Our new Summer Ultimate Gear Guide magazine hits newsstands and bookstores this week. The issue is jam-packed with info on hundreds of new products from all your favorite guitar, amp, pedal and live sound manufacturers like Fender, PRS and JBL, but also some newcomers like Cream Guitars, Johnny Foreigner, Lava, Orangewood and many more. We’ve got a sneak preview right here of some of the awesome gear you can find in the issue.
Electric Guitars
Ciari Ascender P90 Solo
Ciari Guitars introduces the Ascender P90 Solo, the latest addition to the manufacturer’s line of professional-grade, full-sized folding guitars. The Ascender P90 Solo breaks new ground by offering an OEM-exclusive Seymour Duncan P90 bridge pickup. With its patented compact, foldable design and unique sonic character, the Ascender P90 Solo is the ideal travel companion for the modern musician who demands precision, portability, and most of all, performance.
$1599 MSRP, ciariguitars.com
Cream Guitars Revolver Deluxe
Powered by three Seymour Duncan pickups, SSL1, SSL2 and JB, a piezo bridge and top quality parts and hardware, the Revolver Deluxe provides the versatility needed to achieve any sound you need.
$3,000 MSRP, creamguitars.com
Cream Guitars Voltage Deluxe
This guitar has Seymour Duncan PAF and JB humbuckers, a 25.5” scale, a Graph Tech Resomax NV2 Tune-O-Matic bridge, CTS push/pull pots and Graph Tech tuners.
$3,000 MSRP, creamguitars.com
Donner Seeker Electric
The DST-600 has an alder body, C-shaped maple neck and comes in either SSS or HSS configurations with a maple or rosewood fretboard. The models featuring the rosewood fretboard come with 22 frets, while the maple fretboard version features 21 frets. Boasting special tuning on each pole piece, the vintage staggered SSS/HSS configured DST-600 gives an authentic 60s sound that is sparkly clean, while providing a rich and smooth tone when pushed with some overdrive. The DST-600, with a trio of alnico V single coils, marks Donner's faithful attempt for the vintage aesthetics while maintaining versatile play capabilities by providing an alternative HSS configured option.
$429-$499.99, donnermusic.com
Eastman Romeo California
This guitar has a mahogany laminate back and sides, a flame maple laminate top., an ebony fingerboard, a 24.75” scale and Bare Knuckle Old Guard humbuckers.
$1699 MSRP, eastmanguitars.com
Epiphone Cornet
This guitar is USA-built, with a 1.695” nut width and a comfortable SlimTaper neck profile, a slightly slimmer (1.375”) body depth for better balance and lighter weight, a Graph Tech nut, and a single P-90 Soapbar pickup.
$1699 MSRP, epiphoneguitars.com
Ernie Ball BFR Majesty
The BFR Majesty showcases a carved flame maple top backed with an alder body and paired with a matching headstock. The electronics include dual DiMarzio Dreamcatcher and Rainmaker humbucking pickups with a piezo bridge pickup system. Available in 6- and 7-string models.
$5499 MSRP, music-man.com
Fender Player II Telecaster
The Player II Telecaster is primed for today’s players, from the Modern C-profile neck with satin urethane finish on the back to the 9.5”-radius slab rosewood or maple fingerboard with rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets. Choose from alder, chambered ash or chambered mahogany bodies.
$899 MSRP, fender.com
Fender Player II Jaguar
Player Series Alnico V (Bridge) and Alnico II (Neck) Single-Coil Jaguar pickups offer crystalline highs, musical mids and tight lows, while a six-saddle Jaguar bridge with Floating Tremolo ensures precise tuning stability.
$899 MSRP, fender.com
Gibson ES-335
The Gibson ES-335 is the cornerstone of the Gibson ES line-up. From its inaugural appearance in 1958, the Gibson ES-335 set an unmatched standard. The acrylic dot inlay rosewood fingerboard on a Rounded C mahogany neck reminds players where it all started. Gibson's T-Type humbucking pickups are paired with our handwired control assembly. The result is that versatile Gibson ES tone that players have craved for over 60 years.
