp you've never heard?  Good?  Bad?  Bright?  Warm?  Is it the guitar or the amp?  Which would you change. 

 

[pabloman]

He has previously mentioned an affiliation with a vendor. Not so much with NAMM but its not that hard to connect the dots. Besides I'm pretty sure Orph knows exactly what he's doing. I imagine if he takes those guitars he will be showcasing some pretty cool pickups :headbang1:

 

[Jumble Jumble]

I don't think it's supposed to be a secret. As bloggers for SD we were all invited to NAMM this year as guests.

 

[jackthehack]

You can buy a cheap soldering iron perfectly capable of doing a guitar's wiring at any Home Depot/Lowe's/RadioShack for around $25. You will have to drive past at least one of those between the airport/hotel/convention center.

 

[Ace Flibble]

Dunno if y'all have been to NAMM before or not, but it's not the sort of thing where you just rock up with your favourite axe and start jamming.

If you're meant to be demoing something for Seymour Duncan (or Warmoth, for that matter), it's on them to have everything supplied and ready to go.
If you're in some way handling a booth, it's not on you to be bringing anything.
In fact, there is no reason for you to be taking any guitars along at all, unless it's pure coincidence that you have some things to collect/wire up there at the same time you'll be attending NAMM. In which case, grab a soldering iron at any point along your trip and get to work whenever you have a free moment.

I've been to god-knows how many trade shows in several different countries and in several different sectors and roles, and this is the first time I've heard of attendees bringing along their own pieces to... well, to do anything with. Usually you're not even allowed cameras, unless you have press passes. NAMM's a trade show, not a convention.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

You said exactly what I was trying to say.

 

[Maka491]

Ace Flibble put it quite right.

I would advise against taking any guitars to NAMM. Security will simply not let you in with these unless you are an exhibitor. I'm sure your guitars are as amazing as you say but dont disappoint yourself by trying to get them in.

To give you an idea how strict they are, I am having a Lollar humbucker delivered to a friend of mine who is actually exhibiting at NAMM and I have to wait until after the show ends for him to be able to take it out and hand it to me. It's not even worth risking him putting it in his bag as he knows he could be searched.

 

[SustainerPlayer]

"The perpetrator was caught carrying a concealed Lollar."

 

[Ace Flibble]

It does sound a bit daft, but I've been grabbed by security, detained for several hours and searched at a trade show before, merely because they saw me using my phone. I was responding to a text message; they thought I might be using the camera on it to take photos.

Even if you're registered as Seymour Duncan staff or have a press pass, you don't go in there with anything more than a wallet, some ID, a phone and possibly—check in advance and be prepared to not use it—a basic, consumer-level camera.

 

[Orpheo]

Guys, thanks for the replies but my inquiry was rather premature. Thanks! Hope to see some of you at NAMM!