New Products and Highlights from Winter NAMM 2018

Check out some of favorite photos from the event, where you can see for yourself some of the gear world's most exciting new instruments, equipment, and other music products.

There were a number of excellent boutique brands at NAMM this year, but the following guitars took the cake and then some during a one-on-one demo.

We're going to take a moment to highlight just a small selection of our favorites from this year's show. This list is far from exhaustive, and I encourage you explore our main NAMM hub below for even more highlights.

Mark Tremonti, the guitarist known for his work with Creed and Alter Bridge, gets his first signature amp with the MT 15 by Paul Reed Smith.

BandLab is offering three models based off of original Harmony guitars: the Jupiter, the Rebel, and the Silhouette—all based off the originals, with the Jupiter and Rebel now being solidbody instruments instead of semi-hollowbody.

While not the first Eric Johnson signature model from Fender, the new Thinline Stratocaster is the first of its kind. The latest signature model is the first-ever semi-hollowbody Strat that still maintains the guitar's classic contours.

After BandLab Technologies announced plans to relaunch Harmony and Teisco, we've been psyched to see what will be new with both brands for this year. Lucky for us, both brands were at NAMM and we had a chance to see what's next for these revitalized favorites.

We had a chance to catch up with our friend Adrian, the man behind the popular UK-based boutique effects brand ThorpyFX, to see what he has in store for 2018. Adrian had two new pedal offerings to show us: the Fat General Compressor and the Team Medic EQ and boost.

Sadowsky is expanding on the success of its Japan-made MetroLine basses with the new MetroExpress models, which will be the high-end bass manufacturer's most affordable line, with street prices of $1875 and $1975 USD for 4- and 5-string models.

Ken showed us the brand new 10th anniversary Pete Anderson PA-1 hollowbody that commemorates the long relationship with a special 2008-2018 inlay on the 21st fret.

For Dunlop, going big in 2018 is all about going small. We had a chance to catch up with the guys from Dunlop on the NAMM floor in Anaheim, where they showed us what's new for this upcoming year. And the common thread uniting them all? Small chassis.

The Colour Theory pedal is a step sequencer in a stompbox. However, instead of cycling through the sounds of a synth or drum machine, it cycles through different effects being applied on top of your original signal.

Ashdown is making an addition to its Classic Tube Magnifier (CTM) range this year, with the release of the CTM-30 Little Stubby bass amp. Named for its size, Little Stubby is only 15.7 inches wide, 8.6 inches deep, and just over 3 inches tall, making it one of the most compact and portable all-tube bass amp heads on the market.

We had a chance to catch up with the folks at Death By Audio at their NAMM booth to see what's new for 2018. In the video above, Andy talks over the new Deep Animation with Oliver from Death by Audio.

The new, single-channel amps are available in 5-, 20-, and 50-watt combos, as well as 20- and 50-watt heads.

Positive Grid has introduced the first substantial update to its flagship virtual emulation amp designer. The big highlight of the second generation is the BIAS AMP 2’s component emulation engine, with which users can design a custom amp from the circuit level. Users can change tone stacks, swap tubes, mix transformers and essentially pick every component themselves, making for amplifiers that are perfectly tailored to a guitarist’s personal set of needs. The BIAS user interface has been completely redesigned to reflect the new features, and the software’s Amp Match feature has also been updated, promising better results in less time.

Suhr's marking its 20th Anniversary with a limited run Aura and releasing a pedalboard-friendly version of a beloved stompbox.

Based on the original 1987 RGs, Ibanez’s new RG Genesis Series of guitars are loud, fast shredding machines—sporting bright colors and flat necks for sweep-picking, finger-tapping, and lightning fast mixolydian runs.

Bass fans rejoice: Blackstar is releasing its first ever line of bass amplifiers. Joe had a chance to catch up with Steve of Blackstar on the NAMM floor in Anaheim to talk over the new Unity Pro line and hear how they sound.

The FG-TA model model is a western-bodied acoustic available in Vintage Tint, Brown Sunburst, and Black, and the FS-TA is a concert-bodied acoustic available in Vintage Tint, Brown Sunburst, and Red. Both models feature a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, with new scalloped bracing promising “louder, richer acoustic sound.” Like the rest of the TransAcoustic series, each new model features the built-in reverb and chorus effects than can be heard unplugged due to the internal actuator. These models are going to be available for $939 USD each, which is a considerable discount from the TransAcoustic LS-TA and LL-TA predecessors.

