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GALLERY: NAMM 2018 Day 3

The third day of NAMM was full of tone toys from Boss, Marshall, Vola, Marshall, Diamond Pedals, and more.

Boss Katana

Unless you're busking regularly, portable amps tend to be an afterthought. But the very thorough thinking that's gone into the portable and wireless Boss Katana opens up a world of untethered playing possibilities. 30 watts of power means you can use the wireless to stroll and play all over the back 40 and still hear yourself jam. There's lots of sonic options too: five amp models, 58 effects plus Bluetooth playback so you can top sling with your sound source of choice. A bunch of fun for $399.

The perennial appeal of one of Gibson’s most accessible Les Pauls is stoked anew in this feature-rich version.

Lots of nice vintage touches and features that evoke the upmarket Les Paul Standard at a fraction of the price. Coil-splitting capability.

A thicker neck profile would be a cool option and distinguishing feature.

$1,599

Gibson Les Paul Studio
gibson.com

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Effectively a no-frills version of theLes Paul Standard, the Les Paul Studio has been a fixture of Gibson product rosters since 1983, which says something about the enduring, and robust, appeal for affordable alternatives to the iconic original. The notion behind the original Les Paul Studio was that it didn’t matter how a guitar looked when you were using it in the studio. Who cares about a flamed top, binding, inlays, and other deluxe cosmetics in a session as long as it sounds and feels good?

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Orangewood Juniper Live Acoustic Guitar Demo
- YouTube

PG contributor Zach Wish demos Orangewood's Juniper Live, an all-new parlor model developed with a rubber-lined saddle. The Juniper Live is built for a clean muted tone, modern functionality, and stage-ready performance.

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After decades of 250 road dates a year, Tab Benoit has earned a reputation for high-energy performances at clubs and festivals around the world.

Photo by Brad Elligood

After a 14-year break in making solo recordings, the Louisiana guitar hero returns to the bayou and re-emerges with a new album, the rock, soul, and Cajun-flavoredI Hear Thunder.

The words “honesty” and “authenticity” recur often during conversation with Tab Benoit, the Houma, Louisiana-born blues vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. They are the driving factors in the projects he chooses, and in his playing, singing, and compositions. Despite being acclaimed as a blues-guitar hero since his ’80s days as a teen prodigy playing at Tabby Thomas’ legendary, downhome Blues Box club in Baton Rouge, Benoit shuns the notion of stardom. Indeed, one might also add simplicity and consistency as other qualities he values, reflected in the roughly 250 shows a year he’s performed with his hard-driving trio for over two decades, except for the Covid shutdown.

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David Gilmour releases a special live version of the "The Piper's Call" from his solo album Luck and Strange.

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