An Exclusive Tour with NAMM Marketing Manager BJ Morgan
Welcome to the first episode of UnsceneSD on the SceneSD Magazine, a new segment brought to you by The SceneSD Magazine, where we explore the hidden cultural treasures of San Diego. In this special debut, we have the privilege of taking you inside one of Southern California’s most fascinating musical landmarks: the NAMM Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad. The museum, located just a stone’s throw away from Legoland, offers a journey through the world of music creation that you won’t want to miss.
We met up with BJ Morgan, the Marketing Manager of the museum, who has been with the organization for over 24 years. Together, we dived into the rich history and mission of the museum, as well as the stories behind the incredible instruments on display. Let’s uncover the journey of the instruments, the people, and the magic behind the Museum of Making Music.
A Museum Focused on the Stories of Everyday Instruments
While many music museums focus on celebrity memorabilia, the NAMM Museum of Making Music has a different goal. As BJ explained, it highlights the stories behind the instruments themselves—how they were made, the families who innovated, and the journey from workshop to storefront to musician. The museum tells the story of how instruments evolved, particularly in response to the changing needs of musicians.
“We don’t focus on celebrity instruments,” BJ said. “What we do here is take a look at how you and I would have gotten our instruments—the families, the innovations, and the challenges that shaped how these instruments got into the hands of musicians.”
As I noted, the museum’s goal is to no longer be a “best kept gem,” but to let people in on the story of this extraordinary place—an intimate space where visitors can trace the evolution of instruments from raw materials to beloved tools of musicians worldwide.
From Acoustic to Electric: A Walk-Through Music History
BJ took me on a tour through several rooms, each focused on different eras and innovations in musical history. In the “Making the Instruments” gallery, BJ explained how guitarists faced a growing need to be heard above the other instruments in jazz bands. Innovations such as X-bracing in acoustic guitars gave birth to louder and more powerful sounds, leading to iconic guitars like the dreadnought.
We also showcased early electric guitars like the “frying pan,” one of the first commercially successful electric guitars created by Rickenbacker in the 1930s. “It might not have been the first to patent the technology, but it was the first to be commercially viable and take off,” BJ said, touching on the fascinating debate between Rickenbacker and other early manufacturers like Slingerland.
The exhibit also displayed iconic electric instruments, such as a gold top Les Paul and a Curtis Ray Young Telecaster. BJ and I even shared a laugh over the “logs,” the nickname for those famously heavy early Les Pauls.
Adapting to Changing Times: Instruments for Every Space
One of the museum’s themes focuses on the impact of changing residential environments on instrument manufacturing. In the 20th century, as more people moved from large country estates to smaller urban apartments, the traditional grand piano became less practical. Manufacturers had to adapt, giving rise to the upright piano—compact, practical, and designed to fit more modest living spaces.
“The upright piano was really an adaptation to fit the changing needs of families,” BJ explained. “When you couldn’t have that large, beautiful grand piano in your apartment, you had to find something that still let you make music.”
From Vacuum Tubes to Digital Synths: The Evolution of Keyboards
One of my favorite parts of the tour was the electronic keyboard section. Here, BJ highlighted how the transition from vacuum tubes to transistors and then microprocessors led to major changes in musical instruments. Visitors can see everything from the patch cables of early analog synths to groundbreaking digital keyboards like the Yamaha DX7.
“These changes weren’t just technological,” BJ pointed out. “They impacted the music that was being made and made these instruments accessible to more musicians than ever before.”
I even got a chance to play some of the instruments in the “Backstage Lounge”—an area that gives visitors a hands-on experience with some truly top-shelf instruments, like Paul Reed Smith guitars and Fender basses. “This is the real deal,” I smiled, “You can’t always get this experience at a regular music store.”
Honoring Cultural Contributions: The Banjo and Ukulele Exhibit
Another highlight was the banjo and ukulele exhibit. BJ shared the often-overlooked origins of the banjo, tracing it back to West Africa, where it was originally made from gourds and strings. The evolution of the instrument is a story with deep cultural significance, shaped by history and migration.
The exhibit also celebrates the ukulele and its many waves of popularity, from Hawaiian music in the 1950s to its modern revival, thanks in part to artists like Jake Shimabukuro. As BJ put it, “These instruments are so accessible, and they’ve inspired countless musicians, young and old, to pick up music.”
Experience Music History Firsthand
If you’re in San Diego, a trip to the NAMM Museum of Making Music is a must. For just $15 ($10 for students, seniors, and military), visitors can take a journey through the history of musical instruments, learn about the craftsmanship behind them, and even try their hand at making music in the interactive areas.
“The Museum of Making Music is about more than just seeing instruments—it’s about touching, playing, and understanding how music has always been a part of our lives,” BJ emphasized. Whether you’re a musician, a music lover, or just curious about how instruments are made, the museum offers something special for everyone.
As I closed out the episode, I encouraged San Diegans to make the museum a “to-do event” for anyone who loves music. “This should no longer be a hidden gem. Let’s make it a shining example of what makes our city great,” I said with a smile.
For more hidden gems and behind-the-scenes looks at San Diego’s Entertainment scene, stay tuned to UnsceneSD on The SceneSD TV and keep reading The SceneSD Magazine.
https://www.museumofmakingmusic.org
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