Today, Fender announced a new line of six feature-rich and sleekly designed pedals, housed in classy aluminum chassis with amp jewel LEDs serving as their only ornaments.

Benson Amps unveiled a snazzy 15-watt Ryan Adams signature on the NAMM floor today, featuring a Chimera circuit with Tall Bird-style reverb, a custom bucket brigade chorus/tremolo module from Chase Bliss Audio, and a working little VU meter. Don’t get too excited just yet, though, as Benson mentioned on its Instagram that the amp is currently just a prototype and has yet to go into production.

Squier by Fender has released a new line of Stratocasters and Telecasters named the Contemporary Series, built for metal guitarists and other players that desire quick playability and heavy tones.

Jackson is going big this year for metalheads, expanding its catalog considerably with additions to four of its ongoing series. For 2018 artist models, Jackson is working with Misha Mansoor, Mick Thomson, David Davidson, and Chris Broderick. Other highlights include the ‘80s-inspired SL4X Soloists in Neon Orange, Bubblegum Pink, and Daphne Blue, and the expansion of the recent, budget-friendly X Series Monarkhs line.

This year, MXR is releasing its own take—dubbed the Sugar Drive—on a rare, beloved circuit from the '90s. Packed into a pedalboard-friendly mini chassis, the pedal provides a wide range of tones, from driving boost to lush overdrive.

This new batch of instruments takes elements from various historical Fender models and copy-and-pastes them together as new Frankenstein concepts.

Daredevil Effects, our Chicago-based neighbors, recently announced their newest hand-built pedal offering: the Almighty Bass Fuzz.

Today, Line 6 announces the release of the new HX Effects pedal—a compact multi-effects unit built to fit on your pedalboard while still offering more than 100 effects from the Helix DSP.

In anticipation of NAMM this year, we at Reverb were lucky enough to get our hands on the Tomahawk Deluxe Drive by Greer. Check out the video above to see Andy's demo and hear what kinds of tones he's able to coax from the new stompbox.

Keeley Electronics introduced its new Aria Compressor and Overdrive. The pedal has two distinct sides—the compressor on the right and the drive on the left. A switch in the middle allows you to choose the order of the effects, while dedicated knobs allow you to dial in the exact mix of smooth, sustaining compression and gnarled grit.

This week, Taylor is set to introduce the latest in its long series of acoustic guitar innovations with the new V-Class bracing pattern.

Ahead of NAMM, Orange has announced the release of the Brent Hinds Terror, a compact, dual-channel head designed in collaboration with the Mastodon guitarist.

Today, Boss announced the release of its new guitar effects processor, the GT-1000. What's exciting about this one is that it's the first piece of hardware to debut Boss's new Augmented Impulse Response Dynamics (AIRD) technology.

After three years of development, Josh Scott and team are back with the Bonsai, which applies this same combinatorial approach to the Tube Screamer in its many forms.

Today, Fender announces an update to the Hot Rod line, in addition to updated Pro Junior and Blues Junior amplifiers.

Earlier today, Empress Effects released a video on YouTube that introduced its newest pedal: the Zoia "multithing."

Vox amps has announced the expansion of its line of Nutube-equipped amps with a new flagship: the MVX150. This amp uses Vox's Nutube technology, which promises the tones of traditional vacuum tubes in a diminutive and durable format. This new amp will come in combo or head and cab configurations with 150 watts of power. Vox also announced two new high-gain entries to its existing MV50 line.

Amp builder Milkman (a favorite among pedalheads) has recently introduced its newest project dubbed "The Amp"—an ultra-portable 50W guitar amp packed into a pedal enclosure. With a preamp based around a single 12AX7, The Amp will run with a Class D power section, running 50 watts into 8 ohms or 100 watts into 4 ohms. Other features include onboard reverb and tremolo and an EQ section.

For NAMM this year, Way Huge is set to release a new bass effect dubbed the Pork and Pickle. This pedal is both a fuzz and overdrive, combining its Pork Loin Overdrive and Russian Pickle Fuzz circuits into one chassis with individual knobs to blend and tweak the incoming clean tone.

These new designs mark a new foray into solidbody production for the New York maker, which has to this point focused mostly on hollow and semi-hollowbody instruments.

Today, Chase Bliss Audio announces the Thermae, it newest delay pedal. Like the Greek bathhouses from which it takes it names, the effect is very wet. In the words of Chase Bliss' bathrobe-clad Joel Korte, the Thermae is a “warm bath pedal.”

