RhPf Electronics has introduced the Mo(s)Ghoul, a reactive high-gain MOSFET distortion designed for guitarists who want saturation that feels alive. Built around stacked MOSFET stages for organic clipping, the Mo(s)Ghoul delivers dense, layered distortion that retains clarity, articulation, and dynamic control.
The circuit builds distortion progressively through four cascading MOSFET stages. Saturation develops naturally, adding warmth and harmonic bloom before expanding into powerful, fully saturated sustain for a thick, immersive drive that feels responsive under the fingers. The gain stages progressively build stacked distortion that cleans up smoothly with your guitar’s volume knob.
Key features:
Layered, 90s-scale high-gain voice: Thick, harmonically rich saturation with focused upper mids, controlled low end, long musical sustain, and the depth of stacked guitar textures.
Three-band EQ: Moves the voice from scooped, cutting attack to dense, mid-forward authority, and from smooth warmth to sharp, defined edge.
Top-mounted input/output jacks, true bypass switching, and standard 9V center-negative operation.
What defines the Mo(s)Ghoul is its reactive behavior. Light picking produces articulate, open tones. Digging in increases compression and sustain in real time.
The three-band EQ interacts directly with the gain structure, shaping the distortion’s density and focus as it evolves. The Mid control acts as the center of gravity for the distortion, allowing players to move from scooped, aggressive rhythm tones to focused, mid-forward lead voices with a single adjustment. The EQ remains controlled and musical even at higher gain settings.
Whether used for tight rhythm crunch, sustained leads, or stacked drive textures, the Mo(s)Ghoul delivers long, musical sustain with controlled low end and smooth highs. It is designed for players who want high gain that breathes and responds.
The Mo(s)Ghoul carries a street price of $179 USD. For more information visit rhpfelectronics.com.
The guitarist for the classic rock revivalists proves old amps, paired with even older guitars, is still a recipe for tonal success.
Tyler Armstrong, lead guitarist for St. Louis, Missouri, rockers the Band Feel, recently invited PG’s John Bohlinger out to Smoakstack Studios in Berry Hill, just south of Nashville, for this Rundown of the axes, amps, and effects he’s using to conjure the classic rock ’n’ roll sounds of the ’70s. Aside from his pedals, Armstrong sticks to the tried-and-true recipe: American guitars through British amps. Scroll for some highlights of the Rundown, and watch the video to get the nose-to-tail treatment.
This all-original 1959 Gibson Flying V is on loan from Gibson’s Certified Vintage program. Armstrong secured it for some recent studio work, and attests that out of five he test-drove that were built in the same period, this one is the best of the bunch. He’s gotta give it back, right? “We’ll see what happens,” Armstrong grins.
Friend from ’53
Armstrong acquired this “super messed-up” 1953 FenderTelecaster with the help of a friend in Illinois. The warped neck was heat-treated to make it playable, and the body has been contoured on the back and front to give it a Jeff Beck feeling. It’s kept in open-G tuning for some live performances.
Dynamic Duo
<p>In studio, Armstrong uses a 1965 Vox AC15 2x12 combo and a Marshall JMP Super Bass. When playing live, he runs the JMP alongside a 1963 Fender Bassman.<br/></p>
Tyler Armstrong’s Pedals
<p>Among Armstrong’s select studio weapons are a Sonic Research ST-200 tuner, Mythos Oracle, Electro-Harmonix Small Stone EH4800, Mythos Luxury Drive, EarthQuaker Devices Swiss Things, R2R Electric Pre-Amp with an extra knob for EQ, <a href="https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Phase90--mxr-m101-phase-90-phaser-pedal?irclickid=Sy72HhyqAxycWp1UwTUUjyKJUkp2l10ArRo1X80&irgwc=1&utm_source=Impact&utm_medium=Premier%20Guitar&utm_campaign=Online%20Tracking%20Link" target="_blank">MXR Phase 90</a>, vintage Maestro PS-1A, and an <a href="https://www.premierguitar.com/tag/lr-baggs">L.R. Baggs</a> Voiceprint D.I.</p>
Epiphone today announces a refreshed and expanded lineup within the Inspired by Gibson Collection, delivering elevated playability, upgraded hardware and electronics, and refined body contours across a suite of classic, Gibson-inspired instruments. Designed to bring authentic design DNA to players at every level, the 2026 collection blends timeless style with modern reliability, premium feel, and refined performance, making these guitars perfect for every player and every stage. The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson acoustic lineup is now available worldwide at Gibson Garage locations, via authorized Epiphone dealers, and on Epiphone.com.
