
Dig into the details of new gear from EHX, Gibson, Martin, Dumble, Collings, EVH, and more!
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Martin D-3 Millionth
Chris Martin shows off the 3,000,000th Martin serial number at their annual NAMM kick-off press conference. Itās an immaculate feat of craftsmanship that shows off Martinās 192-year history via the tree rings across the top and a pickguard that shows a map of the locations of the companyās factory over the years. There will be three models made and only one put up for sale. Chris mentioned that there will be a āproductionā model that is slightly less ornate, slightly more available (30 pieces), and a bit more affordable ($300,000).
Martin D-28 Billy Strings and D-X2E Billy Strings
The big news from the Martin press conference was the release of a pair of new signature models from Billy Strings. The D-28 Billy Strings was based upon his 1940 D-28 with a unique 25ā scale length, custom nut, and modified low oval satin neck. Itās a pro-level model that will street for $3,799. The D-X2E Billy Strings has a MSRP of $899 and still features the same scale length and custom nut, but also includes Martinās E1 electronics, and a hemp softshell case.
Mooer AudioĀ GS1000 Intelligent Amp Profiling Processor
Mooer Audio have fine-tuned and updated their sleek GS1000 Intelligent Amp Profiling Processor that now allows guitarists around the world to emulate their favorite gear with immense precisionāspecifically, for distortion pedals, preamps, amplifier heads, and cabinets.
Huss & Dalton TD-R Trey Hensley Signature
The adventurous bluegrass burner Trey Hensley & acoustic stalwarts Huss and Dalton combined to release a delightful dread that a thermo-cured Adirondack red spruce, wavy east Indian Rosewood for back, sides & peghead, Honduran mahogany with diamond volute, herringbone purfling, and Gotoh SXB510V open-back nickel tuners.
Third Man Hardware & Eventide Knife Drop
The Third Man Pedal Universe (TMPU) gained another member via this collaboration with Eventide. Itās part fuzz, part octaver, and part synth. It will rattle the rafters and create some of the dirtiest fuzz and growls you can imagine. One of the highlights of the show so far. Itās available now for $299.
Collings 71 Model
Collings brought a brand-new solidbody model to this yearās show. The 71 model introduces not only a new offset body shape, but their first 6-in-a-line headstock. The neck feels smooth and fast and can be customized with T-style pickups from Lollar, Throbak, or Ron Ellis. Thereās even a push-pull tone control for series/parallel switching.
Ernie Ball & Cory Wong StingRay II
Ernie Ball announced a new collaboration with Cory Wong called the StingRay II. Cory wanted more humbucker flavors in his arsenal, so these models feature his signature HT pickups, roasted maple neck, and stainless steel frets. They start at $2,999 with the Deluxe version listing for $3,299.
Carr Skylark Special
Boutique amp builder Steve Carr has teamed up with Ken Haas from Reverend guitars at NAMM this year, providing the combos for those who want to sample the diverse range of Reverendās guitars. Among the amps is an updated version of Carrās successful Skylark model, the Skylark Special, with a new rectifier structure, 2-ply construction for 5 pounds less weight and improved resonance, a deeper reverb, a 12-watt attenuator, and a wider hi/lo range. It aināt cheap, at $3390 for the combo, but itās badass!
Seymour Duncan Powerstage 700 Bass
Seymour Duncan unveiled the newest addition to its popular Powerstage workhorse pedal series ā¦ for bass. The Powerstage 700 Bass is a power amp with huge headroom thatās designed for use with modelers and has a rich menu of functions: drive, level gain, multi-band EQ, master volume, and EQ bypass, presence, frequency. The tag is, aptly, $700.
Seymour DuncanĀ Joe Bonamassa Greenburst Stratocaster Set
Seymour Duncan and blues-rock hero Joe Bonamassa continue their decade-long collaboration with Strat pickups based on the set from Joeās own fabled 1964 refin-ed Strat he calls the Greenburst. These are exacting reproductions of that guitarās stock grey-bottom pickups, made for tone hunters, and carry a $375 MAP. Theyāve got period-correct wiring and staggered alnico 5 magnets, and sound notable punchy with a higher output. The first 500 come in limited edition packaging signed by JB himself.
Dunable Stregas
Dunable Guitars luthier Tony Tirado introduced his own line of handbuilt Strega 7-string guitarsāa perfect cut for metal in style and sound, with pickups with extended low-range clarity, custom-wound in the Dunable shop. The guitar line, whose entries are tagged at about $3,850, is entirely the brainchild of Tirado, who explained that they are an outgrowth of his passion for metal as well as his design aesthetic, which tends toward angles, edges, and finsāāclassic flourishes with a fresh spin. They clock in at very well-balanced 7ā8 pounds, but sound heavy as hell.
Huss & Dalton 30th Anniversary
Celebrating their 30th anniversary, Huss & Dalton brought a knockout OM that was decked out from head to tail with beautiful tonewoods, intricate inlays, and a snappy sound that'll make you forget about it's dread-dead looks.
Mesa/Boogie 90s Dual Rectifier
Get the JNCOs and flannels out because Mesa Boogie went back to the future with the release of the 90s Dual Rectifier that combined the best parts of the F & Rev G amps and created a modern monster. The 100W tonezilla has two channels (now with their "cloning" so you can Vintage or Modern Modes on either channel, patented switchable rectifiers (tube or silicon diode), and of course, they're using 6L6s.
Gibson Murphy Lab Heavy Aged Acoustic Collection
These might look like old Gibson friends (and that's the point), but these are fresh out of the factory in Bozeman, Montana. Under the watchful eye of Tom Murphy, the relic rage has fully sunk deeper into their acoustic operation as they're now offering heavy-aged options for their flattops like the 1960 Hummingbird and 1939 SJ-100, which hasn't been made in nearly 90 years!
VegaTrem VT1
VegaTrem brought a new tool to the trade show with the introduction of the VT1 Evolution that works for all the Floyd-Rose freaks to give you all the dive-bomb debauchery, but with a flick of a switch, you had a blocked trem that lets you easily slide into drop-D tuning or open tunings for slide. It's a piece of machined metal, but the ingenious design will help gigging guitarists cover a lot of ground on any given set without any guitar changes.
