Trivium's Matt Heafy launches a series of handpicked gauges for a full dynamic range and exceptional stability when downtuned.
Handpicked by Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu, Heavy Core Trivium Guitar Strings keep notes stable and focused at lowered tunings while offering a full dynamic range thatās balanced with vivid highs and rich lows. Coming in 6-and 7-string sets, these strings give Matt and Corey the freedom to create the music they love with peak performance and playability.
āSince the beginning, Trivium has used Dunlop Stringsāthe exact same custom set you are holding in your hands,ā say Corey and Matt. āWe have vastly different equipment and playing styles, but the one constant between us isāand has always beenāDunlopās world-class strings.ā
Features
- Handpicked by Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu in the Dunlop String Lab
- Each gauge chosen to provide peak performance when tuning down
- Designed for a full dynamic range and exceptional tuning stability
Dunlop Heavy Core Trivium Guitar Strings are available as a 6-string 10-52 set for $19.79 MSRP and as a 7-string 10-63 set for $24.19 MSRP from your favorite retailers or directly online from jimdunlop.com.
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Ibanez Blackout series acoustic guitars feature all-black aesthetic, high-quality electronics, and in-demand woods. Models include AEG721 with Fishman S-core pickups, AEWC621 with Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp, and TCY621 with Ibanez under-saddle pickup. With prices ranging from $249.99 to $399.99, these guitars offer a unique and stylish option for musicians.
Ibanez has unveiled its new Blackout series of acoustic guitars to their lineup. Inspired by the popular Iron Label series, these instruments feature an all-black aesthetic, including a matte black finish and black hardware. The Blackout series offers three distinct models: the AEG721 7-string acoustic-electric, the AEWC621, and the TCY621. Each model boasts in-demand woods, including a Spruce top, Sapele back and sides, and Macassar Ebony or Purpleheart for the fingerboard and bridge.
To complement their unique appearance, the Blackout guitars are equipped with high-quality electronics. The AEG721 and AEWC621 feature Fishmanās S-core pickups and Ibanez AEQ-SAP2 preamps, while the TCY621 utilizes an Ibanez under-saddle pickup and AEQ-2T preamp.
For more information, please visit ibanez.com.
AEG721
- AEG body
- 634mm/25" scale
- Spruce top
- Sapele back & sides
- Comfort Grip 3pc Nyatoh/Maple neck
- Macassar Ebony fretboard & bridge
- Black dyed Bone nut & saddle
- Black Die-cast tuners (18:1 gear ratio)
- FishmanĀ® S-core pickup
- Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp w/Onboard tuner
- Balanced XLR & 1/4" outputs
- Ibanez Advantageā¢ bridge pins
- D'AddarioĀ® XTAPB1253, plus .070 guage Phosphor Bronze
- String Gauge: .012/.016/.024/.032/.042/.053/.070
- Factory Tuning: 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E,7B
- Recommended case: AEG10C/MAP: $169.99
- Finish: Blacked Out
LIST PRICE: $599.99
ESTIMATED STREET PRICE: $399.99
AEWC621
- AEWC body
- 634mm/25" scale
- Spruce top
- Sapele back & sides
- Comfort Grip Nyatoh neck
- Macassar Ebony fretboard & bridge
- Black Die-cast tuners (18:1 gear ratio)
- FishmanĀ® S-Core pickup
- Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp w/Onboard tuner
- Balanced XLR & 1/4" outputs
- Ibanez IACS6C coated strings
- Recommended case: AEG10C/MAP: $169.99
- Finish: Blacked Out
LIST PRICE: $599.99
ESTIMATED STREET PRICE: $399.99
TCY621
- Talman Double Cutaway body
- Neck joint at 16th fret
- Spruce top
- Sapele back & sides
- Okoume neck
- Purpleheart fretboard & bridge
- Black Die-cast tuners
- Ibanez Undersaddle pickup
- Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp w/Onboard tuner
- Ibanez Advantageā¢ bridge pins
- Recommended case: TM50C/MAP: $179.99
- Finish: Blacked Out
LIST PRICE: $374.99
ESTIMATED STREET PRICE: $249.99
Martin's 2025 NAMM Show lineup features new guitars with enhanced playability and vintage aesthetics.
C. F. Martin & Co. is unveiling an exciting lineup of new guitars ahead of The 2025 NAMM Show, including refinements to its trusted Standard Series and two all-new Retro Plus guitars.
With the Standard Series refresh, Martin brings fans enhanced playability, timeless aesthetics, and three stunning new models, while its two new Retro Plus guitars offer thermally aged spruce tops and the classic appearance of an 18-style guitar at an accessible price point. These releases showcase Martin's mission to create instruments that unleash the artist within.
These new guitars and more will be on display at The 2025 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, through Saturday, January 25, with more releases to come.
