By Martina Fasano

Summer NAMM. It’s almost like the overlooked middle child of the family when compared to the “Golden Child” that is Winter NAMM. That being said, many of the company reps I have spoken to over the years will tell you that Summer NAMM is actually a better place to do what they’re all there to do: work and network. It also goes without say that Summer NAMM is not just a re-do of Winter NAMM on a smaller scale, but a place where some companies choose to showcase the instruments and products that weren’t quite ready for the winter version of the tradeshow. Some of these new products turn out to be the real gems of the company’s innovative offerings for the year, so it’s worth it to have a look and see some of the awesome guitars that were sporting Seymour Duncan pickups at the 2016 Summer NAMM show which took place June 23-25 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Prestige Guitars Heritage Premier Spalt Maple

If you’re a fan of natural finishes, this solid carved AAA spalted maple top Les Paul-styled guitar may just be the “prettiest” guitar in the round-up. Complete with gold hardware and a mahoghany body and neck, and an ebony fretboard, the Seymour Duncan SH-1 ‘59 and SH-4 JB are the perfect match for this limited edition guitar.

D’Angelico EX-SS Fabrizio Sotti Signature

This natural finish guitar with black hardware was designed in collaboration with jazz guitarist, composer, and producer Fabrizio Sotti. Loaded with Seymour Duncan Jazz and JB pickups, this classic design with a modern touch turned a lot of heads at the show.

Schecter Jeff Loomis ‘Cygnus’ JLX-7 FR

This is definitely one for the “metal maniacs” in the crowd. Behold the 7-string Cygnus signature model that sports the newly released Jeff Loomis Signature Blackouts in the neck and bridge positions. Neck thru construction with a quilted maple top, maple neck and fretboard, and Floyd Rose tremolo for those dive bombs that you just know you want to try on this 7-string beast of a guitar.

Michael Kelly Guitars Relic 50 T-Style

Whether you’re a fan of relic jobs on guitars or not, the mojo of this Tele-style guitar can’t be denied! This is one of the company’s Mod Shop offerings. The Mod Shop debuted at Winter NAMM and features higher end electronics, finish, and appointments. This one also features Seymour Duncan pickups in the neck and bridge.

ESP USA M-III Duncan

Here’s one for the shredders that may have their roots in decades past in terms of color selection. This sparkly blue axe could easily pay tribute to all of the guitar-shaped pools found in Nashville hotels, and the high quality offerings of the ESP Custom Shop are noticeable in the finish and hardware, while the Seymour Duncan STK-S4 stacked humbuckers and Custom Shop ‘78 Bridge Humbucker pickups lend it a growl that is distinctly rock’n’roll.

Eastman T486B-SB Thinline

Another beauty for thinline/hollow body fans from Eastman guitars. This Bigsby-equipped guitar with an ebony fretboard and maple laminate top, sides, and back comes loaded with Seymour Duncan Phat Cat pickups.

Jackson Signature Scott Ian King V KVT

How does one not say “Wow, cool!” when they see a V-shaped guitar? I know that most are either lovers or haters of the shape, but this King V from Jackson’s USA shop in ivory with a white pickguard may convert a few of the haters. The clean look with the chrome hardware is perfectly combined with the Seymour Duncan SH-1 ‘59 and SH-4 JB pickups that are the backbone of this metal machine. There’s also a more affordable version with Duncan Designed pickups (pictured).