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Ibanez XPT700

For the shredder who thinks 24 frets don’t cut it, the Ibanez XPT700 has a fretboard that’s been extended to 27 frets for extra high-end sweep-picking and furious riffage. The DiMarzio Air Norton humbucker in the neck position produces a deep and warm tone. The Dimarzio D Activator bridge humbucker is loud yet clean, with rich harmonics. It responds instantly to hard or light pick attack. The Double-locking Edge III allows radical effects and sonic chaos with total tuning stability. Available now for preorder.

Schecter C-1 Blood Moon

A striking new finish and inlays highlight the Schecter C-1 Blood Moon. Premium Seymour Duncan humbuckers and a string-thru-body tailpiece with TonePros tune-o-matic bridge give you huge sustain and crunchy tone. A quilted maple top and blood moon inlays give this C-1 the looks to match its tone. The rosewood fretboard has 24 jumbo frets and a 25-1/2" scale. The C-1 Blood Moon is now available for preorder.

Gretsch G5135 Stump-o-matic Corvette

The Gretsch G5135 Stump-O-Matic Corvette is the signature model growing out of the vision of Fall Out Boy's Patrick Vaughn Stump and the circuit wizadry of Tom "TV" Jones. It features 3 MegaTron pickups with a special two-position rotary switchthat allows you to keep things traditional or you may choose to dial in the middle pickup in multiple combination settings that includes having all three pickups on at the same time. And if that isn’t enough, rapidly manipulating the Stump-O-Matic’s kill switch machine gun style while the guitar is engaged in full throttle, screaming feedback may cause some to duck for cover. The beautiful pewter body has strategically placed black stripes. Available February 2009.

Eden WTX500 Bass Head

Eden’s new WTX500 bass amp head has all the tone and features you want in an ultra-compact package. It’s the ideal amplifier for players who need a full-featured amp that will fit in the pocket of the average gig bag. Designed for the traveling musician, the WTX-500 is super-portable and usable anywhere in the world without modifications—just attach the appropriate power cord and the WTX-500 adjusts accordingly. The preamplifier section is based on the Golden Ear chip for amazing warmth and musicality. The unique analog switching amplifier delivers 500W RMS. Available for preorder.

Schecter Extreme 5-String Bass

The Schecter Stiletto Extreme-5 5-String Bass delivers that distinctive Schecter sound and eye-candy looks. It boasts a basswood body with figured maple top, maple neck, and 24-jumbo-fret rosewood fingerboard. The Extreme-5’s 2 Schecter bass humbuckers with active EQ give you total control over dialing in your own ideal sound. Available in February.

Gallien-Krueger Neo 410 4x10 Bass Cab

The Gallien-Krueger Neo 410 is a lighter weight 4x10 bass speaker cabinet that offers you high-powered performance without breaking your back during transport. Part of GK’s Neo Series speaker cabinets, at the Neo 410 cab’s core are 4 - 10" GK Paragon cast-frame neodymium loudspeakers. The speakers maintain high power output while producing silky-smooth natural tone with consistent response from top to bottom. And they've been designed with reduced weight for your gigging convenience. Removable casters help you move the cab easily. Available now for preorder.

Allen & Heath ZED Series USB Mixers

The ZED Series Mixers are ideal for small groups who don’t want to carry around an effects unit with their gear but who still want great quality FX at their gigs and on their recordings. Both the ZE-12FX (6 mono channels, 3 dual stereo channels) and ZED-22FX (16 mono channels, 3 dual stereo channels) have a USB audio interface for flexible signal routing, use DuoPre™ mic pre-amps, 100mm faders, a MusiQ EQ section, and 16 unique effects designed by the Allen-Heath DSP team. The ZED FX series is designed to fulfill all the functions a small band needs without having their own sound engineer. The layout and features are logical and instantly recognizable on dark stages. Available now.

Allen & Heath ZED-R16 Firewire Mixer

Allen & Heath’s first true recording mixer inr over 10 years, the ZED-R16 is an exceptional recording mixer with 18 FireWire I/O which can also be used as a versatile live front of house mixer. The ZED-R16 combines an analogue recording mixer with a FireWire soundcard, MIDI controls and ingenious ‘home-studio’ routing so you can build tracks in the studio, record live gigs, mix-down, remix—all through warm analogue circuitry, 4 band fully parametric classic British EQ and out to crisp, precise digital format. Available now.

