Check out some of the day's highlights including new gear from Taylor, Dunlop, Fender, Marshall, Orange, Fuzzrocious, and more.
MXR Dookie Drive
Jim Dunlop Guitar Products brought a few new toys to NAMM but the headliner is the signature Dookie drive that emulates the dual-amp setup that was used on Green Dayās landmark album. The blend knob moves between Pete and Meat, which are Billie Joe Armstrongās modded Marshall heads. Quite a bit of gain is available and itās pretty easy to move from classic-rock crunch to scooped-out metal tones. It streets for $189.
Designed by Obeid Khan, this amp is designed to offer versatile tone control for classic amp sounds.
Magnatone LLC has introduced the StarliteReverb, a 1x8ā combo that offers 5 watts of sweet-toned Class A power.
This amp is designed to capture the sound of classic long-pan spring reverb authenticity, thanks to the use of an Accutronics Digi-Log Reverb. Carefully optimized gain stages ensure the reverb seamlessly integrates with the ampās natural sound, preserving the true classic tone of Magnatone amps.
- Output wattage: 5 watts, Class A
- Three control knobs: Volume, Tone and Reverb
- Magnatone Custom 8" Ceramic Magnet, Made by WGS in the USA
- Street Price: $1799
Obeid Khan, Magnatoneās engineer and tube amp guru, designed this model based on the success of the original Starlite model, and it uses the same classic single-ended amp with a 6V6 power tube. Khanās unique tone control knob enables players to achieve classic āblack-panel or tweedā tones with just a single knob.
Ted Kornblum, President & CEO of Magnatone LLC says āThe Starlite Reverb is an amp much bigger than its size and power rating. When you put a microphone on it, itās all you need!ā TheStarlite Reverb blends analog tube warmth and lush reverb resulting in a subtle depth and modulation that adds dimension to your tone.
The Starlite Reverb is available to pre-order now in a 1x8ā combo or with the matching 1x12ā or 2x10ā extension speaker cabinet. Shipping begins mid-2025.
For more information, please visit magnatoneusa.com.
Martin Guitar unveils its 2025 NAMM Show lineup, featuring the limited-edition D-3 Millionth, Grand J-28E DN, Centennial Concert Uke, CEO-11, 00L Oliver, and D-Robert Goetzl 10.
These models join the refreshed Standard Series and Retro Plus guitars, showcasing Martinās unwavering dedication to craftsmanship and creativity. Designed for musicians and collectors alike, they promise something truly extraordinary.
This special lineup of instruments will be on display at The 2025 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, through Saturday, January 25, with more exciting releases to come.
For more information, please visit martinguitar.com.
D-3 MILLIONTH
The Martin D-3 Millionth is a breathtaking celebration of Martin Guitarās rich legacy, craftsmanship, and the people behind it all. This limited-edition Dreadnought, marking the 3 millionth serialized Martin instrument, is a masterpiece in both sound and design that celebrates the ā& Co.ā in the companyās name.
Its top depicts a cross section of an American sycamore tree, featuring rings made of real sycamore and solid gold representing each year of the companyās growth, with diamonds marking major milestones in Martinās 192-year history. The theme of āpast, present, and futureā is woven into every ornate detail, including its ebony headplate showcasing a diamond-filled Moravian star and an engraved 14-karat palladium pickguard, with rubies marking each of Martinās three Nazareth-area factory locations since 1839.
On the back of the guitar, which is made of rare and coveted Brazilian rosewood, a beautiful sycamore tree of gold and pearl pays tribute to the countless employees who have left their fingerprints on the companyās legacy, from its early days in New York City to its longtime home in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
With only three of these guitars in existenceāand only one for sale (serial number 3,000,002)āthis awe-inspiring instrument is both a tribute to the workers who built the brand and a testament to the innovation that keeps Martin at the forefront of acoustic excellence.
D-300
Inspired by the D-3 Millionth, the top of this limited-edition Dreadnought also represents the cross section of an American sycamore tree, with rings made of real sycamore and silver representing each year of the companyās growth, and solid gold dots marking pivotal moments in Martinās history.
Its Brazilian rosewood back features a sycamore tree made of abalone, symbolizing the countless employees who have left their mark, while rubies embedded in the inlaid ebony pickguard represent Martinās three Nazareth-area factory locations since 1839.
With European flamed maple binding, Waverly gold tuners, and LiquidmetalĀ® bridge pins with bezel-set emeralds, the D-300 is both a visual and sonic masterpiece, honoring Martinās enduring commitment to quality, artistry, and the workers who built the brand.
Only 30 of these guitars are available for purchase.
GRAND J-28E DN
For the first time in over a century, Martin is thrilled to offer a one-of-a-kind double-neck instrumentāthe Grand J-28E DN. As a member of the popular Standard Series lineup, this all-new guitar combines Martinās renowned quality and craftsmanship with modern innovation, featuring an acoustic-electric with a twelve and six-string neck, giving you the versatility to explore new sounds, tunings, and musical textures all on one guitar.
