"This Eko is based on the K GG3 and designed with Marcelo Barrera (Rescate) with a modified body and headstock, 24 frets, ebony fretboard, Gotoh Floyd bridge and Seymour Duncan pickups."
This year marks a milestone in music history as Gibson celebrates 100 years of crafting its world-famous flat-top acoustic guitars. From front porches to festival stages, from early folk pioneers to boundary-pushing modern artists, Gibson acoustics have shaped the sound of generations. To honor a century of craftsmanship and innovation, Gibson proudly unveils the latest chapter in its storied acoustic legacy with the return of the Original Collection, featuring the SJ-200 60s Original, LG-2 50s Original, and the J-160E Original. Each model captures the timeless character, unmistakable tone, and handcrafted excellence that have defined Gibson flat-tops since 1926. The Gibson Original Collection is available worldwide at authorized Gibson dealers, at Gibson Garage locations, and on Gibson.com.
Gibson’s tradition of acoustic mastery began with instruments that quickly became the bedrock of American music. Over the decades, these guitars became inseparable from cultural moments and the artists who defined them. From the introspective songwriters of the 1940s to the global icons of the 1960s and 1970s, Gibson flat-tops have been heard on countless historic records and carried on countless shoulders. Today, they continue to resonate with players seeking unmatched expression, enduring quality, and the authentic voice of a century old craft tops have been heard on countless historic records and carried on countless shoulders.
Gibson Original Collection featuring the LG-2 50s, SJ-200 60s, and the J-160E.
At the forefront of this anniversary celebration is the SJ-200 60s Original, a tribute to the era that cemented the guitar’s status as the “King of the Flat-Tops.” First introduced in 1937 and immortalized by artists such as Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Jimmy Page, the SJ-200 became synonymous with power, presence, and unmistakable style. The new 60s SJ-200 Original honors that heritage with a AAA figured maple body, a solid AAA Sitka spruce top, vintage correct 1960s nitrocellulose lacquer, and the iconic no-border pickguard. Every detail—from the graduated mother-of-pearl crown inlays to the rosewood Moustache™ bridge—evokes the golden age of acoustic design while offering the reliability and performance needed by today’s artists.
Gibson Original Collection SJ-200 60s in Vintage Sunburst and Heritage Cherry Sunburst.
Gibson also revisits one of its most beloved small body acoustics with the LG-2 50s Original. First launched in 1942, the LG-2 quickly became a favorite for its balanced voice, compact size, and surprising projection. The new 50s Original revives this classic with era accurate character and craftsmanship, pairing a solid Sitka spruce top with scalloped X-bracing and solid mahogany back and sides. Its comfortable Rounded neck profile, rosewood fretboard, and vintage inspired aesthetic details recapture the charm of the 1950s models that remain highly sought after by collectors and players alike. The guitar’s intimate size and warm, articulate voice make it an ideal companion for songwriting, recording, or everyday playing, while the L.R. Baggs™ VTC pickup ensures it’s ready for any stage.
Gibson Original Collection LG-2 50s in Vintage Sunburst and Antique Natural.
Rounding out the Original Collection is the return of the iconic J-160E Original, a guitar forever linked to the early days of The Beatles and the electrifying shift of youth culture in the 1960s. Introduced in 1954 as one of Gibson’s earliest acoustic electric hybrids, the J-160E blended acoustic tradition with electric innovation. The new J-160E Original retains the guitar’s unmistakable character while elevating it for modern musicians. A solid Sitka spruce top with scalloped X-bracing replaces the laminated top of earlier models, delivering richer acoustic resonance, while the P90 DC pickup offers the classic tone with none of the hum. With its SlimTaper™ neck, trapezoid inlays, gold Top Hat knobs, and belly-up rosewood bridge, the J-160E Original preserves everything players have always loved while offering enhanced performance for contemporary music-making.
Gibson Original Collection J-160E in Vintage Sunburst.
All three Original Collection models are handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana, where Gibson’s team of world class luthiers continues the tradition of meticulous acoustic craftsmanship begun a century ago. From the careful selection of tonewoods to the hand applied finishes and precision shaped necks, each instrument carries forward the legacy of Gibson’s pioneering designs and the artists who made them iconic.