Cerwin Vega CVP Passive Series

The new Cerwin Vega CVP speakers may be non-amplified speakers yet they’re way more than "passive." The CVP-1152 and CVP-2153 look stunning with brushed aluminum grilles, rugged paint, and the trademark Cerwin-Vega red. The speaker surrounds reflect a fresh design approach with cast aluminum frames for strength and reliability, oversized magnets for output power, and Cerwin-Vega’s patented Stroker technology to ensure the CVP speakers play loud and strong, gig after gig. By themselves, the CVP speakers provide monstrous SPL, and amazing low end with the fidelity of a studio monitor. For most gigs, a pair of CVP-2153 (2000W peak power handling) or CVP-1152 (1000W) will be all you will ever need. Add an active or passive subwoofer to bring on the thunder. The CVP-1152 can also be used as a wedge monitor. Powerful CVP series features include a rotatable horn for precise pattern control, a Mylar high-frequency driver for smooth high end, 12 fly points for suspension, and bi-amp functionality. Available April/May 2009.

Audio Technica ATH-M35 Headphones

Audio-Technica’s new ATH-M35 Dynamic Stereo Monitor Headphones use the company’s latest transducer technology, offer the highest level of sonic accuracy, and provide maximum comfort for hours of listening. Key features include a foldable design for easy storage and a rugged storage pouch, enhancing the headphones’ durability and lifespan. They are an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, from professional studio and home recording use to more portable situations such as live sound, broadcast audio-for-video, and field recording. The ATHM35 employs a low-profile, closed-back design, providing exceptional clarity and superior isolation in high-volume listening situations. Extremely accurate, the drivers feature a neodymium magnet structure and have a frequency response of 20-20,000 Hz. The ATH-M35 also has a lightweight and adjustable cushioned headband to provide maximum listening comfort. Available February 2009.

Alesis JamDock

Alesis unveils the JamDock, the first dock for iPod designed specifically for musicians. Nearly every musician has an iPod, but until JamDock, there has never been an easy and clean way to integratey our iPod into your practice or stage setup. You can also use your iPod to play backing tracks live. JamDock features a practice deck with universal iPod dock, and dual 1/4" I/O that works with both line-level sources and high-impedance guitars and basses. Available May 2009.

Alesis M1Active 520 USB

M1Active 520 USB, new from Alesis, is the first studio monitoring system designed for professional studio use with an internal digital-audio interface. M1Active 520 USB consists of a pair of active, bi-amplified, two-way reference monitors that reproduce 20,000kHz all the way down to 56Hz to cover nearly all frequencies audible to human ears. You can take digital signal out of your computer via USB and input it directly to M1Active 520 USB. Priced attractively for any studio’s budget, the system offers linearity, clarity, and neutrality typically reserved for monitors that cost much more. Professional quality analog input jacks are located on the rear. Two balanced 1/4" inputs enable you to connect a stereo source or two mono sources. For convenient recordings, simply connect the stereo output of a mixer. You can create complete recordings with no additional audio interface! Available February 2009.

Alesis Multimix 4 USB

When space on your desktop is at a premium, you want a powerful mixer with a small footprint. The MultiMix 4 USB is a compact four-channel desktop mixer with USB digital audio interface that’s ideal for basic computer-based recording, video editing and production studios, and portable podcasting setups because it outputs not only line-level analog audio, but also stereo 16-bit, 44.1kHz digital audio over USB for low-noise and easy computer connection. The MultiMix 4 USB mixer has four input channels, all of which can accept a 1/4" line input. The mixer’s switchable 48V-phantom power supply lets you plug condenser mics into channels 1 and 2. You can also plug a guitar or bass directly into channel 1’s switchable high-impedance input. Available May 2009.

Day 3, Saturday, January 17, 2009

Fender California Sonoran SCE Custom Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar

The Fender California is a Fender acoustic that thinks it’s a Strat. A solid-spruce top acoustic for fans of vintage-style Fenders who want a different look, and an electric with Fender FTE-3 electronics with 3-band EQ for players who want an acoustic-electric that’s easy to play anywhere, anytime. The soft C-shaped maple neck and electric-type strings make it easy to play. Strat guitar headstock, vintage pickguard, and SoCal colors provide the Fender vibe. Available in January.

Fender Ukulele Series

Leo Fender’s first electric guitar was a Hawaiian lap steel guitar, which led to his producing the Telecaster, so it seems natural that Fender would produce its first-ever Hawaiian ukuleles featuring Fender Telecaster-shaped headstocks. All three ukuleles are tenor models: The Fender Ukulele Hau’oli—the Hawaiian word for happy—is a basic model with sturdy all-mahogany construction and satin finish. The Fender Ukulele Nohea ("lovely") is built of laminated koa, a native Hawaiian hardwood used by ancient Hawaiians to build dugout canoes. The Ukulele Pa’ina is a top-line model and gets its name from the Hawaiian word for party. It’s all solid mahogany with a satin finish and an onboard passive pickup with endpin jack that lets you plug in and turn it up. All three ukuleles come with a gig bag and ukulele instruction book.