Standard Series Refresh
Martin is refreshing its popular Standard Series lineup to bring subtle yet impactful refinements to enhance the look, tone, and playability of these iconic guitars, while introducing three new models to the series: the D-17, 000-17, and OM-45.
One of the key updates is Sitka spruce Golden Era (GE) top bracing, as featured on the Modern Deluxe Series, which offers a more vintage, breathy tone with enhanced sustain. The GE modified low oval neck profile maintains its popular shape but is optimized for vintage appeal with minimal increase in total mass.
It's paired with playability enhancements like a thinner fingerboard with a gently beveled comfort edge and refined string spacing at the nut, while the new GE modern belly bridge features smoother, more comfortable corners.
Standard Series guitars also now feature either bone or ebony bridge pins, along with newly added sunburst and ambertone finish options for select models. Additional aesthetic updates include a long diamond neck transition, a nut cut on angle, and a sleeker vintage-style heel.
These are the changes Martin enthusiasts have been asking for, delivering a blend of vintage appointments and modern playability enhancements. Players will notice improved comfort and vintage tones, particularly with the GE-inspired bracing and aesthetic refinements.
For more information, please visit martinguitar.com.
D-17
The Martin D-17 is a bold new offering in the refreshed Standard Series, combining vintage-inspired appointments with modern refinements for players seeking rich sounds and enhanced playability. Its iconic Dreadnought body shape is a favorite among players for its loud, projective tone and strong bass. This model is handcrafted with a satin-finished solid mahogany body, delivering a warm and woody tone, while vintage-inspired details such as a sleeker heel and nickel open gear tuners give the guitar a timeless, elegant look. With its satin-finished select hardwood neck and 25.4" scale length, whether youāre strumming big chords or picking intricate tunes, the D-17 delivers powerful, dynamic sound with a classic, vintage vibe.
000-17
The Martin 000-17 is another fresh addition to the Standard Series lineup. Its Auditorium (000) body shape offers a balanced tone and comfortable size, making it great for both fingerstyle playing and heavy-handed strumming. Crafted from solid mahogany with a satin finish, it delivers a warm, woody tone with a clear top end and a punchy midrangeāideal for players seeking a vintage-inspired sound with a modern edge. Its satin-finished select hardwood neck and 24.9" scale length contributes to a more relaxed string feel and warmer, mellower tones. Whether youāre playing at home, in the studio, or on stage, the 000-17 delivers the balanced, dynamic sound that players expect from a high-quality Martin.
OM-45
The Martin OM-45 is a pinnacle of craftsmanship in the refreshed Standard Series, combining classic appointments with modern enhancements for a truly exceptional instrument. This all-new full-gloss acoustic is crafted with solid East Indian rosewood back and sides and a solid spruce top, delivering a rich, resonant tone with remarkable sustain. Its genuine mahogany neck ensures a smooth, effortless feel, while the longer 25.4" scale length provides just the right amount of string tension for enhanced clarity, making this guitar great for intricate picking and strumming. Its dazzling pearl inlay, aging toner, and gold open gear tuners offer an elegant touch, making the OM-45 as stunning to look at as it is to play.
De Retro PlusĀ Mahogany
The Martin DE Retro Plus Mahogany is inspired by Martinās legendary 18-style flagship models. It combines powerful tone and iconic design with cutting-edge craftsmanship at a fraction of the price. Its torrefied solid spruce top is thermally aged for enhanced resonance and a beautifully seasoned sound, delivering the rich, broken-in tone of a vintage instrument from the first strum. Itās the same premium feature long reserved for our Authentic and Modern Deluxe series, now available for the first time ever in the Road Series. It even comes stage-ready with Martin E1 electronics, featuring a built-in tuner and controls for dialing in your perfect live tone.
000E Retro PlusĀ Mahogany
This 000 model blends balanced tone with the same cutting-edge craftsmanship and 18-style appearance as its Dreadnought counterpart, including a torrefied solid spruce top. With solid mahogany back and sides, scalloped spruce X bracing, a Performing Artist neck, ebony fingerboard and bridge, and Martin E1 electronics, these guitars have everything you could want in an acoustic. Ideal as a gigging workhorse or your first step into premium acoustics, they deliver best-in-class quality at an unbeatable value for serious players, and a lifetime of inspiration for anyone who picks one up. Just be warned, you wonāt be able to put them downābecause nothing compares to a Martin.
Out on the road, the post-hardcore supergroupās gunslinger works in pairs, with two guitars, two pedalboards, and a Twin.
Formed during the pandemic, L.S. Dunes is the answer to every early-2000s emo kidās prayers. Spearheaded by Circa Survive and Saosin frontman Anthony Green, the band was announced to the world in 2022, and their debut record, Past Lives, arrived in November of that year. Along with members of Coheed and Cambria and Thursday, My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero joined the supergroup, and theyāre not wasting any time: Following an EP in November 2023, their second full-length record is due out January 31.
