Winter NAMM is only over when the judges hand in their deliberation - who was the Best In Show? After a lengthy process involving detailed evaluations of spirit, grooming, obedience and breeding, the judges threw up their hands in confusion (having been given the rules for judging a dog show instead of the premier musical instrument exhibition.)

Once this mistake had been addressed, all became clear. This week NAMM has announced that the Winter 2007 Best In Show winner (Trendsetter category) is the Patriot Limited from Michael Kelly Guitars of Clearwater, FL.

The Patriot Limited is a set-neck, Korean-made archtop, crafted in Maple, Mahogany, Ebony and Burbinga woods. It sports a pair of Rockfield SWC pickups (coil-tapped dual-mode) and a through-body bridge. Street price is around $500 USD.

The Best In Show designation was in the "Trendsetters" category and was delivered by a panel of six industry experts invited to shop the show and deliver winners in five categories.