Cable Free Guitar (CFG) has introduced DeadOn, a low-profile rechargeable clip-on instrument tuner designed to provide enhanced visibility and accuracy.
The DeadOn pairs a bright color TFT screen with ±0.5-cent stated tuning accuracy and USB-C recharging, eliminating the need for disposable coin-cell batteries. It features a sleek, stealthy design that delivers instantaneous tuning status when it’s clipped to your headstock.
A conventional clip-on tuner can be awkwardly bulky, especially when left on an instrument during a set. DeadOn takes a more discreet approach. Its adjustable screen shows the note and tuning status at a glance, while a flexible mounting clip and vivid display makes it easy to see your tuning status – even in bright outdoor light. The result is a reliable, highly responsive tuner that stays out of the way until you need it.
DeadOn offers five modes: Guitar, Bass, Violin, Ukulele and Chromatic. The chromatic setting supports alternate guitar tunings and other compatible pitched instruments. Additional features include adjustable 410-460 Hz calibration, an A0-C8 detection range, memory of the selected reference pitch, and automatic shutoff after eight minutes of inactivity.
The internal rechargeable battery provides more than three hours of tuning time per charge and recharges in under 1.5 hours using the included USB-A to USB-C cable and a standard 5 V USB power source. The complete kit includes the tuner, charging cable, and owner’s manual.
Cable Free Guitar (CFG) has introduced DeadOn, a low-profile rechargeable clip-on instrument tuner designed to provide enhanced visibility and accuracy.
Children’s instrument brand Loog and Fender have introduced two new additions to the Fender x Loog collection: the Fender x Loog Precision Bass, marking Loog's first-ever bass, and the Fender x Loog Telecaster in a new Butterscotch Blonde finish.
The Fender x Loog Precision Bass features three strings, a compact short scale and one pickup. It’s designed to feel comfortable in small hands while providing the authentic experience of playing a real bass guitar.
The newest Fender x Loog Telecaster pays tribute to the original Telecaster with a classic Butterscotch Blonde finish and black pickguard. Loog’s compact, three-string format makes it easy for children to begin playing chords and songs from day one.
Developed in collaboration with Fender and manufactured by Loog, both instruments feature an authentic Fender headstock, Loog’s signature three-string fretboard and a standard ¼-inch output jack for use with an amplifier. Each instrument also includes access to the Loog Guitar app, featuring video lessons and game-like exercises, as well as an exclusive Fender-inspired activity book filled with games, trivia and creative challenges—a hands-on, screen-free way for kids to explore Fender’s heritage.
The Fender x Loog Precision Bass carries a $229.99 street price and is available in White Blonde, inspired by the finish of the original 1951 Precision Bass, as well as Candy Apple Red, Sea Foam Green and a limited edition Hello Kitty Black.
The Fender x Loog Telecaster is available at a $229.99 street price and features a classic Butterscotch Blonde finish with a black pickguard, inspired by the original 1951 model.
Children’s instrument brand Loog and Fender have introduced two new additions to the Fender x Loog collection: the Fender x Loog Precision Bass, marking Loog's first-ever bass, and the Fender x Loog Telecaster in a new Butterscotch Blonde finish.
SoloDallas has updated the company’s flagship pedal: The newly unveiled Schaffer Replica Storm features top-mounted jacks, in response to overwhelming demand for a more pedalboard-friendly version of the classic circuit.
Since its initial release over a decade ago, the Schaffer Replica has attracted a fervent following, and the new configuration makes it a natural fit for an even broader range of pedalboards—while retaining all the components and features that have shaped its iconic sound from day one.
The Schaffer Replica Storm features the 100% analog limiter, overdrive, boost, line buffer and "goalpost" EQ circuit that SoloDallas reverse-engineered from the 1974 Schaffer-Vega Diversity System wireless unit. This pioneering wireless system was used by Angus Young, David Gilmour, EVH, and other legendary guitarists throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
With its top-mounted jacks and graphic font reminiscent of a Led Zeppelin album cover, the updated pedal retains its straightforward three-knob control set:
GAIN Knob controls the harmonic clipping circuit and bumps the crucial low-mid frequencies responsible for giving live instruments punch and allowing guitar frequencies to stand out in the mix.
BOOST Knob controls a powerful pre-amp capable of delivering a whopping 31db of clean boost. This LM308 flavored analog boost allows you to balance the output signal once the perfect amount of drive has been dialed in on the GAIN knob.
LIMITER Knob controls the signal amplitude threshold while protecting against the clipping that typically occurs with gain increases. The sensitivity of this effect increases as the GAIN knob is turned up. The dynamic response ranges from loose and bloomy to extremely percussive attack.