Today, EHX announced a greater advancement to this mixer-style loop pedal with the release of the 95000 Performance Loop Laboratory". It comes equipped with six tracks and one stereo mixdown track per loop.

Fender announced today the release of the new American Original Series of guitars and basses. The new line is set to replace the American Vintage Series, which was first introduced in 1982.

Chase Bliss Audio released details on a new pedal dubbed the Condor this morning. This latest release from the Minnesota-based builder is a combination preamp, EQ, and filter effect with a variety of onboard tone-tweaking tools.

Walrus Audio offered Andy Martin and Reverb a sneak peek at its newest, feature-packed pedal. The Fathom Reverb boasts four different settings—Hall, Plate, LoFi, and Sonar—to allow for wide range of lushness, from subtle echoes to atmospheric trails.

Today, Martin announced that its flagship Standard Series is being reimagined this year for the first time in the company's 185-year history.

Two weeks ahead of the start of the NAMM convention, an image of a new guitar from Fender has been shared by Gear News.

EarthQuaker Devices' new Westwood is a light-to-medium gain overdrive manipulator specifically designed to suit low-wattage combo amps.

Early today, the official Gibson Instagram account shared a video of an array of guitars at the company’s booth, including a brand new, V-shaped model which is visible at the 30-second mark.

Around this time last year, Gibson revealed the Modern Double Cut. And now, a year later, Gibson has unveiled a new variation on the model dubbed the "Semi-Hollow Modern Double Cut".

Guild recently unveiled its 2018 lineup of brand new guitars, and a certain oddball electric caught our eye. The new Guild S-50 Jetstar reissue marks the first time we've seen a fresh model in the Jetstar line since the late 1960s.

Martin revealed details today of a new signature model, the D-45 John Mayer. The new model builds on the template of the D-45, which has historically ranked as the highest-end dreadnought in Martin's catalog.

Ibanez is set to add another entry to the Tube Screamer series this year, with the release of the NTS, or NuTube Screamer, overdrive. The release of this pedal will expand Ibanez's current Tube Screamer lineup to a total of eight pedals.

Based off of EMI's modified Altec 436, this new stereo unit promises that same signature compression.

In what Neumann is hailing as “the return of a legend,” the company has released a reissue of its classic U 67 tube condenser microphone.

Apple’s Logic Pro X digital audio workstation got an expansive update yesterday, with the release of Version 10.4. The latest version of Apple's long-standing DAW is free to all current owners and is available now to all new buyers.

Too often seen as an afterthought in recording, the quality of the headphone monitors can have a great effect on musicians’ performances in the studio. Mackie has released its new HM line of high-quality headphone amplifiers to provide great monitoring to all levels of recording—from home and project studios with the compact HM-4 to professional studios with the HM-400 and HM-800 rackmount models.

This year, Waves (a leader in audio plugin software for recording, mixing, and mastering) has partnered with Paul Reed Smith to bring to the market the PRS SuperModels plugin—a collection of three, top-of-the-line PRS guitar amplifiers.

Universal Audio’s Arrow—its most affordable desktop audio interface to date—is not the only new UA product to launch this year. As of today, UA’s OX Amp Top Box is officially shipping worldwide at $1,299 USD. The OX Amp Top Box is a reactive load box and guitar recording system that promises perfectly studio-mic’d tube amp sounds with perfect dynamics at any volume level. It features built-in UA EQ, compression, delay, and reverb effects, selectable 4-, 8-, and 16-ohm operation, and can be paired with the OX mobile or desktop app over WiFi for editing and saving your presets.

Audient announces the release of its new iD44 desktop preamp, featuring four of the same Class-A mic preamps found in the company’s large format recording consoles. The pres are capable of 60dB of gain, built to faithfully capture a performance while adding warm, subtle color. The extensive inputs and outputs allow it to fit in to any project studio setup and easily integrate with other equipment.

TK Audio announced that its dual microphone preamp, the DP-2, is available immediately. The DP-2 replaces the Swedish brand’s DP-1, featuring two transformer-balanced channels using a high-end Lundahl transformer. The amp stage offers 80 dB of amplification and is switchable between two different circuits—one is electronically balanced for max transparency and the other is a class A output circuit based around a Carnhill transformer. These user-selectable circuit options make the DP-2 a budget-friendly way of covering a wide range of preamp characteristics.

Today, Roland announced the first official plugins of the 808 and 909. The VSTs (Virtual Studio Technology) will be available through the company's Cloud service—a $19.95 per month subscription service.