$3499 MSRP, gibson.com
Jackson American SL3
The American SL3’s alder body is matched with a sustain-enhancing through-body three-piece maple neck that has a pair of graphite-reinforcement rods for the ultimate stability to resist temperature- and humidity-induced bending and warping
$2599.99 MSRP, jacksonguitars.com
Johnny Foreigner The Intro+
A US-made, entry-level guitar with an African mahogany body and neck, 25” scale length and choice of pickup configurations
$848 and up, johnnyforeignerguitars.com
Johnny Foreigner The Six
This guitar has over 25 customization points, from tonewoods and hardware to pickups and color scheme.
$1349 and up, johnnyforeignerguitars.com
Klos Full Carbon Travel Guitar
This portable instrument comes with a Carbon Fiber body and neck and a composite Ebony fingerboard. It has a 24.75” scale length and a 15” body length, and Fishman Sonitone pickups feature on the Acoustic-Electric version.
$1,439 (Acoustic) $1,579 (Acoustic-Electric), klosguitars.com
PRS Guitars SE CE 24 Standard Satin
The most affordable guitar in the PRS catalog. Modeled after the company’s classic CE 24 model, the SE CE 24 Standard Satin is an all-mahogany workhorse, full of PRS DNA and quality.
$499 MSRP, prsguitars.com
PRS Guitars Custom 24
Carved figured maple top, mahogany back, rosewood fretboard, 25” scale length.
$4260 MSRP, prsguitars.com
Reverend Guitars Crosscut
With Railhammer Cleancut pickups at the bridge and neck, a string-thru body hardtail, and a roasted maple neck, the Crosscut has a rosewood or roasted maple fretboard, and dual action headstock access.
$1099 MSRP, reverendguitars.com
Sterling Valentine Chambered Bigsby
This guitar has a chambered White Ash slab body with F-hole, a roasted maple neck, a Tune-o-matic bridge with a Bigsby B50 tailpiece, and locking tuners. The SH pickup configuration comes with a three-way selector and 12dB push-push boost.
$849.99 MSRP, sterlingbymusicman.com
Traveler Travelcaster Deluxe Surf Green
Features of the Travelcaster include a poplar body, a maple fingerboard and neck, 22 medium jumbo frets and a 3” depth.
$299.99 MSRP, travelerguitar.com
Yamaha Pacifica Professional & Standard Plus
Reflectone™ pickups, developed in partnership with Rupert Neve Designs. Rosewood or maple fingerboard. Slim C-shape neck and joint heel. 5-position selector. Coil-split capabilities for tonal versatility. Premium Gotoh locking tuners and 2-point tremolo bridges.
Professional: $2199.99 MSRP, Standard Plus: $1349.99 MSRP, usa.yamaha.com
Yamaha Revstar Professional RSP02T
3 Café racer inspired finishes. Chambered maple and mahogany body. Carbon-reinforced neck and body. 2 P90-style pickups. 5-Position pickup selector. Passive Focus Switch.
$2199.99 MSRP, usa.yamaha.com
Acoustic Guitars
Bourgeois Guitars Touchstone Signature
Madagascar Rosewood back/sides, a Torrefied Alaskan Sitka spruce top, Adirondack Spruce bracing, Schaller Grand-Tune Gold with ebony buttons, an ebony fingerboard, and 25.5” scale.
$3599 MSRP, bourgeoisguitars.com
Cort Modern Black
Inspired by the modern-jazz era, the Modern Black’s body shape is a complete redesign of the conventional grand concert shape, with modified curves. The addition of the Fishman Matrix Infinity pickup/preamp system provides a clear and transparent tone when plugged in.
$1499.99 MSRP, cortguitars.com
Eastman AC222CE Deluxe
Solid Ovangkol back and sides, solid Sitka spruce top., an ebony fingerboard, a 25.4” scale and Fishman Presys VT electronics.
$849 MSRP, eastmanguitars.com
Fender Acoustasonic Player Jazzmaster
This acoustic-electric hybrid guitar transitions from acoustic to electric voices with a three-way switch, or from clean to driven with a turn of the Blend Knob. The Acoustasonic Player Jazzmaster has two pickup systems, a Fender Acoustasonic Shawbucker and a Fishman Under-Saddle Transducer.
