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NAMM 2022: It’s been a minute, but NAMM is back for 2022 – and we’re on hand to bring you all the hottest gear news from the familiar venue of Anaheim Convention Center, in the not-so-familiar month of June.
After cancelling this year’s Summer NAMM show in Nashville and shifting the flagship January event to June 3-5, the National Association of Music Merchants is promising a “greatest hits” gear soiree for NAMM 2022 – which sounds pretty good to us.
This year’s company roster looks a little different to previous shows – there’s no Fender, Gibson or PRS, for starters – so we’ll be sharing any big gear releases taking place around the event right here.
Also, a quick reminder that we're running a NAMM 2022 live blog this year, which we'll keep updated with the most exciting releases in real time, so you're always in the loop.
But for the completists among you, here’s what to expect from your year in gear…
NAMM 2022 guitar news, rumors and predictions: everything we know so far
NAMM 2022 electric guitar news
- Tosin Abasi has been busy, cooking up Abasi Concepts' first double-cut offering, the Emi, as well as showcasing his very-nearly-ready-for-release nylon-string.
- One of the standouts of the show is Guild's new Surfliner offset, which boasts newly designed DeArmond single coils and a $449 price tag.
- Ernie Ball always goes big come NAMM time, and this year is no exception. The firm has joined forces with Tosin Abasi for a radical surprise model, the Kaizen, unveiled two striking new finishes for Jason Richardson's signature model, eight new finishes for the John Petrucci range, and new patent-pending Heat Treated pickups.
- ESP has confirmed a new signature model for Kirk Hammett – the LTD KH-V, which is based on three custom shop models the Metallica man had made back in 2019. Unfortunately, it won't arrive until next year.
- Ibanez has attempted to steal the show with a range of irresistible signature guitars for Nita Strauss, Tom Quayle, Jake Bowen, Joe Satriania, Steve Vai and more. We wonder if the mysterious Talman nylon-strings spotted in Polyphia's latest video will also make an appearance at some point…
- You know who else never fails to launch a new guitar at NAMM? Reverend. The show will mark the debut of Billy Corgan’s new Z-One signature model, which will accompany a freshly-released collection of swanky 25th anniversary guitars and basses.
- Gibson won't be at the show this year, but that hasn't stopped them dropping the Lzzy Hale Explorerbird, an Explorer-meets-Firebird mashup.
- Godin has partnered with a Honeymoon Suite's Derry Grehan for a hard-rockin' new signature model, the Tread 1, and introduced a Seymour Duncan-loaded, reverse headstock-equipped guitar called the Session R-HT Pro.
- Eastman has pulled back the curtains on the Juliet, a Shakespearean six-string soulmate to the company's acclaimed Romeo model.
- It's pickups aplenty for Michael Kelly Guitars, which is offering a wealth of P-90, piezo, single-coil and humbucker configurations by way of its four latest electric guitar models.
- Rob Scallon has dropped a trio of signature models with Schecter, marking the end of his partnership with Chapman Guitars.
- It isn't at NAMM, but Suhr still made waves this weekend with the announcement of Pete Thorn's first signature model with the company in nearly eight years.
- Vintage will be showcasing ‘The Boss’, its ProShop take on Bruce Springsteen’s iconic number one Tele.
- Donner has delivered the goods to those seeking affordable electric guitars with three new additions to its DST family.
- There were 43(!) new LTD and LTD Deluxe guitars in ESP's January launch – June's show marks their official debut, but the company truly dressed to impress at this summer's real-life show, adding an eyebrow-raising, 18-strong Exhibition Limited lineup of guitars to its already-impressive NAMM display.
- Having wowed with the model at NAMM 2020, Ciari has debuted a revamped, Grover Jackson-designed, and more affordable version of its Ascender folding electric guitar.
- We're looking forward to acquainting ourselves with Yamaha's revamped Revstar range – and hoping to see a few new models on the stands, too.
- Vola has unveiled 6-string versions of its Quentin Godet, Pierre Danel signature guitars.
NAMM 2022 amp news
- Blackstar has debuted its all-new St. James amp series, featuring “the lightest 50-watt valve guitar amps on Earth”, and rammed with smart tech, including Cab Rig software-powered sounds and new Celestion Zephyr speakers.
- Soldano has announced the SLO-Mini head – an affordable, 30-watt take on its legendary Super Lead Overdrive 100 amp.
- It's party time for Yamaha, which has unveiled two new-look THR30II Wireless units to celebrate the OG desktop amps 10th anniversary.