Fender CD-160SE-12 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar

The new Fender CD160SE-12 is a solid spruce top 12-string designed for the stage! This dreadnought features Fishman Aero electronics with a built-in tuner, a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, rosewood fingerboard with snowflake inlays, and chrome die-cast tuners. Available in January.

Fender Standard Stratacoustic Acoustic-Electric Guitar

The Fender Stratacoustic and Telecoustic with their cool Stratocaster and Telecaster guitar body and headstock design and easy-playing C-shaped neck are perfect for the electric player looking for a acoustic instrument to add to their collection. Other features include Fender BG3-TN electronics with built in tuner, maple neck, and a vibe that is nothing but Fender.

Fender Eric Johnson Strat

A rosewood fretboard and new finish options are the calling cards of the new Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster RW. Like the Eric Johnson Signature Strat, the Eric Johnson RW has the features specified by Eric including a ’57-style 2-piece alder body finished in thin-skin nitrocellulose lacquer; a quartersawn maple neck with bound round-laminated 12" radius fretboard; a three-ply parchment pickguard; pickups voiced by Eric himself; staggered vintage-style tuners; and a custom tremolo block. The rosewood fretboard adds a little bit of warth and softer feel compared to the maple neck on the original Eric Johnson Strat. The new finishes are Dakota red, tropical turquoise, medium palomino, and Lucerne aqua firemist. The Eric Johnson Stratocaster RW is now available for preorder.

Ibanez RG420

How does a bubinga or cinammon top strike you for your axe? Those are the exotic top woods offered on the new Ibanez RG420. This natural brown beauty has a real custom shop feel with its thin, flat, bound, 24-fret, 3-piece Wizard II neck for fast and effortless shredding. Aesthetic touches include sharktooth fingerboard inlays and black hardware. A broad range of tones is produced by the unique pickup switching system. The neck position INFINITY 1 pickup is versatile and responsive with warm classic tone and added output from an Alnico V magnet for individual string clarity. The bridge position INF2 has an enhanced midrange output and excellent dynamics. Available now for preorder.

ESP EC-401

Modern appointments enhance the classic single-cutaway, maple top, mahogany back, and set neck of the ESP LTD EC-401. It's loaded with active EMG-81/60 humbuckers for plenty of gain and tonal articulation. The thin, U-shaped neck and 24 extra-jumbo frets on the 14" radius fretboard make this an extremely playable instrument. Includes compensated Earvana nut for improved intonation and ESP-style pearl inlays. Available February, 2009.

Schecter Omen Extreme

The Schecter Omen Extreme and Omen Extreme FR guitars are loaded with the features that modern guitarists seek, like the beautifully figured carved maple top on a basswood body with a string thru bridge design that adds extra sustain. A comfortable double cutaway body gives you full access to the fast maple neck fitted with a 24-fret rosewood fingerboard. Dual Schecter High-Output Alnico humbuckers provide an array of tones for every musical mood you need to express. Both Schecter Omen Extreme guitars have no-nonsense controls that include a master volume and tone control with a 3-way toggle switch. The Extreme FR has a Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo system that lets you exert extreme whammy bar action without tuning fears. Available January 2009.

Danelectro Dead On 67

Danelectro is newest reissue is "Dead on," as in historically-accuate to the finest detail. The "Dead on ’67" Hornet is the first truly authentic reissue of the famed Coral Hornet used in 1967 by Pete Townshend onstage and in the studio, dubbed. It features a satin finish nickel hardware, truss rod that adjusts at the headstock, the original swivel bridges that intonates, and Danelectro’s souped-up Lipstick® pickups. The ’67 Hornet also features the original Danelectro tremolo and split pickguard.

Sonor SSE Rock

With its slinky black hardware and gleaming lacquered basswood shells, Sonor’s new SSE Rock 22 5-Piece Drum Set looks as though it just stepped out of Sonor’s Euro-design group. Available now.

Ernie Ball Coated Slinky Acoustic Phosphor Bronze Guitar Strings

Long a top choice for electric guitarists, Ernie Ball is now offering its line of Phosphor Bronze strings for acoustic guitars.

American Audio Versa Port

American Audio’s new Versaport is a great way to convert any analog signal into digital files. This easy-to-use audio interface connects directly to your PC’s USB port. Record audio with your computer’s built-in audio recorder or your favorite audio production software. It’s PC and Mac compatible. Expected availability April 2009.

