Collings is offering NAMM visitors a glimpse into some models to come, from sleek solidbodies to an all-new dreadnought. These prototypes aren’t available yet, but they’re here for everyone to get a peek at their vision for the future.
The Gold Label Collection draws inspiration from classic 1930s and ’40s flat top acoustic guitars, delivering a warmer, fuller tone that blends a heritage voice with a new version of Taylor's award-winning V-Class bracing technology. The collection features several groundbreaking design elements, including the new Super Auditorium body style, a Fanned V-Class bracing pattern, and a long-tenon neck joint, all of which contribute to a richer, more resonant, more muscular sound. The collection also introduces two distinctive wood pairings: Honduran rosewood back and sides with a torrefied Sitka spruce top, producing exceptional harmonic richness, and figured Hawaiian koa coupled with torrefied Sitka spruce, delivering a more balanced, rounded tone.
Taylor Gold Label 814e
“The harder you play, the louder the guitar gets,” says Powers. “But it naturally starts to compress the sound into a more controlled, focused tone rather than becoming mushy. Yet these guitars also respond to delicate articulation with a broadly rich voice. When you play a simple note softly, the guitar naturally amplifies it with surprising warmth and volume.”
With its unique sound and aesthetic, the Gold Label Collection sits apart from Taylor’s other premium lines, offering a guitar that combines the warmth and tonal character of traditional instruments with the playability and reliability Taylor is known for. The collection's craftsmanship extends beyond its sonic capabilities, with a fresh visual aesthetic that combines classic influences with modern artistry. The result is a guitar that will appeal to a broad range of players, offering a distinctive voice and performance that bring together the best of both old and new.
Whether for recording, live performance, or personal enjoyment, the Gold Label Collection provides musicians with a guitar that is as visually striking as it is sonically impressive.
Collings brandished a fresh offset solidbody electric. The 71 M is built with an ash body, a slab-sawn hard maple neck, rosewood fretboard (with a 10" radius), Mastery Offset bridge & vibrato, and a set of Lollar JM-Style pickups — P-90 (bridge) and Blademaster (neck). A 25 1/2" scale length, Kluson Supreme tuners, Davies Radio knobs with push-pull series/parallel on the tone, Jupiter Vintage Yellow capacitors, and narrow-tall frets round out the experience.
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.
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 street–$100 less than the MAP–is full range, flat response with a custom 12" Celestion and a Lavoce 1" high-performance compression driver. It’s 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 there’s 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, it’s 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’s literally shiniest new NAMM offering is the Joe Satriani Ltd. Edition TONEX One pedal. It’s got an eye-catching chrome finish with 3-band EQ and a center control for volume, gain, gate, and reverb. Satch’s 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 it’s 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 ” long, it is a mighty mite. The stomp ships in February and is tagged at $229.
Boasting unmatched versatility, Donner HUSH-X Pro Electric Guitar offers four electric guitar tones and three acoustic guitar tones for diverse sonic possibilities. The new HUSH-X Pro offers unmatched versatility with four electric guitar tones and three acoustic guitar tones, making it ideal for players seeking diverse sonic possibilities. Utilizing high-precision real sampling, this new guitar authentically captures the nuances of each pickup from the classics for a rich, genuine sound experience. A comprehensive effects chain — which features overdrive, amp simulation, reverb, delay, modulation and EQ — lets musicians create and customize dozens of preset combinations, enhancing both creativity and playability.