Today, ADAM Audio announced its new T series of active studio monitors. The series will include two models—the T5V and T7V—which sport 5-inch and 7-inch woofers, respectively. According to ADAM Audio, these monitors promise to be the most affordable entry in its current lineup and appear to be designed with home studios in mind. Both models include digital crossover control as part of their design.

Named the "DAW of the Year" in 2017 by Computer Music, Bitwig Studio 2 is slated to get a major update in February, promising new and improved features for the new year.

Today, Universal Audio released its new desktop audio interface, the Arrow Thunderbolt 3, for an expected street price of $499 USD. This makes it the cheapest point of entry into Universal Audio's leading library of UAD powered plugins.

Today, Focusrite announces USB versions of the Clarett 2-, 4-, and 8-preamp versions, which offer the same functionality as the originals for any computer with a USB 2.0 port or higher.

Deckard's Dream Synthesizer, a Yamaha CS-80 replica, is available now.

At NAMM this year, Pittsburgh Modular demoed its newest synthesizer, the Microvolt 3900. This entirely standalone unit is a first for the company that, before now, has never released a non-eurorack unit. We had a chance to stop by their NAMM booth to have a look.

There’s not much to be said about this prototype synthesizer from Yudo, but the picture speaks for itself. The synth’s parameters are controlled by an enormous touch screen, but the company doesn’t yet know the final hardware configuration underneath. It is said to run a “NAT” (“noise added tone”) sound engine and that it will be available via custom order for “the top musicians of the world.”

German synth company Doepfer has released a series of synth modules that make it easy to build a polyphonic Eurorack system with minimal units and rack space. Instead of needing to buy four VC0 modules, you can get four-in-one with the A-111-4 Quad VCO. From there, you can add the A-105-4 Quad Poly SSI VCF, the A-132-8 Octal Poly VCA, and the A-142-4 Quad Poly VCADSR for all your multi-timbral thrills.

Intellijel has added new features to three of its Eurorack modules. The Planar II adds a joystick CV recorder to the original module—allowing you to record and replay not only across the X/Y axis but all the different angles and radii the joystick covers. The Morgasmatron is a sweepable filter that can add acidic grit to basslines and deep growls to drones, in part by the use of the same chips found in the ProCo Rat distortion pedal. The Rubicon II adds a symmetry lock for better tracking when using thru-zero modulation.

Waldorf has released the STVC, a string synthesizer and Vocoder. The string synth is modeled after the string machines of the 1970s with an octave-divider-based oscillator bank and the inclusion of an EQ and ensemble effect.

Teenage Engineering has introduced its third generation of Pocket Operators—its line of handheld synths and drum machines. The new Metal Series includes the PO-32 Tonic, a drum synth packed with 16 programmed sounds, 16 effects, and a 16-step sequencer, as well as a built-in mic for you to add your own sounds. The PO-33 K.O! is a sampler and sequencer capable of recording 40 seconds worth of material through a line-input or the built in mic. Rounding out the series is the PO-35 Speak, a vocal synth and sequencer that allows you to record and drastically alter your voice.

The Digitone is an 8-voice polyphonic digital synthesizer that, according to Elektron, "represents [their] visions of how FM synthesis can be revitalized and modernized."

Malekko Heavy Industries has announced the release of the Manther Monosynth, a desktop groovebox capable of acidic basslines, powerful kicks, and melodic leads. The CEM 3340-based VCO and a ssm2044-based analog filter give classic synth sounds, while the 64-step sequencer and onboard delay allow you to craft and sculpt complex patterns.

Studiologic is showing of its newest keyboard offering today, the Numa Compact 2x. The Numa Compact 2’s professional technology and 88-key semi-weighted design has carried over to the 2x, but the newer model has also received some extra updates: three versatile sound engines, Studiologic Aftertouch and triple pedal control, and an expanded control panel with nine programmable sliders and fast USB audio. It features 88 factory sounds out of the box, with 99 programmable presets and 1GB of updatable flash memory. The 2x is set to hit streets at $699.95 USD.

Nord further refines its ever-popular Electro line with the Electro 6, which builds on the company’s award-winning emulations of classic electric pianos, organs, and keyboard-based instruments. The Electro 6 features an expanded sample library, including the exclusively licensed Mellotron and Chamberlin. 3-part multi-timbral voicing allows users to layer multiple instruments, while the new Seamless Transitions allow you to switch easily between them.

Strymon has released the the Magneto, a four-head digital tape echo and looper unit designed specifically for Eurorack synth setups.

Korg is poised to launch its latest drum machine this year, the KR-55 Pro. Taking its name from the classic KR-55 drum machine of the early '80s, the KR-55 is designed to cover a massive array of different beats and styles in a flexible interface designed for real-time accompaniment. With numerous input jacks and mixing options (along with effects and equalizer), the KR-55 Pro is a supremely flexible device that even incorporates an onboard recorder for on-the-fly demoing.

Today, the company announces what can be seen as a culminating event with the release of the Prologue, an 8- or 16-voice polyphonic analog synth that Korg is calling its new flagship model.

Today, along with the release of its new Prologue polyphonic synth Korg announces the release of the Volca Mix, an “analogue performance mixer” that allows musicians to easily combine Volcas and other Korg instruments in live performance.

Arturia announced today the release of the two new Eurorack cases: the RackBrute 3U and RackBrute 6U. This news follows the announcement of the Arturia MiniBrute 2 and MiniBrute 2S earlier this week.

Today, Arturia announces that it will release the MiniBrute 2 in March, which keeps all of the original design while featuring a second, fully tunable VCO.

Moog announced today that the Drummer From Another Mother (DFAM) will be heading to regular production.

The boutique builders known for killer drums outdo themselves with this hand-crafted set.

Zildian’s K line of cymbals have long been popular with a large range of players for their dark, versatile tonalities, while the A Sweet series of cymbals have been well-loved for their lighter sound and colorful medium overtones. The K Sweet collections brings together the sweetness and the darkness in 21” and 23” rides, 16” through 20” crashes, as well as 15” and 16” hi-hats.

Tama has expanded the S.L.P. line into three full drum kits—the Studio Maple, the Fat Spruce, and the Dynamic Kapur.

Returning for the first time since 1984, Smoke acrylic is now an option for Ludwig’s Vistalite series, alongside a new eye-catching Pink. Standard shell packs and component drums can be had in either finish. The popular Club Date reissue series sees a limited run Mahogany/Poplar version, available in Downbeat, Fab, and Pro Beat outfits in a variety of vintage-inspired wraps (including the new Mod Orange reissue).

Surely designed with the acrylic drum owner in mind, Remo’s new Colortone range of hued heads offers their popular Emperor, Powerstroke 77, and Powerstroke 3 models in blue, green, orange, red, smoke, and yellow translucent variants.

The drums feature blended Maple and Cherry shells, lightweight hardware, tough formica finishes, and are available in two three-piece shell packs.

Unlike the TM-6 PRO, the RT-MicS hybrid drum module isn’t specifically engineered for professionals and is geared toward a wider audience of players. The small, battery-powered device features a sound module, microphone, and piezo trigger packed in and is easily mountable without any extra tools. It comes loaded with a variety of factories sounds, but you can modify them using the free RT-MicS Sender software on your computer.

Roland has announced two new hybrid drum units for this year’s NAMM show, the TM-6 PRO Hybrid Drum Module and the RT-MicS Hybrid Drum Module. As the “pro” in its name suggests, the TM-6 is geared at more professional players, coming fully-loaded out of the box with 500 sampled sounds—268 Roland V-Drum sounds, 80 ready-to-use-kits, and many more that have been newly recorded at world-famous studios. Players can assign, mix, and modify sounds, apply built-in effects, and monitor trigger status, as well as play backing tracks via SD card. The TM-6 can also be used as a USB audio interface and trigger-to-MIDI converter for a computer DAW.

For 2018, Paiste is offering a host of new options in two of its most popular series. Joining the vintage-inspired Masters family are Dry and Extra Dry rides, Extra Thin multis, Dark Splashes, and a 22-inch Dark Crash Ride. Elsewhere, the more contemporary and budget-friendly PST X series sees new Splash Stacks and Cajon models (designed to be played with hands or light sticks), alongside a 20-inch Swiss Medium Crash.

The iconic American drum brand returns in 2018, with reissues of the coveted wood-shelled Dyna-Sonic snare drums of the 1960s in two sizes and three classic finishes. In addition, faithful recreations of many classic Rogers hardware components will be available separately, such as the “clock face” strainer, script logo badge, and bread-and-butter lugs.

The Ludwig Black Beauty Snare, featuring the famous black nickel-plated brass shell, is part of what made (and continues to make) the legendary drum company’s name. Today, Ludwig announced a new take on the classic, with the release of its Raw Brass Snare.