Key features include:
100% Analog Circuitry
Heavy-duty true bypass footswitch
Neutrik Top-Mounted Jacks
9-12v DC center negative operation using external power supply
Made in USA
The updated Schaffer Replica Storm carries a street price of $249 USD—unchanged from the previous version. For more information visit solodallas.com.
SoloDallas
Schaffer Replica Storm
SoloDallas has updated the company’s flagship pedal: the newly unveiled Schaffer Replica Storm features top-mounted jacks, in response to overwhelming demand for a more pedalboard-friendly version of the classic circuit.
Von Frankenstein Monster Gear has teamed up with American heavy metal guitarist Jeff Loomis, best known for his work with progressive metal band Nevermore, his solo albums such as Plains of Oblivion, and projects including Conquering Dystopia; to release two new signature guitar string sets: the Raven VI six-stringset and the Raven VII seven-string set. Engineered to meet the technical demands of high-speed shredding, complex neoclassical solos, and rhythmically advanced six and seven-string riffing, the new series delivers bench-built consistency and reliability for modern progressive thrash, power metal, and death metal players.
Every string in the Raven series is manufactured individually on a U.S. workbench using domestically sourced raw materials, deliberately avoiding mass-production processes. The construction utilizes treated hex steel cores meticulously wrapped with nickel-plated steel. This specific material selection and one-at-a-time wrapping process is designed to deliver the precise build quality, feel, and durability required by discerning players.
“These are the perfect gauges for half step tuning," Loomis says. "Not too light, not too heavy. These custom gauge sets are ideal when standing up with a strap in live settings and being comfortable doing deep bends and vibrato.”
For six-string setups, the Raven VI set runs a precise gauge spread of .009, .012, .016, .026, .036, and .048.
For players needing heavier bottom end, the Raven VII seven-string set takes that exact same foundation and adds a heavy-duty .062 gauge on the bottom end, delivering a total gauge lineup of .009, .012, .016, .026, .036, .048, and .062.
Von Frankenstein Monster Gear teams up with American heavy metal guitarist Jeff Loomis, best known for his work with progressive metal band Nevermore, his solo albums such as Plains of Oblivion, and projects including Conquering Dystopia; to release two new signature guitar string sets: the Raven VI six-string set and the Raven VII seven-string set. Engineered to meet the technical demands of high-speed shredding, complex neoclassical solos, and rhythmically advanced six and seven-string riffing, the new series delivers bench-built consistency and reliability for modern progressive thrash, power metal, and death metal players.
Expanding on the company’s highly regarded Beam Mini smart amplifier, Blackstar has announced two new launches. First, there’s the Beam Control, a dedicated Bluetooth foot controller engineered for all Beam range products. In addition, Blackstar has introduced the Beam Mini Wireless Rig, a fully integrated, cable-free guitar package that integrates the Beam Mini amp, Blackstar’s Airwire i58 wireless instrument system, and the new Beam Control Bluetooth footswitch into a dedicated protective carry case.
Developed to eliminate cable clutter and give guitarists seamless, hands-free command over their sound, Beam Control links directly to Beam units via an out-of-the-box Bluetooth connection, allowing players to switch sounds and effects wirelessly without taking their hands off the instrument. The device expands the interactive capabilities of Blackstar’s home-focused Beam series.
Beam Control connects directly to Beam hardware in seconds with zero setup programming required, making it the only foot controller designed to work straight out of the box with the Beam lineup. The unit addresses the demands of home practice and rehearsal environments by removing trailing cables between the amp and player, eliminating trip hazards, keeping living spaces organized, and allowing musicians the freedom to place their Beam amplifier wherever desired.
To provide players with complete performance flexibility across a wide range of musical contexts and playing styles, Beam Control incorporates three dedicated operational modes that transform how musicians interact with their sound in real time. In Patch Mode, guitarists can instantly cycle through the five pre-stored sound patches on their Beam amplifier, executing effortless, instantaneous transitions between rhythm beds, pristine clean tones, and high-gain lead voicings without breaking musical flow. When direct sonic manipulation is needed during a song, FX Mode reframes the foot controller as a traditional pedalboard layout, empowering players to engage or bypass individual effects on the fly within whichever patch is currently active. For players requiring a completely tailored workflow, Custom Mode interfaces with the companion Beam app to enable granular mapping across the hardware, allowing musicians to assign each individual footswitch to their exact functional preferences and craft a personalized control setup uniquely tuned to how they play.
Engineered for portability and ergonomics, the foot controller features a compact, ultra-lightweight chassis weighing just 0.22 kg. It includes an integrated expression pedal input for expanded external control and is powered by a built-in USB-C rechargeable battery that provides up to 12 hours of continuous play time on a single charge.
