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
Premier Guitar
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/
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.
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.
Seymour Duncan Announces MortalCoil Multiple-Voiced Active Humbuckers
Seymour Duncan is proud to announce MortalCoil Multiple-Voiced Active Humbuckers are now available to order from seymourduncan.com and from authorized Seymour Duncan dealers.
MortalCoil Multiple-Voiced Active Humbuckers
MortalCoil delivers three precision-engineered voices: a tight, aggressive modern metal MC1 voice with fast, controlled attack, authentic JB and Jazz-inspired passive tones, and a clear, articulate single-coil. Built with optimized-resistance coils and advanced audio op-amps for exceptional response and efficiency, MortalCoil is a powerful, versatile active upgrade.
- Our MC1 voice is a crushing modern metal sound with surgical precision, delivering tight lows and focused mids without high-end fizz
- Faster and stronger attack driven by a low-resistance, high-density copper coil design
- Authentic JB and Jazz voices drawn directly from Seymour Duncan’s legacy
- Single-coil voice with clear articulation and output suited for modern rigs
- Advanced, audio-optimized preamp for superior clarity and definition
- Efficient circuitry designed for best-in-class battery life
- Drop-in upgrade compatible with many multiple-voiced active pickup systems
Introducing Seymour Duncan’s MortalCoil: an active humbucker set with three voices engineered for precision, power, and musical clarity. Designed from the ground up for modern players who demand brutal articulation and authoritative low end, the new primary MC1 voice delivers an exceptionally tight, mix-ready modern metal sound that stays focused and controlled across complex riffs, palm mutes, and harmonics. Alongside it, MortalCoil brings additional voices drawn directly from Seymour Duncan’s legacy: a classic JB and Jazz–inspired voice, plus a powerful single-coil voice ready when versatility matters. Built on 50 years of pickup-voicing expertise, MortalCoil represents a fresh approach to what multiple-voiced active pickups can be.
MortalCoil’s MC1 (Voice 1) delivers uncompromising tightness, note separation, and cutting presence for modern metal applications, maintaining clarity and balance without fizz or nasal midrange, even under extreme gain. Voice 2 unlocks authentic JB Bridge and Jazz Neck voicings, capturing the proven character and feel players have trusted for decades. Voice 3 offers a strong, articulate single-coil voice with enough output and definition to hold its own in modern rigs, making it ideal for cleans, edge-of-breakup tones, and layered production.
At the core of MortalCoil are precision-wound high-density copper coils with optimized resistance, providing faster transient response and stronger pick attack than competing designs across all tunings. Our all-new preamp utilizes advanced audio op-amps that contribute gain, rich harmonic detail, and dynamic feel with extremely low distortion, while the efficient circuit design supports superior battery life for reliable performance on stage and in the studio. The result is crushing attack and surgical control under modern metal gain.
Whether you’re tracking or performing live, MortalCoil allows one guitar to move effortlessly from pristine cleans to aggressive high-gain tones. Experience what happens when 50 years of pickup expertise meets modern active technology. MortalCoil installs easily as a drop-in upgrade for many existing active setups and includes all required pots and wiring. Available now in 6-string and 7-string configurations.
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Seymour Duncan MortalCoil
Laney Introduces Supergrace Loudpedal Collab with Billy Corgan
Laney has introduced the Supergrace Loudpedal, a dual-channel amp-in-a-box collaboration with Billy Corgan and Carstens Amplification.
Working alongside amplifier designer Brian Carstens, the mind behind the renowned Carstens Grace amplifier, Laney set out to do what most believed impossible: faithfully translate two distinct, professional-grade amplifiers into a single floor-based format without compromising the soul of either. The result is the Supergrace: a dual-amplifier platform designed for players who refuse to choose between modern precision and vintage authority.
Born from Billy Corgan’s demand for extreme gain, massive headroom, and unmistakable identity, it delivers articulate saturation with exceptional note definition-long after most amplifiers collapse into compressed blur. Harmonic richness, dynamic sensitivity, and clarity remain intact even at punishing gain levels. Clean transparency flows effortlessly into textured overdrive using only guitar volume and gain controls.
