NAMM 2025: rumors, predictions and breaking news from the world’s biggest guitar gear show

NAMM 2025 is here! And with it, a tidal wave of fresh guitar gear announcements, celebrity appearances and exhaustive reporting from Guitar World.

The world’s biggest trade show for the music gear industry, the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Show has been running since 1902 – long before the electric guitar was even born.

This year’s festivities take place from January 21-25, making this the longest NAMM Show yet, with two extra days of events before the show proper kicks off on January 23.

2025’s edition is being touted as something of a return to form for NAMM, which was once the most important event in the guitar gear calendar, but has struggled to regain a foothold since Covid took its toll on the entire concept of the trade show.

Fresh-faced NAMM CEO John Mlynczak, who started in the role in May 2023, has been working hard to change that, however, convincing major industry players – including Fender, Gibson and Marshall – to refocus their efforts on the show, and build on the warm reception to 2024’s event.

It’s certainly going to be interesting to see how it all plays out. Fender and Gibson, for example, have giant meeting room spaces rather than floor exhibits – it hints at a return to the media and dealer focus of NAMMs of yore.

All of which gives more potential airtime to the brands who are exhibiting on the showfloor, as we saw at last year’s event, with the likes of Ibanez, ESP and Ernie Ball hoovering up much of the coverage.

As per usual, we’ll have feet on the ground at the glamorous-ish Anaheim Convention Center, with grizzled NAMM vet Mike Astley-Brown and first-timer Matt Owen pounding the well-worn carpets in the quest of all that is good and gear-y.

But the show doesn’t begin when the doors open. Oh no: the show begins now, with our comprehensive guide to all the happenings from the major industry players. The rumors circulating the interwebs. Cryptic teasers we’ve sourced from our, erm, sources. Our own predictions, based on trends, prevailing winds and an old magic 8-ball we found in Mike’s desk.

But most importantly, we’ll be bringing you all the news that’s breaking in the run-up to the show. Keep this page pinned/bookmarked/favorited, because we’ll be updating it right through to the end of January 2025 when the dust has settled and we can figure out what the hell just happened and what the state of the gear industry looks like in 2025. And, of course, how badly drained our bank accounts are going to look by the end of it.

So, without further ago, here’s all the NAMM 2025 rumors, predictions and breaking news you need to know, all in one place.

NAMM 2025: Electric guitar news

• Well, the big news is that Fender is back – a genuine surprise after previous comments from CEO Andy Mooney. But while the firm has a big meeting room space for dealers and media (yay us), it won’t be exhibiting on the showfloor. Nevertheless, Mooney is promising “exciting new products”. Our prediction: given the healthy discounts on the American Professional II range (and Fender’s four-year series launch cycle), a refresh of the Professional line is on the cards. And is it too soon for a downsized Tone Master Pro?
• First and foremost, the Big F launched the $599 Standard Series lineup, an Indonesian-built series that brings the concept of an affordable Fender back to the table – and it’s the greatest show of faith yet in its Far East facility.
• While we're on the subject of Indonesian-built $599 Fenders, the company also pulled back the curtain on its most affordable Acoustasonic builds yet, also under the Standard line banner.
• Never ones to be overshadowed, the Fender Custom Shop has mixed-up a treat, in its new Cocktail Collection – a set of potent custom builds all inspired by different drinks. Featuring 12-string Telecasters, baritone offsets, and diamond-laced Strats, its 2025 Prestige Collection is just as impressive.
• EVH, meanwhile, unveiled the SA-126 Standard, which brings Wolfgang Van Halen’s cutting-edge signature model to a more affordable price point. Like the Standard Series and Fender's other lower-budget NAMM releases, the SA-126 Standard is also Indonesian-made.
• EVH also delivered on its hardtail promise with two new models that vow to take Eddie's legacy to new heights, the Wolfgang Special T.O.M. and Wolfgang WG Standard T.O.M.
• Like Fender, fellow returning guitar giant Gibson has pitched up with a meeting room by appointment only. It’s likely to hold plenty of CEO Cesar Gueikian’s ‘Do Epic Shit’ creations – some of which look an awful lot like James Hetfield’s Explorer. The leaky CEO has also all-but-confirmed the Ghost-championed RD will be making a return. Then there’s the small matter of Mark Morton’s surely imminent Les Paul. Oh, and just a thought: wouldn’t a Jimmy Page double-neck that costs under $9,999 be nice? Yes, yes it would. Fingers crossed.
• In concrete Gibson news, the company has quietly unveiled a new Cherry-finished Warren Haynes signature Les Paul. Fitted with an on-board clean boost, the guitar most notably fulfills Haynes' 2024 promise: “I am about to delve into P-90 world pretty hard.” 
• Speaking of P-90-equipped Les Pauls, Gibson's stunning new commemorative 1955 NAMM Show Les Paul celebrates the 70th anniversary of a historic, ultra-rare run of the company's most famous model.