$1199.99 MSRP, fenderguitars.com
Furch Little Jane
The Little Jane foldable, all-solid wood travel guitar by Furch has seen a recent expansion of the range with four new models in 2024, including the LJ 11-SR, featuring an individually tuned Sitka spruce top over Indian rosewood back and sides in a travel-friendly size that fits most airlines’ cabin bag limitations.
$1963 MSRP, furchguitars.com
Gibson Hummingbird Original
Square-shoulder body design, Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, a 24.75’’ scale, and an LR Baggs Element VTC pickup.
$3999 street, gibson.com
LAVA ME air
In an ultra-thin, 3/4 scale (36") carbon fiber body, LAVA ME air delivers massive sound with builtin speaker and freeboost system. Powered by an upgraded magnetic pickup and internal microphone, a player can effortlessly use effects unplugged or plugged in.
Integrating LAVA's plethora of software developments via bluetooth and the LAVA+ app, effects can easily be altered by turning the three customizable digital knobs. Easily and seamlessly change effect patches, parameter assignments, output EQ, and much more. Additionally, a "tone wheel" has been added which blends the magnetic pickup and an acoustic simulated sound for ultimate live sound control. The newest family to the LAVA family comes in all silver and all black.
$499 MSRP, amazon.com/dp/B0D45G3TYK
Martin Guitar SC-10E
The SC-10E features a sapele top, back and sides, a satin finish, high-performance taper neck, Fishman MX-T electronics, and a soft-shell case.
$999 MSRP, martinguitar.com
Orangewood Dolores
With its slope-shoulder dreadnought body — made of a Torrefied solid Sitka spruce top, and a solid mahogany back and sides — the Dolores has a mahogany neck with ebony fretboard and bridge. The finish is a vintage-inspired sunburst colorway in a natural satin finish.
$795 Street, orangewoodguitars.com
Peavey Delta Woods Series
Peavey's new Delta Woods series guitars are made using only high-end materials and a minimalist satin finish, resulting in rich tonal resonance and premium playability. The three new models (two acoustic, one acoustic-electric) all offer a gorgeous spruce top with mahogany back and sides for premium tone. The DW-2 CE (cutaway and electronic) offers both a cutaway for easy access to upper-register strings as well as custom electronics.
$229.99 to $349.99 street, peavey.com
PRS SE A60E
PRS Hybrid “X”/Classical bracing, solid sitka spruce top, ziricote back and sides, PRS-Voiced Fishman Sonitone pickup.
$1149 MSRP, prsguitars.com
Yamaha FG9 Series
Acoustic Steel-String guitars. FG dreadnought body shape. Adirondack spruce top. Scalloped X bracing. Ebony fingerboard and bridge. Bone nut/saddle. Nitrocellulose lacquer finish.
$3999.99 MSRP, usa.yamaha.com
Basses
Cream Voltage
This bass has Seymour Duncan pickups and preamp, Graphtech tuners, a five-piece laminated neck and the looks that you need to rock on stage.
$3000 MSRP, creamguitars.com
Ernie Ball StingRay Special Custom Design Experience
The Custom Design Experience is a custom instrument configurator where you can design and build your dream StingRay Special Bass. Choose from 4-string and 5-string models, right and left-handed orientations, single and double humbucking pickups, and more.
From $2599, music-man.com
Reverend Decision P
The Decision has a korina body, Reverend P-Blade neck pickup, Reverend Jazz Bomb bridge pickup, a five-piece maple and walnut neck with a satin amber finish, 34” scale length, roasted maple or rosewood fingerboard, and dual action headstock access.
$1099 MSRP, reverendguitars.com
Traveler Ultra-Light Bass
This five-string has a 30” scale, passive electronics, an under-saddle piezo pickup, Eastern American Hard Maple body and neck, and a neck-through-body construction. It weighs just 3 pounds and 15 ounces
$449.99 MSRP, travelerguitar.com
Amps
Boss Katana-100 Gen 3
With 100 watts of power, the Katana-100 Gen 3 delivers stage-ready sound in a portable 1x12 combo. Featuring six amp characters, including newly developed Pushed type and advanced tone-shaping tools, this amp takes guitar ambitions to the next level.