TASCAM DR07 Handheld Digital Recorder

TASCAM has released the DR-07 Portable Digital Recorder, a handheld digital that breaks size and price barriers. Based on TASCAM’s best-selling DR-1, the DR-07 records to SD or SDHC Card media, and a 2GB SD card is included with the unit. A stereo pair of electret condenser microphones captures great-sounding performances as 24-bit WAV or MP3 files. The DR-07 is powered by AA batteries and files can be transferred to computer using a high-speed USB 2.0 connector. All of this recording power is contained in a compact, sturdy. Musician-friendly functions include the ability to loop and slow down playback without changing the pitch to learn new music. A mic stand mounting hole and included windscreen add recording flexibility. Available now.

JBL LSR2300 Speaker Series

The new LSR2300 Series Studio Monitor System delivers professional performance at a price within reach of any studio. Since the bulk of today’s production is carried out in acoustically less-than-perfect environments, JBL designed a system that delivers greater accuracy in a broad range of rooms. The LSR2300 Series uses stringent Linear Spatial Reference criteria to deliver neutral frequency response at the listening position in a range of rooms. Their performance includes superior imaging and ensures what you hear at the mix position is neutral in a broad range of environments. JBL-engineered high-sensitivity transducers, high-output amplifiers, and the careful attention paid to thermal properties of the system allow the LSR2300 line to produce exceptional sound pressure levels. All three LSR2300 models have survived JBL’s torturous power test in which the speaker must play at full rated output for 100 hours before becoming a production-ready design. Available February 2009.

Akai APC40 Ableton Software/USB Controller

Designed in partnership with Ableton, the APC40 is the most advanced Live controller for the most advanced performers. Whether you are an electronic-music performance artist and Live is your canvas, a DJ using Live to mix tracks, or a traditional musician using Live on stage or in the studio, the APC40 is designed for intuitive, powerful control. The APC40 requires no mapping for direct control of Live, and is completely re-mappable for advanced-user customization. Its exclusive bidirectional communication enables the APC40 to display clip and control status on its clip matrix and the LED rings surrounding each knob. The clip matrix gives you an instant view of clip status: what’s loaded, what’s playing, and what’s being recorded. Available May 2009.

Akai MPK88 and MPK25 Keyboard Controllers

The MPK series of performance controllers combine quality keyboard feel, MPC pads, Q-Link controls, and MPC production technologies with a convenient MIDI-over-USB interface. The MPK88 is a fully weighted 88-key controller with MPC pads, an Akai Professional exclusive, that are pressure and velocity-sensitive to capture every nuance of your creative input. MPC Note Repeat enables the MPK to automatically perform a rhythm pattern, such as 16th notes, for accuracy and speed. MPC Swing, sometimes referred to as "the heart and soul of hip-hop," turns perfectly aligned sequences into human-feeling time alignments. The MPK series, including the 25-key MPK25, works with most MIDI recording, sequencing, and performance software for musical performers from keyboard players to producers to DJs and even VJs. Available May 2009.

Behringer B212XL Passive Speaker

Behringer’s showing two new PA soeakers at NAMM 2009. The B212XLis a 2-way passive speaker system with a 12" woofer, a 1-3/4" titanium-diaphragm compression HF driver, and power handling of 200W continuous, 800W peak. It is an ultracompact and lightweight system that produces excellent sound, even at high levels. Available now.

Behringer B215XL Passive Speaker

The Behringer B215XL offers 250W continuous, 1,000W peak power handling with a 15" long-excursion woofer and 1-3/4" titanium-diaphragm compression driver with an ultrawide dispersion molded horn. Ideal for club applications, it is ultracompact, lightweight. and can be stand-mounted or used on its side as a floor monitor. Available now.

Eastwest Quantum Leap Series

Three new entries from EASTWEST are creating a stir at NAMM.
The new Quantum Leap RA - PLAY Edition gives you more control over the sounds offered in the collection along with the ability to load even more instruments than before. According to Quantum Leap producer Nick Phoenix, "Now with the incorporation of our advanced PLAY sample engine, with its built-in sensing technology that monitors a player’s style and adjusts the software and sounds accordingly, users will experience a level of detail that was lacking in the previous version, making their projects come to life with range and emotion." Available January 2009.
The Quantum Leap Symphonic Choirs PLAY Edition is now available with EASTWEST’s advanced PLAY sampler, giving users more control and significantly better performance that the previous version.
Quantum Leap SILK is a library offering a huge helping of historic and unique string, woodwind, and percussion instruments from China, Persia, India, and Japan. Available late January 2009.

