Five of the best guitars from Summer NAMM 2019

Summer NAMM 2019 has come and gone in a flash, introducing us to a raft of new and exciting guitars. Missed the action in Nashville, Tennessee? Here are our picks of the best new guitars we spotted at the annual musical instruments show.

Gretsch Brian Setzer Nashville ’59 “Smoke”

Long-time Gretsch artist Brian Setzer has received a trio of new signature models. The pick of the bunch is the Nashville ’59 affectionally dubbed “Smoke”, which is a recreation of Setzer’s main stage axe. It’s kitted out with period-accurate ’59 appointments, namely headstock shape and logo as well as a vintage-leaning Smoke Orange lacquer finish. It’s also stocked with a pair of TV Jones Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity pickups, which are touted as the most accurate Filter’Tron replicas on the market.

Eastman Romeo

Here’s a semi-hollow that’s both big on playability and tone. Crafted by master luthier Otto D’Ambrosio, the Romeo features tonewoods that afford contribute to its lightweight and ergonomic form. These include a solid spruce top, mahogany laminate back and sides, as well as a one-piece mahogany neck. Tone-wise, Eastman matched this cutaway’s arresting aesthetics with a pair of custom-wound Lollar Imperial humbuckers.

Taylor 562ce 12-string 12-fret with V-Class

Taylor has brought its groundbreaking V-Class architecture to the 12-string acoustic.  Designed by Taylor’s Andy Powers, the 562ce is said to be “beautifully articulated in tune” and absent of the usual 12-string jangle. One of the tone secrets the all-mahogany guitar holds up its sleeve can be found in its bridge, which features six pins rather than 12.

Fender Vintera ’50s Telecaster

Fender’s big reveal at Summer NAMM 2019 was the made-in-Mexico Vintera series comprising vintage-inspired models with ’50s, ’60s and ’70s specs. A standout is the ’50s Telecaster featuring a 50s U-shaped maple neck, a 7.25-inch fingerboard radius and 21 vintage-style frets. This axe also gets a pair of era-specific Tele single-coils, which are designed to transport you back to the golden era.

Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s

Despite Gibson’s recent legal troubles, the brand still had a strong showing at Summer NAMM 2019. Case in point – the Les Paul Standard ’50s. A standout of the Original collection, this LP boasts period-accurate specs such burst aesthetics, slim fingerboard binding as well as a medium-depth neck profile that’s reminiscent of a ’59 model.

Check out all the new releases from Summer NAMM 2019.