Even though L.S. Dunes covers some similar ground to each memberās previous projects, itās certainly its own beast, and Iero notes that his rig with the band is totally different from his setup with My Chemical Romance. Ahead of Dunesā performance at Nashvilleās Marathon Music Works, PGās Chris Kies met up with Iero to see which āfavorite kidsā get brought out on tour.
Brought to you by DāAddario.
Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Ray
Iero loves this Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay RS for its stellar trem system and rock-solid tuning. He can reef on the whammy bar as hard as he wants, and it stays on pitch. (He even thought he broke it one night after hearing a loud āpop,ā but his tech couldnāt find any issues.) Itās always in standard tuning, with Ernie Ball Burly Slinky strings.
FrankenFender
This Fender āJazzmasterā was a special order made by Dennis Galuszka in Fenderās custom shop. Frankās friend (and occasional PG contributor) Mike Adams (the āObi-Wan of offsetsā) scooped up a ā60s Jazzmaster from the corner of a flooded-out basement somewhere, and after some fix-ups, nicknamed it āPancakeā for its flat, playable neck. Iero was obsessed with it, and asked his friend if heād loan āPancakeā to Galuszka to scan and recreate the neck. The first result of that collaboration goes on tour with My Chemical Romance, while this second one comes out with L.S. Dunes. Itās got a 25.5ā²ā² scale lengthāIero calls it his āJag and a halfāāand comes out for the last three songs of the set. It rocks blacked-out goldfoil pickups in the neck and middle positions, and a P-90 in the bridge. Thereās a built-in killswitch on the upper bout, too.
Twin for the Win
Ieroās perfect pedal platform is the Fender Twin Reverb, which he runs into a Marshall 4x12 cabinet loaded with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers.
Frank Iero's Pedalboards
Ieroās main board, which stays at his feet, is controlled by a Carl Martin Octa-Switch II system. Itās got a Jackson Audio 1484 Twin Twelve Pedal, Boss TR-2, EHX POG, Amplified Nation Bigger Bloom, Temple Devices Reel Dealuxe, EHX Holy Grail Nano, Boss DM-2W, Boss CH-1, EHX Synth9, Boss GE-7, SNK Pedals VHD, Fulltone Fat-Boost, and EQD Ghost Echo. All those toys are kept in line by his Ernie Ball volume pedal and a TC Electronic PolyTune 3.
Ieroās second, always-on board stays safe behind his amp. It has a 29 Pedals OAMP, Bowman Audio Endeavors Bowman Overdrive, and 29 Pedals EUNA, which form the basis of his tone.
Ibanez introduces the new AZ Standards series for 2025, offering high-end features at an affordable price point. With Roasted Maple necks, jumbo stainless steel frets, and the Dyna-MIX switching system, the AZ Standards strike a perfect balance between performance and affordability.
New for 2025, Ibanez is expanding its popular AZ series with a new line of instruments: the AZ Standards. Slotted between the AZ Essentials and AZ Premium lines in both price and performance, the AZ Standards offer a balance of features and affordability.
Fans of the AZ Premiums will recognize familiar elements like Roasted Maple necks, jumbo stainless steel frets, the versatile Dyna-MIX switching system, locking tuners, and the comfortable Super All-Access neck joint. Despite these high-end features, both AZ Standard models are priced around $549.99. Ibanez achieved this cost-effective design by simplifying certain specifications while preserving many features from the Premium line, along with excellent sound and playability.
The new series includes two models:
AZ22S1F: A 22-fret HSS model equipped with Classic Custom pickups.
AZ24S1F: A 24-fret HH model loaded with Modern Custom Humbuckers.
This new line aims to bring an unprecedented combination of performance and affordability to the already popular AZ series.
For more information, please visit ibanez.com.
AZ22S1F
- AZ Roasted Maple neck
- 22 frets
- Flame Maple top/Alder body
- Jatoba fretboard w/White dot inlay
- Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
- Ibanez Classic Custom (S) neck pickup
- Ibanez Classic Custom (S) middle pickup
- Ibanez Classic Custom (H) bridge pickup
- dyna-MIX9 switching system w/Alter Switch
- T106 tremolo bridge
- Chrome hardware
- Locking machine heads
- Finishes: Transparent Black Sunburst, Transparent Turquoise Burst
LIST PRICE: $757.76
ESTIMATED STREET PRICE: $549.99
AZ24S1F
- AZ Roasted Maple neck
- 24 frets
- Flame Maple top/Alder body
- Jatoba fretboard w/White dot inlay
- Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
- Ibanez Modern Custom (H) neck pickup
- Ibanez Modern Custom (H) bridge pickup
- dyna-MIX10 switching system w/Alter Switch
- T106 tremolo bridge
- Chrome hardware
- Locking machine heads
- Finishes: Transparent Black Sunburst, Transparent Turquoise Burst, Violin Sunburst
LIST PRICE: $757.76
ESTIMATED STREET PRICE: $549.99