• Gosh darn it, Eastman has captured our hearts again with the FullerTone – an innovative, head-turning new solidbody collection inspired by its acclaimed D'Ambrosio range.
• Misha Mansoor sure has been talking about his new offset Jackson baritone a lot. And we know he’s pushing for a signature model. It’s probably a bit early for that kind of talk, but hey, a guitar journalist can dream…
• In terms of concrete Jackson news, however, the company has finally revived its offset Surfcaster for a new generation of heavy players – and it’s surprisingly affordable.
• Jackson has also stealth-launched the Pure Metal range during NAMM 2025 – a trio of limited edition single-pickup shred machines that it says are “ “Built for speed, equipped for domination”. They certainly look like it...
• From impromptu Ichika performances to displaying Steve Vai’s actual Hydra, Ibanez is reliably one of the most talked-about exhibitors each and every NAMM. Its first announcement is the AZ Standard, a $550 version of its flagship SuperStrat range – and something of a wake-up call for other big brands.
• Ibanez has also unveiled its signature guitar line-up for the year and, having been newly reunited with both Korn guitarists (after Head’s 2017 switch to ESP), they're bringing back the K7, albeit in revamping ‘yin and yang’ form. Josh Smith is also getting a humbucker take on his FLATV T-style, and there’s a glittering new Satch model. We’re still left hoping for Tim Henson’s first Japanese-made signature model and that long-awaited 8-string, though...

• At NAMM 2024, Yamaha unveiled the Pacifica Professional range, which blew away every member of the GW team who came into contact with it. Could we see some of its features trickle down into more affordable Pacificas? Those Neve pickups are something special. And then there’s the small matter of Matteo Mancuso, whose unwavering loyalty to the Revstar can’t have gone unnoticed at Yamaha HQ… right?
• A very happy 50th birthday to ESP, which is celebrating five decades of boundary-pushing Japanese guitar design – and has finally unveiled Mick Thomson's first signature for the firm… although it wasn't what we were expecting. Richard Z. Kruspe also has a new Phoenix model, and the firm has gone all-in on single-pickup builds for 2025 – is this the death of the neck humbucker on metal guitars?
• Ernie Ball has string and accessory announcements coming with some of the biggest names in the biz… plus a brand-new Music Man model designed in collaboration with a major player. And let's not forget that NAMM 2024 saw the launch of Rabea Massaad’s eagerly awaited Ernie Ball Music Man signature Sabre. The Vower guitarist has already confirmed a budget Sterling version is underway – but will it arrive in time for the show?
• New celebrity guitar brand alert... Coheed and Cambria frontman Claudio Sanchez has designed his own signature guitar from the ground-up and launched his own brand (teaming-up with Dunable) to build it. Check out the first model, the Evil Instruments Jackhammer...

