If you're looking for something exciting, something different or something special to come from NAMM's Believe In Music Week, look no further than The One Guitars Collection from Projects of Three: 

youtu.be/4DQL94VLM2U

Today's music: youtu.be/0x-vgy1NwIg

With so many events and fun things missing from our lives right now, it's important to keep spreading the word about cool things to look forward to. Here's a little preview of Franfret Guitars' little mini doc coming this Friday – tune in at the links below to check it out and learn more about the life of a music fanatic and guitar builder.

Franfret Guitars YouTube: youtube.com/user/franfretcustom

Franfret Guitars Facebook: facebook.com/FranfretGuitars/

Today's music: sharptonerecords.bandcamp.com/track/broken-vision-rhythm

Today's music playthrough: youtu.be/W4vcSdkw2IA

Avoiding the big debate around whether they're the next best thing to vintage guitars or are just a lame phony, relic guitars and aged guitars have thoroughly established themselves in the guitar world. Whether they're your thing or not, here are a couple of names to seriously consider when it comes to guitars with that vintage vibe. 

Pannuci Guitars: guitarlounge.nl/

Bassart Guitars: bassartguitars.de/

Today's music: youtu.be/sf90wjabKi0

Gibson's first true premier electric model was a place for experimentation and innovation, breaking new ground both pre- and post-war. It serves as a fascinating thread for following the early development of the electric guitar. But why didn't its boldest feature on first being released – its pickup – stick around?

Today's music: adultbooksca.bandcamp.com/album/running-from-the-blows

With a lot of guitar history spinning round in my head, one conclusion I've drawn is that finding the biggest innovators and the most important stories requires tuning out the noise and defining a more focused criteria. 

Today's music: lakemichigan.bandcamp.com/album/stillness-2

Despite everything moving to the virtual world, it's still NAMM Show season – or Believe In Music season for this year. Many companies are sticking to the usual cycle of revealing the majority of their new gear for the year ahead in the run up to the show, so it seems a good time to put my recent 2021 predictions to the test. Just how far off was I? 

Today's music: lorecordings.bandcamp.com/track/head-shrinker

Following on from looking at Taylor's sustainable practices, they've shown again this week that they're an innovative company looking to the future – and Martin are signalling their own forward-thinking approach as well.

Today's music: youtu.be/xPdeBxZR0dY

The Great String Experiment Continues! In the first set of comparisons, it's interesting to see if the coated strings really have the benefits their marketing spiel boasts. Do they last longer, do they sustain more, and are they louder? 

Projects of 3: projectsofthree.com/collections/the-one-guitars-collection-2021/

Today's music: adultbooksca.bandcamp.com/

There are a ton of amazing smaller guitar builders and brands that deserve lots more recognition – I try to feature a good number on here and on axesandblades.com. But in terms of the bigger brands, these guys should definitely be in the conversation more than they are...

Today's music: kikodinucci.bandcamp.com/album/rastilho

In continuing to cover the happenings in virtual guitar world, I'm taking a look at what NAMM's 2021 virtual show (Believe In Music Week) has on offer. Find out more at the links below:

Main info: attend.believeinmusic.tv/

Artist livestream info: attend.believeinmusic.tv/article/3

Today's music: youtube.com/watch?v=Qq1pWl-ObjE