Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Drums Week 25
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Guitar Amps
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Artist news
  • Drums
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Santana on Beck
  • Friday, I'm in Love
  • Knopfler's 4-note secret
  • 95k+ free music samples
Don't miss these
Laney LFR-110: A compact 1x10 version of the British amp brand's "best in class" FRFR speaker cabinet.
Guitars Laney expands Devin Townsend and Guthrie Govan-approved FRFR speaker range with compact 1x10
EarthQuaker Devices Easy Listening Analog Amp Simulator: the compact single-knob pedal can be used as a headphones amp or on your pedalboard as a preamp whose signal can be sent direct to desk or DAW.
Guitars EarthQuaker Devices launches headphones amp mini-pedal that you can use to record with
Hotone Pulze Mini
Guitar Amps "The clean and medium-gain sound is where it truly flexes its sonic muscles": Hotone Pulze Mini Bluetooth Amplifier review
Mooer Audio F15i Li Intelligent Amp: this battery-powered take-anywhere guitar amp is packed with amp and effects models, and is an all-in-one practice solution.
Guitars Mooer’s F15i Intelligent Amp is a desktop doozie equipped with 55 amps, 69 effects and a touchscreen
Neural DSP Nano Cortex
Guitar Pedals "The 2.0 firmware update has expanded its multi-effects versatility significantly": Neural DSP Nano Cortex review
Two AER acoustic guitar amps on stools with an acoustic guitar
Guitar Amps Best acoustic guitar amp 2025: Amplify your acoustic with a top-rated amp
Blackstar ID:X 50: The new combo from the British amp titan is described as "this is the most natural-sounding" modelling amp on the market.
Guitars Blackstar unveils ID-X combos – complete with 6 amp voices, over 35 effects, CabRig and OLED display
Tama pedals
Drums TAMA Kick Pedals at Drums Week 2025: Precision, Power, Performance — engineered for drummers who demand the fastest, smoothest response
Line 6 Helix Stadium XL: The new flagship amp modeller and multi-effects unit is a dramatic expansion of the Helix framework with a suite of state-of-the-art features
Guitars Line 6 debuts all-new AI tech as it supercharges its amp modelling platform with the Helix Stadium
Taylor GS Mini on a black wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best 3/4 acoustic guitars 2025: Portable playability from Taylor, Martin, Yamaha, and more
Strymon EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo: the metallic gray box has cream dials, an LED that lights up blue and/or red, and is photographed here against a wooden background.
Guitar Pedals “A perfect melding of vintage sound with modern practicality”: Strymon EC-1 review
Jimmy Page plays his cherry red Gibson EDS-1275 double neck live at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Link Wray.
Artists Sundragon unveils the Nymph, a one-watt powerhouse tube combo designed for Jimmy Page
Chase Bliss Lost + Found: the new compact offering from the boutique stompbox company is the brand's first multi-effects, and comes in a cool green enclosure with a range of dip-switches for more tweakability.
Guitars Chase Bliss invites you to rummage around the Lost + Found – a compact multi-FX pedal with 12 modes
JHS PEDALS
Guitar Pedals "He's not using a guitar amp. He's using a Tascam 424": JHS Pedals puts a Portastudio in a pedal to help you recreate Mk.gee's "elastic, lo-fi tones"
EVH Gear Hypersonic FR-12: The newly launched FRFR speaker packs 1000-watts, is available in black or ivory, and might just be the perfect companion to your amp modeller.
Guitars EVH Gear drops the Hypersonic FR-12 FRFR speaker – 1000-watts to get the most from your amp modeller
  1. Guitars
  2. Guitar Pedals

NAMM 2015: The best new mini pedals, amps and acoustics

News
By Rob Laing ( Total Guitar ) published 31 January 2015

They might look small, but they'll be big in 2015

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini (£65)

Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini (£65)

NAMM 2015: A lot of the guitar gear launches with the biggest buzz around them at NAMM were downsized models. With pedalboard real estate at a premium for space-saving guitarists and a constant need for portability on the road and in the home studio, the demand from players for compact pedals, amps and acoustics has never been higher.

From the Ibanez Tune Screamer Mini to the Peavey 6505 MH; welcome to the wonderful world of mini.

Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini (£65)

Ibanez gives its iconic overdrive the mini treatment. And the company may have finally got tired of the likes of Mooer with its Green Mile overdrive, Joyo's Green Legend and Hotone's Grass pedal getting a little close to their original design.

Though it was tucked away on the Ibanez stand at NAMM, its price point and history with players is sure to go a long way towards making this pedal a popular choice.

Read the full Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini review

BUY: Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
Hotone Mojo Diamond amp head (£99)

Hotone Mojo Diamond amp head (£99)

The latest in Hotone's series of micro amp heads is inspired by Fender Tweeds and comes with a three-band EQ, gain control, FX loop and connection options for your MP3 player or computer.

The 5W Class AB head is designed primarily for those looking for a practice amp to deliver at low volumes.

BUY: Hotone Mojo Diamond currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
Taylor Expression System Baby ES-B (£503)

Taylor Expression System Baby ES-B (£503)

Taylor were one of the first big brands to go small with acoustics, and now the US giant has updated many of its entry models with the Expression System 2 piezo system and onboard preamp. And the Baby is one of them.

The Expression System 2 uses three individually calibrated piezo sensors in an effort to produce a more accurate amplified sound. The ES-B preamp also features tone and volume controls with a digital tuner. So you now have absolutely no excuse for being out of tune at your next open mic appearance.

The Expression System 2 will be added across the Baby line that includes the three-quarter-size Dreadnought Baby Taylor, Baby Taylor Mahogany, Taylor Swift Baby Taylor and 15/16-scale Big Baby Taylor.

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Neo reverb (£TBC)

Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Neo reverb (£TBC)

We get to see a lot of players' pedalboards here on Total Guitar, and EH-X's Nano version of its classic Holy Grail reverb is one that frequently pops up. The difference that this new Neo version brings to the table may initially seem subtle, but its one that may win round existing Grail fans and newcomers alike.

Instead of the modulated Flerb sound as a reverb option alonside the Nano's Spring and Hall, there's Plate on this Neo. A sound some users may find a lot more practical.

BUY: Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Neo Reverb currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
Peavey 6505 MH Mini Head (£TBC)

Peavey 6505 MH Mini Head (£TBC)

Peavey had two new mini heads at NAMM, the Classic 20 MH and this, the metal mini choice. We were certainly impressed by what we heard, but with the 6505's reputation that's not such a surprise.

The two channels share EQ and both, along with crunch, effects loop and reverb are footswitchable. There's an attenuator switch for 20, 5 or 1-watt output, with an Impedance switch for 18 or 8 ohm cabs.

Peavey's TSI Tube Monitoring Indicator will let you know if a tube needs replacing. For recording there's a Microphone Simulated Direct Interface (MSDI) with XLR and USB out too.

Read the full Peavey 6506 Mini Head review

BUY: Peavey 6506 Mini Head currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
Martin Dreadnought Junior (£599)

Martin Dreadnought Junior (£599)

While it's not 'mini' in the same way Taylor's popular GS Mini and Baby series of acoustics is, or indeed Martin's own Little model, this new shape from the oconic brand is a significant play towards the ever-growing acoustic market for younger players. And indeed anyone else looking for something more compact than the usual.

With solid sapele back and sides and a solid sitka spruce top, the 14-fret Junior feels substantial in the hands, despite its smaller body shape. It's also gig-ready with a Fishman Sonitone system.

Read the full Martin Dreadnought Junior review

BUY: Martin Dreadnought Junior currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Dunlop Cry Baby Mini (£89)

Dunlop Cry Baby Mini (£89)

At just half the size of the original, the practial benefits of this diddy Dunlop for pedalboards are obvious. But what are the sacrifices? Well, only size it seems. Dunlop claim it has the full range voicing and sweep of the original, and of course, the fasel inductor and true-bypass switching.

So far it seems like good news all around, then.