Day 2, Friday, January 16, 2009

EVH Wolfgang

Hard rockers and heavy metalists will undoubtedly express keen interest in this latest EVH creation. The EVH Wolfgang electric guitar represents two years of intense research and development, and a year of brutal testing on the road by Eddie Van Halen. With every aspect examined and upgraded to the highest standards, the EVH Wolfgang has been produced to Eddie’s exact specifications and has features identical to the Wolfgang guitars he records and performs with. They include a distinctive double cutaway body with an arched AA maple top on a lightweight basswood back, a quartersawn single-piece AA bird’s-eye maple neck fitted with stainless steel frets, double-potted custom wound pickups, five-piece binding on the matching body and headstock, custom-made signature tuning machines and Floyd Rose bridge with the patented EVH D-Tuna drop D tuning system, and Bourns low-friction pots. Available now.

Ibanez RG1550M

Ibanez has added another shredder’s delight to its lineup with the introduction of the RG1550M. It features a fast 5-piece RG Wizard neck with Prestige finishing for supreme comfort. Fitted with a 24-fret maple fingerboard with an ultra-flat 16.92" radius, it works beatifully with two-handed tapping techniques. Equipped with sonically lethal DiMarzio IBZickups and the advanced Ibanez Edge Pro tremolo system, this guitar is built for hard rockin’.

ESP Limited Edition Graphic Series

ESP takes classic guitar designs to new extremes with the outrageous graphics of its Clockwork Zombie Graphic series. All three LTD guitars feature a solid mahogany body that sounds as good as it looks with a thin U-shaped neck, and rosewood fingerboard. An Earvana compensated nut keeps the tuning spot-on in every key. The EC Clockwork Zombie Graphic guitar is a single-cutaway design featuring a maple neck with 24 extra-jumbo frets. The EMG-81 active pickup in the bridge position and EMG-60 active pickup for the neck provide awesome sonic firepower. The Viper Clockwork Zombie Graphic has a double-cutaway body and a mahogany neck with 24 extra jumbo frets. Molten tones are supplied the active EMG-81 bridge pickup and the active EMG-85 neck pickup. The EX Clockwork Zombie Graphic is based on the swept-back body styling of the popular ESP EX-400 model. Its maple neck has 22 extra jumbo frets while EMG-81 and EMG-60 humbuckers pour on the crunch and thick sustain. With their unique and striking Clockwork Zombie graphics, these ESP LTD guitars look like none other. Available for preorder now.

Gibson Custom Jeff Beck VOS Les Paul

Fans of Jeff Beck have been waiting for this Gibson Custom Shop tribute to the master electric guitarist. The Jeff Beck Signature Les Paul VOS is a replica of the Les Paul that Jeff played on many landmark recordings. This limited edition Les Paul had been lovingly aged by Custom Shop artisans with a special nitrocellulose finish treatment yielding the patina of a gently-aged vintage guitar with handcrafting that enhances comfort and playability. Each Jeff Beck Signature Les Paul VOS model has a solid mahogany back, carved maple top; and period-correct neck profile, hardware, and electronics including the full-voiced humbuckers that fueled many of Jeff's guitar exploits. Available in March.

Gretsch Chect Atkins G6120DSW-R Relic

From Gretsch, the G6120DSW-R Chet Atkins Hollowbody is a limited edition—only 50 made—tribute to legendary guitarist and his early Gretsch Chet Atkins Hollow Body models of the mid-’50s. The relic treatment features careful aging of its full western appointments, including a "G" brand on the upper bout, western-engraved fingerboard inlays, and a steer’s head headstock inlay. Other features include a 2 3/4"-deep laminated maple body, dual DynaSonic single-coil pickups, polished Bigsby vibrato tailpiece with vintage flat handle, Grover Sta-Tite machine heads, "arrow" knobs, aged binding, gold hardware, and Western Maple Stain finish. Available in March.

Epiphone Marcus Henderson apparition

Coming in February from Epiphone is the Marcus Henderson Apparition, a new guitar designed with the rock and heavy metal guitarist who has performed guitar tracks for dozens of songs featured in the Guitar Hero video game. This signature guitar is in the style of Marcus’ first guitar, an Explorer. Available in February.

Danelectro Dean On 58 Longhorn

Some instrument designs are just too cool to leave behind. That’s why Danelectro has come out with its "Dead on 58" Longhorn bass. "Dead on" as in historically-accuate to the finest detail. It features a satin finish, nickel hardware, truss rod that adjust at the headstock, the original swivel bridge that intonates, and Danelectro’s souped-up Lipstick® pickup.