L.R. Baggs AEG-1
With its remarkable acoustic properties, L.R. Baggs was able to successfully amplify the AEG-1 with their most accurate system yet ā the revolutionary HiFi Duet. Equipped with their award-winning HiFi Bridge Plate Pickups and studio-quality Silo Microphone, the AEG-1 is versatile for any stage, big or small.
Cole ClarkĀ True Hybrid Thinline Grand Auditorium
If you can't decide between acoustic or electric, Cole Clark has you covered with their striking True Hybrid Thinline Grand Auditorium with a nitrocellulose blue top. The Hybrid is entirely made from sustainable tonewoods: AA grade Australian blackwood (top, back & sides), Queensland maple (neck), and ebony (bridge & fretboard). The thinline is loaded with all Cole Clark electronics starting with their PG3 acoustic pickup system and a H-S-S magnetic pickup set. And a three-way toggle engages (electric/both/acoustic).
NUX MG-300
NUX updated their MG-300 modeler with a MKII unit that now includes a 25 amps, plus a bunch of effects like a noise gate, two compressors, 13 overdrive & distortion sounds, a wah, two EQs, 14 modulations, seven delays, and five reverbs. And if that wasn't enough, you can create and store up to 24 user-loadable IR slots to freely create your own unique tones.
NUX Amp Core Studio & Drive Core Deluxe MKII
NUX Core lineup saw a pair of additions including the Amp Core Studio & Drive Core Deluxe MKII. The Amp Core Studio boasts 26 amp models and you can store up to 20 amp presets with built-in NUX IR cabinets or 3rd party IRs. Their three scene modes switching between different amp tones in real-time.The Drive Core Deluxe MKII still has a 100-percent pure analog circuit, but now it's stocked with eight distinct TS-style sounds. Another new (and impressive) tone tweak is the post-boost function (engaged by holding down the footswitch) that gives your signal a 7dB kick in the pants!
Cherub Pix Tune Tuner
If you're tired of the boring tuning game, Cherub Technology's new Pix Tune clip-on tuner offers 16 vibrant display modes that includes draining a soccer goal or swishing a basketball when getting your string in the sweet spot. It has a stainless steel clamp (with rubber pads) to make sure it's snug on your instrument's headstock for a good fit and better tune.
Ren Ferguson Slop Shoulder Dreadnought
Ren Ferguson is a master luthier and has worked with several companies throughout his impressive career, but his current venture is building custom instruments under his own name (with some help from family). He's putting all the knowledge and expertise he's absorbed over the decades he's worked constructing workhorse guitars that not only sound stellar, but look the part, too. He showed us his slope-shouldered dread that was a clydesdale of an acoustic that looked regal and sounded powerful.
Mayones Duvell DT6 & DT7
Mayones is a dealer devilishly dashing instruments and they did not disapoint with the introduction of their Duvell DT6 & DT7 models that strip back away some of their high-end appointments to briing the guitar into a more-obtainable price point. That being said, don't be fooled, these shredders still rip and are handmade in Poland at the same small shop. These two feature a swamp ash body, a 5-ply maple-wenge neck, blackheart fretboard, TUSQ nut, Hipshot Grip-Lock tuners, and a single Velvetrone Ironside & Solium 7 pickups. (Each model has pickups made to their spec based on 6- or 7-string configuration.)May
Magnatone Starlite
Magnatone showed us three killer amps that have their own flair. The 1x8 Starlite Reverb is still the single-ended 5W combo with a single 6V6 & 12AX7 that can bark between a black-panel and tweed, but now it includes Accutronics Digi-Log reverb that has optimized gain stages ensure the reverb seamlessly integrates with the ampās natural sound, preserving the true classic tone of Magnatone amps.
Gibson J-45Ā
The heralded J-45 & Hummingbird Gibson acoustic models go the no-frills treatment with the release of the Special series that focuses on creating inspiring, well-built instruments that skimp on the extra but not on the tone. These American-made dreads provide the bell-like chime, sparkle, and articulate punch we love from their lineage but come in at a competitive price point.
Gibson Warren Haynes Signature Les Paul
You're not visiting Gibson and not checking out Les Pauls, and were lucky enough to see two fresh faces with the Warren Haynes signature that has a chunky mahogany neck, a pair of growly P-90s, and most notably, a small switch that ignites a clean boost for an angrier purr.The other Lester we saw a sunburst Standard 50s beast that had its pickup covers removed and gave it a pure 1959/60 vibe.
Thorn Soundlabs Assorted Pedals
Thorn Soundlabs, a brand-new pedalmaker out of Nashville, Tennessee, made a splash at NAMM with the debut releases in their product lineāa whopping seven guitar pedals and two bass pedals, with a promise of many more to come. At the show, Thorn revealed the Silver Spurs ($180 MAP), a super flexible distortion; the Bad Cash ($180 MAP), a TS on steroids; the Magma ($225 MAP), a distortion and noise gate combo for metal players; the Black Swamp ($190 MAP), a flexible fuzz/OD; the Steam ($195 MAP), a compressor with a control set geared to beginners and expert players; the Tremonator ($229 MAP), aāyepātremolo stomp; and the Freaq ($140 MAP), a double-stage booster, all for guitar. The two bass entries: an overdrive called the Basstard ($175 MAP) and a compressor dubbed the Steambass ($195). Stay tuned for more releases.
Fluence Greg Koch Gristle-Tone ST Signature Pickup Set
Fishman introduced a new set of Greg Koch signatures, the Gristle-Tone ST Strat-style trio, at NAMM 2025, as part of its Fluence series. They are remarkably hi-fi sounding, with exceptional definition, clarity, and punch. And while they come stock in Kochās latest Reverend Signature model, the Gristle ST, you can get āem from Fishman for your S-style axe at $269 (street) per set. PS: You gotta watch the demo video!
Boss Tube Amp Expander
If chasing big, bold tones is your thingābut you canāt do it at brain-crushing volumesāconsider investigating Bossā Tube Amp Expander. Highly compatible with amps and DAWs, the Expander is a power attenuator with deep controls and adaptability. Itās also easy to use. A dial on the front switches between two impedance settings, appropriate for a combo or a stack. There are 10 rig presents, and itās easy to design and save your own, too. Thereās an āairā dial for ambiance, and speaker, line out, and headphone options. If headphones is your thing, just plug in your amp and donāt worry about a cab. Running with a DAW, a wide world of IRs, effects, and more becomes available. At dealers now at a $699 street price.