Using the pedal’s Amp footswitch you can select the Supergroup channel and you’re instantly transported to 1969. This channel is a faithful recreation of the legendary Laney circuit that helped define early heavy metal and still powers some of the heaviest tones on modern stages. Gain here is organic and uncompromising. No digital modelling. No shortcuts. Push the input and power section and you’re rewarded with an uncompressed, wide-bandwidth response defined by clarity, punch, and visceral connection. Even the famous “transformer rub” sub-note heard on countless vintage Laney recordings is preserved intact.
Supergrace is more than two amplifiers: it’s Billy’s fly-rig. Laney’s LA·IR Advanced Impulse Response technology provides studio-grade Impulse Responses (IRs), preloaded with Billy’s preferred IRs. USB-C connectivity enables latency-free recording straight into a DAW ands also allows the IRs to be switched out for something specific to the player using Laney’s LA*IR App. MIDI integration is also seamless.
A transformer-isolated FX loop offers flexible routing, an auxiliary input supports backing tracks, and headphone output allows for silent practice. Whether in the studio, on tour, or at home, the full rig is always available.
Features include:
Dual Authentic Amplifiers – The Carstens Grace high-gain channel and a faithful 1969 Laney Supergroup circuit, united in one floor-based platform
True Analogue Signal Path – No digital amp modelling; real amplifier tone, dynamics, and response throughout
Professional Connectivity – USB-C audio interface, MIDI control, transformer-isolated FX loop, auxiliary input, and headphone output
LA·IR Advanced Speaker Emulation – Studio-grade impulse responses preloaded with Billy Corgan’s personal touring IRs
Stage-Proven Power – Used live by Billy Corgan in front of 60,000 fans with his full touring rig replaced by a single pedalboard
Handcrafted in the UK – Built at Laney’s Black Country Customs workshop and supplied in a premium presentation case
Every Supergrace Loudpedal is handcrafted in Laney’s Black Country Customs workshop in Birmingham, England. Each unit ships in a handcrafted presentation box, complete with power supply and premium USB cables.
Laney’s Supergrace carries a street price of $629.99. For more information visitlaney.co.uk/amps/guitar/supergroup/bcc-Supergrace.
Laney Supergrace Loudpedal Amplifier Pedal
Classic Colors Burst Across Levy’s New Chroma Series Gig Bags
Levy’s Music has introduced the Chroma Series, a new collection of leather gig bags that applies bold, guitar-inspired colorways to classic soft-case construction. The series brings a visual update to Levy’s gig bag offerings while maintaining the brand’s established approach to premium materials and skilled craftsmanship.
Visual contrast and color are central to the Chroma Series design, introducing a brighter, more expressive look within Levy’s leather gig bag offerings. The collection is available in Party Red, Powder Blue, Aqua Green and Soft Pink, each applied across a smooth leather exterior. All four colorways are offered in both electric and bass guitar formats.
Each Chroma Series gig bag is constructed from premium garment leather and features a padded interior designed to protect instruments during routine handling and storage. 1" (2.5 cm) plush foam lines the interior, while reinforced stitching and heavy-duty zippers support long-term use. An exterior accessory pocket provides space for small accessories, and adjustable backpack straps and a carry handle offer multiple carrying options.
All Chroma Series gig bags are handcrafted in Canada, reflecting Levy’s’ long-standing production standards and attention to detail across its leather products. The Chroma Series joins Levy’s broader range of gig bags, which also includes the recently released Solera Series of premium leather bags. For more information, visit levysleathers.com.
Spector Bass Announces NC-4 Frank Bello Black Sapphire Signature Bass
Spector Bass announces the NC-4 Frank Bello Black Sapphire Signature Bass, a new finish option for the official bass of Anthrax. Available worldwide through authorized local retailers and online, the Black Sapphire NC-4 introduces a darker, more aggressive visual identity while keeping the design, feel, and performance that defines Bello’s signature model. Featuring a matching headstock and inlays, the Black Sapphire finish further reinforces the thrash metal aesthetic associated with Anthrax and Bello’s unmistakable presence on stage and in the studio.
The NC-4 Frank Bello is rooted in Spector’s heritage and the classic American bolt-on bass design with modern contours for enhanced playability. The instrument features a refined body shape with a radiused top and a uniquely contoured neck heel, offering a more comfortable and agile playing experience. An alder body provides a balanced tonal foundation, while the one-piece maple neck and maple fingerboard contribute clarity, articulation, and snap. The neck profile is slim yet comfortable, modeled after several of Bello’s most valued vintage instruments for a familiar, broken-in feel. The bass features a 34-inch scale length and is visually unified by its matching headstock and inlays, all finished in the striking Black Sapphire color.