• Can we talk about the Verso Sine for a second? This futuristic electric features freely movable pickups that looks to redefine how you interact with your guitar. It also looks absolutely bonkers.
• Gretsch has refreshed its flagship Professional Collection with 5 Japanese-built stunners – including a Broadkaster that's built for “full-spectrum sound at high volume”
• Budget champion Harley Benton has doubled down on the Fender Tom DeLonge Strat with a new S-style (and Blink-style, we might add) dual-humbucker build and teamed-up with YouTuber Guitar MAX on this flexible Fusion signature model.
• PRS Guitars won’t officially be exhibiting at NAMM this year. But the firm will be sponsoring events and stages and sneaking its products onto various booths. Paul Reed Smith’s band, Eightlock, will even be performing on Thursday night. But what you want to know about is the new guitars, and so far the firm has celebrated its 40th anniversary by unveiling new pickups, overhauling specs... and developing two models inspired by pre-factory builds.
• Iconic boutique firms Fano and Novo have merged, with Dennis Fano now leading both companies.

• Dean is firming up its footing for 2025 with a Kerry King Overlord for under $500 – and an affordable Misfits signature that’s not afraid to make a point...
• From what we’ve heard, Reverend’s plans are all over the map: more single-pickup models, unique pickup configurations, tons of basses, Floyd Roses as far as the eye can see – and a more traditional version of its spookiest model. Plus a new signature for an artist who performed at the show last year. A busy one, then.
• Boutique German guitar builder Maybach Guitars has pulled out of the show in the face of the L.A. wildfires.
• Donner’s Hush-X was lauded as the ultimate affordable travel guitar – now it’s been given a major upgrade in the form of the Hush-X Pro.
• Former Fender Custom Shop builder John Cruz has joined the ranks of Iconic Guitars, promising to set "a new standard in boutique guitars". Watch this space.
• Cort and virtuoso Hedras have collaborated once more on the Mutility II, the latest evolution of their progressive electric guitar design.
• Venus Guitars – a brand new boutique guitar company – is making itself known with its Venus Revolution series, while upholding its mission to “empower female musicians with thoughtfully crafted gear designed specifically for them.
• The Shergold Masquerader Standard makes one of the cult UK builder’s most distinctive guitars significantly more affordable.
• Sterling by Music Man has unveiled its 2025 range of guitar and basses, bringing three affordable versions of high-end Music Man electric guitars to the market: the P-90-loaded StingRay Plus, Sub Series Cutlass and Axis.
• Magneto will be showcasing its brand new Strat-like build, the Sonnet Supreme.
• Strandberg, Sweden’s ergonomic, headless guitar champion has finally announced that its left-field five-string signature guitar for Jacob Collier, the Boden JC Djesse, is available to order – and it's also introduced a more familiar six-string version.
• Big Suhr? Not this time. The boutique brand has announced a best of both worlds electric, in the form of the OSO Short Scale. It pairs a Gibson-like 24.625” scale length with a T-style body, available in a choice of alder and mahogany.

NAMM 2025: Effects pedal news

• It’s been two-and-a-half years since the acquisition of DigiTech and DOD by Cort owner Cor-Tek, and we’re eagerly anticipating new releases. Now the first product since the takeover has broken cover: the MonoNeon signature Whammy pedal, which offers a three octave range, works with guitar and bass – and even comes with custom gaffer tape!
• Further innovation from DigiTech with the HammerOn pedal – a 7-in-1 pitch-shifting addition to the Whammy family that promises “hands-free, hammer-ons” to open up new playing frontiers – not least, with its Impossible mode.
• The Fart Pedal Number Two has officially, er... dropped – and it’s promising “10 times the splooty blompers”.
• It was the sound of a thousand hits, and now the Rockman amp is returning as a pedal, thanks to MXR.
• MXR has also released perhaps the ultimate dream pedal of anyone chasing David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust-era sound, a Mick Ronson signature wah, based on the late guitarist's original Italian pedal.
• And not content with that eye-catching Ronson, MXR has also seen fit to offer a wider release of its limited edition gold Phase 90, first built to celebrate the firm’s 50th anniversary.
• Walrus Audio has dropped the Canvas Rehearsal, a new type of pedal that’s aimed at improving your playing, not your tone, as well as Yvette Young's dream signature pedal, the Qi Etherealizer – a modulation powerhouse fit for boundary-pushing soundscapes.
• Marshall has returned to NAMM with an absolute bang, unveiling first its new Overdrive Series pedals, which bring authorized takes on Plexi, DSL, and JCM amp tones to your pedalboard for the first time.
• While we're on the Marshall-making-its-tones-more-portable subject, the company also reimagined its iconic JCM900 as the Studio 900 – condensing its gain and growl into a portable, practice-friendly head and combo.
• Finally, the none-more-legendary amp brand also tipped its cap to the amp wizards of rock’s golden era with the launching of factory modded takes on the 1959 Plexi and JCM800.