Electro Harmonix VoiceBox

Plug in a mic and instrument and sing, and you’ll have a troupe of backup singers following you in perfect harmony—that’s the Electro-Harmonix Voice Box. It’s is a guitar effects pedal that packs a multi-functional vocal synth processor into a tough and compact chassis. The Voice Box’s harmony processor creates 2- to 4-part harmonies directly from your vocals in the same key as your accompanying instrument. Studio-quality reverb lets you independently add depth to your dry and harmony vocals. Available for preorder now.

Pigtronix MotherShip

Pigtronix Mothership is an analog synthesizer featuring VCO, Sub-Octave, and the world’s first Intelligent Ring Modulator. Incredibly fast note recognition and enormous analog sound make this unique synthesizer ideal for use with guitar, bass, horns, vocals or any other musical instrument. No special pickup or interface is required. Available in January.

Seymour Duncan Double Back Compressor

Seymour Duncan’s SFX-09 Double Back Compressor is a stompbox that won’t get in the way of your unique sound. A compressor makes quiet passages louder and loud passages quieter, making your sound more professional by providing smooth dynamics and enhanced sustain while preserving your guitar’s natural transients and feel. The double back feature allows some of the uncompressed sound—specifically the initial "snap" of the string—to double back into the compressor output, preserving the essential essence and sensation of a string being plucked. Available in January.

Seymour Duncan Twin Tube Blue Distortion

Here’s a stompbox for the no-compromise blues player—the Seymour Duncan SFX-11 Twin Tube Blue Distortion Effects pedal. It’s a 2-channel guitar preamp voiced especially for the blues, from modern blues, to Chicago blues, Texas blues to classic rock. The SFX-11 Twin Tube Blue’s 2 channels provide versatility. The Rhythm channel offers up sparkly chords and bright, punchy leads. The Lead channel starts with familiar Texas blues and goes all the way to the heaviest blues tones you’ll ever need.

Ovation Standard Elite Series

Ovation’s new series of Standard Elite acoustic-electrics offer that distinctive Ovation sound at a mid-price level without giving up any essential, unique Ovation features. The 2778 AX is a 6-string with a deep contour cutaway body and an AA solid spruce top. It features scalloped X-bracing, a rosewood fretboard and bridge, chrome tuning machines, and an exotic hardwood rosette. The guitar’s Ovation OCP-1K pickup delivers classic Ovation acoustic-electric tone. The 12-string version, the Standard Elite 2758 AX, also features a deep contour body that provides solid resonance and rich, ringing 12-string tones. The 6868 AX Acoustic-Electric has the same features as the 2778 AX with a super-shallow cutaway body. The Standard Elite series is now available for preorder.

Takamine LTD 2009

Beautiful tone woods, tasteful ornamentation, and a cutting-edge preamp make the Takamine LTD2009 a must-have for collectors and serious guitar players alike. This year’s LTD features a solid spruce top, scalloped X-bracing, and mahogany back and sides. The guitar also features a gorgeous abalone inlaid rosette and a mother-of-pearl inlaid pickguard. These tasteful adornments coupled with the smooth roundness of the NEX complements the design perfectly while delivering the sweet, balanced voice such a guitar should possess. The CTP-2 preamp gives the guitar a commanding stage presence. The Takamine LTD2009 is now available for preorder.

Epiphone Zakk Wyld Bullseye ZV

Here’s a guitar you don’t see everyday—or even until now. The new Zakk Wylde ZV Custom combines two of the most distinguishable guitar shapes into one. With its double-cutaway "SG" top-half allowing for complete fingerboard access and it’s radical "Flying-V" bottom-half. It’s equipped with a set of high-output EMG-HZ humbuckers including an HZ-4 pickup in the bridge position and a HZ-4A pickup in the neck position. The smooth and fast satin-finish neck has a slim-tapered profile. Mother-of-pearl inlays adorn the headstock and the 12" radius Rosewood fingerboard. A custom-designed, fitted hard case with ZV-inspired artwork and metal chain handle round out the package.

Gibson Custom 1959 Anniversary Historic

2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the most sought after Les Paul. Widely regarded as the most desirable electric guitar ever manufactured, the 1959 Les Paul has achieved such heights on the collector’s market that it is unattainable to all but the most affluent investors. Now, however, with the release of the Custom Shop 50th Anniversary ’59 Les Paul Standard, Gibson is putting the most accurate, detail-perfect recreation of this vintage milestone ever produced back within the grasp of a limited number of players and collectors. In a production run of just 500 guitars, the Custom Shop 50th Anniversary ’59 Les Paul Standard captures all the glorious feel and tone of the original Les Paul Standard from the most revered year of its production.

