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The Year in Gear 2019

The 60+ guitars, amps, pedals, basses, and accessories that stood out from the crowd and earned our coveted Premier Gear Award this year.

Rocket Surgeon Codename: Black Hat


Whereas many twin-knob fuzzes aim for vintage Tone Bender, Fuzz Face, or Fuzzrite vibes, Rocket Surgeon’s new three-transistor affair (two silicon, one germanium) infiltrates a less-explored middle ground that offers shades of all three while eschewing those designs’ quirkier, less-predictable aspects. At any setting, the Black Hat cleans up like a killer tube amp when you rein in your guitar’s volume knob, which makes it a hugely adaptable utility pedal.

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$169 street, nordstrandaudio.com

Plus! December Premier Gear Award Winners!
Read the full reviews on the pages indicated below!

1. Peavey Invective.MH$699 street, peavey.com
2. Chase Bliss Dark World$349 street, chaseblissaudio.com
3. Comins CGS-16 $2,399 street, cominsguitars.com
4. Ernie Ball Music Man Short-Scale StingRay$1,999 street, music-man.com
5. EBS MicroBass 3$349 street, ebssweden.com


Day 4 of Stompboxtober brings a chance to win a pedal from TWA: The Chemical-Z! Don’t miss out—enter now and return tomorrow for more!

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Fuchs Audio introduces the ODH Hybrid amp, featuring a True High Voltage all-tube preamp and Ice Power module for high-powered tones in a compact size. With D-Style overdrive, Spin reverb, and versatile controls, the ODH offers exceptional tone shaping and flexibility at an affordable price point.

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Jackson Guitars announces its first female signature artist model, the Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe guitar.

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Cort Guitars introduces the GB-Fusion Bass Series, featuring innovative design and affordable pricing.

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