The refreshed Epiphone lineup spans some of the most iconic silhouettes in the history of acoustic guitar, including the Hummingbird™ Standard EC, Hummingbird Standard, J-45™ Standard EC, J-45 Standard, and L-00 Standard. Each model has been thoughtfully updated with rosewood fretboards, high‑quality hardware and electronics, and improved body contours and specifications—delivering the unmistakable feel of a classic with the performance demands of today’s stage and studio.
“With the 2026 Inspired by Gibson Acoustic Collection, our goal was simple: capture the heart and soul of these iconic instruments and bring them to every kind of player,” says Aljon Go, Epiphone Product Manager, Nashville, Tennessee. “This lineup delivers the heritage, feel, and character people expect, paired with the performance, stability, and consistency today’s musicians rely on. We built these guitars for players. Whether you’re writing your first song, stepping onto your first stage, or cutting your next record, these acoustics are ready. Honestly, the best way to understand what we’ve done is to pick one up. Feel it. Strum it. Hear the difference for yourself. The Inspired by Gibson Acoustic Collection brings authentic Gibson DNA to players everywhere—no compromises, just great guitars.”
Hummingbird Standard EC
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC in Natural
The Gibson Hummingbird was Gibson’s first square-shouldered acoustic model and has been one of the world’s best-loved and most instantly identifiable acoustic guitars since it was first introduced in 1960. Renowned for its versatility, it’s equally at home playing first-position chords or punchy acoustic lead lines, and has been used in a wide range of musical genres by countless artists.
Now, Epiphone is very proud to introduce the Hummingbird Standard EC, an Inspired by Gibson version of the world-famous Hummingbird with some notable updates that make this iconic guitar better than ever. The Hummingbird Standard EC features all solid wood construction, including a solid mahogany back and sides that are paired with a solid spruce top, which is the classic Hummingbird tonewood recipe that delivers all the sweet tones the Hummingbird is famous for. The body features a cutaway that makes this ‘bird even more expressive and allows for easier access to the upper regions of the fretboard. The mahogany neck is equipped with a rosewood fretboard that is outfitted with 20 standard frets and adorned with beautiful mother-of-pearl split parallelogram inlays. The belly-up bridge is also rosewood, and the saddle and nut are bone. The newly redesigned pickguard is the epoxy style and features the iconic hummingbird, butterfly, and flowers graphics that are a visual hallmark of the Hummingbird. Quality Grover® Rotomatic® tuners ensure solid tuning stability, so you can spend more time playing and less time tuning up. When you do need a tune-up, the onboard Fishman® electronics include a built-in tuner, as well as side-mounted controls for volume and EQ, making this Hummingbird ready for use on-stage and in the studio. A premium gig bag is also included to help keep the Hummingbird Standard EC safe and for easy grab-and-go transport to your next session, rehearsal, or gig.
Hummingbird Standard
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird Standard in Cherry Sunburst
The Hummingbird Standard is one of the most instantly recognizable and remarkable acoustic guitars ever built. First released by Gibson in 1960, it was their first square shoulder acoustic dreadnought model. The stylish and versatile Hummingbird was quickly and enthusiastically embraced by numerous musicians across a wide range of genres. Now, Epiphone is proud to introduce a newly updated Hummingbird Standard as part of the Inspired by Gibson Collection, which delivers high-quality versions of the classic Gibson models at accessible prices.
The Hummingbird Standard is crafted using all solid tonewoods, so the tone will continue to improve as the guitar ages. The back and sides of the body are made of solid mahogany, while the top is crafted from solid spruce, for the classic tonewood recipe that has made the sound of Hummingbird iconic. The neck is also made from one piece of solid mahogany and is now equipped with a genuine rosewood fretboard with 20 standard frets and classy-looking mother-of-pearl split parallelogram inlays, one of the visual hallmarks of the classic Hummingbird design. The neck has a comfortable Rounded C profile and is glued to the body and attached with a tapered dovetail joint. The 60s Kalamazoo headstock is adorned with the Epiphone logo and Gibson crown inlaid in mother-of-pearl and equipped with a bone nut and high-quality Epiphone Deluxe tuners with a gold finish and Keystone buttons, ensuring solid, stable tuning. Other classic Hummingbird features include an epoxy-style tortoise Hummingbird pickguard with iconic graphics, a reverse belly rosewood bridge with a bone saddle and ivory plastic bridge pins, and a beautiful Cherry sunburst finish.
The Hummingbird Standard comes with Fishman™ electronics, including an S-Core under-saddle pickup and Fishman Presys VT preamp with soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls that are fast and easy to access for the player while remaining nearly invisible to the audience. It comes packaged in an Epiphone premium gig bag to help keep it safe and for easy grab-and-go transport to wherever your music takes you.
