Welcome to this week’s edition of Guitar Enthusiast‘s gear spotlight, your ultimate destination for the latest happenings in the vibrant world of guitar equipment over the last week.
The guitar scene is always buzzing with new electric guitars, amplifier updates, and innovative accessories, making it a challenge to keep track of every exciting release.
To simplify your search, we’ve curated a comprehensive guide that highlights the standout launches, boutique offerings, and everything in between.
This week features eye-catching finishes, long-anticipated releases, and even a unique cardboard archtop guitar. Yes, you read that correctly! Dive into the details below.
And don’t forget to cast your vote for your favorite new release in the poll at the end!
EVH 5150 series DX
What’s this? A dazzling new addition to the Deluxe 5150 Series? With baked maple necks and stunning quilted tops, EVH has truly outdone itself.
The latest 5150 models blend modern features with nostalgic elements, showcasing an EVH-branded Floyd Rose tremolo and D-Tune, alongside a 12″-16″ compound radius baked maple fingerboard.
available in both standard and quilted maple versions,the color options like Pacific drift and Limeade Zest are simply breathtaking.
Jackson Pro Plus Christian Andreu Rhoads RR24
In the realm of striking finishes, Jackson has unveiled a sleek new color for Christian Andreu’s signature Rhoads model: a stealthy black with white bevels. While it may not be groundbreaking, its aesthetic is undeniably sharp.
This model remains faithful to its roots, featuring an evertune F6 bridge, Fishman Fluence Modern humbucker, and a robust three-piece neck-thru design.It’s a metal powerhouse.
Gibson Thunderbird
The Gibson Thunderbird has been a favorite among legends like Gene Simmons and Krist Novoselic. The new 2026 model brings modern updates, including a refined non-reverse headstock and a neck profile that enhances playability.
it retains the classic scale length and incorporates a hipshot Supertone bridge along with Hipshot Ultralite Mini-Clover tuners, making it a worthy successor to this iconic bass.
Harley Benton ST-80FR
Harley Benton is channeling the vibrant spirit of the 1980s with its latest ST-80FR model,now available in both dual and single humbucker configurations.
This release is all about the finishes, featuring options like Amethyst Sparkle, Holographic, Pink Sparkle Burst, and Gold Sparkle Burst, alongside the reliable Floyd Rose system.
Valeton GP-150 and GP-180
valeton has established itself as a leading affordable amp modeler, delivering notable digital tones at prices that challenge the industry giants. The GP-150 and GP-180 continue this trend with remarkable features.
While one model includes an expression pedal and the other an additional footswitch, both share the same advanced modeling engine. valeton describes this as a significant evolution, marking a new era for the brand.
Notable features include 100 NAM (Neural Amp Modeler) profiles, 12 simultaneous effect blocks, 200 built-in effects, and 200 preset slots, making it a formidable contender for the ultimate budget-friendly rig.
Echopark Cardboard Jazz Guitar
While not a conventional gear release, this innovative piece has certainly caught attention. The Echopark Cardboard Jazz Guitar, a collaboration with Ernest Packaging and Signal, is the world’s first archtop acoustic crafted primarily from cardboard.
The Cardboard Chaos team has previously created cardboard guitars played by artists like Billy Gibbons and Dweezil Zappa, making this project a natural progression. While cardboard may not be the future of tonewoods, it’s certainly an intriguing concept.
Heritage Standard II Archtop H-575
If you prefer your archtop jazz guitar to be made from traditional materials, the Heritage Standard II H-575 is here to meet your needs. Crafted in Kalamazoo, this hollowbody guitar offers a classic jazz experience.
With an updated headstock design, newly developed Heritage Custom Shop humbuckers, curly maple tonewood, and a stunning sunburst finish, this guitar is a true work of art.
line 6 Proxy
After much anticipation, the Line 6 Proxy has finally arrived, marking the brand’s entry into the gear cloning technology arena, previously dominated by Kemper and Neural DSP.
Initially teased with the updated Helix Stadium range, Proxy was a highly awaited feature. Now that it’s here, it promises to elevate the Helix experience to new heights, especially for those who appreciate capturing tones with the Nano Cortex.
Source Audio Pathways Reverb
In the competitive world of effects pedals, the Source Audio Pathways is being touted as a potential game-changer. Could it rival the Strymon Flint?
With a range of reverb options including Echo, Spring, and Room, along with tremolo variations, this pedal is designed for versatility. It features multiple control parameters, dedicated footswitches, and 16 onboard presets, expandable to 128 via MIDI.
Compact and lightweight, the Pathways is poised to make a significant impact in the pedal market, especially with its impressive sound quality.
Sunn Beta Mini
In 2023, Sunn made a triumphant return, revitalizing its lineup with the Beta Mini. Known for its clean tones and distinctive fuzz, the original Beta was a favorite among legends like Kurt Cobain and Metallica.
The new Beta Mini combines the classic design with modern technology, featuring two independent channels suitable for both guitar and bass, and it can function as a standalone power amp. Compact at just 10″ wide and under 4lbs, it’s a powerful addition to any rig.
