“Hot ‘Lanta” was the scene of the 1977 NAMM (National Association of Musician Merchandisers) International Music Exposition. Hundreds of booths and displays filled the Georgia World Congress Center, with each occupant boasting of its state of the art contribution to music technology. I strolled for hours gazing at more'guitars and basses than were believed to exist in the civilized world. I began to fantasize about the fog of confusion that must hamper the novice about to spend his life savings on that “special axe.” Well, if you fall into this category, take heart! This year’s show featured some honey dews!Since I’m in a public position and have great influence over the masses, I’m going to tell you about some of the bonafide best axes now being manufactured. Besides...I can use the good karma.

DEAN GUITARS (2125 xDewey, Evanston, IL 60201) have taken some old ideas to new triumphs in beauty and playing ease. There are three body shapes available: the classic “V” and “Explorer” shape, as well as a futuristic design known only as “ML.” All are topped with a highly figurative, matched Curlee maple 2-piece top reminiscent of the superb Sunburst models I saw and were closer to an old Les Paul than any guitar manufactured in recent years. DiMarzio super distortion pickup and Grover tuning‘machines are stock equipment.

New from GRETSCH (1801 Gilbert Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45202) is the Super X, featuring a new design by none other than the likes of Chet Atkins. The Super X is a solid body with humbucking pickups and both a phase control and a compressor control for distortion-free sustain. The X has a Maple body with Ebony fingerboard. You should be able to see the Super X real soon, as we’re told they’re shipping now and the price isn’t bad.

When not thinking up ideas for his CREEM column, you can find Bill Parsley at Strings N Things in Memphis.

Another newcomer to the market that had everyone talking* was the simplistically beautiful SD CURLEE (P.O. Box 425, Tinley Park, IL 60477). The Curlees sport a mahogany body with double cut-away design. A hard rock maple neck runs through the body, with pickups and bridge mounted in it. A solid brass bridge and gold Schaller machine adorn the two-octave neck. Special DiMarzio pickups are standard in both the guitar and bass. The real clincher is the price tag: both are available for well under $500. This guitar was such a delight to discover because it is real quality at a reasonable price, and these days a real bargain is hard to find.

Another path finder in the crusade for quality at a fair price is IBANEZ (P.O. Box 469, Cornwells Hts., PA 19020). This company is converting thousands of pickers who previously would not have played a foreign made instrument. Among those enlisted into the ranks are guitar greats George Benson, Carlos Santana and Steve Miller. I personally would have spent many hours trying out this line of guitars, and believe me, they have a sound. The Super 70 humbucking pickups are second to none, and the detail and precision workmanship make these instruments attractive to the eye as well as the ear. Among the new models at the display were the double-neck Artist, the George Benson model Jazz Guitar (which I was fortunate enough to hear him play), and an Alembic-flavored model with elaborate electronics. The maple neck . of this model runs through the length of the body for increased sustain and strength of construction. The sound of this model is somewhat of a mystery in that the pickups were not finished in time for the show and the ones in the guitar were dummies.

Despite having lost most of their display through the airlines, TRAVIS BEAN (11671 Sheldon St., Sun Valley, CA 91352) guitars had some pleasant surprises for everyone. The body size is slightly thinner to eliminate excess weight. The cutaways are now deeper to provide access to higher frets. An elegant magnolia body is now available, as well as the familiar Koa wood.

GIBSON’s (Norlin Music, 737 N. Cicero Ave., Lincoln wood, IL 60646) ace in the hole this year was a new model guitar with electronics design by Robert MoOg (of synthesizer fame). In addition, the Artisan Les Paul with three pickups and extensive fingerboard inlay and the Les Paul Pro with single coil pickups were spotlighted. The Les Paul Custom is now available with maple fingerboard and a new bass series was also unveiled. The Les Paul Special and Melody Maker models have also been revived by popular demand.

Watch for more Extension Chords articles including a rundown on guitar synthesizers seen at the NAMM show and more information on the latest gizmos that can put you just a step closer to musical immortality.