Radial Engineering Highline Passive Line Isolator
Naw, this aināt a DI. Itās Radialās NAMM-fresh Highline passive line isolator, which comes in mono ($179 street) and stereo ($249), and uses premium Jensen transformers to preserve your signalās pure sound. The Highline takes 1/4" cable (with XLR outs) for connecting amp simulators or pedals to your amps or a DAW. Itās compact and pedalboard friendly, and the Mono version sums stereo sources down to mono. The Stereo can take four 1/4 ā inputs and deliver a stereo signal, but it can also sum stereo sources down to mono. And it fits snugly under a pedalboard.
Darkglass Kaamos
Darkglass deals in the dirty arts and the new collaboration with Taylor Swift bassist Amos Heller is no exception with the Kaamos that blends a powerful distortion with octave-down tones. Real-time routing controls let you shape your signal path with easeāstack effects in series for rich saturation or run them in parallel for intricate, layered textures. A movable effects loop, configurable in three distinct positions, opens up new possibilities, while a dedicated sub-octave output unlocks creative multi-amp setups. Every detail is precision-engineered to put you in complete control of your sound.
Godin Artisan
Canadian crew Godin Guitars reintroduced their Artisan line (original run in the '90s) with some modern updates and posh appointments. Both the Artisan TC (slide 1) & Artisan ST-II (slide 2) include Canadian Laurentian basswood bodies drizzled with a barrel-proof, high-gloss Whiskeyburst finishes, hard-rock maple necks, a maple fretboard on the singlecut and an ebony board on the double cut, and the T was loaded with Fralin pickups (Split Blade Tele & Unbucker), while the ST-II comes with Fishman Fluence Classic humbuckers.
Godin Guitars Multiac Nylon Oceanburst
Godin unlocked a lot doors for players when they first introduced their popular Multiac. They continue striving to improve their design with slight tweaks and this year was no different as they brought a pair dazzlers that have new, comfier neck shapes (designed to lure the electric player to the nylon-based instrument) and dreamy finishes like the Opalburst (with a maple fretboard) & Oceanburst (with a richlite fretboard). They also are packed with updated custom-voiced LR Baggs electronics. Both models have hollowed silver leaf maple bodies & necks, a solid cedar top with figured flame leap top (that's sunken into the body).
Godin Connaisseur
Our North American neighbors at Godin Guitars brought the brand-new Connaisseur MJ flattops. A solid spruce top, solid rosewood back & sides, mahogany neck, and ebony fretboard make this a sturdy, stout ride. Each of these studs come with the LR Baggs HiFi electronics, but we're not sure how much you're gonna want to plug in when this baby jumbo sings so well on its own.
Spector NC-4 Frank Bello
If you're gonna get caught in a mosh at an Anthrax show, you better bring your Frank Bello signature Spector NC-4! The powerhouse 4-string is constructed with an alder body, a one-piece maple neck, maple fingerboard, vintage-inspired chrome tuners and a modern adjustable bridge. This beast bites with Belloās signature EMG P/J pickups. And the best part has to be the metallic purple finiish that was inspired by his mother and grandmother (their favorite color was purple) naming it the "Tina Rose" finish. It also has a matching headstock and purple acrylic block inlays.
Spector Doug Wimbish Euro 4
Two things that go together like peanut butter & jelly are Spector and Living Colour bassist Doug Wimbish. Making new waves with their longtime partnership they collaborated on a fresh trio of 4-strings under the Doug Wimbish Euro 4 banner that is built with a quilted maple top paired with maple body wings, Doug's preferred slim neck profile, and custom-wound EMG pickups. The bad news, it doesn't come with Doug's flashy, funky, musical
Blackstar DA100 Ruby
Blackstar worked with Doug Aldrich ā a man with a heart full of tone ā to create the DA100 Ruby (named after his young daughter) that was unleashed this week at NAMM. A major highlight was the OD Voice function that delivers a vintage, hot-rodded Plexi-style punch with the flick of a switch. Additionally, they fine tuned the midrange to provide a chest-thumping resonance that makes every power chord hit with authority. The enhanced effects loop is now fully footswitchable, controlled by the included 5-way foot controller. The matching 4x12 is packed with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers. Here's what Doug had to say about the experience working with Blackstar: "It feels like Iāve spent my entire life chasing the perfect tone. Over the years, Iāve owned dozens of amps ā from modern to boutique, modded to vintage classics. Most of them were tube amps, and each had something special, but I was always searching for more. Iāve been lucky to build great relationships with many amp companies and received several offers to create a signature amp. Yet, I never fully committed. I just wasnāt 100% sureā¦ until now.ā
Red Panda RD-1
Red Panda is known for complex, creative pedals, and that trend didn't stop with the release of their RD-1 Pitch Delay, which is a simplified version of their beloved Raster. This reduced Raster still does QUITE a bit, but offers a streamlined control set that focuses on still being a stellar digital delay that allows you to rip a hole in space and time with a frequency and pitch shifter that can be placed inside or outside of the feedback loop. You can shift all repeats by the same amount, or endlessly up or down. It's a trip worth the lowered-cost of admission!
GMI Public Address Systems 33F6
It wouldn't be NAMM without a few surprises. One we stumbled upon today was the GMI Public Address Systems 33F6 that was designed in collaboration with guitar great Troy Van Leeuwen of Queens of the Stone Age. It uses new, old-source components and gives TVL everything he's loved in old Peavey, Marshall & Fender amps. The 35W, two-channel head has four inputs, a solid-state rectifier preamp with a fully-tube power amp section (6L6). It's also outfitted with a Lar-mar style post phase inverter master volume and defeatable tone stack.
Cort X700 Mutility II
Shredmaster Hedras showed us his new Cort X700 Mutility II signature that has an American basswood body (with an ergonomic double-cutaway design), a roasted 5-piece maple-and-walnut neck, a compact 25-25.5" multi-scale setup, a roasted maple fretboard, a GraphTech TUSQ nut, and rips thanks to Fluence Open Core Modern humbuckers.