This year, Gibson invites players everywhere to celebrate 100 years of flat‑top excellence. Whether rediscovering a beloved classic, discovering a new favorite, or simply appreciating the soundtracks these instruments have defined, the Original Collection honors the past while inspiring the next century of music. With the SJ‑200 60s Original, LG‑2 50s Original, and J‑160E Original, the Golden Era of acoustics returns—ready to be played, cherished, and passed on for generations to come.
Carondelet Pickups has introduced their newest vintage-style humbuckers: the company’s OTB Ultimates provide a sound and feel that are stunningly close to great examples of original 1957-61 Gibson “Patent Applied For”-sticker humbuckers.
Louisiana-based Carondelet -- pronounced “kuh-RON-da-let” -- teamed up with artist Owen Barry in developing the OTB with the specific goal of “cracking the code” of vintage Gibson PAF humbuckers, but at a fraction of the cost of actual vintage PAFs.
The bridge position Carondelet OTB Ultimate reads 8.2k DCR and the neck position 7.0k DCR. Both positions feature rough-cast Alnico V magnets; historically accurate coil wire, plastics and metallurgy; two-conductor braided shield leads; and are unpotted like original PAFs.
Carondelet OTB Ultimates come with permanent and period-correct American-made raw German nickel silver covers. The “standard” version featuring modern covers with etched Carondelet logo carry a street price of $249 each and $498 per set. The “grail” version features no-logo vintage correct covers created from a 3D scan of an actual 1959 Gibson PAF, and carry a street price of $279 each and $558 per set.
The OTB Bridge position pickup is available in either Gibson-spacing or Fender-spacing, while the Neck position is available in a single vintage Gibson-spacing format.
The OTB in the product name is based on the initials of Owen Timothy Barry, a Nashville-based session and touring player whose resume includes The Chicks, Jackson Browne, Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani and Tal Wilkenfeld, among many others. Carondelet’s owner Jeff Richard (REE-shard, Cajun French) hand-winds all Carondelet pickups one at a time in his workshop in Baton Rouge. Barry and Richard met at the Amigo Nasvillle guitar show in 2025 and R&D on the OTB Ultimates began shortly thereafter, involving multiple trips between Tennessee and Louisiana and well over 50 pickup prototypes that directly contributed to the final recipe, Richard said.
“Even the simplest guitar pickup has so many variables which forge overall tone and feel,” Richard said. “In the case of a vintage PAF, however, you’re trying to recreate pickups wound 70 years ago by primitive machines, using inconsistent to outright changing techniques, components and materials, in a process overseen by common factory workers who aren’t around today to field how-to questions.”
Said Barry: “In order to create my perfect PAF set with Jeff, I had to fully understand the original recipe. It was an incredibly intensive deep dive, but I knew we had to try and test every variable. This would be the only way to find what created the original PAF magic.”
Carondelet OTB Ultimates are available direct via CarondeletPickups.com; and select vintage/boutique dealers including Carter’s Vintage Guitars in Nashville (cartervintage.com) and LA Vintage Gear in Los Angeles (lavintagegear.com).
Spector Bass, in collaboration with pioneering bassist Doug Wimbish, announces the Doug Wimbish Euro 4 Aged White Signature Bass, a new addition to the Doug Wimbish Euro line for 2026. Available worldwide through authorized Spector retailers and online, the new model continues Spector’s exploration of lightly aged instruments inspired by Wimbish’s personal collection, recreating one of his lesser-known vintage basses, his white NS-2, while delivering a familiar, broken-in feel and sound for modern players.
The Doug Wimbish Euro 4 Aged White Signature Model features a light aged white nitro finish, offering the look and feel of a well-loved instrument straight out of the case. The body is constructed with maple body wings and is paired with Spector’s slim Doug Wimbish neck carve. A narrow 1.5" nut width and 34" scale length contribute to a fast, comfortable playing experience. The rosewood fingerboard features mother-of-pearl crown inlays, completing the instrument’s classic Spector aesthetic.
Electronics on the DW Euro 4 Aged White Signature Bass reflect a unique configuration within the Euro line. The bass is loaded with EMG Jazz pickups, delivering a responsive and articulate tonal foundation. These pickups are paired with Spector’s Legacy onboard preamp, developed in collaboration with Darkglass Electronics, and designed around a classic, 1980s-inspired two-band EQ.
