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Now that the proverbial NAMM dust has settled—and the Guitar Center team has had a chance to digest everything they saw at the show—we’re checking back in with our “friends from the floor” for final takeaways on their favorite gear.
In this article, industry vets from Guitar Center’s staff sift through the multitude of new musical toys to find the most drool-worthy pieces. From the looks of it, everyone’s collection will be getting a little bit bigger …
Our Top Gear Picks from NAMM 2026
BOSS GX-1B Multi-Effects Bass Pedal
Drew Beaupré, Longform Copy Manager:
I’ve been into multi-effects floor pedals since my early teens, and the GX-1B is a prime example of how far that tech has come—especially for the beginner-friendly entry level. At its price, it’s almost unfair how much horsepower and sheer array of tones the BOSS GX-1B has. Not only that, but its straightforward hexagonal block layout makes it easy to add or subtract compression, EQ, amp/cab simulations, reverb, delay and various other effects within your signal chain. It’s a fun and foolproof workflow.
Holding the up or down arrow buttons, I quickly cycled through 198 presets across two banks with absolutely zero dropout, and each split-second sample gave me enough time to recognize the “Oh, I can definitely mess around with that one for a bit” factor for each preset that caught my ear. And I can safely extend that sentiment to the GX-1B as a whole.
Shop Now: BOSS GX-1B Multi-Effects Bass Pedal
Casio Dimension Shifter Wireless Expression Controller
George Van Wagner, Sr. Longform Creative Writer:
There’s nothing I love more than making my signal do extra things. From coaxing rack gear into behavior it wasn’t quite designed for to programming my old Line 6 Vetta into dynamic, evolving soundscapes, I’ve always been drawn to tones that move. The challenge has been control—finding the right pedal, or worse, taking my hands off the guitar mid-phrase to tweak something.
Inspired by the Parsons/White B-Bender, the Casio Dimension Shifter wireless expression controller solves that elegantly. By simply pulling down on your guitar strap, you can control any device that responds to expression data, shaping everything from subtle swells to extreme parameter shifts without breaking contact with the instrument. It feels less like operating a pedal and more like dancing with your sound.
I’m already imagining mapping multiple parameters on my Line 6 HX Effects to a single gesture—expanding stereo width, pushing delay feedback toward the edge, bending time and space just a little while the band keeps rolling. For players who think of tone as something that evolves rather than toggles, this is a beautifully mischievous addition to the toolkit.
Shop Now: Casio Dimension Shifter Wireless Expression Controller
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff 2
Johnny Devilla, Sr. Manager, Creative Operations:
I’ve gone through a lot of fuzz over the years, from Shin-ei Super Fuzz clones to the classic Fuzz-Tone, and the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi 2 immediately stood out. With the tone around one o’clock, volume at two and sustain in the same range, it roars into a massive, snarling wall of fuzz that feels heavy without getting sloppy.
On the neck pickup, it delivers thick, low-end-rich doom tones perfect for slow, crushing riffs, while switching to the bridge brings enough bite for leads that cut through the haze. Having played an original Triangle Big Muff in the studio, the EHX Big Muff 2 captures that same raw, in-your-face character, shifting smoothly from saturated fuzz to heavy distortion as the sustain is backed off. This red box of doom won’t stay off my pedalboard for long.
Shop Now: Electro-Harmonix Big Muff 2
Old Blood Noise Endeavors Parting Glitch Effects Pedal
Michael Molenda, Article Content Producer:
I’m always “that guy” during music production sessions that gets grumpy when guitars sound too normal or boringly conventional. I’ve been tossed out of so many bands (hahaha). But how could I not fall in love with this colorful mess of a pedal that was codesigned by a harp player (Emily Hopkins) and features brilliantly dystopian controls, such as Chance, Dissolve and Smear?
The Old Blood Noise Endeavors Parting Glitch is the kind of stompbox that will get me thrown out of creative collaborations for at least the next five years. And I’ll love every minute of its enigmatic, haphazard and inscrutable salvos against conformist guitar sounds.
Shop Now: Old Blood Noise Endeavors Parting Glitch Delay, Reverb and Modulation Pedal
Walrus Audio Canvas Volume Pedal
Max Lauer-Bader, Sr. Manager, Content and Social Media:
I was absolutely stoked too see this during our visit to the Walrus booth. For a lot of players, pedalboard space is at a premium, and the more “utilitarian” pedals (tuners, buffers, volume pedals, etc.) tend to get considered last.
But really, you should always make room for utility pedals. Sure, you could control the guitar volume with your hand on the volume pot, but that’s not nearly as fluid as a pedal—particularly for certain styles of playing.