DigiTech Whammy 5Ā
Many musicians have used and abused the various versions of DigiTech's Whammy pedal, but bass badass MonoNeon has taken the pitch shifter to new heights (and lows). DigiTech took notice and they worked with the funkmaster on a tweaking the Whammy 5 with revamped detune settings that give you distinct options for pitch-bending and harmonizing not found on the standard model. The new hypersonic mode sends your sounds straight to three octaves above input. The three octave range applies to both dry and octave modes to create an expanded, electrifying pitch palette. And best of all, it's optimized for use with both electric guitars and basses.
DigiTech HammerOn
DigiTech is synonymous with pitch shifting. At the 2025 NAMM show they introduced the HammerOn Instantaneous Pitch-Shifter that melts into your technique just like a traditional guitar or bass hammer on/pull-off. There's a total of 27 total pitches to choose from, ranging from 2 octaves up to 2 octaves down. The sequence mode allows for user-configurable 2-, 3-, and 5-note progressions. Trust us when we say this pedal is gonna raise some eyebrows and open new dimensions.
Kernom Elipse
Are you indecisive on your modulation application? Would you like to blend them? Well, Kernom has your solution with the impressively versatile Elipse is a modulation taproom with harmonic tremolo, rotary, chorus & vibrato, flanger, phaser, and vibe settings. The mood knob doesn't just select the effect, but you can blend them as you twist the knob. The all-analog, digital-controlled pedal secret sauce is in the swirl that blends a slow phaser with any modulation effect to create rich, multidimensional tones. If you can't find a sound in there you don't like, you don't have a pulse.
Kyser Capo
If you see a curl on your capo, you know it was made by Kyser in Texas. They did a unique thing by bringing production to NAMM and showed how they make their acoustic guitar capos. There's only a few parts on their capos, but they're all high-grade components that make a secure, snug, dependable hug on your guitar's neck.
Reverend Guitars
Reverend always have a stable of fresh ponies at NAMM and this year's show was no different as they paraded out a collection of fresh updates, new upgrades, and reintroduction of old favorites. Clearly, they're loving the P-90 growl and painted pickguards with these dynamic releases.
Hotone Ampero II Stage
Hotone brought their Ampero II Stage modeler to NAMM and let us test out its capabilities that include over 100 pedal models, 90 amp models, 68 cab models, 60 Hotone original effects models, 20 classic Celestion speaker IRs, and 300 presets. It has a built-in stereo looper with 60 seconds (max) recording time and undo/redo function. There are eight assignable footswitches with multicolor halo LEDs, with two working modes and customization support.
Kepma K3 Plus
The new K3 Plus series is a line of incredibly playable bolt-on models that offer features aimed at the beginning playerāmost notably the $199 price tag. each model has a slimmer neck for easier playing and AcoustiFex K-10 electronics that include built-in effects and Bluetooth capabilities.
Tubesteader Pedals
One of the new discoveries at the show was this line of amp-in-a-box pedals, each centered around a 12AX7 preamp tube. All the major food groups are covered from '50s tweed to D-style, and more. Each pedal is built to order and range from $300-$350.
Supercool Pedals
The sound of the classic ProCo Rat pedal has been the central point of so many great guitar tones. Supercool Pedals has taken inspiration from that and expanded into a deeper version packed with features. In addition to an active 3-band EQ there's also a turbo switch that instantly takes you one of the most popular variations of the classic circuit. They are available now for $199.
Tsakalis Phonkify
The latest iteration of Tsakalis' expansive envelope filter is a pure funk machine. All the classic '70s-era sounds are packed in there, but with three separate filters, you can get so much more out of it. Both the octave and filter are switchable, and with effect order switching you can really push the limits of out-of-this-world wah sounds. It will be available in March for $229.
Fender Prestige Performer
Although Fender didn't have their usual presence at NAMM, we were able to get a peek at a few custom shop models. Here is a Prestige Performer, built by Levi Perry. The '80s are back! It has a 24-fret setup, Curtis Novak pickups, and a custom Strat hardtail bridge. It can be yours for $11,350.
EVH Wolfgang Trans Amber
EVH's custom shop was quite busy as well. As an unapologetic fan of '90s Van Halen, the finish on this Wolfgang Trans Amber brings back so many memories. Along with the basswood body and Quilt Maple arched top, it has 22 stainless steel frets, EVH Floyd Rose bridge, and Wolfgang Black and Creme Zebra humbuckers. Streets at $5,800.
Dumble "Woody" Amp
Dumble Amplification brought an impressive collection to the show, but this amp might be the most significant. Before Dumble would agree to build you an amp you had to make the pilgrimage to see him and play for him. This amp, dubbed āWoodyā, would be what each player would plug into. Itās a single-channel design that has this beautiful, smooth compression. And like many of Dumbleās amp designs, thereās nowhere to hide.
EHX Pedals
EHX always brings some fresh goodies to NAMM and this year they showed us a trio of tone twisters. The most impressive unit had to be the POG3 that builds off their stupendous previous iterations and put lightning-fast tracking and perfect polyphony over four octaves with smoother tone and performance than ever before. It has six voices including DRY, -2, -1, +5th, +1, & +2, you can mix each with individual sliders and create enveloping stereo effects with dedicated pan knobs and selectable LEFT/RIGHT/DIRECT outputs. The effects section has been expanded to offer envelope control and adjustable Q for the new multi-mode FILTER, enhanced DETUNE section with SPREAD, and individual DRY effect selection, plus the famous ATTACK slider for subtle or dramatic swell effects. It also includes expression effects like Freeze, Glissando, Volume, Filter, X-Fade, and Warp.The pedal that launched the company got a facelift with the introduction of the Linear Power Booster (LPB-3) that has an active EQ featuring a powerful parametric mids control and up to a walloping 33dB of boost (or selectable down to 20dB). Its high-voltage rails increase the pedal's headroom and the 3-band EQ features treble and bass knobs to control the highs and lows plus a powerful parametric mids control with adjustable mid freq and q.The popular 360 looper got the Pico treatment reducing its footprint quite a bit. With 6 minutes of loop recording time with unlimited overdubs over 11 loop memory banks, the 360+ also features an OVERDUB control which sets the level of playback of previously recorded loops while overdub new loops, making it possible to create ever-changing loops and ambient sounds scapes. Adjustable fadeout time from 1-10 seconds applies a musical fade to your loop when you stop the loop. Dry and loop levels are independently adjustable for a precision blend of layers.
