Anaheim, CA (January 20, 2012) -- In our second day on the NAMM floor, we had no trouble finding cool gear to check out. Of course, you can see it all in our photo gallery from the floor and watch all the video demos we've completed so far. But here's the gear that particularly caught our editors' eyes on the second day of the show.
Ashdown Engineering Classic Tube Magnifier 300
This new 300-watt, all-tube head is driven by six KT88 power tubes and features extensive tone-shaping via a 3-band EQ, multiple pushbuttons (including Mellow, Deep, Mid-Shift, Bright, and Mute), a front-panel DI, and a tube-bias circuit.
Vox Limited-Edition Blue-Covered AC Series
This trio—an AC30, an AC15, and an AC4—has the same features as current models, but its alluring blue covering cannot be resisted. You are powerless under its charm.
Giffin Vikta
Roger Giffin's new Premier Builders Guild-built Vikta features a mahogany body, Seymour Duncan P-90s, aged hardware, and a beautifully checked, vintage-like finish.
Paul Lairat Sirya Bass
Paul
Lairat's new Sirya bass was introduced at the 2012 NAMM show. This
handcrafted, unique instrument has a variety of wood options available
and features Gotoh tuners, Delano Xtender pickups and a John East
preamp.
NS Design
NS
Design unveiled their new bass at the 2012 NAMM show. Available in both
a fretted and fretless model, these 5-stringers are loaded up with EMGs
along with a piezo in the bridge.
Epifani AL Bass Combo
Epifani introduced the AL series line of bass combos at the 2012 NAMM show. The AL is the first to use a solid-aluminum shell, something Epifani says results in improved frequency response and power output, without unwanted tonal colorations.
The Moog Lap Steel
Yes, the Moog lap steel.
Gibson Jeff Tweedy Signature SG
Wilco's Jeff Tweedy gets a signature Gibson SG at Winter NAMM 2012. The Blue Mist finish is gorgeous and it's hard to lay off the Cippolina vibrato licks with that Lyre vibrato in hand. Sweet!
Lowden F-35 Fan Fret Prototype
Lowden's F-35 fan fret prototype looks bound for production and the combination of reclaimed redwood top and Honduran Mahogany back and sides sounds distinctly Lowden -- warm, detailed, and really responsive.
VHT's Special 12/20RT
VHT's new Special 12/20RT has 6V6 tube-driven reverb with a depth switch and tube-driven tremolo with slow/fast range switch. The amp is available in a head or combo and comes with a two-button foot switch for the tremolo and reverb. The head will retail for $649.
Ernie Ball/Music Man showed off a new Steve Lukather model with a new larger body, custom DiMarzio pickups, 5-way selector, push-push control for 12 db volume boost, and a buffered output to maintain tone at any volume level. Plus, a killer sparkle finish.
Pigtronix Infinity Stereo Multi-Track Looper
The Pigtronix Infinity Stereo Multi-Track Looper features dual stereo loops with sync, 20 loop presets, multiplier for loop 2 (2, 3, 4, or 6 times), and USB access to saved loops.