So, back to the Canvas Volume pedal. Most notably, it uses magnets instead of pots or strings, so there’s nothing to really wear down or break. Plus, it offers eight different tapers to pick from, has minimum-on control and even a switchable boost. What more could you want?
Shop Now: Walrus Audio Canvas Volume Pedal
Ibanez Artist AR625 Electric Guitar
George Van Wagner:
When the original Ibanez Tree of Life guitars appeared in the late 1970s, they were, it seemed to me, the epitome of class and cool. Especially when they featured Ibanez’s double-cutaway solidbody style, similar to the guitars played at the time by people like Carlos Santana and the late Bob Weir.
It was a look unlike any other double cutaway and not an attempt to duplicate anybody else’s style. I’ve been waiting for years to get one in this style and have always missed out when Ibanez has done short runs of different versions. I’ve always been a big fan of Ibanez pickups, as well, with their voicing that’s full but not too hot. The Ibanez Artist AR625FMSP is, for me, an admittedly emotional choice. Now I just need to put that Mahavishnu Orchestra cover band together.
Shop Now: Ibanez Artist AR625FMSP in Caramel Burst
LTD JD-1 Joe Duplantier Signature Electric Guitar
Max McAllister, Sr. Longform Creative Writer:
Any Gojira fans in the house? Even if you’re not, there’s nothing about the LTD JD-I Joe Duplantier model that shouts “signature,” which is the sign of a tasteful artist instrument done well.
The guitar is based on the offset XJ body style, with some refinements to the upper and lower bouts to give it a sharper, more streamlined look. But as soon as I saw the Silver Sunburst finish and ebony fingerboard with chunky block inlays, my mind went to one of my favorite guitars of all time—the Les Paul Custom. Those traces are apparent, and while the JD-I also has 22 frets and a TOM-style bridge, it has a 25.5" scale length, bolt-on roasted maple neck, inline headstock and personality all its own.
Stylish vintage-modern aesthetics aside, this guitar’s a mean-playing riff machine. You get a lone DiMarzio JD Fortitude humbucker, Thin U-shaped neck profile, 350 mm (13.7") fingerboard radius, extra-jumbo stainless steel frets and LTD locking tuners. Who wants to help me petition ESP/LTD for a left-handed version?
Shop Now: ESP LTD JD-1 Joe Duplantier Signature
Martin Molly Tuttle D-18 Acoustic Guitar
Ben Math, Content Coordinator:
The Martin Molly Tuttle D-18 caught my eye the second it was announced. I’ll admit it: I’m a big bluegrass fan, and Molly is right at the heart of the scene right now alongside folks like Billy Strings. So yes, there’s some personal bias in this pick. But hey … at least I’m self-aware.
Tuttle’s signature D-18 is inspired by her beloved 1943 D-18, from the same 1-11/16" nut width to the neck profile—and even the oval button tuners. The moon phase fingerboard inlays are a beautiful motif that ties the whole guitar to Tuttle even further; the moon is a common thread in her music. When you see this one hanging in the acoustic room at your local Guitar Center, you’ll know exactly who it belongs to.
Shop Now: Martin D-18 Molly Tuttle Signature Dreadnought in Vintage Sunburst
Personally, I’m in love with the whole package. It sounds exactly as it should, with lush overtones that never get too washy, and it’s as visually unique a Martin as I’ve ever seen.
It’s also really cool that the more affordable version—the Molly Tuttle D-X2E—is the first X Series guitar to feature a 1940s neck profile. You’re just not going to find specs like that anywhere else on a guitar that’s priced this accessibly.
Hats off to Molly Tuttle and the crew at Martin—these are both knockouts in my book.
Martin Super HD-28 Acoustic Guitar
Danny Schnair, Sr. Analyst, Vendor Marketing Partnerships:
When I picked up the Martin Super HD-28, it was like the guitar was already singing—its body was actually humming in anticipation (I’m serious!). Strumming it felt like unlocking a flood of musical energy: punchy, resonant, yet perfectly balanced, like each note had its own spotlight.
Shop Now: Martin Super HD-28 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
Its piano-like clarity was alive, cutting through the NAMM chaos as if it had an amp built in. Bigger isn’t always better, but here, bigger was the key to a guitar that breathed and resonated with every fiber. The neck felt like it was made just for me, and every detail, from the binding to the wood grain, just begged to be played. I didn’t know I needed a guitar this big ... now I’ll be dreaming about it forever.
Casio SXC-1 Sampler
Omar Kenji Cruz, Video Producer:
I like things that are “everyday carry”-friendly and can run off batteries, but aren’t lacking power. The fact that the Casio SXC-1 sampler offers so much on-the-go creative capability is pretty dope. It’s got extra cool factor simply by being Casio, given their awesome legacy of sampling innovation. And this is just an early prototype.