Additional features include gold Spector hardware, which complements the aged white finish and reinforces the instrument’s premium presentation. Together with its distinctive electronics package and historically inspired design, the Doug Wimbish Euro 4 Aged White Signature Bass represents a deeply personal chapter of Wimbish’s musical legacy brought forward for today’s players.
Reflecting on the instrument, Doug Wimbish states, “This bass is a piece of my history. The original 1987 Spector that helped shape my sound—now ready for the next generation.”
For more information about the Doug Wimbish Euro 4 Aged White Signature Bass and the full Spector lineup, visit NAMM Booth #6802 or online at www.spectorbass.com.
Signal Chain Audio Labs, maker of professional tour-grade instrument and microphone cables, today announced a limited edition Tie-Dyed Braided Guitar Cable honoring the legacy of Bob Weir, legendary guitarist and founding member of the Grateful Dead, who passed away earlier this year.
All proceeds from the cable sales will go to the Furthur Foundation a non-profit founded by Bob Weir that provides funding for environmental and social change initiatives in the San Francisco Bay area and around the world. To learn more about the Furthur Foundation and the many programs it supports, visit https://furthur.org.
Each cable features a hand-dyed multifilament nylon overbraid in vibrant tie-dye patterns - no two are alike. Beneath the distinctive exterior lies tour-proven Mogami 2524 instrument cable terminated with G&H High Clarity Profile plugs and protected by SignalCoat®, the company's dielectric seal that guards against moisture and oxidation. Every cable is individually numbered and soldered and assembled by hand in Alexandria, VA. Only 500 cables will be produced for this series.
The cables are available in four colors options:
Spectrum: Blue, Purple, Red, Orange, Yellow
Red/Purple
Blue/Purple
Red/Blue
The cables are available in three different lengths and street prices:
10ft - $79.00 street price
15ft - $89.00 street price
20ft - $99.00 street price
"Bob Weir's artistry and innovation shaped generations of musicians," said Rob Haralson, Founder of Signal Chain Audio Labs. "Creating something as unique and handcrafted as his music felt like the right way to honor his legacy - and directing proceeds to the Furthur Foundation ensures this tribute supports the causes he championed throughout his life."
Haralson added, "We've engineered these cables to be as distinctive as the music that inspired them. Each one is truly one-of-a-kind and built with the same premium components our professional clients depend on. To our knowledge, this is the only hand-dyed professional guitar cable currently offered by any company. It's a functional work of art that musicians can actually use."
At NAMM 2026, Ashdown Engineering proudly announces Phase 2 of its return to UK manufacturing, following the successful September 2025 launch of the UK-built ABM EVO IV heads and UK-ABM and Classic cabinet ranges.
This next stage represents a continued, long-term commitment to British design, engineering, and production, building on the momentum established by Ashdown’s flagship UK-made products.
For NAMM 2026, Ashdown unveils five brand-new UK-built amplifier ranges, all scheduled to ship in 2026.
Every new model is designed, engineered, and handcrafted in Britain. These launches expand Ashdown’s renewed UK manufacturing focus into a complete, multi-tier amplifier ecosystem, delivering British-built solutions for musicians at every level.
UK-RBM
The UK-RBM Series is designed for professional bassists who demand maximum power, tonal control, and flexibility. Delivering Ashdown’s most recognisable sound in a modern, lightweight format, the range includes amplifier heads and newly designed UK-RBM cabinets, creating a complete, performance-ready system.
The UK-RBM amplifier heads combine powerful output with advanced tone-shaping tools to deliver deep, authoritative low end, articulate mids, and controlled high-frequency detail. Features such as Ashdown’s Sub-Harmonic Generator, onboard compression, valve-emulated overdrive, and Analogue Cab Sim allow players to shape everything from tight, punchy modern tones to rich, harmonically complex sounds with confidence.
The matching UK-RBM cabinets have been newly designed, tuned, sized, and ported to deliver optimal performance in lightweight plywood enclosures. Equipped with high-performance Italian Sica NEO speakers and adjustable high-frequency tweeters, they provide fast response, clarity, and controlled projection across a wide range of playing styles and stage environments.
