Greetings, music enthusiasts! Welcome to this week’s edition of Guitar World‘s gear spotlight, your ultimate source for the latest happenings in the vibrant realm of guitar equipment over the last week.
The guitar industry is a treasure trove of innovation, with fresh electric guitars and amp model updates constantly emerging. Keeping track of every exciting release can be a daunting task,but fear not!
To simplify your search,we’ve curated a extensive guide highlighting the standout releases,boutique offerings,and everything in between.
Taylor Guitars: Jacob Collier’s GS Mini and Academy 22e
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Last year marked the beginning of Jacob Collier’s five-string guitar movement, and now it enters an exciting new chapter with the introduction of two Taylor signature models.These guitars make the Grammy-winning artist’s innovative playing style more accessible than ever.
The initial Collier Taylor model was priced at $2,799, while the new Academy 22e is available for $999, and the accompanying GS Mini is just $699. If you’ve ever been curious about exploring five-string guitars, now is the perfect opportunity.
Designed with the comfort of a six-string, the five-string guitar offers ample space for movement while being tuned to DAEAD. This setup provides an inviting entry point for open chord shapes and expansive soundscapes, encouraging a fresh approach to playing. Trust me, I speak from experiance-the five-string is here to stay, and we couldn’t be more excited.
Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar: A New Era
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Johnny Marr’s guitar collection is renowned for its diversity, but one model stands out as his signature instrument: the Fender Jaguar. This iconic guitar has accompanied him throughout his career, leading Fender to create a celebrated signature model that many consider the pinnacle of modern Jaguars.
Now, Marr has taken the Jaguar to new heights with his latest signature model. This guitar is a true masterpiece, featuring a stunning finish and innovative lipstick pickups that are pure genius. Not only does it look astonishing, but it also delivers extraordinary sound quality. Additionally, it includes a unique switch that allows players to toggle between different wiring modes. Marr expressed his desire to create a model that inspires musicians to explore new tones and possibilities, and this guitar certainly achieves that.
Marshall Spinal Tap Infinity Amp: A Legendary Collaboration
when Nigel Tufnel from Spinal Tap famously requested Marshall to create an amp that could go to Infinity for the band’s sequel, it sparked curiosity about whether the iconic amp manufacturer would make such a model available to the public.
After weeks of speculation, Marshall has unveiled a special edition JVM410H, marking a important milestone in a 40-year collaboration. Dubbed ‘the loudest amp ever made,’ while that may not be entirely accurate in terms of output, it certainly makes a bold statement.
Two channels are named after St. Hubbins and Tufnel, with the bass knobs humorously renamed ‘Smalls’. Each control is set to go to 11, a playful nod to that legendary scene from the original film. The Master Volume is designed to go to Infinity, embodying the spirit of Spinal Tap.
“It’s incredible how something so spontaneous has become a key part of our company’s legacy,” remarked marshall’s Steph Carter in an interview with Guitar world. “That one line has become a tagline for our brand.”
Universal Audio UAFX 2.0: A New Standard in Pedals
Universal Audio’s UAFX pedals have gained immense popularity among both casual guitarists and professional musicians. The Edge has even swapped out his tube amps for a UAFX pedal, showcasing its versatility and quality.
Universal Audio’s AFX amp modeler has garnered significant attention, especially at The Sphere, with John Mayer endorsing it as a must-have for novice guitarists. Over the years, Guitar World has consistently praised these devices.
However, the original V1 pedals had their drawbacks, including a lack of MIDI compatibility, subpar app integration, and a restrictive single-preset feature. fortunately, these issues have been addressed with the release of UAFX 2.0, a complimentary software update that enhances functionality.
This update is a game-changer, impacting all dual switch effects pedals and amp modelers, elevating the performance of every UAFX stompbox to new heights.
For more data: Universal Audio
Reviving the Gibson Les Paul Junior and Special Double Cut
Initially designed as entry-level instruments, the Gibson Les Paul Junior and Special quickly gained traction among professional musicians, becoming essential in the rock genre, favored by artists like Leslie West and Billie Joe Armstrong.
Now, the double-cut variants are making a comeback, embodying the essence of their vintage predecessors and featuring the iconic P-90 pickups that contributed to their legendary status.That Cherry Red LP Jr. DC is definitely calling my name!
For more information: Gibson
Introducing the Third Man Hardware x JHS Pedals Troika
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Jack White’s Third Man Hardware has unveiled its latest collaboration with JHS Pedals: the Troika, a unique delay pedal inspired by a rare Honda Sound Works fab Delay pedal from Japan that White introduced during the initial development stages.