$399.99 MSRP, boss.info
Dr. Z Z-80
Six years of relentless evolution has gone into the Z-80, having been built-up, then torn down to the tacks over half a dozen times; a testament to considerations taken for an amp Dr. Z considers a touchstone in his company’s legacy. The Z-80 retains the original AC80’s quad of individually cathode-biased EL34s, two 12AX7 preamp and one 12AU7 phase inverter, includes both a custom power transformer that exceeds the original’s requirements and reliability, and is fitted with a replica output transformer designed around the original AC80 schematics, manufactured exclusively for Dr. Z by Heyboer Transformers. Hand-wired meticulously by Dr. Z himself.
$3599.99 (head only), https://drzamps.com/product/z-80/
ENGL Ironball Special Edition E606SE
20-watt all-tube head with power soak, tube buffered FX loop, noise gate, headphone output with level control, impulse response balanced output. The IR selection, reverb level, delay level and the noise gate threshold are MIDI programmable.
$1450 MSRP, engl-amps.com
Fishman Loudbox Mini
The Loudbox Mini packs 60 watts of clean acoustic power, and has two channels featuring Fishman’s legendary preamp and tone control designs. Now with Bluetooth.
$399.95 MAP, fishman.com
Gibson Dual Falcon 20 2x10 Combo
Selectable full, half or low Multi-Watt power modes, producing approximately 15, 6, or 2 watts of output power with standard 6L6 power tubes, Reverb, Tremolo, Buffered Series Effects Loop and more.
$2199 MSRP, gibson.com
Mesa Mark Five: 35 1x12 Combo
We’re proud to add the first ever Mark preamp to the 9-Pin power lineup and introduce this light-middleweight combo, an upgraded rendering of the mini-platform Mark Five: 25. We’ve added a Channel Independent Solo Feature, a long-spring tank for the all-tube Reverb, and an upgraded footswitch.
$2239 MSRP, mesaboogie.com
Peavey Classic 20112
With an all-tube preamp and power amp, this combo delivers Peavey Classic series in a compact package. The Classic 20 112 features a specially designed boost function and two channels that mirror the voicing and gain structure of the Classic amps.
$999.99 MSRP, peavey.com
Positive Grid Spark Live
Portable, all-in-one amp and PA system for guitar, bass, vocals, keys, or all at once. Sonic IQ Computational Audio offers adaptive sound for any event. Unit offers 150W and includes onboard amps, effects and a mixer plus optional battery power.
$549 MSRP, positivegrid.com
Bass Amps
Phil Jones BP-800
This 800-watt amplifier with Class A pre-amp and PJB’s five-Band EQ has a Mute/Passive/Active switch, Headphone out and auxiliary input jacks, a Balanced line out with pre/post EQ and ground lift switches, FX send and return Jacks, Pre Amp out and Power amp input jacks, and a High-Current Speakon Out.
$899.99 MSRP, pjbworld.com
Trace Elliot ELF Series
The ELF 1x10 and 1x8 Combos feature an ultra-quiet integrated Trace DI, allowing you to easily send your optimized tone to the house. These versatile combos are also expandable. Got a big gig? Add a Trace Elliot 2x8 or 1x10 speaker cab for pristine full-range bass reproduction with more than enough power.
$349.99 to $599.99 street, traceelliot.com
Pedals
Fishman AFX Broken Record Mini Looper/ Sampler
This looper and sampler pedal with six minutes of high-quality audio recording features intuitive one-button operation, overdub capability, and easy transfer to a computer. It lets you capture ideas and build on them, or play along with audio you pre-load from a computer. Built-in memory will retain what you recorded even after the power is disconnected.
$119.95 MAP, fishman.com
Interstellar Audio Octonaut Hyperdrive
Each Octonaut Hyperdrive features rare germanium diodes rigorously tested for optimum tone, an IC3 that converts voltages to give the player more headroom, and a refined circuit design for ultra consistent performance from pedal to pedal.
