As anybody within the musical devices {industry} can let you know, NAMM 2025 got here and went in Anaheim, California final week, displaying all kinds of what the world of devices, tools and different music gear will seem like for the following 12 months.
Whereas not everybody showcased their new merchandise on the huge conference, many main manufacturers (like Fender) returned for the primary time shortly to flaunt what they’ve been engaged on. General, the near-week-long occasion definitely served its function in giving gear corporations all over the world a spot to collect with hundreds of others inside the music {industry}, even when it at instances appeared a bit extra chaotic and unorganized than in years previous.
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As a substitute of specializing in a couple of particular items of kit (like everybody else has already achieved), SPIN is looking at among the overarching developments and themes that have been on show throughout a number of cubicles this yr.
Previous Amps with New Mods
In some ways, NAMM will at all times be a “guitar” present. And whereas that was definitely true this yr, the true winners in plenty of methods have been the brand new additions to the guitar amplifier world.
As probably the most iconic names in amps, Marshall has generally been identified to relaxation on its laurels whereas rising the model’s picture in different areas (Bluetooth audio system, headphones, and many others.). However this yr, the longstanding {industry} big was out to “reclaim the house” by asserting new variations of a few of their hottest amps. The Studio 900 is successfully a smaller model of their high-gain JCM900, however the true pleasure is of their new “Modified” sequence which features a modded model of the basic 1959 mannequin in addition to the legendary JCM800 (arguably essentially the most recognizable amp in historical past). Whereas folks all over the world have been doing issues like including a grasp quantity management, vibrant cap and drive levels to their plexis and/or achieve boosts, mid boosts and tight switches to their 800s (which is mainly placing an overdrive pedal inside it), that is the primary time Marshall is providing it in an official capability.
However Marshall wasn’t the one one making a splash with their “new outdated” amps at NAMM. In a non-public room off of the present flooring, Mesa/Boogie was displaying off their very own revamped flagship, with the recently-announced 90s Twin Rectifier and the Metallica-friendly Mark IIC+. The re-release of those laborious rock titans has been so fashionable (and labor-intensive to provide) that they’re actively having bother holding them in inventory, and for good cause.
For individuals who already personal their dream amplifier, the replace and upgrades to the BOSS WAZA Tube Amp Expander Core make it probably the most versatile and helpful items of kit we noticed in any respect of NAMM. Not solely is it a rock-solid attenuator that cuts the amount of an excellent loud amp with out dropping any of the tone, however its DI skills for recording or plugging instantly into one other speaker system are insane. It’s smaller, cheaper and simpler to make use of than the unique model, and the firmware and software program upgrades they’ve made to go together with it present among the greatest digital results, cab sims and extra that we’ve ever heard.
New Upgrades for Conventional Acoustics
Staying on the theme of guitars, one of many largest surprises to us this yr was the innovation taking place all through the acoustic guitar house.
This was maybe greatest seen in Taylor’s new Gold Label assortment, which brings a ton of latest options (and a brand new sound) into what appears like a really conventional acoustic guitar. Having celebrated the corporate’s fiftieth anniversary final yr, CEO (and grasp luthier) Andy Powers determined it was time to start out the following half-century with a bang. Of all of the tweaks and modifications on the brand new guitars, the most important one is hidden below the neck. In an space the place they already confirmed industry-leading innovation 25 years in the past with their signature neck design (which made it a lot simpler to repair, in comparison with extra conventional acoustic necks), Powers and his crew stepped it up but once more, making a model new neck system not not like what’s usually discovered on electrical guitars — which means they are often adjusted and stuck in seconds somewhat than the multi-day means of many acoustic guitar necks.
To not be outdone, C.F. Martin revealed a variety of guitars (extra on that later), together with a pair of latest signature fashions with Billy Strings and an insanely fancy mannequin commemorating their 3 millionth guitar lined in gold, diamonds, pearls and extra. In addition they dropped a double-neck acoustic-electric for these impressed by John Mayer in 2023, a couple of different high-end restricted editions and a bunch of upgrades to their most reasonably priced fashions to greater than make up for his or her slight enhance in value.
Within the realm of groundbreaking acoustic guitars that don’t price the downpayment on a home, Yamaha’s TransAcoustic TAG3 C (which launched a few months in the past however was on full show at NAMM) might be essentially the most spectacular use of onboard electronics we’ve ever seen in an acoustic guitar. With a built-in delay, looper and extra all accessible with out lacking a beat, it’s an unimaginable quantity of performance and progress for an instrument that hasn’t modified all that a lot for over a century.
And outdoors of conventional full-sized guitars, ukulele builders have been flexing their muscle mass all throughout NAMM — maybe none extra impressively than Brad Kahabka’s insane creations on the Ohana Customized Store.