- What will Vox bring to the table this year? More Nutube tech? Fresh variations on its Bobcat semi-hollows? The world will implode if we don't see at least one limited-edition AC30 colorway – UPDATE: It's happened (just about): Vox has unveiled new, limited-edition Rich Blue AC15 and AC10 guitar amps.
- The Spark Mini will be the belle of Positive Grid's NAMM ball, although we'd be surprised if we didn't see another launch or two.
- A fresh swarm of Hornet desktop amps has arrived from Mooer, available in green, blue and pink variations, each with a different set of amp models.
- BluGuitar's Amp X – which debuted way back at NAMM 2020 – has finally made its first public appearance in its final guise, packing a host of preamps, speaker emulations and effects in a fully programmable pedalboard amp.
- Ashdown has celebrated its 25th anniversary with two new limited-edition bass amp heads, and has unveiled a desktop preamp version of its celebrated 'Little Stubby' amp unit, the CTM Valve Pre.
NAMM 2022 pedal news
- One of this year's biggest launches is the arrival of Two Notes' tube-driven ReVolt Guitar and Bass amp simulator pedals – each one packs three amp types based on popular Fenders, Ampegs, Marshalls and more, complete with a real 12AX7 tube and Two Notes' acclaimed cab captures.
- Universal Audio is aiming to channel “the best vintage guitar amps of all time” with its all-new UAFX Guitar Amp Emulator pedals.
- Laney has unveiled the impressive, appropriately named The Difference Engine pedal, which allows users to blend features from classic delays into entirely new effects.
- More, more Morley! The company has launched the George Lynch Dragon 2 wah, a smaller, glow-in-the-dark take on the Dokken man's signature wah.
- Revv has sought to combine the “greatest amp sounds in history” in its new Shawn Tubbs signature overdrive pedal, the Tilt.
- Crazy Tube Circuits has launched the Super Conductor, a four-in-one analog boost pedal.
- The Badwater bass preamp and DI marks a dedicated bass offering from Walrus Audio, while the Lore Reverse Soundscape Generator is basically post-rock in a pedal.
- Gamechanger Audio is debuting its innovative Bigsby Pedal in its final form.
- Line 6 will be showing off the DL4 MkII in all its glory.
- New from Tech 21 are four SansAmp Character Plus pedals, which celebrate iconic pairings of amps and effects.
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors and CHVRCHES have teamed up for the Screen Violence overdrive and modulation pedal.
- The Plethora X3 is a downsized version of TC Electronic's feature-packed multi-effects pedal – and it looks brilliant.
- MAS Effects isn't at this years event, but that hasn't stopped the brand from aiming for interstellar ambience with its new harmonic tremolo, The Expanse.
NAMM 2022 acoustic news
- Martin has really come out swinging this year, bolstering its Authentic, Road and StreetMaster ranges with four fresh offerings, including two 1937-inspired models, introducing seven lavish special edition acoustics, teaming up with the Black Crowes' Rich Robinson for a luxuriously appointed new D-28 signature model, celebrating its 2.5 millionth guitar with a luxurious one-off custom build encrusted with 436 diamonds, and unveiling a trio of new ukuleles.
- Taylor has overhauled its 700 Series with new koa Grand Concert and Grand Auditorium models, replacing its traditional spruce/rosewood combo.
- The company wasn't at NAMM physically, but D'Angelico chose the show's timeframe to announce the revamping of its Excel Series acoustic collection.
- Donner has got into the carbon fiber guitar game with the Rising-G Pro – promising a ”thinner and more durable” instrument than traditional wooden acoustics – and an ultra-portable, headless silent guitar, the Hush-I Silent. Oh, and there's also the intelligent DMI Smart Guitar, which aims to assist entry-level players with Berklee-approved courses.
- Cort has added three new Fishman-equipped acoustic electric guitars to its Core Series, but we’re sure that’s just the tip of the iceberg…
- Takamine is celebrating its 60th anniversary in style with a hand-built Hawaiian Koa model with a diamond embedded in its headstock, and a half-dozen affordable new G Series models.
NAMM 2022 bass news
- Ernie Ball has debuted a five-string version of its DarkRay collaboration with Darkglass Electronics, and a lavish new 35th anniversary StingRay 5.
- ESP has introduced 16 new-look bass models to its LTD range, including new signatures for Lamb of God's John Campbell and Behemoth's Tomasz “Orion” Wróblewski.
NAMM 2022 accessory news
- Seymour Duncan launched new ’78, Green Magic and High Voltage humbuckers in early May, inspired by Eddie Van Halen, Peter Green and Angus Young. Fingers crossed for some fresh stompboxes, too.
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