Another January, another NAMM Show in the books! The 2026 show in Anaheim has been an absolute whirlwind of innovation, nostalgia, and pure sonic inspiration. For us at TrueFire, gear isn’t just about collecting shiny objects; it’s about finding that one tool that eliminates friction between you and the music. It’s about the pedal that inspires a new riff, the amp that makes you want to practice for an extra hour, or the guitar that feels like an extension of your body.
Whether you are a bedroom shredder, a touring pro, or a weekend warrior, this year’s lineup had something for everyone. We’ve scoured the showroom floor (and the internet rumors!) to bring you the definitive list of the Top 10 Hottest Gear Announcements of NAMM 2026.
Let’s dig in.
1. Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini
The Buzz: Neural DSP has finally done it. After dominating the modeling market with the original Quad Cortex, they have shrunk the form factor without shrinking the power. The Quad Cortex Mini keeps the same processing architecture and the game-changing Neural Capture technology but fits it into a unit roughly half the size.
The TrueFire Take: This is a massive win for the gigging musician who flies to dates or wants a “backpack rig.” The removal of the bulky expression pedal/footswitch combo in favor of a streamlined desktop/pedalboard friendly unit means you can take world-class tone to your lesson, the studio, or the stage with zero hassle. Less setup time means more playing time.
2. PRS SE Ed Sheeran “Cosmic Splash” Hollowbody Baritone
The Buzz: Paul Reed Smith and Ed Sheeran continue their collaboration, but this time they’ve taken a left turn. This limited-edition model (only 1,000 pieces worldwide) is the first-ever SE Hollowbody Baritone. Featuring artwork based on Sheeran’s own “Cosmic Carpark” painting, it features a 27.7” scale length and a mahogany body with a maple top.
The TrueFire Take: Don’t let the pop-star name fool you; a hollowbody baritone is a secret weapon for creativity. The lower tuning (B-to-B) forces you to rethink your chord voicings and riff placement. If you’re stuck in a rut, grabbing a baritone is one of the fastest ways to break out of it.
3. Epiphone Futura Series
The Buzz: Epiphone is stepping out of Gibson’s shadow with the bold new Futura Series. These guitars take classic shapes (Explorers, Vs) and remix them with modern, shred-ready specs: stainless steel frets, compound radius fretboards, and the eye-popping “Chromashift” finishes that change color depending on the light.
The TrueFire Take: Finally, a nod to the modern player who wants classic ergonomics but needs high-performance playability. The stainless steel frets are a huge plus for students who play hours a day—they simply won’t wear out.
4. Warm Audio “Fluff Drive”
The Buzz: Ryan “Fluff” Bruce, the beard behind the popular Riffs, Beards & Gear channel, has teamed up with Warm Audio for his first signature pedal. Modeled after the rare Maxon TS-01 Super Tube Screamer, this pedal is designed specifically for tightening up high-gain amps for modern metal.
The TrueFire Take: We love seeing content creators who actually know gear get involved in the design process. If you are studying our metal learning paths, this pedal is likely the “secret sauce” you need to get that percussive, djent-y clarity in your low-end riffs.
5. Casio Dimension Shifter Strap
The Buzz: In one of the most “Wait, what?” moments of the show, Casio unveiled the Dimension Shifter. It’s a guitar strap with a built-in wireless controller that lets you manipulate effects parameters (like delay time or filter sweeps) by moving the guitar neck or leaning your body.
The TrueFire Take: It sounds gimmicky until you see it in action. For expressive players who feel tied down to their pedalboard, this offers a new way to “perform” your effects physically. It connects the movement of your body directly to the sound of your instrument.
6. Gibson ES-335 50s & 60s Updates
The Buzz: Gibson is returning to the source. The new core lineup for 2026 includes historically accurate updates to the ES-335, split into distinct 50s (chunky necks, Mickey Mouse ear cutaways) and 60s (slim taper necks, block inlays) specs. They are using the original ES laminate press in Nashville to build them.
The TrueFire Take: Sometimes, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel; you just need to make it roll smoother. For jazz, blues, and rock players, the ES-335 remains the gold standard. These updates ensure that new production models feel as close to the “Holy Grail” vintage instruments as possible.
7. Strandberg Arc TILT Tremolo
The Buzz: Swedish ergonomic masters Strandberg revealed a patent-pending new hardware innovation: the Arc TILT Tremolo. Unlike traditional knife-edge trems, this system is designed from the ground up to offer frictionless movement and perfect return-to-pitch stability, specifically for headless architectures.
The TrueFire Take: Strandberg continues to push the envelope on what a guitar is. If you suffer from shoulder pain or just want the most efficient playing experience possible, their ergonomic designs combined with this new expressive tremolo system make for an incredible practice tool.
8. Orange Amps OR60
The Buzz: Approved by Pepper Keenan (Down/COC), the new Orange OR60 is a UK-made, all-valve beast. It’s a single-channel, 60-watt head that claims to be the most versatile single-channel amp they’ve ever built, bridging the gap between vintage crunch and modern high-gain saturation.
The TrueFire Take: In an era of digital modelers, there is still nothing quite like moving air with glowing glass tubes. The simplicity of a single channel forces you to use your volume knob and pick attack to clean up your signal—a vital skill for any intermediate-to-advanced player.
9. Universal Audio UAFX Enigmatic ’82
The Buzz: UA continues their conquest of the pedal world with the Enigmatic ’82 Overdrive Special Amp pedal. It captures the elusive, five-figure price tag sound of the Dumble Overdrive Special. It offers that blooming, touch-sensitive lead tone that players chase for a lifetime.
The TrueFire Take: Most of us will never own a real Dumble. This pedal gets you 99% of the way there for a fraction of the cost. It’s the perfect companion for our blues and fusion masterclasses—plug it in, dial in the “Jazz” voicing, and get to work on your phrasing.
10. Ibanez Mode Series Basses
The Buzz: Low-enders, rejoice! Ibanez dropped the Mode Series, a brand new bass line designed to bridge the gap between their ultra-modern SR series and traditional vintage basses. They feature a unique bridge design and pickups that can handle everything from Motown thump to progressive slap.
The TrueFire Take: A versatile bass is essential for the modern musician who needs to cover multiple genres in a single set. Ibanez’s legendary playability makes this a great entry point for guitarists looking to pick up the bass (which you should do—it improves your rhythm!).
Ready to Upgrade Your Skills?
New gear is exciting, but remember: tone is in the hands. The best way to make any of these new 2026 releases sound incredible is to upgrade the player holding them.
Whether you just bought a new Neural DSP or you’re dusting off your first acoustic, we have the lessons to help you unlock your potential. Grab your guitar, log in, and let’s play!