$199 MSRP, interstellaraudiomachines.com
Keeley Angry Orange, Blues Disorder, MK3 Driver, Noble Screamer, and Super Rodent
Keeley’s pedal range represents their take on tweaked yet classic effects circuits, each with two standard modes and two hybrid modes. They’re Buffered or True Bypass, with top-mounted jacks and a new case design.
$199 street (each), rkfx.com
Maestro Discoverer Delay
The Maestro Discoverer Delay is a modern analog delay pedal that proudly utilizes analog bucket brigade device (BBD) technology to deliver classic, warm, and inviting delay sounds. The intuitive three-knob control layout lets users quickly dial up the length of the Delay time (with a range from 20 ms to 600 ms), the amount of Sustain (delay repeats), and adjust the level of the delays in the Mix.
$159 MSRP, maestroelectronics.com
Strymon Big Sky
Reverb workstation featuring 12 new reverb algorithms: use any two at once with flexible output panning/routing, 10-second full stereo IRs with full editing capability, new OLED screen, dedicated Infinite/Freeze footswitch, and full IO complement.
$679 MSRP, strymon.net
Pickups
DiMarzio Steve Vai UtoPIA Neck and Bridge
Designed for Steve Vai’s signature Ibanez PIA guitar, the UtoPIA pickups feature custom, laser-cut baroque style covers over a gold patterned layer. Upper midrange frequencies have been dialed back to produce a less aggressive attack and provide more control. The UtoPIA boasts a big, bold low end, high output, and thick top end.
$179 MSRP, dimarzio.com
EMG David Gilmour DG20
A complete active and noiseless drop-in replacement pickguard system for Stratocaster guitars, loaded with the EMG SA Set, EXG, and SPC, and available in two new colorways.
$329 MSRP, emgpickups.com
Fishman Fluence Tim Henson Signature Series
The wide array of tones available from the Fluence Tim Henson Signature Series set spans the entire range of aggressive lead and rhythm tones to the cleanest of clean single coil combinations, even touching on sounds Tim was previously only able to produce with his acoustic guitars. Available in black or white sets
$289.95 MAP, fishman.com
Gibson Greenybucker Set
Double black set with Nickel cover: the Rhythm pickup has reverse polarity
$299 Street, gibson.com
Johnny Foreigner SSS Set
These single coils chime like a bell, with Alnico 5s across the board, wound with 42AWG heavy formvar wire and a RWRP middle pickup for hum-canceling in positions 2 and 4.
$199 Street, johnnyforeignerguitars.com
Lollar Broiler
Lollar’s take on the Rickenbacker Toaster. Get the classic jangle and chime in a format that’s a drop-in replacement for 6- and 12-string Rickenbacker guitars.
$175 Street, lollarguitars.com/broiler
Railhammer Alnico Grande Bridge Pickup
A humbucker pickup with 15 K Ohms, 43-gauge wire, and an Alnico-5 magnet. A bridge pickup only, it is available in black, chrome, or gold.
$109–$119, railhammer.com
Seymour Duncan Hot Chicken
For contemporary country guitarists with high-gain demands, these Strat and Tele Stack pickups deliver searing tones with classic character, clarity, and definition, ensuring they cut through any mix with ease.
$119–$357 MAP, seymourduncan.com
Accessories
Allparts Certano T-Bender B and G Bender Bridge for Tele
The T-Bender allows Tele players to bend the B and G strings up a half or whole step to achieve glistening pedal steel tones. Installation is super-simple. No routing required. Simple and elegant, the T-Bender is the ultimate B and G bender solution.
$299 Street, allparts.com
Gator TSA Style XL Case for Neural DSP Quad Cortex
A deluxe hard-shell case for Quad Cortex, power supply, and up to two expression pedals
$199.99 MSRP, gatorco.com
Kyser Quick-Change Capo
Fits a six-string acoustic guitar in Pink Revival Color or Camo 2.0 Pattern.
$24.95 MSRP, kysermusical.com
Truetone 1 SPOT PRO XP5
This compact isolated power supply adds five isolated outputs to your 1 SPOT PRO CS 11. 9vdc 500ma per output. Links to additional Truetone expansion boxes and includes DC cables for your pedals.