Genz Benz Shuttle Max 1200 Head

Genz Benz has added even more power to an already successful line of amps with the ShuttleMax 12.0. The ultimate in power and design, this model delivers over 1200 watts of output from an amp that weights only 6.75 lbs. With dual Class D amp modules this ShuttleMAX produces its full output into two 4 ohm loads (one per amplifier output). The full output of the ShuttleMAX 12.0 is perfect for any venue and playing style. Designed with identical EQ networks for the FET and 12AX7 tube channel the tonal flexibility and power output of this bass amplifier is unsurpassed.

DW EcoX Shell pack

DW goes green with its Eco-X 5-Piece Shell Pack that’s constructed with earth-friendly bamboo/birch shells. They are big, full-sounding drums with a huge fundamental and all of the warmth, resonance, and attack that Collector’s Series drums are known for. DW’s X Shell technology offers unprecedented low-end response while drummer-friendly features such as True Pitch Tuning, STM (Suspension Tom Mounts), Proportional Counter Hoops, and DW Heads by Remo USA all come standard. Available now.

Axiom Pro 49

M-Audio’s new Axiom Pro 49 USB MIDI Controller has a TruTouch semi-weighted, piano-style, professional-action keypad. Its proprietary Hypercontrol MIDI mapping technology automatically maps the keyboard’s 65 controls to commonly accessed parameters in DAWs. You can also toggle instantly between Mixer and Instrument control modes. The intuitive graphic LCD constantly updates the current values, which ensures seamless editing and prevents parameter jumps—even when plug-ins are closed. Expected availability: February 2009.

Alesis Guitar Link USB Audio Interface Cable

With the Alesis GuitarLink USB Audio Interface Cable you can hook up your guitar, bass, or other line-level audio source to your computer. The 16.5' cable has its own A/D conversion system and lets you record at CD-quality ,16-bit/44.1kHz. Works with both Mac and PC. Available now.

Alesis Mic Link USB Audio Interface Cable

The new Alesis MicLink USB Audio Interface cable allows you to connect your microphone directly to your computer with 16-bit, 44.1kHz digital audio quality. The simple plug-and-pay device works with both Mac and PCs, and gives you 16.5' of cable length to work with so you're not tied to your computer desk. Available now.

Alesis Pro Track Recording Kit

The new Alesis Pro Track Recording Kit works with iPhone or iTouch, It’s a mobile recording bundle with ProTrack handheld recorder for iPod, ProTrack Tripod table stand, and AM2 Stereo Microphone Set.

TapeLink USB Dual Cassette Dubbing Deck

The TapeLink USB Dual Cassette Dubbing Deck from Alesis, converts your cassette tape to digital archives. It’s a dual deck with BIAS SoundSoap noise-reduction software.

M1Active 520 USB Powered Studio Monitors

The M1Active 520 USB Powered Studio Monitors from Alesis are nearfield studio monitors with USB audio interface, two-way, 1" and 5", active, bi-amplified, with TRS inputs.

Forest Audio F15 Roundback Instrument Preamp

With concerns over FCC and EU regulation of digitial switching dealt taken care of, Forest is now releasing the F-15 Roundback, a combination 2-channel instrument preamp, direct box and re-amper. It features ultra-high performance class-A feed-forward topology for the ultimate in signal purity. Not only are there no op-amps, there are no signal degrading negative feedback loops. This is further enhanced with Drag Control™ load correction. For acoustic instruments, the F15 has a built-in piezo signal booster for gain plus switchable 6V & 12V phantom power for instrument microphones. Outputs include a compliment of dual mono or mixed balanced outputs with choice of 1/4" and XLRs.

Moog Etherwave Plus

You know the sound of the theremin from 1950s flying saucer movies and "Good Vibrations" or Jimmy Page with Led Zeppelin—Moog has updated the world’s oldest electronic musical instrument making it the world's newest controller—Etherwave Plus. It's a theremin plus 2 Control Voltage outputs and 1gate output plus pitche preview that's switchable to headphone volume, The Etherwave Plus gives you all the great features of the Etherwave theremin with "Plus" making it an ideal controller and performance instrument.

Lexicon I-ONIX U22 Deskop IO 2X2

Brilliantly designed, the Lexicon I-ONIX U22 desktop recording interface fits where it makes the most sense, between your keyboard and monitor, putting all monitor and input level controls at your fingertips. It features newly designed dbx microphone preamps on every channel that have high-voltage supplies to guarantee stability and provide you with a superior recording across a wide dynamic range. Performance driven A/D - D/A converters ensure pristine 24-bit/96kHz audio to capture every subtle detail of your performance. The included Pantheon II VST/AU reverb plug-in features 6 reverb types with 16 adjustable parameters, as well as 35 factory presets that range from Vocal to Live Sound to Special Effects. Also included with the U22 is a software suite featuring Steinberg’s Cubase LE4 and Toontrack EZdrummer Lite. Expected availability: April 2009.