J-45 Standard EC
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-45 Standard EC in Vintage Sunburst
The Gibson J-45 has been the cornerstone of Gibson’s round shoulder acoustic lineup since it was first introduced in 1942. It is the most popular acoustic guitar model ever made by the company. Renowned for its no-nonsense practicality and wide acceptance and use across genres, it quickly earned the nickname, “The Workhorse.” Now, Epiphone is proud to introduce the J-45 Standard EC, which is part of the Inspired by Gibson Collection and features all of the tone utility of the J-45 Standard, as well as the advantages of a cutaway body for even more expressiveness and upper-fret accessibility.
The J-45 Standard EC features a round shoulder cutaway body with a back and sides made from solid mahogany. The mahogany body is paired with a solid spruce top for the classic tonewood recipe that is still at the heart of the J-45 design. Since it is made from solid tonewoods, the sound of this guitar will only improve as it ages. The one-piece mahogany neck is glued to the body and attaches with a tapered dovetail joint. The neck has a comfortable Rounded C profile and is topped with a rosewood fretboard with 20 standard frets and mother-of-pearl dot inlays. The headstock features the popular 60s Kalamazoo shape and is equipped with precise and smooth-turning Grover® Rotomatic® tuners and a bone nut, and is adorned with the Epiphone logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl. The Epiphone J-45 Standard EC also comes with a Fishman® S-Core under-saddle piezo pickup and PreSys II preamp preinstalled, so it’s ready for live performance as well as studio recording. The preamp features side-mounted controls for volume, bass, treble, and a phase switch, while a combination battery box and endpin output jack make battery replacement easy. It even has an electronic tuner built in so you can quickly and easily check your tuning, even in the middle of a gig. A premium gig bag is also included to help keep the J-45 Standard EC safe when not in use and allows for easy grab-and-go transport to your next jam session, rehearsal, or gig.
J-45 Standard
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-45 Standard in Vintage Sunburst
The J-45 is the best-selling acoustic in the history of Gibson. Nicknamed “The Workhorse” and first introduced in 1942, this iconic acoustic guitar has become the cornerstone of its round shoulder dreadnought line. The J-45 is world-renowned for its full, balanced expression, warm bass, and excellent projection. The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-45 Standard has been refined to carry this legacy to new heights. The J-45 Standard delivers a sound with incredible dynamic range, warm mids, and a tight, punchy bass.
The Epiphone J-45 Standard is made with all-solid tonewoods, including solid mahogany for the back and sides, paired with a solid spruce top, delivering the classic tonal recipe that made the J-45 a player favorite. The one-piece mahogany neck has a comfortable Rounded C profile and is equipped with a rosewood fretboard with 20 standard frets and adorned with understated mother-of-pearl dot inlays. The headstock features the popular 60s Kalamazoo shape and is fitted with a bone nut and smooth-functioning Grover® Rotomatic® tuners so you can spend more time playing and less time tuning up. The belly-up bridge is also rosewood and is equipped with a bone saddle and ivory plastic bridge pins. The newly redesigned pickguard is the epoxy style and features the traditional teardrop shape, and is tortoise shell-colored.
The Epiphone J-45 Standard is equipped with a Fishman® Presys VT under-saddle pickup and preamp with volume and tone controls discretely hidden in the soundhole, where they are easy for the player to access while remaining all but invisible to the audience, so it is stage and studio-ready from the moment you take it out of the included premium gig bag. Countless players have embraced the legendary J-45 for decades, across a wide range of genres. Isn’t it time you put The Workhorse to work for you and your music?
L-00 Standard
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson L-00 Standard-Vintage Sunburst
Gibson pioneered the development of small body guitars at the beginning of the 1900s with its L-Series small body acoustic guitars. The Gibson L-00 was developed in the early 1930s and has been an industry standard small-bodied guitar for decades. These smaller Gibsons deliver a tonality that is best described in Gibson’s 1934 catalog as a sound of “perfect balance.” The smaller-bodied L-Series guitars, often referred to as parlor guitars since they were frequently played in living/sitting rooms or “parlors” of homes, have remained popular ever since.
Finally! An authentic, exceptional-playing and sounding parlor acoustic at an accessible price. Developed from the ground up by the Epiphone team in partnership with Gibson Acoustic, the L-00 Standard beautifully captures the heritage of those exemplary early Gibson models. The Epiphone L-00 Standard is crafted from all-solid tonewoods, so the sound of this guitar will continue to improve as it ages. The back and sides of the body are made from solid mahogany, which is paired with a solid spruce top, delivering a beautifully balanced tone that is great for strumming and fingerstyle playing, and will be especially appealing for country, folk, blues, Americana, and other genres. The neck is one-piece mahogany and has a comfortable, Rounded C profile. It attaches to the body with a glued-in, tapered dovetail joint. The rosewood fretboard is equipped with 19 standard frets and features understated mother-of-pearl dot inlays. The L-00 Standard has the popular 60s Kalamazoo-shaped headstock, which is fitted with a bone nut and high-quality Grover® Mini Rotomatic® tuners for solid, stable tuning. The rectangular rosewood bridge is outfitted with a bone saddle and ivory plastic bridge pins.