Electronics on the NC-4 Frank Bello reflect a straightforward, performance-focused approach. The bass is equipped with Frank Bello’s signature EMG P/J pickup set, paired with a simple control layout consisting of two volume controls and a master tone control. This configuration allows players to quickly blend pickups and shape their sound with ease, whether performing live or working in the studio.
Hardware appointments are equally purposeful, combining vintage-inspired chrome tuners with a modern, fully adjustable bridge for reliable tuning stability and precise setup. Designed to withstand the demands of professional touring and recording, the NC-4 Frank Bello Black Sapphire is built to deliver consistency and confidence on the world’s biggest stages. Frank Bello’s career spans nearly 40 years, from his early days as a guitar tech to becoming a defining force in thrash metal as the bassist for Anthrax, one of the genre’s iconic “Big Four.” His aggressive playing style and commanding stage presence continue to influence generations of bassists.
“I’ve had my Spector bass out on tour and in the studio for the past year, and it’s gone above and beyond my expectations—whether on the biggest stages or in the studio,” says Frank Bello. “I’m thrilled to introduce the new Sapphire Black version for all the players who’ve been asking for it. Cheers to Spector for making it happen!”
For more information on the NC-4 Frank Bello Black Sapphire Signature Bass and the complete Spector Bass lineup, visit NAMM Booth #6802 or online at www.spectorbass.com
Street Price: $1499.99 USD
NAMM 2026: ESP Guitars LTD Series Turns 30
Following an entire year of celebration for the company’s 50th anniversary in 2025, ESP Guitars (NAMM Booth 210D) will spend 2026 recognizing another huge milestone: the 30th anniversary of their LTD series of guitars and basses. LTD instruments first became available to the public in 1996.
“It was the introduction of LTD in 1996 that made ESP a global brand with accessibility to every level of musician,” says Matt Masciandaro, president and CEO of the ESP Guitar Company. “ESP was already recognized as a very high-quality guitar builder. But it was LTD that put those outstanding guitar and bass shapes into the hands of musicians around the world.”
ESP Guitars had already established itself as a high-end boutique-level luxury guitar brand when, in 1995, ESP’s USA-based distribution company broached the idea using ESP instrument shapes to build high-quality, mass-produced guitars and basses using higher volume OEM factories outside of Japan. This allowed for a larger volume of instruments to be made than what was possible with ESP’s handcrafted instruments, built one at a time by their Custom Shop in Tokyo. In turn, it made the retail pricing of these LTD instruments accessible to far more musicians than their handcrafted ESP-branded counterparts.
The success of the LTD Series was immediate, and within a short time frame, LTD became a significant brand for musicians and musical instrument retailers alike. Six years later in 2002, the company added their LTD Deluxe Series, which added upgraded pro-tier build techniques and components to the already-popular LTD brand. Today, LTD guitars and basses are manufactured with superb quality in multiple countries, and are sold at hundreds of US-based retailers and 80 countries worldwide via ESP’s network of international distributors.
More information on ESP Guitars and the LTD Series is available on the ESP web site at www.espguitars.com.
New Studs and Colors Drive Levy’s’ Latest Amped and Rebel Leather Series Expansions
Levy’s Music has broadened two of its leather guitar strap collections with new additions. The Amped Leather Series now includes new colorways and acoustic-format models that build on its familiar construction, while the Rebel Leather Series gains added variations that extend the series’ existing design.
The Amped Leather Series has expanded with a range of new color and material options that build on its padded leather construction. Additions include black with tan accents, burgundy with matching burgundy leather, dark brown in an extended-length format, red with white detailing, and a walnut-and-brown combination. The update also introduces a suede-backed variation in black and tan that adds an alternate texture within the standard format. Two acoustic-format versions offered in black and dark brown feature a narrow, elongated end designed to fit smaller strap buttons and tight spaces on acoustic guitars.
The Rebel Leather Series adds two new groups that broaden the collection’s material and hardware options. The first introduces eyelet-style straps in distressed black, oxblood, and white, each featuring repeating metal-rimmed eyelets along the length. The second adds studded designs in black leather with silver or red studs, oxblood leather with black studs, cracked white leather with silver studs, vibrant red leather with red studs, and white leather with red studs. These updates provide new visual and material variations within the series’ established leather builds.