Finished in a striking new heavy-duty Charcoal Tweed covering and custom grill cloth, the UK-RBM cabinets combine durability with a bold, modern aesthetic.
Handcrafted in the UK using premium components, the UK-RBM Series is built for demanding live stages, professional touring rigs, and bassists who want total command over their sound.
UK-OBM
The UK-OBM Series is designed for bassists who value clarity, simplicity, and reliability. Built in the UK, the range delivers clean, articulate tone with minimal fuss and maximum usability, making it ideal for players who want dependable performance without unnecessary complexity.
The UK-OBM lineup includes newly updated combo amplifiers featuring high-powered models and new Italian Sica NEO drivers, delivering improved efficiency, punch, and clarity. These combos are house in reengineered lightweight plywood cabinets, newly sized and optimised for balanced projection and portability.
Finished in Ice Blue and a new heavy-duty Charcoal Tweed covering with custom grill cloth, the UK-OBM combos combine durability with a modern, professional aesthetic.
With a refined features set and intuitive controls, the UK-OBM amplifiers are designed for musicians who want to plug in, dial in quickly, and get straight to playing. An open, balanced sound makes the series equally well suited to rehearsals, live performances, and studio work.
UK-SBM
The UK-SBM Series brings Ashdown’s studio-focused tonal philosophy into a range of compact, UK-built bass combo amplifiers. Designed for clarity, responsiveness, and musical transparency, the series prioritises clean tone and dynamic response in lightweight, portable enclosures.
Inspired by Ashdown’s Studio range, UK-SBM combos deliver a refined, natural sound that translates seamlessly in recording environments while remaining powerful enough for rehearsals and small live stages. Newly ported and structurally strengthened cabinets are engineered to handle higher power levels, ensuring confidence and control at increased volumes.
The cabinets are equipped with new, highly efficient Italian Sica NEO drivers, and articulate low-end performance. Finished in a heavy-duty Charcoal Tweed covering with custom grill cloth, the UK-SBM combos combine durability with a modern professional aesthetic.
Featuring DI outputs, FX loops, and onboard overdrive across the range, the UK-SBM Series offers practical versatility for practice, recording, songwriting, and intimate performance spaces.
UK-PBM
The UK-PBM Series is Ashdown’s answer to the modern bassist’s need for extreme portability without compromise. Designed and built in the UK, the range delivers genuine Ashdown tone in an ultra-compact, travel-friendly format.
Launching with the UK-PBM-200 “Pocket Bass Magnifier" AKA The ANT, the series delivers a surprising amount of real-world power from a palm-sized chassis. Despite its minimal footprint, its produces clean, articulate output with impressive low-end authority and ample headroom for rehearsals, smaller stages, and professional monitoring setups.
The UK-PBM is solidly built by design, retaining a touch of added weight to ensure stability and resonance. This robust construction helps generate real bass response while preventing excessive cabinet vibration, keeping amplifiers securely in place even when the low end is working hard.
With essential tone shaping, DI output, headphone out, line input, and auto-voltage operation, the UK-PBM Series is ideal for fly rigs, touring backups, studio use, IEM-based setups, and bassists who need reliable tone wherever they play.
UK-PEACMAKER
The UK-Peacemaker Series marks the return of one of Ashdown’s most iconic amplifier names, celebrating Dave Green’s formidable and widely respected valve amplifier design expertise. Handcrafted in the UK and refined for today’s players, the range revisits and updates legendary designs from Ashdown’s past.
Built for musicians who value feel, dynamics, and harmonic richness, the UK-Peacemaker delivers expressive British valve tone with depth, warmth, and authority. At its core, the series showcases Dave Green’s unmistakable valve amp philosophy, brought forward with modern reliability while preserving the character that made the originals so highly regarded.
The UK-Peacemaker Series is built using premium components throughout, included JJ valves, UK hand-wound transformers, and lightweight plywood cabinets loaded with UK-made Celestion Creamback speakers.
Hand-built in Essex, England, the UK-Peacemaker Series stands as a statement range - honouring Ashdown’s heritage while delivering timeless British valve tone for the modern guitarist.
From cabinets to flagship heads, and now a complete amplifier ecosystem, Ashdown’s UK manufacturing programme continues to grow with clarity and intent.
Every new range launching at NAMM 2026 is designed, engineered, and built in Britain.