Two-Rock Silver Sterling Signature
Two Rock are tone titans and they dished us a double uppercut this year. We got to hear the Silver Sterling Signature (now in 1x12 combo format) that is a rides at either 100 or 50 watts thanks to 4-6L6 power tubes. It has foot-switchable FET and tone stack bypass, 7-position gigh and low filter rotary controls, tube-driven, analog spring reverb with send and return controls & passive effects loop. From lush, crystalline cleans to stainky blues, this amp will give you the classic sounds and more ā plus look how classy it looks!The second bad boy we saw was their TS1 āTone Secretā amp that was originally released in 2010. In 2020, they updated the layout from previous incarnations of this amplifier for more tonal shaping options and performance. The TS1 is a nod to the classic overdrive, cascading gain stage amplifier and we wanted to put our take on this design. Featuring a full tube-buffered effects loop and an overdrive channel that is incredibly touch-sensitive with a rich sustain that will inspire you to express yourself in new and creative ways. Possibly the coolest thing was the grille cloth that was made with and in the same tradition as the early Bluesbreaker combos.
Jack White x Third Man Pedals
We got an exclusive look at the next two pedal collaborations from Jack White and Third Man. Any guesses on what type of effects these are?
Divided by 13 JRT 9/15
Fred Taccone recently retired and he wanted Divided by 13's legacy to continue but had to find the right fit. The Two Rock team jumped at the chance and are now carrying on the designs (and probably some new ones in the future that are a bit more British flavored). We heard a bit from the JRT 9/15 that is essentially two amps in one. This is accomplished by switching between 9 watts, utilizing a pair of 6V6 tubes in Class A to deliver the warm, rich tones of vintage 1950s American amps, and 15 watts with a pair of EL84 tubes in Class AB for a bright, chimey top-end and complex, musical breakup, reminiscent of 1960s British designs. The JRT 9/15 preamp drives two 5879 pentodes in tandem, each with its own independent volume control. These circuits are voiced for dramatically different responses: one provides more top-end presence and later breakup, while the other offers lower headroom with an emphasis on low-mid frequencies, delivering a dense, rich tone.
Novo Voltur B6
One of the standout models from Novo was this Voltur B6, which is their version of the classic Bass VI setup. Itās well balanced and lightweight, but really growls with the Lollar-designed gold foil pickups. They are up for pre-order now for $4,499.
Ashdown Rootmaster 500 EVO III
If you're a bassist looking for power, versatility, and portability, the Ashdown Rootmaster 500 EVO III might be the ticket. The lightweight heavyweight offers Ashdown's thunderous tone, featuring a comprehensive EQ, Ashdown sub harmonic generator, compression control, and variable valve emulated drive. Designed for reliability, it's a tool built to last a lifetime with responsible design. The EVO III also includes the Analogue Cab Sim Di output, balanced D.I., and customizable filters for your monitor mix.
Collings D1 A HC
Collings is a revered guitar outfitter that is dishing out some deadly instruments. Whether it's a mandolin, electric, baritone, or a flattop, they look like a Cadillac and cruise like it, too. Our stop on their acoustic side focused on their D1 A HC (Hill Country) dreadnought that has an Adirondack spruce top, Honduran mahogany back, sides & neck, and ebony fretboard and bridge. The beautiful burst is covered with a high-gloss, ultra-thin nitrocellulose lacquer. Their goal with the top-tier HC series is to push the tonal palette to the far end of the spectrum with a strong fundamental voice that is both warm and full, along with unique appointments, such as our matching, hand-poured pickguard, rosette ring, wedge, and heel cap, plus the Collings logo stamped on the back of the peghead.
Tsakalis Mothership
The great Greeks at Tsakalis Audioworks brought an impressive powerhouse pedal that works with three major functions: tube overdrive, preamp & cabinet simulation. It has two completely independent channels, each featuring a four-band EQ, two different gain/volume sections, three selectable gain-stages and three selectable cabinet simulations. Plus, there's a serial mono effects-loop for your external effects, MIDI in and free access to Tsakalis Audioworksā full free online library of carefully selected and curated digital cabinet simulations. Its two independent channels provide a huge range of tones from warm or sparkling cleans all the way to high gain tube-driven dirt. The two ECC83 (12AX7) tubes, run at a comfortable 240 Volts, providing touch sensitivity, headroom and plenty of gain and tube sag as required.
Ā Sterling by Music Man & Ernie Ball
Axis, Cutlass, Sting Rays, oh my! There were all those and more new stylings at the Sterling by Music Man & Ernie Ball both this year as we got a tour of all their affordable options that are out or will be coming out in 2025. We saw new stylings on signature sweets for James Valentine, Steve Lukather, Ryan "Fluff" Bruce, Pete Wentz, Tosin Abasi, Jason Richardson and more!
Danelectro Guitars
Danelectro keeps bring the past to the future by recreating cult classics from their history. The masonite masters brought a pair of new electrics, their Sitar in a cracked-black finish, and some new colors on the Longhorn basses.
Snark Crazy Little Thing
If you blink, you'll miss it (or lose it), but Snark somehow minaturized the clip-on tuner to a button-sized package with the development of Crazy Little Thing!
IK Multimedia TONEX Cab
Audio creation specialists IK Multimedia showcased two strong new entries in their TONEX modeling and effects product line at NAMM: the powered TONEX Cab and the Joe Satriani Ltd. Edition TONEX One pedal. The lux-sounding cab, which ships in April but is available for preorder at $699 streetā$100 less than the MAPāis full range, flat response with a custom 12" Celestion and a Lavoce 1" high-performance compression driver. Itās built to enhance the sonic vibe of amp modelers, and kicks out the jams at 350-watts via audiophile-grade power amps. The sound pressure level is 132 dB, so thereās plenty of punch, response, and definition. The control set includes a programmable 3-band EQ, a mike and live dial for tone, an easy-to-use preset dial, and a custom IR loader with 8 onboard presets. There are XLR and AUX outs, itās MIDI controllable, has old-school tilt-back legs, wood construction, and swappable grille cloths. Plus, it comes with AmpliTube 5 SE, TONEX SE, and TONEX Cab Control Software.