All new straps continue to be handcrafted in Nova Scotia, Canada, reflecting the production methods and material standards used across Levy’s leather collections. For more information, please visit levysmusic.com.
ESP Guitars Introduces Six New ESP E-II Guitars at NAMM 2026
ESP Guitars (NAMM Booth 210D) have added six new guitars to its acclaimed ESP E-II Series. Formerly known as “ESP Standard Series,” ESP E-II instruments are built at the ESP factory in Tokyo, Japan.
The ESP E-II Eclipse is now available with EMG pickups in Black Satin finish. The E-II Eclipse offers the single-cutaway ESP Eclipse shape in a guitar designed for professional touring and recording. Built with set-thru construction at 24.75” scale, it features a mahogany body with maple cap, mahogany neck, and ebony fingerboard with 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. Components on the E-II Eclipse include a Gotoh TOM-style bridge and tailpiece, ESP strap locks, a bone nut, Gotoh locking tuners, and a set of EMG 57TW (bridge) and EMG 66TW (neck) pickups, splittable to single-coil mode via push-pull controls.
The new ESP E-II Horizon FR-II has been updated in two exciting finishes: Andromeda II Satin and Gun Metallic Black. These guitars are built with set-thru construction at 25.5” scale, and have features including a mahogany body with maple cap, a maple neck, and an ebony fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. Components on the ESP E-II Horizon FR-II include a Floyd Rose Original double-locking tremolo bridge, ESP strap locks, Gotoh locking tuners, and a set of EMG 81 (bridge) and EMG 89R (splittable with reversed single-coil positioning) in the neck position.
Another new ESP E-II model for 2026 is the Horizon HT-II. Available in Granite Sparkle finish, this guitar offers neck-thru-body construction at 25.5” scale, an alder body, a three-piece maple neck, and an ebony fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. Components on the E-II Horizon HT-II include a Hipshot fixed bridge with string-thru-body, a bone nut, Gotoh locking tuners, and a set of Fishman Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker active pickups with multiple voicings selectable via push-pull controls.
ESP has also made the Maverick guitar shape available in an E-II version with the ESP E-II Maverick, offered in both Andromeda II Satin and Gun Metallic Black finishes. This guitar is built with neck-thru-body construction at 25.5” scale. It offers an alder body, a three-piece thin U-shaped maple neck with ebony fingerboard, and 27 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. Components on the E-II Maverick include black hardware, a Floyd Rose Original bridge, Gotoh locking tuners, a Seymour Duncan TB-14 Custom-5 Trembucker in the bridge — splittable via push-pull control — and a Seymour Duncan SCR-1 Cool Rails in the neck position.
More information on ESP Guitars and the new additions to the ESP E-II Series is available on the ESP web site at www.espguitars.com.
ESP Guitars Unveils 8 New Basses at 2026 NAMM Show
ESP Guitars (NAMM Booth 210D) have announced a batch of new bass models for 2026.
Available in both 4-string and 5-string models and in two exciting finishes, the LTD B-204DX and LTD B-205DX are basses that offer great tone, playability, and features that go far beyond the expectation for their price range. Their features include a poplar body with burled poplar top, roasted maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, an LTD DB-4 fixed bridge, controls for volume, balance, treble and bass EQ, and a set of ESP SB-4 (or SB-5 in 5-string models) bridge and neck pickups. The B-2004DX and B-205DX are being made available in Black Burst and Red Burst finishes.
Another outstanding high-value bass being added to the ESP bass offerings is the LTD Phoenix-204DX, available in Black Burst and Red Burst finishes. This is the first time the LTD Phoenix bass has been offered in the affordable 200 range. This bass, highlighted by the flowing curves of the Phoenix shape, features bolt-on construction at 34” scale, a poplar body with burled poplar top, a roasted maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard, reverse headstock, an LTD DB-4 fixed bridge, controls for volume, balance, and tone boost, and a set of ESP SB-4 bridge and neck pickups.
It’s a similar story for the LTD Surveyor-204DX, which takes a classic ESP bass shape and offers it with great LTD quality and high value. Its features include a lightweight, resonant poplar body with a burled poplar top, roasted maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, LTD vintage tuners, and a set of ESP LJB (bridge) and LPD (neck) pickups. It’s available in Black Burst and Red Burst finishes.
More information on ESP Guitars and their entire line of basses is available on the ESP web site at www.espguitars.com.