Different Genres’ Tech Involves Rock
On the entire different finish of the spectrum, among the largest and hottest names in digital and hip-hop tools are additionally trying to present how their instruments can work for rock bands and different artists as properly.
Maybe one of many largest NAMM reveals on this theme is the partnership of Akai Skilled and Native Devices. For these unaware of both model, Akai is without doubt one of the largest names in MIDI controllers with a protracted historical past amongst beat-makers and producers in rap, pop and digital music. The opposite facet of the brand new collaboration is the creator of among the {industry}’s main manufacturing software program — which means that Native Devices’ expansive included suite now places a sonic library of sound packs on Akai’s varied MPCs with out the necessity of a pc or extra {hardware}.
Whereas these accustomed to one or each manufacturers probably perceive the significance of this new relationship (either side are referring to it as a “Nintendo and Sega” state of affairs), it’s maybe most impactful for up-and-coming bands and bed room musicians on the market who aren’t going to have a laptop computer with them always. Contemplating how good residence studios and DIY manufacturing setups have gotten, having the ability to use an MPC for recording, manufacturing, results and extra might be a gamechanger for creating music each inside and out of doors of a studio surroundings.
The Wi-fi Revolution
So far as expertise throughout all genres goes, the phrase that saved popping up was “wi-fi” in portions that haven’t been seen since cellphone cords went away.
One of many main corporations in microphones, Shure, not solely revealed a brand new quad-channel model of their SLX-D wi-fi receivers, but in addition a brand new headset mic to go together with it. Whereas the headset mic could also be higher fitted to pop stars who want their palms free for choreography whereas they sing, the brand new addition to the SLX-D line would permit a complete band’s wi-fi arsenal (three guitars and a vocal mic, 4 guitars, two and two, no matter) to run by way of a single machine (and solely use one rack house, for when that issues). Hell, two of them might even be linked collectively for an eight-channel choice, if wanted.
Talking of latest takes on present expertise that might make a band’s stay performances a lot simpler, the German sound wizards at Beyerdynamic launched a brand new line of in-ear displays which will very properly take over your entire {industry}. With 4 totally different variations (DT 70 for engineers, 71 for bassists/drummers, 72 for guitarists/vocalists and 73 for orchestral musicians) all powered by their new TESLA.11 dynamic drivers, the brand new IEMs are certain to be as widespread amongst professionals and pro-sumers alike as Beyerdynamic’s defining studio headphones and microphones.
Getting again to the wi-fi dialog, Pioneer DJ had their whole vary of stay merchandise on show at NAMM, centered round an enormous array of turntables and controllers (together with wi-fi fashions designed to throw in a backpack and convey anyplace). However outdoors of the DJ-specific tools, Pioneer additionally showcased their assortment of headphones and audio system — notably that includes wi-fi ones {that a} DJ (or band, artist, or some other type of public performer) might arrange alone or with a number of others to create a full wi-fi sound system in any venue.
Guitars for Everybody
With regards to guitars this yr, one of many key factors for most of the large manufacturers was accessibility — notably so far as value goes.
The giants at Fender re-introduced a brand new Customary Collection, which brings the Fender title to a line of Indonesian-made guitars with a lower cost level than something above their Squier fashions. Whereas they’re not as feature-packed as the favored Participant II line and possibly gained’t make as many enjoyable headlines as the brand new American-made choices, there’s no scarcity of people that miss the flexibility to get a real new Fender for lower than $600.
In a barely totally different vein, Ernie Ball launched a wide range of new StingRay fashions into its line of guitars. From the brand new colours (together with the favored “Dazzler”) on StingRay Particular basses to a handful of various artist fashions (starting from Dustin Kensrue from Thrice to Vulfpeck’s Cory Wong), the expanded line is probably going going to place extra Music Man guitars in gamers’ palms, and never simply the basic basses.
Talking of signature fashions, Coheed and Cambria’s Claudio Sanchez partnered up with Reverb to announce his new “Jackhammer” guitar at NAMM. The main on-line market of devices additionally dropped a brand new unique colorway of the Bumble Buzz pedal for the tenth anniversary of Jack White’s Third Man {Hardware}.
As alluded to earlier, a number of different high-end manufacturers additionally upped a few of their extra value-based choices, with names like Martin and Taylor bringing new upgrades to a few of their extra entry-level acoustics and even Gibson actually pushing the USA Assortment of Epiphones. Even some boutique builders are discovering that whereas their clients might need a $3,000 handmade guitar, doing a manufacturing run created abroad for half the value (or much less) is much more sustainable.
To see our operating record of the highest 100 biggest rock stars of all time, click on right here.