KORG phase8 8-Voice Acoustic Synthesizer
Max Lauer-Bader:
Every so often, a new instrument comes along that makes you tilt your head to the side and go, “Huh, that’s interesting.” KORG’s phase8 was one of those instruments.
For the past few years, Tatsuya Takahashi and the team in KORG’s Berlin office have been teasing phase8 in various stages of development. The “we’re almost there” version got its debut at Superbooth last year and sent synth heads spinning. How do you even describe it?
I suppose we could go with “acoustic synthesis via a groovebox,” but that’s really more about how it would be categorized. More than anything, phase8 is inspiring, it’s fun and it’s different. The myriad ways you can coax so many distinct sounds out of the eight resonators invite a physicality that other musicians, like guitarists and drummers, so often take for granted.
Watching Tatsuya demo phase8 hooked up to a Chase Bliss Mood and synced to a KORG Volca Kick, I heard sounds that I’m sure have never been heard before—and that’s pretty darn cool.
Shop Now: KORG phase8 8-Voice Acoustic Synthesizer
RANE SYSTEM ONE Standalone DJ System
Drew Beaupré:
I’d been looking forward to this one since I got wind of it last fall. An enticing follow-up to the recently released, motorized-platter, stem-separating RANE ONE MKII, the SYSTEM ONE adds Engine DJ-powered standalone capability and a vertical-waveform touchscreen display to the mix.
I had the pleasure of spending a good amount of time test driving the all-new interface at NAMM and was blown away by its intuitive layout and remix potential. Its built-in effects, playable via paddles—or even faders, if that’s your vibe—and easy-to-find-and-manipulate Stems controls made it a blast to tinker with.
Of course, it’s a RANE, so its turntable-like feel is impeccable, and every button and fader is robustly built. Easily one of the highlights of my NAMM 2026 experience, it left me with a new piece of DJ gear at the top of my wish list.
Shop Now: RANE SYSTEM ONE Standalone DJ System
Warm Audio Retro 64 Dynamic Microphone
Max McAllister:
After learning and writing about dozens of products this NAMM season, I keep coming back to the Warm Audio Retro 64 dynamic microphone as one of my favorites.
For one, I’m obsessed with its retro-style enclosure. Granted, it doesn’t affect the mic’s onstage or in-studio sound, but it’s built insanely tough and makes a visual statement other microphones in its class simply do not.
Shop Now: Warm Audio Retro 64 Dynamic Vocal and Instrument Microphone
I’m also impressed by the Retro 64’s carefully tuned capsule. It slightly rolls off and firms up the low end to minimize proximity effect, enhances upper-midrange content for clarity that cuts through the mix and tames the highest, most feedback-prone frequencies to prevent squeal on crowded stages.
The Warm Audio Retro 64 is a unique workhorse dynamic microphone, ready to capture live and recorded vocals, snare, toms, guitar cabinets and more. And for engineers hoping to tread beyond the beaten path, it’s affordable enough to be an alternative to ubiquitous dynamic mics of the SM variety.
Yamaha EAD50 Electronic Acoustic Drum Module
Michael Molenda:
The Yamaha EAD50 is one of those products that seems arcanely undecipherable, but, wow, anyone who takes the time to figure it out is going to have their minds blown. It promises a single, kick drum-mounted stereo condenser is all you need to capture a stunning drum sound. And then, you can trigger other drum sounds and apply effects.
What? It’s almost unfathomable I could leave my kick, snare, tom and overhead mics, as well as yards of XLR cables, at home and deliver a massively impactful drum sound—in a live setting, no less. Please don’t let this be a myth …
Shop Now: Yamaha EAD50 Electronic Acoustic Drum Module
That’s a Wrap
NAMM 2026 introduced a lot of cool new gear. See for yourself:
- NAMM 2026: These New Acoustic and Electric Guitars Stole the Show
- NAMM 2026: The Most Exciting New Guitar Amps and Effects Pedals
- NAMM 2026: New Bass Gear That Will Up Your Game
- NAMM 2026: Drum Gear That Made the Biggest Bang!
- NAMM 2026: Buzzworthy Pro Audio, Recording and Live Sound Gear
- NAMM 2026: The Coolest New Keyboards, Synths and DJ Gear
Needless to say, the crew featured here had a hard time narrowing it down to one or two top picks. We encourage you to explore the articles above for a more complete picture of the show, and when you’re ready, venture into your local store to see what’s in stock. Plus, if you have any questions that need answers now, you can contact one of our expert Gear Advisers online or over the phone, and your collection will be growing, too.