IK MULTIMEDIA Joe Satriani Ltd. Edition TONEX One Pedal
IKās literally shiniest new NAMM offering is the Joe Satriani Ltd. Edition TONEX One pedal. Itās got an eye-catching chrome finish with 3-band EQ and a center control for volume, gain, gate, and reverb. Satchās work on the pedal included hauling 26 of his own amps into the studio to sculpt 20 preloaded preset tones for this pedalboard-friendly mini. The presets are customizable, and itās powered via 9V DC or a USB-C and runs at 120 mA. The dynamic range cruises up to 123 dB, there are ultra-low-noise 24-bit/192 kHz converters, and the library of 40,000 TONEX sounds can be accessed via USB. At less than 2" wide and 4 ā long, it is a mighty mite. The stomp ships in February and is tagged at $229.
Cream Guitars
Cream Guitars, designed by company founder Luis Ortiz and based in Monterrey, Mexico, has come to the past three NAMM Shows displaying prototypes and models in development. This year Luis came ready to rock with a strong line of new instruments that will soon be available for preorder via Guitar Center. (Meanwhile, you can check out his guitars and basses at creeamguitars.com.) Hereās a rundown of the standouts. The Voltage DaVinci is a tiger-toned stage guitar, with a multi-ply C-shaped neck, a roasted maple fretboard, and mahogany body, plus a Seymour Duncan ā59 PAF in the neck and a JB in the bridge. The Explorer-related bodyās face also lights up and changes colors via a control set on the upper bout or Bluetooth. Other appointments include Graph Tech locking tuners and a TUSQ nut, a push-pull option for the neck pickup, 22 frets, a 3-way switch, CTS pots, and orange drop caps. All Cream instruments have a distinctive aluminum resonance plate that extends from the neck joint deep into the body, for sustain. Street price is set at $3,000.
The semi-hollow Maverick has the same scale and playability, and shares much of the setup, but a more naturalistic look, with an alder top and a red cedar body, and Seymour Duncan Red Devil pickups. Like all the Cream guitars we handled, the neck feels smooth and easy, and the well-finished medium jumbo frets were a pleasure. The Maverick also has a secret weapon: a multi-bender, which can be set for any two strings by sliding along a rail, and can be dialed in to bend a full or half step. The tag: $2,500.
The Calavera has yet another pickup configuration: a Duncan Phat Cat P-90 in the neck and a Pearly Gates in the bridge. Like the Voltage DaVinci and Maverick, it has a deep cutaway that allows access to all the frets. The neck is mahogany and the body is alder, and thereās a comfortable Bigsby-inspired whammy. Itās priced at $2,500 street. And itās worth noting that Cream uses only sustainable woods.
The newest bass variation from Cream is the Revolver Deluxe, and itās got a slew of sonic options via its eight independent pickups that can be reconfigured at sonic whim. Louis explains it all in our on-the-showroom floor video. Thereās also a toggle that activates a piezo pickup for an acoustic tone. What else? A Seymour Duncan preamp and volume, blend, and tone controls.
Oh! And one more thing. Luis Ortiz is also interested in the literal art of the guitar, creating special instruments that are, at this point, for exhibition only and celebrate various Mexican traditions and culture. The Monarca is an especially beautiful example, with its body covered in a flowers-and-butterflies motif. Luis explains that the guitar was inspired by an incident from his childhood, when thousands of monarch butterflies, in their annual migration from all across North America to California and Mexico, descended on his grandmotherās garden. After spending time with Luis and his creations, one gets the impression that this designer is striving for sound, style, and soul.
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With authentic stage-class Katana amp sounds, wireless music streaming, and advanced spatial technology, the KATANA:GO is designed to offer a premium sound experience without the need for amps or pedals.
BOSS announces the return of KATANA:GO, an ultra-compact headphone amplifier for daily jams with a guitar or bass. KATANA:GO puts authentic sounds from the stage-class BOSS Katana amp series at the instrumentās output jack, paired with wireless music streaming, sound editing, and learning tools on the userās smartphone. Advanced spatial technology provides a rich 3D audio experience, while BOSS Tone Exchange offers an infinite sound library to explore any musical style.
Offering all the features of the previous generation in a refreshed external design, KATANA:GO delivers premium sound for everyday playing without the hassle of amps, pedals, and computer interfaces. Users can simply plug it into their instrument, connect earbuds or headphones, call up a memory, and go. Onboard controls provide access to volume, memory selection, and other essential functions, while the built-in screen displays the tuner and current memory. The rechargeable battery offers up to five hours of continuous playing time, and the integrated 1/4-inch plug folds down to create a pocket-size package thatās ready to travel anywhere.
KATANA:GO drives sessions with genuine sounds from the best-selling Katana stage amp series. Guitar mode features 10 unique amp characters, including clean, crunch, the high-gain BOSS Brown type, two acoustic/electric guitar characters, and more. Thereās also a dedicated bass mode with Vintage, Modern, and Flat types directly ported from the Katana Bass amplifiers. Each mode includes a massive library of BOSS effects to explore, with deep sound customization available in the companion BOSS Tone Studio app for iOS and Android.
The innovative Stage Feel feature in KATANA:GO provides an immersive audio experience with advanced BOSS spatial technology. Presets allow the user to position the amp sound and backing music in different places in the sound field, giving the impression of playing with a backline on stage or jamming in a room with friends.
The guitar and bass modes in KATANA:GO each feature 30 memories loaded with ready-to-play sounds. BOSS Tone Studio allows the player to tweak preset memories, create sounds from scratch, or import Tone Setting memories created with stage-class Katana guitar and bass amplifiers. The app also provides integrated access to BOSS Tone Exchange, where users can download professionally curated Livesets and share sounds with the global BOSS community.