• Hang on, did Mooer just drop one of the most fully featured amp modelers on the market? The GS1000 raises the stakes, and guns for TONEX and Neural DSP with an AI-equipped modeler that can profile your own gear – and grant you access to other players’ rigs.
• IK Multimedia has teamed up with Joe Satriani for signature TONEX One loaded with presets designed by the guitar great – and yes, it’s chrome
• Kernom is teasing its third stompbox – a “groundbreaking modulation pedal that offers seamless morphing between analog effects”.
• Pigtronix has morphed its ambient reverb pedal into the simplified Cosmosis 1 – meaning it’s no longer rocket science to operate it

• The Soldano SLO Plus Pedal is staking a claim as perhaps the ultimate hard-rock distortion, taking both channels from the iconic SLO-100 amp head and cramming them into one twin-footswitch stompbox.
• Crazy Tube Circuits has crammed every element of Angus Young’s tone (minus his fingers) into a dual-footswitch pedal, the Heatseeker.
• Zoom is aiming to conquer the compact looper pedal market with the MS-90LP+ – a smart new device that takes the fight to Boss and TC Electronic.
• But it will face competition from Mooer, which has dropped the GL100 Looper & Drum Station – a really quite impressive-looking looper with an onboard touchscreen, 300 minutes of loop time and an AI-equipped drum machine.

• Boss has launched perhaps its most enticing V-Guitar tech yet with the VG-800, which aims to make your guitar sound like any other electric or acoustic on the planet – plus the sitar, banjo and synth sounds you always wanted.
• Danelectro’s Spring King was the cult reverb pedal you could kick – now it’s back as the considerably downsized Spring King Junior.

• The last pedal we saw from Eventide was its wild Jack White collab, the Knife Drop – a sub-octave fuzz and analog synth powerhouse. We know the company has some loyal users… We’d love to see some more collaborative innovations down the line.
• Jack White also brought considerable attention to Chinese musical instrument giant Donner with the collaborative Triple Threat multi-FX. That's been followed up by the Embark Series, a $29 lineup that could change the ultra-cheap pedal game with metal enclosures and customizable designs. It's also given its Jack White-approved delay pedal an upgrade – although the Yellow Fall 2 has an awfully familiar new look…
• Now the hype machine has died down just a little for the Nano Cortex, will Neural DSP be sharing something a little more in-between sized? A Medium Cortex, if you will.
• Morley has dropped a signature Rex Brown wah, Old Blue – based on his long-standing secret weapon, which Dimebag used to borrow.
• Nobels is stuffing three ’70s-style chorus flavors into its newly-launched tiny pedal, the CHO-mini.
• Alongside the Decade Too (in collaboration with Josh Homme), Peavey faithfully recreated the original Peavey Decade circuit (circa 1980) in a pedal

