Eight of the best guitars, amps and pedals of Summer NAMM 2019

Summer NAMM 2019 has come and gone in a whirlwind of new and exciting guitars, amps and pedals. Missed the action in Nashville, Tennessee? Here are our picks of the best new gear we spotted at the annual musical instruments show.

Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb

It may be based on the Deluxe Reverb, but Fender’s new Tone Master amp is no tube combo – it’s a digital modelling amp. The Deluxe Reverb model, which has onboard reverb and tremolo circuits, has none of the shrillness that’s typically associated with digital processors. Listen to our full demo with Fender above to hear it for yourself.

Sundragon Jimmy Page Standard Model

Originally launched at Winter NAMM 2019 as a limited-edition model, this remake of Jimmy Page’s legendary Sundragon amp is something special. It was created so more guitarists will have access to the experience Page has tailored alongside Mitch Colby – he of Park amps fame – and Perry Margouleff.

Eastman Romeo

An all-new design from Eastman, this thinline semi-hollow sports a unique cutaway body shape, solid spruce top, one-piece mahogany neck, and mahogany laminates on its back and sides – and it sounds killer. Pickups-wise, the Romeo has a pair of custom-wound Lolla Imperial humbuckers. Hit play on the video above to listen to it – together with the T59B/v-LTD-BK – in action.

Gretsch 5622T Electromatic Center Block Double-Cut

The popular Gretsch model receives a facelift, with new Black Top Broad’Tron humbuckers and finishes, like the Imperial Stain that graces the top of our demo unit. Besides those, the guitar has a maple body with a chambered spruce centre block, set maple neck and laurel fingerboard.

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

Here’s a 12-string acoustic guitar that sounds like no other you’ve heard. Designed by Taylor’s Andy Powers, this is the brand’s first 12-string that features the innovative V-Class bracing. Change your pick attack, and you’ll elicit single-string sounds – one of the secrets the all-mahogany guitar holds up its sleeve can be found in its bridge. It only has six pins rather than 12.

Line 6 Spider V 120 MkII

The latest incarnation of Line 6’s Spider series of modelling amps packs a bevy of new features. The amp has two modes: Classic Speaker and Full-range Speaker. The former provides organic tones and responsiveness, while the latter is designed for acoustic guitars, making this what the brand calls its “most versatile amp yet”.

Harmony H650 Amp

Alongside its trio of newly released electrics, Harmony also gave us an exclusive demo of its H650 amp. Part of the new Series 6 collection, this 50-watt, 1×12 tube combo is built to be your “only amp”. It boasts a range of useful in-built features including an attenuator as well as spring reverb and tube-driven tremolo.

Dunlop ’69 Psych Series Jimi Hendrix Octavio Fuzz

Based on Hendrix’s storied Octavio, this freshly released pedal from Dunlop packs a wallop that belies its micro size. It’s a silicon-based fuzz with an octave-up that snarls as well as it screeches. You can’t knock that trippy, psychedelic artwork designed by ILOVEDUST, either.

Check out all the new releases from Summer NAMM 2019.