Pairing KATANA:GO with a smartphone offers a complete mobile solution to supercharge daily practice. Players can jam along with songs from their music library and tap into BOSS Tone Studioās Session feature to hone skills with YouTube learning content. Itās possible to build song lists, loop sections for focused study, and set timestamps to have KATANA:GO switch memories automatically while playing with YouTube backing tracks.
The versatile KATANA:GO functions as a USB audio interface for music production and online content creation on a computer or mobile device. External control of wah, volume, memory selection, and more are also supported via the optional EV-1-WL Wireless MIDI Expression Pedal and FS-1-WL Wireless Footswitch.
For more information, please visit boss.info.
We know Horsegirl as a band of musicians, but their friendships will always come before the music. From left to right: Nora Cheng, drummer Gigi Reece, and Penelope Lowenstein.
The Chicago-via-New York trio of best friends reinterpret the best bits of college-rock and ā90s indie on their new record, Phonetics On and On.
Horsegirl guitarists Nora Cheng and Penelope Lowenstein are back in their hometown of Chicago during winter break from New York University, where they share an apartment with drummer Gigi Reece. Theyāre both in the middle of writing papers. Cheng is working on one about Buckminster Fuller for a city planning class, and Lowenstein is untangling Austrian writer Ingeborg Bachmannās short story, āThree Paths to the Lake.ā
āIt was kind of life-changing, honestly. It changed how I thought about womanhood,ā Lowenstein says over the call, laughing a bit at the gravitas of the statement.
But the moment of levity illuminates the fact that big things are happening in their lives. When they released their debut album, 2022ās Versions of Modern Performance, the three members of Horsegirl were still teenagers in high school. Their new, sophomore record, Phonetics On and On, arrives right in the middle of numerous first experiencesātheir first time living away from home, first loves, first years of their 20s, in university. Horsegirl is going through changes. Lowenstein notes how, through moving to a new city, their friendship has grown, too, into something more familial. They rely on each other more.
āIf the friendship was ever taking a toll because of the band, the friendship would come before the band, without any doubt.āāPenelope Lowenstein
āEveryone's cooking together, you take each other to the doctor,ā Lowenstein says. āYou rely on each other for weird things. I think transitioning from being teenage friends to suddenly working together, touring together, writing together in this really intimate creative relationship, going through sort of an unusual experience together at a young age, and then also starting school togetherāI just feel like it brings this insane intimacy that we work really hard to maintain. And if the friendship was ever taking a toll because of the band, the friendship would come before the band without any doubt.ā
Horsegirl recorded their sophomore LP, Phonetics On and On, at Wilcoās The Loft studio in their hometown, Chicago.
These changes also include subtle and not-so-subtle shifts in their sophisticated and artful guitar-pop. Versions of Modern Performance created a notion of the band as ā90s college-rock torchbearers, with reverb-and-distortion-drenched numbers that recalled Yo La Tengo and the Breeders. Phonetics On and On doesnāt extinguish the flame, but itās markedly more contemporary, sacrificing none of the catchiness but opting for more space, hypnotic guitar lines, and meditative, repeated phrases. Cheng and Lowenstein credit Welsh art-pop wiz Cate Le Bonās presence as producer in the studio as essential to the sonic direction.
āOn the record, I think we were really interested in Young Marble Giantsāsuper minimal, the percussiveness of the guitar, and how you can do so much with so little.āāNora Cheng
āWe had never really let a fourth person into our writing process,ā Cheng says. āI feel like Cate really changed the way we think about how you can compose a song, and built off ideas we were already thinking about, and just created this very comfortable space for experimentation and pushed us. There are so many weird instruments and things that aren't even instruments at [Wilcoās Chicago studio] The Loft. I feel like, definitely on our first record, we were super hesitant to go into territory that wasn't just distorted guitar, bass, and drums.ā
Nora Cheng's Gear
Nora Cheng says that letting a fourth personāWelsh artist Cate Le Bonāinto the trioās songwriting changed how they thought about composition.
Photo by Braden Long
Effects
- EarthQuaker Devices Plumes
- Ibanez Tube Screamer
- TC Electronic Polytune
Picks
- Dunlop Tortex .73 mm
Phonetics On and On introduces warm synths (āJulieā), raw-sounding violin (āIn Twosā), and gamelan tilesācommon in traditional Indonesian musicāto Horsegirlās repertoire, and expands on their already deep quiver of guitar sounds as Cheng and Lowenstein branch into frenetic squonks, warped jangles, and jagged, bare-bones riffs. The result is a collection of songs simultaneously densely textured and spacious.
āI listen to these songs and I feel like it captures the raw, creative energy of being in the studio and being like, āFuck! We just exploded the song. What is about to happen?āā Lowenstein says. āThat feeling is something we didnāt have on the first record because we knew exactly what we wanted to capture and it was the songs we had written in my parentsā basement.ā
Cheng was first introduced to classical guitar as a kid by her dad, who tried to teach her, and then she was subsequently drawn back to rock by bands like Cage The Elephant and Arcade Fire. Lowenstein started playing at age 6, which covers most of her life memories and comprises a large part of her identity. āIt made me feel really powerful as a young girl to know that I was a very proficient guitarist,ā she says. The shreddy playing of Television, Pink Floydās spacey guitar solos, and Yo La Tengoās Ira Kaplan were all integral to her as Horsegirl began.
Penelope Lowenstein's Gear
Penelope Lowenstein likes looking back at the versions of herself that made older records.
Photo by Braden Long
Effects
- EarthQuaker Westwood
- EarthQuaker Bellows
- TC Electronic PolyTune
Picks
- Dunlop Tortex 1.0 mm
Recently, the two of them have found themselves influenced by guitarists both related and unrelated to the type of tunes theyāre trading in on their new album. Lowenstein got into Brazilian guitar during the pandemic and has recently been āin a Jim OāRourke, John Fahey zone.ā
āThereās something about listening to that music where you realize, about the guitar, that you can just compose an entire orchestra on one instrument,ā Lowenstein says. āAnd hearing what the bass in those guitar parts is doingāas in, the E stringāis kind of mind blowing.ā
āOn the record, I think we were really interested in Young Marble Giantsāsuper minimal, the percussiveness of the guitar, and how you can do so much with so little,ā Cheng adds. āAnd also Lizzy Mercier [Descloux], mostly on the Rosa Yemen records. That guitar playing I feel was very inspiring for the anti-solo,[a technique] which appears on [Phonetics On and On].āThis flurry of focused discovery gives the impression that Cheng and Lowensteinās sensibilities are shifting day-to-day, buoyed by the incredible expansion of creative possibilities that setting oneās life to revolve around music can afford. And, of course, the energy and exponential growth of youth. Horsegirl has already clocked major stylistic shifts in their brief lifespan, and itās exciting to have such a clear glimpse of evolution in artists who are, likely and hopefully, just beginning a long journey together.