The L-00 Standard comes with Fishman electronics, including an S-Core under-saddle pickup and Fishman Presys VT preamp with soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls that are quick and easy for the player to access while remaining all but invisible to the audience. The L-00 Standard comes with an Epiphone premium gig bag for protection and easy grab-and-go transport.
Adam Sturgeon (fourth from left) and his bandmates in Status/Non-Status. Their new album, Big Changes, drops March 6 on You’ve Changed Records.
Adam Sturgeon, Status/Non-Status
Being left-handed has major downsides when it comes to guitars. There are very few choices available, setups are often terrible, and the better options come with reversed wiring. I've spent a lot of time building my own guitars, with various issues and inevitable failures along the way. So, it was very exciting to connect with Belvedere in building my own, fully custom leftie. Belvedere is a newer guitar company operating out of the Mile End Guitar Coop in Montreal. From highly curated woods to handwound pickups, pre- and post-build consults, I’m feeling incredibly fortunate and inspired to work with them!
Obsession: Lately, I’ve also been totally obsessed with tattoos. Again. There are several shops and quite the community of artists in my neighborhood, and I’ve been making new friends and getting renditions of some of my favorite personal items tattooed all over my legs—a coffee mug, old guitar pedal, even a hockey skate.
I have gone to NAMM and other vintage shows for a number of years now. I’ve played the best of the big-name manufacturers, as well as boutique guitars from across the country … and other continents. As a lifelong musician and a wanna-be luthier myself, I honestly can say that my favorite builder is none other than Anthony Sims and the guys at Lucky Dog Guitars. They produce the best-quality, best-sounding, best-looking, and best-playing guitars that I’ve found. Even though I’m no longer on the road, and the guitars that come in for setups or other jobs are ones I work on for my own enjoyment, I had to buy a Lucky Dog for myself. For playability, it’s the standard that I strive for when I send one out. I won’t even mention what great guys Anthony, John, and Eric are.
Obsession: A few years ago, I attended the Amigo Guitar Show that comes to Franklin, TN, each year. This show had thousands of vintage instruments, treasures really. One vendor had a $60,000 price tag on a Martin dated around 1918, if I remember correctly, and he looked at me and said, “Pick it up and play it.” I’ve been obsessed ever since.
Ted Drozdowski, Contributing Editor
Ian Webber
For sound, imagination, and vibe, Chris Mills from Zuzu Guitars in Pennsylvania is my guy. Chris built my main instrument, which I call the Green Monster, and no two of his guitars are alike. The Monster’s finish is a Behr color called fish pond, the mahogany body and perfect-for-me neck are hand cut, and Chris makes his own exceptional pickups, which, with coil splitting, give me the core tones of a Les Paul and a Strat, with a Strat’s weight and balance. If you check zuzuguitars.wordpress.com, you can see all of his work, which is trad and rad at the same time.
Obsession: Tremolo. I’m in a Pops Staples phase … again. But, I love adding EHX’s Pico Atomic Cluster to it, for a William Burroughs approach to melody.
Brett Petrusek, Director of Advertising
Brett with a Rock N Roll Relics Revenge model.
Rock N Roll Relics for their unmistakable visual signature, cool energy, and rock ’n’ roll attitude. Their shop in North Hollywood has an old-school record store vibe. It reminds me of the early San Dimas Charvel era. Every guitar I’ve picked up from Billy Rowe and Co. has always just felt great, like an old friend. You don’t need to spend a lot of time getting to know the guitar; it just works with you right away. With custom finishes, custom colors, and premium parts, like ratio tuners by Graph Tech, Jescar Frets, TonePros bridges, paper in oil capacitors, and multiple pickup configurations, you can make it your own. It’s also cool to know that no two guitars are the same—when it’s yours it’s uniquely yours.
A totally different style, but I must also give a shout out to Tonfuchs guitars from Germany. I was happy to discover and see a few of these guitars in the wild at the 2026 NAMM show; the builds were impeccable. Uwe Schölch is an artisan/craftsman of the highest order. Check his guitars at tonfuchs-guitars.com, and on IG at: @tonfuchs_guitar.
A Tonfuchs T-style.
Obsession: Currently in the studio working on my band’s second album and I kinda want a Flying V. So yeah, recording and Flying Vs.
The wait is over for HeadRush users. Firmware 5.0 has officially landed, bringing a massive suite of features to the Prime, Core, and Flex models. Beyond introducing a fully performable, highly customizable drum machine, @TomButwin details a brutal new high-gain amp model, updated IRs and transparent overdrives, plus quality of life upgrades that make practicing and gigging smoother than ever.
