Bringing Wonder to Your Guitar Wall

The guitar is an exciting instrument. Often used in the backgrounds of commercials and movies to indicate that the people in these scenes are relevant and modern. They’re not stuck in the past.

However, this modern icon of contemporary culture is still at risk of becoming familiar … too familiar. And, as the saying goes, “Familiarity breeds contempt,” so what can we do to make sure that this instrument that embodies the ideals of modernity and excitement continues to bring a sense of wonder to your guitar wall?

First is to stay curious and explore new possibilities. This is what has defined the success of guitars since the middle of the last century. Musicians continue to find new ways to express themselves on these wondrous fretted objects. A mechanical user interface that lets you shape your musical experience like no other. And there’s no better place to explore new possibilities in guitars than The NAMM Show’s 2026 Boutique Guitar Showcase, now in its tenth year.

The guitar continues to evolve, with thousands of guitar makers from all around the globe shaping new guitars with novel ideas that represent the needs of today's musicians. By focusing on guitar makers that are creating unique, world-class guitars that are contributing to the conversation of the guitar, the Boutique Guitar Showcase is a place to explore new possibilities for your guitar store.

Here’s a preview of what you can expect to see in the BGS this 2026 NAMM Show, and the guitar trends that are shaping our industry that BGS artisans and visitors will be talking about.

2026 Boutique Guitar Showcase Preview

Simon Padalka will return to The NAMM Show for the first time since 2020 with his unique take on the guitar. Simon is a trained architect and comes from a family of architects. You can see this in the lines of his guitars and the material and textures he chooses. You can see his remarkable work in the three guitars he will bring from his Padalka Guitars brand, one of the featured Dingwall Master Builder Basses at the Dingwall booth, as well as one of the four art installations at the entrance to the BGS.

For those unfamiliar with the backstory, Simon is from the Russian Federation, and when the war broke out between Russia and Ukraine, he was cut off from the rest of the world. Through his connection with the BGS, he was able to secure a new life in Canada as a Master Builder for Dingwall Guitars, and now Simon, his family, and his first Canadian-born son are living in Canada.

Another one of the art installations will be made by Giulio Negrini, an Italian Master living in Switzerland. The Lord of the Rings books and movies have played a pivotal role in Giulio's life and work, and 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of Giulio Negrini Guitars and the 25th anniversary of the Lord of the Rings movies by Peter Jackson. Giulio plans to celebrate with a tribute to the stories that have shaped his life and his guitars.

Trends

UI and UE, or user interface and user experience, are design terms used to frame a way of thinking that pervades our modern culture, and guitar design is no exception.

Modern guitar makers are shaping these musical interfaces to craft an experience that is more user-friendly, with ergonomics designed for the human body in terms of their weight, balance and accessibility.

From removing headstocks (headless guitars) to improve balance, neck shapes and action that reduce fatigue and repetitive stress injuries, and multi-scale (fanned fret) designs that improve tonal clarity, note separation and response so you don’t have to struggle to hear yourself in the mix.

These refinements appeal to both younger players for their modern sensibilities and older players who need instruments that are less fatiguing.

Extended-range guitars should also be noted. With improved fidelity in recording, playback and live audio, modern musicians have consistently pushed into lower and lower frequencies. Five-string basses are the standard in many genres, as are guitars with seven, eight or more strings.

These designs should not be seen as fads. They are refinements that have now stood the test of time. It is my opinion that if your store does not have relevant headless, multi-scale and extended-range guitars, then you are re-enacting a specific period of music. This is only a problem if you are not conscious of it. If you want to re-enact your favorite period, then do it with pride and do it well. But if your intention is to meet the needs of today's guitar players, and those of the future, then come to the 2026 NAMM Show’s Boutique Guitar Showcase to see the proverbial “Tip of the Spear.”

For ten years, the Boutique Guitar Showcase has been inspiring our industry. Every year, you will see the industry’s “who’s who” walking its aisles with smiles and wonder on their faces. It’s my hope that we will see you there with a curious and inspired look on your face, and that you’ll go back to your shop full of inspiration for how to inspire curiosity and wonder in your customers, too.

I love where we’ve been, and I’m excited about where we’re going.

Attend The 2026 NAMM Show >>

About the Author

Jamie Gale is a globally recognized thought leader in the guitar industry. Known for founding and curating the Boutique Guitar Showcase, hosting the ‘Life With Strings Attached’ podcast and consulting top makers, brands, and organizations worldwide. As a sought-after speaker and educator, Jamie has lectured at institutions like Harvard University, The NAMM Show, Mondo NYC and La Biennale di Venezia. His work focuses on brand development, business strategy, global engagement, and delving further into the unwritten future of guitar. Having experienced almost every aspect of the guitar industry, Jamie Gale is redefining how we think about guitars and their place in the world of culture, art, design and music.