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

NAMM 2025 is rapidly approaching, 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. See you in Anaheim…

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?
• 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. 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.
• 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…
• 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. Elsewhere, we’re hoping for Tim Henson’s first Japanese-made signature model and that long-awaited 8-string. We're likely to see a humbucker-loaded Josh Smith variant, too. And what about a new AZ shape? Offset AZs? Let’s make it happen, Ibby.

• 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. As per previous NAMMs, the company will be showcasing its latest wares via its ESP Presents livestream, which takes place on January 16. The firm is promising “best yet” LTD Deluxe models, plus new Signature Series guitars. Could we finally see the grand unveiling of a Mick Thomson model? Oh, and how about something for Joe Duplantier?
• 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?

• 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 being the 40th anniversary of PRS, the company will be reintroducing older models, but brought bang up to date with its latest guitar-making techniques and appointments. And there will be the usual spec overhauls of existing models, too.
• 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.
• The Shergold Masquerader Standard makes one of the cult UK builder’s most distinctive guitars significantly more affordable.

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. With hints at new Whammy pedals and an all-star R&D cast onboard, NAMM 2025 could be DigiTech’s for the taking. This leaked photo gives us our first hint at what’s in store – and it comes via technical bass master MonoNeon...
• It was the sound of a thousand hits, and now the Rockman amp is returning as a pedal, thanks to MXR.
• 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).

• Kernom is teasing its third stompbox – a “groundbreaking modulation pedal that offers seamless morphing between analog effects”.
• 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.

• Danelectro’s Spring King was the cult reverb pedal you could kick – now it’s back as the considerably downsized Spring King Junior.
• The Fart Pedal – yes, that Fart Pedal – has a booth this year. It’s hard to know where else the firm can take the concept, but heck, we’re fascinated to see/smell.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

NAMM 2025: Guitar amp news

• 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…
• 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.
• 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, all-star gun-slinger Doug Aldrich was spotted using prototypes of a mystery head from the firm on The Dead Daisies’ UK tour this year. Could a signature model be incoming?
• Mesa/Boogie recently brought back the legendary Mark IIC+ and the iconic 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 is promising “the new era” with its new series of amps built by tube amp legend Mark Sampson.
• 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.

NAMM 2025: Acoustic guitar news

• 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. We hear he’s been at it again with a new design that expands Taylor’s sonic palette enough to warrant a new headstock and logo.
• Rumor has it that Martin will unveil its 3 Millionth guitar, and based on the brand’s history of show-stopping 2M and 2.5M guitars, it’s bound to pull a few eyeballs at the show. Here’s hoping for a few more museum-esque exhibits, too, along the lines of the smashed Hateful Eight guitar that went on public show at NAMM 2024.
• 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.

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. There’s bound to be more at the show.
• 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

• DiMarzio 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.
• 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”.