NAMM 2019: The best guitars, amps and pedals of Day 1

The first day of The NAMM Show 2019 is done and dusted – and our ears are still ringing with the sound of cranked-up amps and crashing cymbals. We navigated through dozens of booths big and small to find the best that the show had to offer, from out-of-this-world stompboxes to elegantly crafted guitars. Here are our top five picks of the day:

Fender Acoustasonic Series Telecaster

A mash-up of an acoustic guitar and a Tele? We admit we were sceptical, but hearing Fender’s Acoustasonic Series Telecaster in action cast away all our doubts. Watch our video demo above to find out why.

Keeley Fuzz Bender

Dan Auerbach and Jack White in a box: Keeley’s new Fuzz Bender pedal is a dirty, rasping, hoary beast – in the best way possible. And who better to show it off than Robert himself…

Ed Sheeran’s surprise appearance

We only found out about the singer-songwriter’s collaboration with Lowden Guitars the night before, but had no idea Sheeran himself would pop by NAMM today to talk about his new guitar brand.

Fender Jimmy Page Dragon Telecaster

Just looking at this work of art close-up was enough to sate the fanboys in us. We got Fender’s Justin Stewart to make the introductions…

Meeting Misha Mansoor

Affable, chirpy and candid, the Periphery guitar man managed to steal a few minutes from his schedule to tell us about his new – and second – signature Peavey amp.

Strymon Volante

Our final stop of the day was also one of the best. Strymon’s brand-new Volante tape echo emulator sounds like an ambient guitarist’s dream – listen to the stompbox in action above.

Check out all the NAMM news here.