Beam Control carries a $74.99 street price. Key features include:
Compatibility: Dedicated foot controller engineered for all Blackstar Beam products
Connectivity: Direct Bluetooth wireless connection; zero programming required straight out of the box
Control Modes: Three dedicated modes: Patch Mode, FX Mode, and Custom Mode
Patch Switching: Direct access across five stored hardware patches
FX Switching: Individual on/off effect toggling within active patches
App Integration: Custom footswitch assignment and mapping via the Beam app
External Expression: Expression pedal input included
Battery & Power: Internal USB-C rechargeable battery providing up to 12 hours of operational use
The Beam Mini Wireless Rig is an all-in-one solution engineered to eliminate setup clutter, reduce floor-cable hazards, and deliver extended mobile playing capability.
Arriving in a dedicated travel case, the bundle brings together Blackstar’s Beam Mini smart guitar amplifier, the Airwire i58 5.8GHz instrument transmission system, and the Beam Control Bluetooth foot controller. By combining low-latency wireless instrument connectivity, native open-source neural profile loading, and rechargeable battery operation across all hardware units, Blackstar targets modern guitarists seeking an unencumbered practice and performance ecosystem in a single grab-and-go package.
The core of the system is the Beam Mini smart guitar amplifier, which features an IP66-rated enclosure for dust and water resistance. Tone generation is driven by advanced component-level modeling alongside Blackstar’s patented Infinite Shape Feature (ISF) tone control. Spatial sound projection is handled via Super Wide Stereo technology, engineered to create an immersive playing experience as well as high-definition Bluetooth music playback for standard listening.
Expanding its digital footprint, the Beam Mini is the first hardware amplifier to natively load NAM A2 (Neural Amp Modeler) captures. Through a direct partnership with TONE3000, players can browse, audition, and wirelessly transfer thousands of community-crafted profiles straight to the amplifier using the free companion Beam app. In addition, the Beam ecosystem embeds Moises real-time stem separation technology directly into the practice routine, giving musicians the ability to isolate, attenuate, or completely remove original guitar tracks from commercial songs to generate custom play-along backing tracks on the fly.
Instrument connectivity is handled by the Airwire i58 system, which broadcasts across the 5.8GHz frequency band to steer clear of crowded Wi-Fi networks. The system operates with under six milliseconds of latency, supports an operational range of up to 35 meters, and includes switchable Cable Tone emulation to recreate the characteristic capacitive high-frequency roll-off of traditional copper cables. Hands-free command is maintained through the Beam Control wireless foot controller, which pairs over Bluetooth without requiring manual routing or programming. Operating in Patch, FX, or custom app-defined footswitch layouts, it allows users to switch presets and toggle any of the amplifier's 35-plus studio-quality effects seamlessly.
Designed for off-grid operation, the rig provides independent, rechargeable runtimes: up to 18 hours of play time from the Beam Mini amplifier, 12 hours from the Beam Control footswitch, and nine hours from the Airwire i58 wireless unit. All components pack into an impact-resistant, vegan-leather-finished carry case fitted with a heavy-duty handle and an internal zippered storage section designed for guitar accessories.
Beam Mini Wireless Rig carries a street price of $459.99. Features include:
Rig Components: Beam Mini smart guitar amplifier, Airwire i58 wireless instrument system, Beam Control Bluetooth foot controller, and custom hard carry case
Amp Modeling & Effects: Component-level digital modeling, patented ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) control, and 35+ onboard studio-grade effects
NAM Support: World's first hardware amplifier to natively load NAM A2 (Neural Amp Modeler) profiles; access to thousands of captures via TONE3000 partnership
Practice Integration: Moises real-time stem-separation technology for song isolation and backing-track generation
Audio & Audio Playback: Super Wide Stereo technology with Bluetooth streaming capability
Durability Rating: IP66 dust- and water-resistant rating on the Beam Mini amplifier
Wireless Instrument Band: 5.8GHz frequency band to mitigate standard Wi-Fi interference
Footswitch Switching Modes: Patch mode, FX mode, and custom layout configuration via the Beam app
Rechargeable Battery Life: Up to 18 hours (Beam Mini), up to 12 hours (Beam Control), and up to nine hours (Airwire i58)
Case Construction: Impact-resistant shell with vegan leather exterior finish, rugged carrying handle, and zippered internal accessory pouch
Blackstar
Beam Control
Expanding on the company’s highly regarded Beam Mini smart amplifier, Blackstar has announced two new launches. First, there’s the Beam Control, a dedicated Bluetooth foot controller engineered for all Beam range products. In addition, Blackstar has introduced the Beam Mini Wireless Rig, a fully integrated, cable-free guitar package that integrates the Beam Mini amp, Blackstar’s Airwire i58 wireless instrument system, and the new Beam Control Bluetooth footswitch into a dedicated protective carry case.