• Behringer will be attending NAMM for the first time in 10 years. The firm will be showcasing its spate of ridiculously affordable recent releases – including the Fuzz Bender and Centaur Overdrive and ’69 Vibe. But will there be more
• Speaking of Behringer, the firm also owns TC Electronic, which dropped the Plethora X1 just ahead of the show – a compact pedal with 14 effects and a MASH footswitch, primed to take on Line 6’s similarly targeted HX One.
• In fact, with the launch of the HX One, Line 6 has filtered its HX tech down into every discernible form factor… except mini pedals. HX Mini? You heard it here first (and it may very well be wrong).
• With the launch of the all-conquering BigSky MX reverb pedal back in April 2024, surely we could see a similar treatment for another long-serving Strymon design. *cough* TimeLine *cough*
• Similarly, Electro-Harmonix took its POG Polyphonic Octave Generator into its 3rd generation in 2024, adding a screen and features culled from the EHX back catalog. Could we see the format make its way to other pedals, and usher in a new era for the storied NYC FX co? And, as with Strymon, we could see a multi-function delay – a Canyon-meets-Deluxe Memory Man – fitting the bill. Forgive us if we’re repeating ourselves (delay joke). One thing we know will be on display is the Pico 360+, which updates the company’s best-selling pedal with control over overdub volume and a mini chassis.

NAMM 2025: Guitar amp news

• Peavey has just announced the release of the Peavey Decade Too – a modern interpretation of the iconic Decade amp that Josh Homme famously referred to as his “secret weapon”. It’s no surprise, then, that the Queens of the Stone Age frontman was heavily involved in the creation of this new amp.
• It’s been a long time coming, but Marshall will finally have some new amps for its first NAMM show in five years. We’re promised hand-built amps and “several new products” new to the portfolio. We know the company’s new CEO has big plans for everything from digital combos to modelers, so this will be a significant statement of intent. But judging by a covert post from Ryan 'Fluff' Bruce, modded amps will be up first – and we've already had a teaser for a modded JCM…
• On the modded amp front, Friedman is set to release an amp that captures the iconic mods of legendary amp tech José Arredondo, with the blessing of his family.
• Orange has dropped three new models in its Baby Range – affordable, compact heads that downsize classic Orange tones (and introduce some new ones, too).
• The British tone-smiths have also dropped the O Tone 40 – a brand-new 40-watt solid-state combo rocking a single channel and loaded with integrated tremolo and reverb effects, a buffered effects loop, and “plenty of punchy volume.” 
• The Spark 2 dropped this year. So we might see that tech make its way to the rest of the Positive Grid portfolio. Spark 2 Mini, perhaps? We also hear something entirely new is on the cards, but will only be available for a sneak peek at NAMM.
• In Blackstar news, the ever-popular amp-maker has teamed up with Dead Daisies guitarist Doug Aldrich for the DA100, a fire-breathing amp with a nifty secret weapon.

• The big noise from Celestion this year is well, considerably quieter than normal... It's launched the ground-breaking Peacekeeper speaker – an attenuating speaker that lets players find their amp’s “sweet spot” at lower volumes.
• IK Multimedia had the best-selling effects pedal of last year with the TONEX One. And now it's continuing its takeover of the amp modeler market with the TONEX Cab – a flagship FRFR unlike any other.
• Mesa/Boogie recently brought back the legendary Mark IIC+ and the iconic ’90s Dual Rectifier, and with parent company Gibson set to have a presence at this year’s show, we wouldn’t mind a few more classic reissues. Maybe even a signature amp or two.
• Chapman Guitars is readying its first-ever amp, the Cloud Hammer, which coincides with a company restructure.
• Bad Cat has marked the return of amp design guru Mark Sampson with the Era 30.
• The newly announced AmpRx Brownie can tweak your amp’s voltage for maximum tone – could it be your key to finally unlocking Eddie Van Halen’s coveted ‘Brown Sound’?

• Boss might have conquered the solid-state amp market with Katana, but the Waza Tube Amp Expander Core aims to get the best out of your tube amp with a wealth of features that take the fight to Two Notes and Universal Audio.
• The last Orange release was a compact solid-state combo for Orianthi, so we can reasonably expect the Aussie virtuoso to make an appearance at the show. As for new products, we can’t say anything… yet…
• HeadRush might have changed the amp modeler rig game with a tiny FRFR speaker that weighs in at just $149.
• Hughes & Kettner has revived its famed Puretone amp by popular demand... as a plugin.
• Vintage has squared up to Positive Grid and Boss by entering the desktop modeling amp market for the first time with its new Retro range.