Interestingly, JHS founder Josh Scott had never encountered this pedal before, highlighting its rarity. The Troika features three slider controls and multiple I/O options, making it compatible with both vocals and guitar. White has utilized a prototype of the Troika extensively on his latest album, No name, and considers it an essential component of his live setup.
The ‘horse-powered’ moniker refers to the imagery of horses on the pedal’s front, as Troika is the term for a traditional Russian sleigh drawn by three horses.
For more information: Third Man Hardware
Sterling by Music man: Mike herrera’s Signature Model
Who needs control knobs? After a recent journey of self-finding with my guitar, I can confidently say I do. Though, Mike herrera from MxPx clearly doesn’t, as evidenced by his new signature model from Sterling by music Man.
This stripped-down version of his original StingRay bass pays homage to his DIY ethos, featuring two dummy knobs that reflect his minimalist approach to playing. Plus, it looks incredibly stylish!
For more information: Sterling by Music Man
electro-Harmonix Pico Atomic Cluster: A New Dimension in Sound
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In 2023,EHX revolutionized the mini-pedal market with what they called their “most ambitious pedal launch” as the inception of the company by Mike Matthews. Initially, the goal was to create a more compact version of their classic stompboxes, but it has since transformed into a platform for innovative experimentation. The Pico Atomic Cluster exemplifies this evolution, as EHX describes it as “unlike any affect they have produced before.”
This pedal delivers a unique blend of lo-fi, synth-like, glitchy sounds and auto-arpeggiation, creating a compact package of sonic unpredictability that truly needs to be experienced to be appreciated. Its distinct character is hard to convey in words, and being a mini pedal, I’m confident I can find a spot for it on my pedalboard.
For more details: EHX
TWA source Code: The Next Evolution in Overdrive
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Over the past few years, the guitar community has experienced a tonal revolution, largely influenced by Mk.gee, an innovative guitarist who opted for a setup that heavily relied on a multi-track Tascam Portastudio instead of traditional amplifiers. This approach, which many modern players were advised against, has made a comeback, with blown-out, bit-crushed analog DI tones now trending.
JHS Pedals joined the movement with their 424 Gain Stage, and now Benson has introduced its own solution to the Tascam pedal dilemma, further expanding the options available to musicians.
This limited edition pedal takes it a step further by incorporating a bypassable buffer that significantly alters the tone and character, making it a versatile addition to any pedalboard. Unluckily, it has already sold out.
For more information: Benson
heather Brown Darlene: A New Compression Experience
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In 2023, EHX made waves in the mini-pedal market with what they termed their “most ambitious pedal launch” as Mike Matthews founded the company. The initial goal was to create a more compact version of their classic stompboxes,but it has since evolved into a platform for innovative experimentation. The Pico Atomic Cluster is a standout example of this evolution, as EHX claims it is indeed “unlike any effect they have produced before.”
This pedal offers a unique combination of lo-fi, synth-like, glitchy sounds and auto-arpeggiation, resulting in a compact unit that produces sonic chaos. Its distinct character is difficult to convey in words, and being a mini pedal, I’m confident I can find a spot for it on my pedalboard.
For more information: EHX
TWA Source Code: The Ultimate Overdrive Experience
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The pedal that could elevate your compression game? Look no further than the Darlene by Heather Brown Electronicals, an ultra-quiet analog compressor crafted with a singular purpose: to allow musicians’ dynamics to shine while maintaining sound clarity.
This pedal addresses common complaints associated with compressors, such as flattened tones, restricted dynamics, and unwanted noise. The Darlene features a low noise floor to tackle the latter, offers the option of true bypass or buffered bypass, and includes three knobs (Sustain, Blend, and Volume) to fine-tune the desired compression.
Additionally, it is indeed touted as a versatile stompbox, capable of serving as a subtle always-on polish, a transparent clean boost, or a thickener for overdrives.
For more information: Heather Brown Electronicals
Fulltone Ultimate Octave: A Classic Returns
One of Fulltone’s most iconic designs,the Ultimate Octave,is making a comeback. This beloved octave pedal, favored by guitarists like Joe Satriani, has returned with a more compact design, making it easier to fit on pedalboards while retaining its signature tone-shaping capabilities.
Equipped with two footswitches,knobs for Volume,Fuzz,and Tone,as well as a Bright/fat switch,this pedal is designed to harness what Fulltone describes as “one of the most intense upper-octave circuits ever created.”
For more information: Fulltone
Schecter John Browne Zenith: A Metal Marvel
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The head functions as a compact, standalone amplifier with a power output of five watts. it features three distinct Vox tones: clean, drive, and High Gain, along with Bluetooth capabilities for seamless music streaming.
For additional information: Vox
