NAMM 2022 LIVE: All the big music gear news as it happened - new guitars, amps, synths and more
Direct from Anaheim, California for the world's biggest music gear event. NAMM = hot new guitars, pedals, synths, drums and much much more
Martin announces Rich Robinson Custom signature D-28 acoustic guitar
The Martin D-28 is the ideal songwriter's companion so it makes sense Rich Robinson's 1954 model passed down from his father is the basis for his signature acoustic guitar. But it's also a first for Martin too.
The company have never replicated a guitar for a signature model to this level of aesthetic detail before; down to the wear and tear from decades in the Robinson family and writing Black Crowes songs.
Focusrite
Focusrite joins the podcasting conversation with new Vocaster audio interface range
Focusrite wants to talk about its new Vocaster audio interface range, which is designed specifically for podcasting. This comprises two devices, both of which promise great audio quality and to “remove technical hassle”, leaving you to get down to some serious chat.
Despite their simplicity, Vocaster One and Two (as they’re known) also come with podcast-friendly features such as Auto Gain, which will set your levels, and an Enhance feature to ensure that your voice sounds crystal clear. Three presets are included here to make things even easier.
TOSIN VS ERNIE
Tosin Abasi and Ernie Ball Music Man collaborate on Kaizen seven-string guitar
Tosin Abasi has proven he's not just a maverick guitarist, but a guitar designer too. While we love the classic guitar shapes, we've really enjoyed the sense of innovation and evolution Tosin brings to his Abasi Concepts electric guitars. The last few years have seen him reach new heights in the field, but now he's chosen to collaborate with Ernie Ball Music Man on a new seven-string guitar; Kaizen.
Burning questions
9 guitar gear questions we want to see answered at NAMM 2022
The Winter NAMM Show is finally back in California after two years away… except it's summer. Yes, a lot has changed since the pandemic and while it saw guitar sales rocket, a lack of physical gatherings meant trade shows will virtual-only affairs. NAMM's return means new gear and lots of it, though there's some notable absences.
These include Fender, Gibson and PRS; all three have chosen not to exhibit for 2022's show. However, that could give a lot of other brands the chance to shine even brighter with launches and will be reporting on the key new gear all as the show progresses here. We also hope to find answers regarding where the electric guitar, effects pedal, guitar amp and acoustic guitar markets are heading, and these are our most pressing questions…
Look, but don't touch
Rhodes brought along one of its 75th Anniversary Edition MK8’s to NAMM this year, of which only ten were made. Look, but don’t touch...
Audient talked us through its new EVO16 interface, and we’re intrigued to say the least. The headline here is the SmartGain technology, which uses advanced algorithms to automatically adjust gain levels across all 16 channels, making home recording for drummers an absolute breeze.
Custom guitars might not be everyone’s thing and often out of the reach of most budgets, but there’s no denying that this Haunted Mansion paint job on Minarik Guitars’ Scroll model is very well done indeed...
Go wild with the West Pest
Cre8audio has unveiled the West Pest, a companion synth to the East Beast instrument that it showcased at Superbooth last month.
This is a semi-modular desktop synth that’s been created in partnership with Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers, taking influence from Pittsburgh’s Voltage Research Lab synth.
With a whopping 37” scale b string, Ibanez is bringing custom-shop refinery to the masses. OK, so the new BTB multi-scale basses are topping the grand mark, but it’s good to see big companies listening to players’ requests.
YAMAHA THR30II Anniversary
The anniversary edition of Yamaha’s much loved THR30II arrives in two colour ways. You just need to decide whether you want an all-black or all-white number.
KAIZEN!
The Kaizen is a sleek, multi-scale beaut from Ernie Ball and Tosin Abasi. Lovely details such as a multi-scale tremolo and Steinberger locking tuners had us all a quiver.
Although somewhat frustrated at the fact it wasn’t plugged into anything, we’ll be heading back to Ernie Ball booth tomorrow for a proper shred.
Quack attack
Artiphon’s Orba 2 is a nifty little music-maker for producers that like to get ideas down on the move. Packed with tons of preset sounds, it also has the ability to record, pitch and play any sound you please through the Orba app.
In addition to the 8 touch-sensitive pads, you’re able to control and shape the Orba’s sounds through 9 different gestures and movements, making it capable of highly expressive performances.
Ibanez mayhem
Of course The Hydra, Steve Vai's three-headed monster first announced in January, took centre stage on the Ibanez booth, which was chock full of highly desirable artist signatures. There’s so much going on here that you need a good 20 minutes to take it all in.
Also roped off from grabbing hands was The Hydra’s command centre preamp thing.
Vai-able options
What Vai wants, Vai gets. The particular hue for this Blue Powder finished PIA was chosen by the man himself from some vintage gear ($4,666).
The prototype PIA35TH 35 year anniversary signature model celebrates 35 years of the JEM and of course it had to have an ocular-challenging finish to it.
Satch attack
That’s enough Vai for now and possibly trumping the anniversary PIA in the audacious finish department is this all-gold flex of a finish for Satch’s new JS2 model ($7,733).
Presumably a can of pledge and a microfibre cloth is supplied with each one.
The best of the rest
The best of the rest... More signature models include Nita Strauss’s JIVAX2, Kiko Loureiro’s KIKO100, Jake Bowen’s JBM9999, Andy Timmons ATZ10P, Tom Quayle’s TQMS1, Josh Smith’s FLATV1, Larry Basilio’s LB1, a deuce of George Benton GBs and Killswitch Engage’s Mike D’Antonio MDB5 signature bass.