Its powerful Grand Jumbo body delivers a bold, resonant tone, with solid East Indian rosewood back and sides and a solid spruce top that ensures balance and clarity across all playing styles.
This double-neck guitar took years to perfect, and thanks to cutting-edge technology at Martinās Nazareth factory, the Grand J-28E DN, featuring two compound dovetail neck joints and unique X bracing, is now available to the public. Both necks feature a smooth satin finish and ebony fingerboard, with the six-string neck offering a slightly slimmer profile at the nut. It also includes built-in custom FishmanĀ® electronics, making it ready for the stage and studio.
With classic 28-style appointments and endless sonic possibilities, this guitar is a dream for players seeking an extraordinary instrument thatās anything but standard.
CENTENNIAL 1 CONCERT UKE
Celebrate a major milestone of Martin craftsmanship with the limited-edition Centennial 1 Concert Uke. This understated yet elegant ukulele honors 100 years of Martin producing concert-sized ukes, which have been cherished by players worldwide since 1925.
Crafted from solid sinker mahogany, reclaimed from the depths of Belizean rivers, this uke has a rich, warm tone and a striking grain that only nature could create. Its concert size offers a coveted balance, sitting between the smaller soprano and larger tenor, making it comfortable to play while delivering full, resonant sounds. The neck is also made from sinker mahogany paired with an East Indian rosewood fingerboard that stops at the body joint, a nod to vintage ukulele design that opens up more of the instrumentās top for increased resonance.
With only 91 instruments available, this vintage-inspired uke is a rare find for players and collectors alike. It even includes a commemorative paper label inside to mark this special milestone, featuring an image of the North Street factory where the first concert ukes were handcrafted 100 years ago.
CENTENNIAL CONCERT UKE
Only offered through 2025, this vintage-inspired ukulele also honors 100 years of Martin manufacturing concert-sized ukes.
Crafted in Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico, it's made from solid genuine mahogany, offering a blend of warmth and brightness with a punchy midrange that makes every note sing, while its select hardwood neck features an East Indian rosewood fingerboard that stops at the body joint. Coupled with spruce bracing, the design allows the body to resonate freely, resulting in a powerful, dynamic tonal response that honors the heritage of Martinās original concert ukuleles.
Modern upgrades include Graph Tech RATIOĀ® tuning machines, giving you the convenience and stability of a geared tuner while keeping the look and feel of a vintage friction peg. It also includes a commemorative paper label inside, featuring an image of the historic North Street factory, and is snugly housed in a softshell case.
The Centennial Concert Uke offers the chance to own a piece of Martinās rich musical history, celebrating the worldās oldest surviving ukulele manufacturer.
CEO-11
The Martin CEO-11 is a striking, limited-edition acoustic-electric that blends artistry and craftsmanship in a way only Martin can. Designed by President and CEO Thomas Ripsam, this Grand Auditorium (M) model features a figured white oak multi-piece back and sides paired with an FSCĀ®-certified European spruce top, offering a rich, dynamic sound thatās both powerful and warm.
The eye-catching New Horizons blue burst top and dark mahogany-colored sides create a look thatās as bold as the sound it creates. Unique inlays, including a custom Unalome symbol on the headplate, add a personal touch that speaks to finding your creative path.
With a two-piece flamed maple neck, European flamed maple binding, and scalloped spruce X bracing, the CEO-11 invites you to connect with your sound and express yourself fully. Itās equipped with Fishman Aura VT Blend electronics, custom-voiced to Thomasā preference, ensuring that its tone stands out wherever you play.
The number 11, a āmaster numberā that symbolizes intuition and creativity, aligned perfectly with the guitarās artistic vision, acting as a subtle reminder of the journey every artist takes to find their true voice. Limited to only 1,111 models, the CEO-11 is built for players looking to make a statementāsonically and visuallyāwhile staying true to Martinās legacy of unleashing the artist within. Each guitar includes a blue paper label signed and numbered by Thomas.
00L OLIVER
The Martin 00L Oliver is a stunning new model born from a unique collaboration between Martin Guitar and renowned artist Julie Heffernan. This limited-edition acoustic features Heffernanās captivating oil painting āSelf-Portrait as Arms and the Men,ā beautifully reproduced on its FSC-certified solid spruce top.
Heffernanās painting transforms the guitar into a canvas that tells a story every time you play it. Her surrealist landscape lays bare the conflict between nature and humankind's impact on the planet, and the result is something you can both showcase and play.
Beyond its eye-catching artwork, the 00L Oliver, named after Heffernan's son, is crafted with premium materials and appointments. With a sloped-shoulder Grand Concert body, its solid medium-flame koa satin back and sides bridge the gap between the rich tones of rosewood and the warm, resonant qualities of mahogany. Its FSC-certified satin spruce top also delivers balanced projection while underscoring Martin's commitment to sustainability.