$99.99 MSRP, truetone.com
Live & Studio
AmpRX BrownBox
This adjustable AC voltage Reducer/ Optimizer for tube amplifiers delivers up to 540W/5A of power, available in 5A 120V/60Hz (BrownBox), 5A 120V/50-60Hz (BrownBox II), and 2.5A 220V-240V/50Hz (BrownBox 200).
$349 street, https://www.brownbox.rocks/
Aurally Sound SongMaster
This software is designed to help you learn and practice songs efficiently. It is loaded with practice tools and advanced analysis algorithms that work with any recorded song. Free demo available.
$60, aurallysound.com
Boss VE-22 Vocal Performer
The VE-22 is a portable multi-effects toolbox specially designed for singers. Perform with a diverse library of high-quality Boss processing, from basic studio enhancement to dramatic voice-changing effects.
$349.99, boss.info
Cloud Vocal EverSync Wireless IEM
EverSync is a wireless IEM system designed for live performers. The size of a stomp pedal and with a flexible I/O design, it assures clear, convenient monitoring.
$349, cloudvocal.com/products/eversync-wireless-iem
JBL EON ONE Compact
This unit weighs just 17.6 pounds and includes EQ, reverb, chorus and delay, a built-in four-channel mixer, eight-band output EQ, customizable via presets and two pro-grade preamps. Connect mics, instruments and playback devices with two XLR/TRS combo jacks, one 1/4-inch hi-Z guitar input and one 3.5mm (1/8- inch) aux input.
$599, jblpro.com/en-US/products/eon-one-compact
MendAudio Giga DC Battery Pack
With Mendaudio’s Giga premium-quality rechargeable 9V DC Battery Pack, you can connect up to 200 milliamps of max continuous current with a daisy chain, and get 11 continuous hours of operation on a single charge, with analog and digital pedals on the same circuit. This device works without any AC/DC adapters anywhere in the world.
$199 MSRP, mendaudio.com
Nakupenda GM 25 Stool
The “GM” stands for Guitar Master Stool, and the “25” indicates the stool’s height of 25 inches. This height makes it ideal for both practice and performance settings, providing optimal comfort and support for guitarists. Ergonomic Seat: The seat is designed with CNC carving and hand-polishing, fitting the contours of the human buttocks. This eliminates pressure points and supports the hips and spine, reducing fatigue during long sessions. Built-in Guitar Stand: After performing, you can conveniently place your guitar on the built-in stand at the back of the stool, keeping your playing space organized and your guitar safe.
$529 MSRP, nakupenda.co/products/guitar-master-stool
Strings
D'Addario XS Acoustic
Phosphor-bronze strings have the longest life of any D’Addario acoustic guitar string. XS coating gives these warm, balanced phosphor/bronze strings maximum life. Uncommonly smooth feel, incomparable break strength and tuning stability.
$17.99, daddario.com
DR Strings Dragon Skin+
DR Handmade Strings, Inc. is proud to announce their new Dragon Skin+ line of Acoustic, Electric, Bass, Multi-Scale Bass, and Mandolin strings. These premium strings are designed to bring out more from your guitar using DR’s patented Accurate Core Technology and patented K3 Coating. This technology primes the core wire to be pristine and creates locking grooves on the core to cradle the wrap wire in place, with superior sound, fine-tuned tension for comfort and playability, and longer life.
Price TBD, drstrings.com
Elixir Acoustic Phosphor Bronze
Rich and full tone. Smooth feel. Extended tone life. Nanoweb coating.
$17.99, elixirstrings.com
Ernie Ball Earthwood Acoustic Strings
Phosphor Bronze strings are made with phosphor-bronze wire wrapped around brass-plated high-carbon steel-hex cores, producing deep, rich bass notes with clear bright trebles. Earthwood 80/20 strings are made from 80 percent copper and 20 percent zinc wire wrapped around brass-plated high-carbon steel-hex cores, and Aluminum Bronze are made with steel-hex cores and Aluminum bronze wrap wire.
$6.99 to $11.99, ernieball.com
Stringjoy Signatures Electrics
Stringjoy Signatures are the do-it-all electric guitar strings that deliver unsurpassed tone, playability and longevity.
$11.99 and up, stringjoy.com