Read the full Dunlop Crybaby Mini review

BUY: Dunlop Crybaby Mini currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
Rob Laing
Rob Laing
Social Links Navigation
Reviews Editor, GuitarWorld.com and MusicRadar guitars

Rob is the Reviews Editor for GuitarWorld.com and MusicRadar guitars, so spends most of his waking hours (and beyond) thinking about and trying the latest gear while making sure our reviews team is giving you thorough and honest tests of it. He's worked for guitar mags and sites as a writer and editor for nearly 20 years but still winces at the thought of restringing anything with a Floyd Rose.




Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition. image
Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition.
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
Laney LFR-110: A compact 1x10 version of the British amp brand's "best in class" FRFR speaker cabinet.
Laney expands Devin Townsend and Guthrie Govan-approved FRFR speaker range with compact 1x10
EarthQuaker Devices Easy Listening Analog Amp Simulator: the compact single-knob pedal can be used as a headphones amp or on your pedalboard as a preamp whose signal can be sent direct to desk or DAW.
EarthQuaker Devices launches headphones amp mini-pedal that you can use to record with
Hotone Pulze Mini
"The clean and medium-gain sound is where it truly flexes its sonic muscles": Hotone Pulze Mini Bluetooth Amplifier review
Mooer Audio F15i Li Intelligent Amp: this battery-powered take-anywhere guitar amp is packed with amp and effects models, and is an all-in-one practice solution.
Mooer’s F15i Intelligent Amp is a desktop doozie equipped with 55 amps, 69 effects and a touchscreen
Neural DSP Nano Cortex
"The 2.0 firmware update has expanded its multi-effects versatility significantly": Neural DSP Nano Cortex review
Two AER acoustic guitar amps on stools with an acoustic guitar
Best acoustic guitar amp 2025: Amplify your acoustic with a top-rated amp
Latest in Guitar Pedals
Boss PX-1 Plugout FX: the white compact series pedal has blue knobs, digital display, and is a platform for 16 digitally modelled Boss effects, one of which is available at a time.
A compact series stompbox you can turn into any one of 16 classic Boss effects? Meet the Plugout FX
Third Man Hardware x Black Mountain Roto-Echo: the roller wheel equipped delay pedal is a compact and performance-friendly stompbox that's available in black or limited edition white. Jack White has used it onstage and in the studio during the sessions for No Name.
Jack White’s Third Man teams up with Black Mountain for the Roto-Echo, a delay controllable by foot
Chase Bliss Lost + Found: the new compact offering from the boutique stompbox company is the brand's first multi-effects, and comes in a cool green enclosure with a range of dip-switches for more tweakability.
Chase Bliss invites you to rummage around the Lost + Found – a compact multi-FX pedal with 12 modes
JHS PEDALS
"He's not using a guitar amp. He's using a Tascam 424": JHS Pedals puts a Portastudio in a pedal to help you recreate Mk.gee's "elastic, lo-fi tones"
An Earthquaker Devices Easy Listening headphone amp on a desk
“With no smartphone app, no IR loader, and just a single knob for control, it does away with all the distractions”: Earthquaker Devices Easy Listening review
Peavey Decade pedal review
"If you're seeking a polished, smooth, modern distortion, this is most definitely not the stomp box for you": Peavey Decade preamp pedal review
Latest in News
Sebastian Bach performs on Day 1 of the Heavy Montreal festival at Parc Jean-Drapeau on August 6, 2016 in Montreal, Canada
“I could kick 'em right in the balls”: Ex-Skid Row man goes on a rant about Youtube armchair critics
Composer John Williams
“I never liked film music very much”: World famous film composer makes startling admission
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Here are the best Labor Day sales for musicians from across the internet
Josh Freese performs onstage with The Vandals during day 1 of Warped Tour at Shoreline Waterfront on July 26, 2025
“It wasn’t music that I really resonated with”: Josh Freese lifts the lid on his exit from the Foo Fighters
Zak Starkey and Axl Rose composite
“C’mon bro... It could generate $2M for teen cancer”: Zak Starkey pleads with Axl Rose to give the go-ahead for charity cover of Bolan classic
Don Felder plays his iconic white Gibson doubleneck electric guitar onstage. Note the double jack: that mod is crucial when playing Hotel California, which he surely is in this picture.
Don Felder on why he had to mod his white Gibson doubleneck to play the Eagles’ biggest hit – and how he got the idea from Chet Atkins

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...