With only 104 instruments available, the 00L Oliver is a harmonious blend of art and music, inspired by Heffernanās visionary artwork and Martinās legacy of excellence. Whether you're a collector, musician, or lover of fine art, this guitar promises to inspire creativity and unleash your inner artist.
D-ROBERT GOETZL 10
The D-Robert Goetzl 10 is a one-of-a-kind creation that lets both music and art take flight. Hand-painted by acclaimed artist Robert Goetzl, this stunning Martin Dreadnought features a vibrant hummingbird surrounded by bright, blooming flowers, bursting with color and life.
Just like a hummingbird, this guitar is light and agile, yet full of energy and vibrancy. The solid spruce top, adorned with Goetzl's artwork, ensures the guitarās rich, resonant tone soars, while the solid East Indian rosewood back and sides provide deep bass and lush overtones.
Goetzl worked closely with Martin's expert craftspeople to bring his vision to life. āNot only are they making a beautiful body for me to work on, but once I hand it over, they help really make it special,ā says Goetzl. From the hand-painted top to the final touches added by Martinās team of artisans, this guitar is a true collaborative effort.
Complete with an abalone rosette, Waverly gold tuners, and a genuine mahogany neck, the D-Robert Goetzl 10 is a striking piece of playable art. Whether itās perched on your wall or in your hands, this bird is ready to sing.
Across Frank Zappaās monumental body of work, he injected rock-based music with compositional techniques straight out of the modern classical handbook, as well as groundbreaking studio trickery and a teenagerās wit. To match his untamable creativity, he famously demanded an unmatched level of musical dedication from his players, and his own guitar playing balanced that discipline with off-the-rails experimentation.
Across Frank Zappaās monumental body of work, he injected rock-based music with compositional techniques straight out of the modern classical handbook, as well as groundbreaking studio trickery and a teenagerās wit. To match his untamable creativity, he famously demanded an unmatched level of musical dedication from his players, and his own guitar playing balanced that discipline with off-the-rails experimentation.
When considering Zappaās legacy as a guitarist, we canāt separate it from his work as a composer, songwriter, producer, and all-around big personality. As a listener, you can love Zappaās chamber music and simultaneously not be able to handle his lyrics; you can adore his guitar playing but prefer he keep his opinions to himself. Our list of favorite Zappa guitar-centric recordings covers a lot of musical ground but keeps it all about his playing.
Is Frank Zappa to blame for the sound of jam bands? When was Zappaās best decade? And weāre looking at the connection between Zappa and Phish (who one of us calls āZappa liteā). In a bonus segment, weāre playing āDid They Get It Right?ā and examining the Grammysā former category for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
This episode is sponsored by Dunlop.
Learn more: https://www.jimdunlop.com/products/electronics/cry-baby/.
An all-new line of solid body electric guitars, rooted in Eastmanās DāAmbrosio Series.
The FullerTone SC '52 and DC '62 represent the fusion of Eastmanās old-world craftsmanship and modular versatility, featuring their FullerTone two-bolt, long-tenon neck design first pioneered in the highly acclaimed D'Ambrosio Series. This innovative neck-to-body construction delivers more tone, sustain, and stability.
Through collaboration with renowned pickup builders ToneRider, both models deliver pure, pristine tone while maintaining exceptional warmth and projection. The SC '52 single-cutaway and DC '62 double-cutaway models draw inspiration from California's natural beauty, coming in three distinctive colorsāMoss Black, Desert Sand, and Ice Blue Metallicāeach complemented by industrial anodized aluminum pickguards and Eatmanās signature Truetone Satin Gloss finish, delivering a gust of modern refinement and graceful mojo.
Key features of the Eastman FullerTone Series:
- Eastmanās highly coveted FullerTone two-bolt, long-tenon neck system with three times greater neck-to-body contact, delivering more tone, sustain, and stability
- Custom ToneRider soapbar humbuckers with gold-foil covers and noiseless stacked single coils
- Premium-grade electronics
- Roasted black limba bodies with custom-designed staggered tuners for optimal string pull
āMy challenge for this design was simple: to create a modular bolt-on neck system that performed, looked, and felt better than what is commonly seen on the solid body bolt-on market. This led me to explore three-dimensional neck joints in solid-body guitars. The FullerTone neck system integrates a small structural heel and tenon hidden underneath the neck pickup. The matching geometry of the neck and body securely locks the two pieces into place and is mechanically fastened together. This design utilizes the best qualities of its main components,ā said Otto DāAmbrosio, Eastmanās master luthier and designer.
"With these guitars we have managed to break through various barriers without cutting any corners. Again, everything is top notch, as we always offer nothing but the best. This one is for everyone, we feel," said Pepijn 't Hart, Eastmanās director of fretted instruments.
The FullerTone Series is available through Eastman Authorized Dealers worldwide, offering unlimited possibilities for players ready to take their creative expression to new levels.