NAMM 2025: Acoustic guitar news

• Martin has overhauled its Standard Series – its workhorse acoustic range – for the first time in seven years in response to player demands, while the headlines have been stolen by Martin unveiling its 3 Millionth guitar – and a Standard Series double neck.
• Elsewhere, the storied US luthier has awarded bluegrass picking phenom Billy Strings with two new Martin signature guitars – and let’s give it up for a company releasing the more affordable $899 option alongside the high-end build.
• Ibanez has taken inspiration from some of its heaviest guitar designs with the Blackout series, its most ‘metal’ acoustics yet.
• Guitar innovation from Taylor Guitars chief Andy Powers never seems to slow down. Unveiled in the company's new Gold Label Collection, Taylor's new Super Auditorium body design is said to build on the company's Grand Auditorium shape, with a couple of key differences.

• Breedlove will be dropping a new collection of guitars, promising “artistry, cutting-edge design and our commitment to superior sound”.
• Cort is bringing unsung solid cedar to an accessible price point with the MR500F-CED and L100OCF-CED – two sleek $370 acoustics that also feature Fishman electronics.
• Faith is aiming to provide the ultimate stage guitars with a premium reboot of its best-selling Eclipse series.
• Torrefied solid-topped acoustics starting at $249? Kepma Guitars may have just disrupted the budget acoustic game with its new Fenix series.

NAMM 2025: Bass guitar news

• Ernie Ball Music Man has dropped another new variant of Tim Commerford’s signature StingRay – a love letter to the pawnshop bass that shaped the first Rage Against the Machine record.
• Sterling by Music Man, meanwhile has dropped affordable versions of the Bongo bass, plus the SB14 and DarkRay five-string.
• On-the-rise guitar maker Magneto has debuted its first-ever bass, the short-scale Ruby – and it's quite the looker…
• Pantera’s Rex Brown has rejoined Spector’s artist ranks – less than a year after dropping an Epiphone model with his name on it. Could we see another fresh signature bass in the coming weeks?
• Shergold has entered the bass guitar market in a big way with the Telstar Bass and the Libertine, two sharply priced offerings that stand out from the crowd.

NAMM 2025: Pickups and accessories news

• Since its acquisition of Presonus, Fender has felt increasingly confident making moves in the home recording market, particularly where it crosses over with guitar. It’s new portable studio-grade interface the Link I/O does just that – clearly eyeing up IK Multimedia’s popular iRig model.
• Dunlop has launched its first-ever Tortex pick with a grip – guaranteeing a tactile, non-slip performance and “ultimate playability” for the near-ubiquitous pick brand
• Tim Henson and Ernie Ball have announced two new signature string sets for electric and classical guitars – and Henson says he started by issuing a list of “unreasonable demands.”
• John Mayer has also developed a new string set with Ernie Ball. Inspired by alloys traditionally used for bells and cymbals, the Earthwood Bell Bronze set is said to be ideal for solo performers.
• Ibanez and JTC have claimed to have created the world’s most advanced guitar cable, the Glideline.
• Pickup giant DiMarzio has pulled out of the show in the face of the ongoing L.A. wildfires. Nonetheless, it has let us in on its 2025 plans early: a 5-string soapbar pickup for bass, 4-string Music Man style bass pickup, Cruiser T Neck pickup for Tele, and – most excitingly – a Matteo Mancuso signature set.
• Boss has launched a range of guitar cables inspired by its classic pedals.
• D’Addario has already launched its XPND Pedal Power rechargeable pedalboard power supply, but it has more waiting in the wings: the company tells us it will “re-energize a top-selling accessory”, launch a “modern twist on a line of vintage accessories”, and “further revolutionize guitar tech benches everywhere”.