āThereās something about listening to that music where you realize, about the guitar, that you can just compose an entire orchestra on one instrument.āāPenelope Lowenstein
āIn your 20s, life moves so fast,ā Lowenstein says. āSo much changes from the time of recording something to releasing something that even that process is so strange. You recognize yourself, and you also kind of sympathize with yourself. It's a really rewarding way of life, I think, for musicians, and it's cool that we have our teenage years captured like that, tooāon and on until we're old women.ā
YouTube It
Last summer, Horsegirl gathered at a Chicago studio space to record a sun-soaked set of new and old tunes.
The rising guitar star talks gear, labels, genre troubles, and how to network.
Grace Bowers just released her debut record, 2024ās Wine on Venus, with her band the Hodge Podge, but sheās already one the most well-known young guitarists in America. On this episode of Wong Notes, Bowers talks through the ups, downs, and detours of her whirlwind career.
Bowers started out livestreaming performances on Reddit at age 13, and came into the public eye as a performer on social media, so sheās well acquainted with the limits and benefits of being an āInstagram guitarist.ā She and Cory talk about session work in Nashville (Bowers loathes it), her live performance rig, and Eddie Hazelās influence.
Bowers plugs the importance of networking as a young musician: If you want gigs, you gotta go to gigs, and make acquaintances. But none of that elbow-rubbing will matter unless youāre solid on youāre instrument. āNo oneās gonna hire you if youāre ass,ā says Bowers. āPractice is important.
āTune in to learn why Bowers is ready to move on from Wine on Venus, her takes on Nashville versus California, and why she hates āthe blues-rock label.ā
Jack White's 2025 No Name Tour features live tracks from his album No Name, with shows across North America, Europe, the UK, and Japan.
The EP is a 5-song collection of live tracks taken from Whiteās 2024 edition of the tour, which was characterized by surprise shows in historic clubs around the world to support the 2024 album No Name.
No Name is available now via Third Man Records. The acclaimed collection was recently honored with a 2025 GRAMMYĀ® Award nomination for āBest Rock Albumā ā Whiteās 34th solo career nomination and 46th overall along with 16 total GRAMMYĀ® Award wins. The No Name Tour began, February 6, with a sold-out show at Toronto, ONās HISTORY and then travels North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, and Japan through late May. For complete details and remaining ticket availability, please visit jackwhiteiii.com/tour-dates.
Whiteās sixth studio album, No Name officially arrived on Friday, August 2 following its clandestine white-label appearance at Third Man Records locations that saw customers slipped, guerilla-style, free unmarked vinyl copies in their shopping bags. True to his DIY roots, the record was recorded at Whiteās Third Man Studio throughout 2023 and 2024, pressed to vinyl at Third Man Pressing, and released by Third Man Records.
For more information, please visit jackwhiteiii.com.
JACK WHITE - NO NAME TOUR 2025
FEBRUARY
11 ā Brooklyn, NY ā Kings Theatre
12 ā Brooklyn, NY ā Brooklyn Paramount
17 ā Boston, MA ā Roadrunner
18 ā Boston, MA ā Roadrunner
21 ā Paris, France ā La Cigale
22 ā Paris, France ā La Trianon
23 ā Paris, France ā La Trianon
25 ā Utrecht, Netherlands ā TivoliVredenburg (Ronda)
26 ā Utrecht, Netherlands ā TivoliVredenburg (Ronda)
28 ā London, UK ā Troxy
MARCH
1 ā London, UK ā Troxy
2 ā Birmingham, UK ā O2 Academy Birmingham
3 ā Glasgow, UK ā Barrowland Ballroom
10 ā Hiroshima, Japan ā Blue Live Hiroshima
12 ā Osaka, Japan ā Gorilla Hall
13 ā Nagoya, Japan ā Diamond Hall
15 ā Tokyo, Japan ā Toyosu PIT
17 ā Tokyo, Japan ā Toyosu PIT
APRIL
3 ā St. Louis, MO ā The Factory
4 ā Kansas City, MO ā Uptown Theater
5 ā Omaha, NE ā Steelhouse Omaha
7 ā Saint Paul, MN ā Palace Theatre
8 ā Saint Paul, MN ā Palace Theatre
10 ā Chicago, IL ā The Salt Shed (Indoors)
11 ā Chicago, IL ā The Salt Shed (Indoors)
12 ā Detroit, MI ā Masonic Temple Theatre
13 ā Detroit, MI ā Masonic Temple Theatre
15 ā Grand Rapids, MI ā GLC Live at 20 Monroe
16 ā Cleveland, OH ā Agora Theatre
18 ā Nashville, TN ā The Pinnacle
19 ā Nashville, TN ā The Pinnacle
MAY
4 ā Austin, TX ā ACL Live at the Moody Theater
5 ā Austin, TX ā ACL Live at the Moody Theater
6 ā Dallas, TX ā South Side Ballroom
8 ā Denver, CO ā Mission Ballroom
9 ā Denver, CO ā Mission Ballroom
10 ā Salt Lake City, UT ā The Union Event Center
12 ā Los Angeles, CA ā Hollywood Palladium
13 ā Los Angeles, CA ā Hollywood Palladium
15 ā Santa Barbara, CA ā Santa Barbara Bowl
16 ā Oakland, CA ā Fox Theater
17 ā San Francisco, CA ā The Masonic
19 ā Seattle, WA ā The Paramount Theatre
20 ā Seattle, WA ā The Paramount Theatre
22 ā Vancouver, BC ā Commodore Ballroom
23 ā Vancouver, BC ā Commodore Ballroom
24 ā Troutdale, OR ā Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn