Music is the universal language
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” - Luke 2:14
General Interest
Fryette - Pittbull Ultra-Lead II and Valvulator Mini | NAMM 2026
Fryette's Steven Fryette introduces us to the Pittbull Ultra-Lead II, a two-rack-space, 25-pound version of his legendary Ultra-Lead that delivers 100 watts with a patent-pending output transformer, allowing players to mix 6550s and EL34s equally. The amp features digitally controlled graphic EQ with per-channel storage, zero-latency IR loading, MIDI switching, and direct USB recording—designed for touring artists like Helmet's Page Hamilton who needed the Ultra-Lead's tone without shipping massive rigs worldwide.
Pittbull Ultra-Lead II
From its introduction in 1995 until its discontinuation in 2017, the Pittbull Ultra-Lead had long been the flagship of the Fryette amplifier line, and customer desire for the Ultra-Lead to bereissued has never waned. Following an intensive three-year development process, the new Pittbull Ultra-Lead II is a fully reimagined touring and recording tone machine, specifically designed to be the centerpiece of your playing and gigging environment.
Valvulator Mini
The Fryette Valvulator Mini is a high voltage vacuum tube–based buffer designed to preserveand enhance your guitar’s tone by converting the signal from high to low impedance. Thisprocess eliminates high-frequency loss and signal degradation caused by cable capacitance,impedance mismatches, and effects pedals. The tube buffer also acts as a tone sweetener,cleaning up and enriching your sound while unveiling subtle harmonics, dynamics and touchsensitivity normally associated with plugging directly into an amp.
Spector Bass | NAMM 2026
We met up with Spector to get the rundown on the new 2026 Doug Wimbish Euro 4 signature bass, a 50th anniversary custom bass with inlay depicting the company's history, the sapphire black sparkle Frank Bello signature NC-4, and a limited run of 50 SB1 basses honoring Stuart Spector's original design with DiMarzio Model One pickups.
Doug Wimbish Euro 4 Signature Model
In 2024, Spector unveiled the Doug Wimbish USA Signature Series which celebrated the impact and legacy of Doug’s iconic Spector instruments. Now, Spector is proud to introduce the newly refined Doug Wimbush Euro 4 Signature Model with specifications taken directly from Doug’s 1987 NS-2. This model has been carefully specified to match the unique properties of Doug’s instrument, including a slim neck carve, narrow nut width, distinct pickup locations, and custom-wound EMG pickups, voiced alongside Doug’s originals.
Infinia Guitars -Titan | NAMM 2026
Infinia's Daan van Dijk introduced us to the Titan, a collaboration with Sheldon Dingwall featuring a fan-fret design. Built one-off in France with multi-laminate necks, hidden magnetic truss rod covers, and choice of two Alnico 5 pickup sets, the guitars offer full customization options, including various tops and finishes.
3rd Power Phantom DRGN and Aurora Series Amplifiers | NAMM 2026
3rd Power's Dylana Scott walked us through the new DRGN lineup, plus the Aurora series, available as the Aurora 35 and Aurora 45 Pro with tube bias tremolo and multi-position bright switch. Scott also showed off the MagFrag pickup line with the exclusive Flux Dragon pickup available only with Dragon amplifier purchases.
Learn More at https://3rdpower.com/
Suhr unveils raft of new signature models for Benji Madden, Pete Thorn and Lady Gaga guitarist Tim Stewart
Suhr may have just seen the departure of social media sensation – and now fully-fledged solo artist – Mateus Asato, but it still has a healthy artist roster, and has just launched new signature models for Good Charlotte’s Benji Madden, Lady Gaga guitarist Tim Stewart and loads more.
Alongside new Madden and Stewart models are new signature guitars for Big Wreck’s Ian Thornley, Pete Thorn, progressive guitarist James Norbert Ivanyi and virtuoso Andy Wood, alongside new additions to the brand’s range of OSO short-scale models.
- READ MORE: NAMM 2026 Live: The latest guitar launches and news from the biggest music gear event on the planet
Learn more about the new Signature Series additions at Suhr.
The post Suhr unveils raft of new signature models for Benji Madden, Pete Thorn and Lady Gaga guitarist Tim Stewart appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.
Epiphone Unveils The Fatoumata Diawara Epiphone SG
Celebrating Fatoumata Diawara—a GRAMMY®-nominated cultural icon—the new Epiphone Fatoumata Diawara SG blends bold design with artistry and premium functionality, marking a milestone for women and artists of color in music.
Epiphone is proud to announce the Fatoumata Diawara SG™—a signature SG created in close collaboration with the GRAMMY®-nominated Afrofuturist guitarist, singer-songwriter, and actress. As the first woman of color to receive an Epiphone signature guitar, Diawara’s model marks a historic milestone, honoring her extraordinary contributions to music and inspiring future generations of women and artists of color to pursue their creative aspirations. Born of her passion for the Epiphone Muse SG™, the Fatoumata Diawara SG incorporates her personal touches to deliver a player-focused instrument that reflects her aesthetic and performance needs. The Epiphone Fatoumata Diawara SG is available worldwide on Epiphone.com, at the Gibson Garage locations in Nashville and London, and at authorized Epiphone dealers.
“This guitar carries my Malian roots and my voice,” says Fatoumata Diawara. “It connects where I come from to where I’m going. As a Malian woman, receiving this signature guitar reminds me that our stories and our sounds truly belong on the world stage, and I hope it inspires women everywhere.”
Fatoumata Diawara is celebrated worldwide for her distinctive fusion of traditional Wassoulou sounds with modern global influences. She began her career in France as an actress before shifting her focus to music. Over the years, she has collaborated with an impressive roster of artists, including -M-, Angélique Kidjo, Oumou Sangaré, Disclosure, Damon Albarn, Paul McCartney, and Herbie Hancock. Diawara has also appeared in acclaimed films such as Timbuktu and Sia, and The Dream of the Python, continuing to inspire audiences worldwide through her art.
Her passion for the Epiphone Muse SG™ led to a collaboration with Epiphone to create her first signature SG model. The guitar features a mahogany body topped with her signature graphic, a set mahogany neck with a Custom C profile, and a bound rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and pearloid trapezoid inlays. Gold hardware accents include a LockTone™ Tune-O-Matic™ bridge, LockTone Stop Bar tailpiece, and Epiphone locking tuners, paired with a Graph Tech® nut for rock-solid tuning stability. The headstock proudly displays the Epiphone logo and Gibson Crown in mother-of-pearl, along with a two-ply truss rod cover engraved with Fatou’s signature in gold. Coordinated details such as red pickup rings, Speed knobs, rear control covers, and a toggle switch tip add striking visual flair.
Epiphone Fatoumata Diawara SG
Electronics are equally versatile: two Epiphone Alnico Classic PRO™ humbuckers are wired to modern controls, with individual volume knobs that include push/pull coil-splitting for single-coil textures. Two tone controls provide further shaping, and one features a push/pull phase switch to unlock out-of-phase tones when both pickups are engaged, expanding the instrument’s palette for studio and stage. With its bold design, premium appointments, and flexible electronics, the Epiphone Fatoumata Diawara SG is as functional as it is stunning. Each guitar ships in a hardshell case for maximum protection on the road.
Fatoumata Diawara with her new Epiphone SG.
Fatoumata Diawara broke through with Fenfo (2018), receiving two GRAMMY® nominations, one for “Best World Music Album” and another for the single “Ultimatum” with the UK electronic duo Disclosure for “Best Dance Recording.” Born in Côte d’Ivoire in 1982 to Malian parents, she moved to Bamako as a child and grew up in a large family, where resilience and a passion for dance became her lifelines. Film opened the first door: early roles in Taafé Fanga and Cheick Oumar Sissoko’s La Genèse, which was awarded at Cannes in 1999 and led to her acclaimed turn as Sia in Dani Kouyaté’s Sia, le Rêve du Python. As a young woman, she left Mali to avoid a forced marriage and found both refuge and a stage in France—debuting in Antigone at Paris’s Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord and touring worldwide for six years with the renowned Royal de Luxe company.
Paris has left a lasting mark on Diawara’s artistry. Immersed in the city’s cosmopolitan scene and cross-cultural collaborations, she has refined a sound that pairs electronic textures with kora and n’goni, Mandinka rhythms, and her griotic vocal power—sleek, urban, and unmistakably her own. Her debut album Fatou (2011) earned international praise and opened doors to projects with Herbie Hancock, Bobby Womack, Roberto Fonseca, Angie Stone, Yemi Alade, and M.anifest. In 2020, she was nominated for a Victoires de la Musique and Awards d’Afrique Best Female Artist. Fatoumata expanded her Afrofuturist vision on her most recent album release titled London Ko (2023). She continued to push forward on London Ko, co-produced with -M- (Mathieu Chedid) and featuring six tracks with Damon Albarn, complemented by bold visuals from Ethiopian artist Aida Muluneh (whose work has shown at MoMA). Diawara’s next studio album is slated for release later in 2026—catch her on tour in the following cities below and on FATOUMATADIAWARA.COM.
Fatoumata Diawara 2026 Tour:
Fri, APR 10 --Chorus Festival--Boulogne-billancourt, France
Sat, APR 11--Cabaret Botanique - Parc du Thabor--Rennes, France
Thu, APR 23--Sentrum Scene--Oslo, Norway
Fri, APR 24--UKK - Sal D – Ståplats--Uppsala, Sweden
Tue, MAY 5--Espace Culturel Le Champilambart--Vallet, France
Wed, MAY 6--La Sirene--La Rochelle, France
Thu, MAY 7, 2026--Adem Florida--Agen, France
Thu, MAY 21--Theatre de Corbeil-Essonnes - Salle JARRY--Corbeil-essonnes, France
Fri, JUN 12--Festival 2 Rivières--La Ferté-sous-jouarre, France
Sun, JUL 5--Gent Jazz Festival--Gent, Belgium
Mon, JUL 6--Jazz à Vienne 2026--Vienne, France
Thu, JUL 16--Théâtre Antique--Arles, France
Fri, JUL 24--Multi-lieux:Port–Crédit Mutuel, Estuaire, Théâtre de Verdure-Club 360-Saint-Nazaire, FR
Sat, JUL 25--Multi-lieux:Port–Crédit Mutuel, Estuaire, Théâtre de Verdure-Club 360-Saint-Nazaire, FR
Wed, NOV 18—Roundhouse--London, United Kingdom
Sun, NOV 22--Festsaal Kreuzberg--Berlin, Germany
Tue, NOV 24--Ancienne Belgique--Bruxelles, Belgium
Wed, NOV 25--L’Olympia--Paris, France
Fri, NOV 27—Paradiso--Amsterdam, Netherlands
Epiphone Fatoumata Diawara Signature SG Electric Guitar - Ember Red w/ Graphic
Faith Guitars Introduces PJE Legacy FG4 Earth Satin Sunburst Acoustic
Faith Guitars has launched the PJE Legacy FG4 Earth Satin Sunburst acoustic guitar. Handcrafted with a Solid Torrefied Sitka Spruce top and Solid African Mahogany back and sides, the FG4 combines time-honored tonewoods that deliver shimmering treble detail, warm low-end resonance, and a rich, articulate midrange.
Designed in the United Kingdom by master luthier Patrick James Eggle and handcrafted in a single dedicated workshop by a small team of highly skilled craftspeople, the instrument’s top is enhanced through a meticulous torrefaction (roasting) process that improves structural stability while imparting a mature, ‘played-in’ tonal character from the very first strum.
Visually striking, the FG4’s Satin Sunburst finish highlights the natural grain of the torrefied spruce, elegantly framed by Solid Flamed Maple binding for a refined aesthetic. Premium appointments include Indonesian Ebony for the fingerboard, bridge, and pickguard, Grover Deluxe Nickel machine heads with Ebony buttons, and unbleached bone nut and saddle for superior tonal transfer and sustain.
For stage and studio use, Fishman’s Flex-T system delivers a natural, expressive amplified tone. Combining an under saddle piezo with an internal condenser microphone, it allows players to capture every nuance of their performance with remarkable authenticity.
Focusing exclusively on Patrick James Eggle’s historic acoustic body shapes, the PJE Legacy Series represents the pinnacle of Faith’s craftsmanship and tonal artistry. The new FG4 model is the latest to be granted access to Eggle’s revered ‘Earth’ body shape – a true Orchestra Model (OM) design celebrated for its balance of comfort, clarity, and expressive tonal depth.
Faith Guitars’ PJE Legacy FG4 Earth Satin acoustic carries a street price of $1,979.00 / £1,565.00 / €1,831.00. For more information visit faithguitars.com.
Cornerstone Music Gear - Nucleo Reverb | NAMM 2026
We stopped by Cornerstone Music Gear to demo the Nucleo Reverb, a collaboration with Paul Davids featuring three reverb engines (Reactor, Room, Hall) with three voicings each (Normal, Vintage, Lo-Fi), plus dedicated faders for modulation, pitch shifting (AIR), and granular textures (FLUX). The pedal offers 90-second decay, freeze and freeze-pitch modes for holding reverb tails indefinitely, transformer-isolated stereo outputs, USB-C audio interface functionality, and 3 onboard presets plus 128 via MIDI.
NUCLEO
Nucleo Reverb isn’t just another reverb pedal – it’s the key to a universe of sonic landscapes.
With epic 90-second decay, 3 onboard presets (plus 128 via MIDI), freeze and freeze-pitch modes, the Nucleo turns every note into an evolving, cinematic texture.
From granular atmospheres to shimmer reverbs and versatile modulation types, every sound was refined in collaboration with Paul Davids to spark creativity at every step.
Add deep MIDI integration, USB audio, and intuitive controls – and you’ll discover a reverb built to inspire.
PRS Guitars Releases Documentary on Ted McCarty
PRS Guitars today announced a documentary on Paul Reed Smith’s mentor and friend and guitar industry titan the late Theodore “Ted” McCarty and his lasting impact on both Smith and the company.
This touching and informative video features archival interview footage of Ted McCarty himself, and interviews with Paul Reed Smith, McCarty’s daughter Sue Davis, PRS Signature Artist David Grissom, and several PRS Guitars employees. The full-length, 73-minute video is now available on the PRS Guitars YouTube channel. A trailer was released earlier this month.
Ted McCarty served as vice president of the Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1949 and as president from 1950-1966. In addition to the Les Paul and Tune-O-Matic bridge, McCarty was also responsible for several other patents and innovations, including the humbucking pickup (with engineer Seth Lover), Explorer, Flying V, SG, ES 335, and Firebird to name a few. After leaving Gibson in the mid 1960s, McCarty became co-owner of Bigsby.
“Ted McCarty was a legend. Incredibly smart. Really exceptional,” said Paul Reed Smith. “He was a champion, an industry icon, a leader, a mentor, a friend. In the end, he was family.”
Paul Reed Smith first came across McCarty’s name in the US Patent office in the early 1980s, later enrolling him as a manufacturing and business consultant. McCarty died in 2001 at the age of 91, but his contributions continue to ripple through the guitar industry. PRS introduced the first McCarty model in 1994 and has since honored him with many instrument designs. Now, the McCarty family of guitars spans from the SE Series to Core instruments and represents more vintage-appointed PRS guitars.
“There is no better time to reflect on our history than as we close our 40th anniversary,” said PRS Guitars COO Jack Higginbotham. “Ted is a part of our foundation. He’s central to who we are. As we continue to grow the company and evolve and create new instruments, he’s fundamental in our thought processes of building great instruments. Ted will always be a part of the story of PRS Guitars as it goes forward.”
“If you ask anyone who’s an expert over the age of 50, ‘Can you teach me,’ they say ‘Okay, I’ll teach,’ because they don’t want to die and have their gems of knowledge not be passed on. Ted was a prime example of that. He wanted his knowledge base to be passed on, and he decided to pass it on to us (at PRS Guitars), which I loved,” continued Smith.
“I feel so proud that PRS has once again honored my dad – this time through a great video tribute to his life and impact – and I am delighted and honored to have been a part of this project as well. When Paul asked my dad to put his name on a guitar, dad wasn’t so sure anyone would want to buy it. Paul and PRS have made sure that the name Ted McCarty – and the man that he was – will be remembered for a long time to come. And for that, I could not be more thankful,” said McCarty’s daughter, Sue Davis.
McCarty’s significance at PRS didn’t stop with Smith. Through visits to the factory, attending The NAMM Show, a large photo of him in the PRS Guitars factory lobby, and stories passed down through employees, even many of those who never met him say they feel his influence.
“What ties Paul and Ted together for me is the pure joy of teaching. The same joy I imagine Ted felt when he became Paul’s mentor – the joy of being asked about his life’s work – is something I know Paul feels today. The openness we have to ask Paul anything mirrors the way Paul once asked Ted everything. Their relationship went far beyond business; I’ve heard Paul describe Ted as being like a grandfather to him. The honesty and integrity around that relationship and the continued relationship with Ted’s family speaks to what PRS Guitars truly is: a company defined by people, relationships, and shared passion,” said PRS Guitars Director of Marketing, Judy Schaefer.
For all of the latest news, click www.prsguitars.com and follow @prsguitars on Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
Reverend Guitars | NAMM 2026
Reverend walked us through the company's streamlined 2026 lineup, which reorganizes all their guitars into body-based lines (Charger, Kingbolt, Roundhouse, Sensei) differentiated by pickup configuration instead of individual model names. The lineup features new Steelhead humbuckers that combine ceramic and Alnico 5 magnets for added punch and chime, plus noiseless Steelhead 90 pickups designed to retain authentic P-90 character and single-coil quack without any 60-cycle hum.
New Lineup for 2026
Reverend has refreshed thier line for 2026 with 27 new models.
Charger HH
Charger H90
Charger H90W
Charger 290
Charger CC
Charger JR
Kingbolt H90
Kingbolt H290
Kingbolt HH
Kingbolt 390
Kingbolt H90FR
Kingbolt F-Sonic Descent
Descent W
Sensei HH
Sensei H90
Sensei 290
Sensei JR
Airwave
Charger Air HH
Kingbolt Air HH
Kingbolt Air 390
Roundhouse Air HH
Roundhouse HH
Roundhouse H90
Roundhouse 290
Matt West Wiz-1
DSM Humbolt Dumblifier Overdrive Special | NAMM 2026
DSM/Humboldt’s Daniel Schwartz walked us through the new Dumblifier—a pedal designed to capture the feel and responsiveness of original Dumble amps, developed after comparing their design against authentic models like the legendary No. 12. The pedal combines DSM's Simplifier platform with authentic ODS controls including jazz/rock EQ switching, J-FET boost, mid boost, and bright switch, giving players stereo cab simulation, multiple speaker options, and flexible routing in a compact format.
Dumblifier Overdrive Special
Have you dreamed of capturing the magic of the fabled D-style Overdrive Special? Sure, you can achieve its sound via digital modeling, but that won’t allow you to truly feel the sonic sorcery beneath your fingers. Infused with premium analog circuitry, the DSM Humboldt Electronics Dumblifier Overdrive Special pedal offers something different — it not only delivers authentic tone but also replicates the dynamic compression and touch response that makes the original amp such a mythical piece of kit. This amp emulator stompbox features two channels — Clean and Overdrive — with a shared 3-band EQ, Ratio and Drive controls, plus switches for Bright, Mid Boost, and Rock/Jazz voicing. Moreover, the Dumblifier includes a Preamp Boost for added gain, a Power Amp section for touch-sensitive compression, a stereo effects loop, a stereo reverb with three modes, and stereo Cabinet simulation chock-full of Speaker and cabinet Size settings. Flaunting a heavy-duty anodized aluminum enclosure with eye-grabbing wood side panels, the Dumblifier Overdrive Special provides discerning players with a genuinely authentic D-style playing experience.
Fryette Launches Pittbull Ultra-Lead II Amp And Valvulator Mini Buffer
Fryette Amplification has introduced the Pittbull Ultra-Lead II 120-watt amp head and Valvulator Mini buffer.
From its introduction in 1995 until its discontinuation in 2017, the Pittbull Ultra-Lead had long been the flagship of the Fryette amplifier line, and customer desire for the Ultra-Lead to be reissued has never waned. Following an intensive three-year development process, the new Pittbull Ultra-Lead II is a fully reimagined touring and recording tone machine, specifically designed to be the centerpiece of your playing and gigging environment.
With an eye toward the future of tube amplification, Steve Fryette prioritized the most popular features and functions of his original Pittbull Ultra-Lead and then added a compact, lightweight form factor, flexible three-channel topology, a graphic EQ and super dynamic 120 watt power amplifier. The new amp features the smoother harmonic balance of the former sister-ship, the Pittbull Hundred CLX and imported its personality into the Ultra-Lead platform by way of a Patent Pending power tube blending technology that extracts peak performance out of mixed pairs of EL34 and 6550 power tubes. The Pittbull Ultra-Lead II includes an all-new switching and signal processing platform that offers an array of sonic possibilities in a slick, intuitive sound modification system that can be managed via the onboard LCD display or operated remotely via a custom graphical user interface. “Many amp manufacturers view legacy product reboots in the most literal way possible, offering as accurate a reproduction as possible, given modern regulatory limitations. In our view, that approach is just uninspired and assumes that a great tube amplifier can’t be truly innovative. We believe that the Pittbull Ultra-Lead origin story was about moving beyond, and that is just as true today as it was in 1995” commented Steve Fryette.
The Fryette Valvulator Mini is a high voltage vacuum tube–based buffer designed to preserve and enhance your guitar’s tone by converting the signal from high to low impedance. This process eliminates high-frequency loss and signal degradation caused by cable capacitance, impedance mismatches, and effects pedals. The tube buffer also acts as a tone sweetener, cleaning up and enriching your sound while unveiling subtle harmonics, dynamics and touch sensitivity normally associated with plugging directly into an amp.
In addition to its signal-enhancing buffer, the Valvulator Mini features pickup load switches that allow you to fine tune the mid-range and top end response characteristics of your guitar signal. Housed in a compact steel chassis, the Valvulator Mini provides an unbalanced low impedance output, an unbalanced transformer isolated output and a balanced XLR output for use as a tube direct box, making it a versatile solution for both pedalboards and studio use.
“The Valvulator Mini is the long-awaited evolution of one of our most popular rig solutions, the Valvulator 1 Vacuum Tube Buffer. The Mini features increased headroom and dynamic range, together with significantly lower noise. As always, I wanted a solution for myself that I knew would be a welcome tool for players, especially those who really appreciate the tone and feel of plugging directly into an amp” commented Steve Fryette.
The Fryette Pittbull Ultra-Lead II 120-watt amp head carries a $3,999 street price and the Valvulator Mini carries a $299 street price. For more information visit Fryette.com.
Danelectro | NAMM 2026
John Bohlinger stopped by Danelectro to hear about the company's rebranded "Dano" lineup—original 1955 headstock, "skate key" tuners, and hotter (30% in the bridge, 20% in the neck) lipstick pickups. The models include new graphic finishes from 1950s kitchen tabletops, P-90-equipped versions, authentic '40s and '50s colors, plus 12-string and baritone options.
The Blackstar BEAM MINI harnesses a tube-driven feel in a digital desktop amp format – with plenty of amp models and even ISF control
After unveiling the ID:X Floor – a new floor-based digital amp modeller – Blackstar has offered up something for the practice amp enthusiasts with its new Beam Mini desktop amp.
Designed for electric, bass and acoustic guitar players after portability and intuitive controls without sacrificing tone, the Beam Mini packs in Blackstar’s advanced digital modelling and powerful DSP into a small, portable, acoustically tuned cab for the classic Blackstar sound anywhere.
- READ MORE: NAMM 2026 Live: The latest guitar launches and news from the biggest music gear event on the planet
Loaded with two 60mm full-range drivers – as well as two passive bass radiators and Blackstar’s Super Wide Stereo technology – the Beam Mini is said to offer an “expansive, room-filling sound that belies its dimensions”.
Harnessing component-level modelling, Blackstar says the digital Beam Mini even offers up the dynamic feel of tube amps, despite its tiny size.
It also features 12 amp models – six Blackstar designs and six Ampton recreations of classic amps – as well as three bass amps, two acoustic voices, an acoustic simulator, and of course, Blackstar’s patented ISF control, which essentially allows the user to blend between British and American-style voicings.
Intuitive operation is key to the Beam Mini’s design, with a simple, large SpeedDial and Light Beam Display, offering “instant visual feedback” without having to navigate menus. There is, however, a Beam app, through which users are given deeper editing and creative options, as well as a growing library of amps, cabs, mics and pedal models, and thousands of user- and artist-generated patches.
Credit: Blackstar
Beam Mini also features XpressFX, which allows the user to adjust the intensity of multiple effects simultaneously with the single movement of the SpeedDial. It also sports a studio-quality mic input for recording guitar and vocals together, as well as Blackstar’s IR-driven CabRig technology.
Portability isn’t just served by its light weight and form factor; the rechargeable Beam Mini also features an IP66 dust-tight and weatherproof design, and offers over 18 hours of playtime on a single charge.
The Beam Mini is available now priced at $299.99.
For more info, head to Blackstar.
Credit: Blackstar
The post The Blackstar BEAM MINI harnesses a tube-driven feel in a digital desktop amp format – with plenty of amp models and even ISF control appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.
PRS releases full-length documentary celebrating the life of guitar industry legend Theodore “Ted” McCarty
![[L-R] Ted McCarty and Paul Reed Smith](https://guitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Ted-McCarty-PRS@2000x1500.jpg)
As we reported earlier this month, PRS looked to be teasing something related to the late, great Theodore “Ted” McCarty.
As it turns out, that was a new full-length documentary celebrating the guitar innovator’s life, packed with archival interview footage, as well as new interviews with PRS head honcho Paul Reed Smith, McCarty’s daughter Sue Davis, and a number of PRS employees. And the 73-minute doc is available to watch right now at PRS’s YouTube channel.
- READ MORE: NAMM 2026 Live: The latest guitar launches and news from the biggest music gear event on the planet
Ted McCarty served as vice president of the Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1949, and later as president between 1950 and 1966. The man behind the Tune-O-Matic bridge – also working alongside Les Paul to develop the Les Paul guitar format – McCarty was also partially responsible for the humbucking pickup alongside engineer Seth Lover, as well as the Explorer, Flying V, SG, ES-335 and Firebird.
As PRS explains, Paul Reed Smith first discovered McCarty’s name in the US Patent office in the early ‘80s, and later enrolled him as a manufacturing and business consultant. PRS introduced its first McCarty model in 1994, and continues to honour him with new guitar designs. Ted McCarty sadly died in 2001 at the age of 91.
“Ted McCarty was a legend. Incredibly smart. Really exceptional,” says Paul Reed Smith. “He was a champion, an industry icon, a leader, a mentor, a friend. In the end, he was family.”
“If you ask anyone who’s an expert over the age of 50, ‘Can you teach me,’ they say ‘Okay, I’ll teach,’ because they don’t want to die and have their gems of knowledge not be passed on,” he continues. “Ted was a prime example of that. He wanted his knowledge base to be passed on, and he decided to pass it on to us (at PRS Guitars), which I loved.”
“There is no better time to reflect on our history than as we close our 40th anniversary,” adds PRS Guitars COO Jack Higginbotham.
“Ted is a part of our foundation. He’s central to who we are. As we continue to grow the company and evolve and create new instruments, he’s fundamental in our thought processes of building great instruments. Ted will always be a part of the story of PRS Guitars as it goes forward.”
“I feel so proud that PRS has once again honoured my dad – this time through a great video tribute to his life and impact – and I am delighted and honored to have been a part of this project as well,” says Ted McCarty’s daughter Sue Davis.
“When Paul asked my dad to put his name on a guitar, dad wasn’t so sure anyone would want to buy it. Paul and PRS have made sure that the name Ted McCarty – and the man that he was – will be remembered for a long time to come. And for that, I could not be more thankful.”
You can watch the full documentary, The Legacy of Ted McCarty, below, or at PRS’s official YouTube channel.
The post PRS releases full-length documentary celebrating the life of guitar industry legend Theodore “Ted” McCarty appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.
Ashdown supercharges its UK-made Peacemaker series with bigger heads, combos, and cabinets for the modern guitarist
Ashdown has announced a major expansion of its Classic Custom Shop UK-Built Studio Peacemaker series at this year’s NAMM show. Building on the brand’s existing 2-watt Peacemaker models, the new lineup adds full-power heads, combos, and matching speaker cabinets designed for studio and stage use.
Handcrafted in Essex, the UK-Peacemaker Series revisits one of Ashdown’s most iconic amplifier names, combining “traditional British valve tone” with modern reliability. The expanded range caters to guitarists at every level, from home practice and recording to full-scale live performance.
At the top of the range is the UK-PM-80H, an 80-watt, two-channel all-valve head designed for stage performance with unmatched headroom and authority. It’s joined by the UK-PM-20H, a compact 20-watt head aimed at delivering boutique tones with simple controls for the studio or small stage, and the UK-PM-20C, a 20-watt combo loaded with a 12-inch Celestion Creamback speaker.
Ashdown has also introduced three matching cabinets: the UK-PM-112 (1×12), UK-PM-212 (2×12), and UK-PM-412 (4×12), all fitted with Celestion Creamback speakers for classic British punch and projection.
Together with the original 2-watt PM-2H and PM-2C, the expanded Peacemaker range now covers the full spectrum of tonal needs, delivering the dynamic feel and harmonic richness British valve amps are known for.
The series is built with premium components throughout, including JJ valves, UK hand-wound transformers, and lightweight plywood cabinets loaded with UK-made Celestion Creamback speakers. It also celebrates the work of British engineer Dave Green, whose valve circuit designs shaped the Peacemaker name into one of Ashdown’s most respected platforms.
Designed for musicians who prioritise feel, dynamics, and tone, the UK-Peacemaker range preserves the character of Ashdown’s classic designs while offering a modern, professional-grade amp family entirely made in the UK.
The expanded Peacemaker lineup will be available worldwide through authorised Ashdown dealers and distributors.
Learn more at Ashdown Engineering.
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“It has that classic D-18 sound”: Molly Tuttle teams up with Martin on two new signature models inspired by her 1943 D-18
Martin has teamed up with Grammy-winning guitarist and bluegrass icon Molly Tuttle on two new signature guitars: the D-18 Molly Tuttle and the D-X2E Molly Tuttle.
Both models take direct inspiration from Tuttle’s beloved 1943 Martin D-18, an instrument that has shaped her sound and playing style for years. While the D-18 Molly Tuttle aims to channel the punch, clarity, and fast-playing feel of that vintage guitar, the D-X2E Molly Tuttle brings those same artist-driven details into a more durable, accessible X Series build.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing Martin guitars ever since I started playing the guitar,” says Tuttle. “To see my name on this Martin guitar and to have had a hand in designing it, it was just a huge moment for me.”
Leading the launch is the D-18 Molly Tuttle, the more premium of the two models, and one Martin describes as being “all wrapped in timeless tone and vintage style”. The guitar features rear-shifted scalloped bracing, a slim 1 11/16-inch nut width favoured by bluegrass flatpickers, and an authentic 1940s-style neck profile designed for speed and comfort.
Custom moon-phase fingerboard inlays reflect Tuttle’s personal aesthetic, joined by a silver Martin script headplate logo, oval tuner buttons, and a classic vintage sunburst top. Crafted with a solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, and ebony appointments, the guitar delivers the balance, clarify, and punch D-18s are known for.
“I just love how D-18s sound,” Tuttle says. “It has that classic D-18 sound… it’s wonderful to use in the studio because the notes are so clear.”
The guitar ships in a vintage-style light blue molded hardshell case reminiscent of 1970s Martin designs and is priced at $4,199.99, with both right- and left-handed versions available.
Credit: Martin
For players looking for a more affordable option, the D-X2E Molly Tuttle brings those D-18 core specs into Martin’s X Series for the first time. Notably, it’s the first X Series model to feature a 1940s-style neck shape with a 1 11/16” nut width, a profile Tuttle describes as “extremely comfortable to play”.
The guitar’s solid spruce top is paired with figured mahogany HPL back and sides for added durability, while scalloped X-bracing, moon-phase markers, and Martin E1 electronics make it stage-ready straight out of the box.
“You could pick this up and go down and play a gig with it that very day,” says Tuttle. Priced at $999.99, it offers a far more accessible route into the Molly Tuttle signature lineup.
The moon-phase motif that appears on both guitars carries personal meaning for Molly as well: “I feel like the moon represents creativity, inspiration, your subconscious,” she says. “Sometimes when I realise it’s a new moon, I think that’s a good time to plant the seeds of new ideas.”
She hopes these guitars spark that same creative energy for other players: “I hope you pick one up. I hope you love playing it. I hope they kind of unlock some new ideas in your playing.”
The D-18 Molly Tuttle and D-X2E Molly Tuttle will be available online and through authorised Martin dealers following their debut at The 2026 NAMM Show.
Learn more at Martin.
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Córdoba’s new Stage Artist solidbody nylon electrics are built for the gigging guitarist – and they’re serious lookers
Córdoba Guitars has unveiled the new Stage Artist Series, an update to its Stage Series of solidbody nylon-string electric guitars aimed squarely at performing players. The lineup includes three models – the Stage Artist Agave Burst, Stage Artist Habano Burst, and Stage Artist Traditional – all priced at $1,199.99.
“Stage Artist guitars were designed in response to feedback from Córdoba artists and specifically crafted to meet their performance needs,” says Nick Beach, Product Manager at Fretted Instruments.
“They have thicker mahogany bodies and larger internal chambering than our Stage guitars, resulting in a more substantial feel, louder acoustic sound, and fuller amplified tone. They also have deeper body contours and sculpted neck heels that compensate for the thicker bodies, letting them rest comfortably against the player.”
Credit: Cordoba
Across the range, all three models feature premium appointments, including ebony binding with bold maple purfling, flamed maple Arches logos, and rosewood knobs with maple inlays.
The Agave Burst and Habano Burst models feature Córdoba’s Exotic Top design, pairing an ultra-thin flamed maple veneer with a solid spruce top. They also share Córdoba’s Fusion neck profile, which is slightly slimmer than a traditional nylon-string neck for a playing experience closer to that of a steel-string guitar.
By contrast, the Stage Artist Traditional caters to players who prefer an instrument that looks and feels like a traditional nylon-string guitar. Features include a solid cedar top, antique-tinted gloss finish, flat fingerboard, and a wider 52 mm (2″) nut width.
All guitars are fitted with the Stage Pickup System, co-developed with Fishman, which combines an under-saddle transducer with an internal body sensor for a detailed and balanced amplified tone. Onboard volume, EQ, and Body Blend controls allow for quick tone shaping in live or studio settings.
Learn more at Córdoba Guitars.
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Flattley Pedals The Joker Demo | NAMM 2026
The British crew bring a new bruiser to the show that offers two levels of grind. Plus, we learn about their versatile wah that features a blue LED light plate giving you full visibility on stage of the pedal’s status.
The Joker
The Joker came from the idea, “what happens if you add controlled distortion to a normally clean booster?”. To achieve this we added an FET based 12AX7 valve simulation with the aim of sounding similar to an overdriven single valve combo.
However, on building a prototype it was found that the pedal had more uses than first envisaged. Firstly, it can do the “small amp tone” as expected. So in “dirt” mode anything from a “warm boost” to a “flat out tweed”. So jazz to blues covered.
A second range (“filth”) was added to allow gain / distortion for rock fans.
Third (unexpected) way of using it is as a boost for a conventional amp but with the added bonus of adding additional harmonic content / tone shaping before hitting the front end of the amp. This gives heavy rock fans the tones they are always looking for.
Peterson StroboVUE | NAMM 2026
Do you need tune your guitar from the moon? Peterson has you covered with their sleek, high-definition LCD screen that gives you realtime tuning precision with the inclusion of over 100 excluse "sweetened tunings" and numbered guided tuning presets.
StroboVUE
Building on the legacy of StroboStomp HD, the view-only StroboVUE delivers Peterson’s renowned strobe accuracy in an always-on pedalboard format. Its angled, high-visibility display and fully top-mounted jacks keep setups clean. Featuring Pure Buffered output, continuous tuning feedback, and no mute switch, StroboVUE is built for players who demand precision.
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