TC Electronic VoiceLive 2

It’s more than an upgrade, it’s a vocal revolution, that's how TC-Helicon describes the VoiceLive 2 floor-based vocal processor. Its redesigned user interface makes it easy to use whether you’re looking for one preset or a creative sequence of sounds for every song. Whether you play guitar, a MIDI keyboard or no instrument at all, VoiceLive 2 has brilliant vocal harmonies for you with up to 8 voices with MIDI keyboard control or 4 doubled harmonies. Like a great audio engineer, VoiceLive 2 listens to you and adjusts to make your voice sound smooth and produced and contains virtually all the effects necessary to produce any vocal sounds of decades past, and into the future.

Day 1, Thursday, January 15, 2009

Fender Road Worn Series

Fender’s new Road Worn Series guitars have the look of well worn road warriors thanks to special distressing techniques that were developed in the Custom Shop for expensive Relic models. Consisting of 1950s and 1960s Strat models plus a 1950s Telecaster, these are not precise re-creations of those earlier axes, but instead are modern reworkings of those revered models, with updated pickups and fretwork for a bigger modern sound and improved playabiity. All three models are available now together with a P-Bass and J-Bass that have also received the Relic treatment. Available now.

Marshall MG Series

Marshall’s MG Series has been revamped for 2009 with new features that provide a vast range of quality tonal options. The new MG amps feature two channels on the smaller MG10 and MG15 models, and four channels on the rest of the series. FX models are loaded with digital reverb, chorus, phaser, flanger, and delay effects as well as user-programmable presets. All MG amps have an MP3/line input, emulated headphone out, and frequency damping. Uncompromised Marshall tone at affordable prices!
Expected availability: January, 2009

Boss ME70

As an alternative to a sprawling pedalboard with every pedal you’d ever need, the new BOSS ME-70 Multi Effects Processor consolidates over 40 great BOSS effects into a single floor-based unit. There are no confusing menus or displays to sift through—the ME-70 was designed to be just as easy to use as a collection of stompboxes. Organized into logical groups, the effects are dialed in with dedicated front-panel knob. Housed in a rock-solid, all-metal chassis, it runs on either AC power or batteries for maximum portability.
Expected availability: 2/6/2009.

Ibanez RG3570

Redolent with ’80s vibe, the new RG570 Electric Guitar from Ibanez is equipped with the Super Wizard 5-piece neck for fast and effortless shredding. The 24-fret rosewood fingerboard has an ultra-flat 15.74" radius, making two-hand tapping a cinch. The Ibanez Edge Zero bridge features the Zero Point System that offers easy tremolo adjustment and good tuning stability. The DiMarzio Air Norton humbucker in the neck position produces a deep and warm tone; a True Velvet middle single-coil produces great clarity, even with full chords; and a bridge Tone Zone humbucker has a wide dynamic range and tremendous bass and low-mid response.
Available for preorder now.

Ovation Standard Balladeer Series

The folks at Ovation are debuting a new series—The Standard Balladeer—with great looks, appointments, and electronics that should help further cement this brand’s reputation for creating world-class acoustic-electrics. The Standard Balladeer 1771 AX sports a mid-depth body, traditional soundhole, and an AA solid spruce top. It also features scalloped X-bracing, a rosewood fretboard and bridge, chrome tuning machines, and a pearl oak leaf rosette. The OCP-1K pickup delivers classic Ovation tone for a beautiful plugged-in experience. The Standard Balladeer 2771is a deep-contour model with an AA solid spruce top, scalloped LX bracing, a rosewood fretboard and bridge, chrome tuning machines, and an inlaid pearl oak leaf rosette. An integrated OCP-1K pickup lets you amplify all the big acoustic tone. The Standard Balladeer 1861 AX has a super shallow cutaway body and an AA solid spruce top. The onboard Ovation OCP-1K pickup delivers classic Ovation tone for a great plugged-in experience.
All models are available for preorder now.

Takamine Glenn Frey Signature

The Glen Frey Signature Acoustic-Electric from Takamine is beautifully crafted to live up the its namesake—Glen Frey—co-founder of the Eagles. Beautifully constructed with a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides, the guitar has scalloped X-bracing, chrome tuning machines, white cab binding, and a striking gloss finish. The CT4B preamp is designed for ease of use and purity of tone and offers a 3-band graphic EQ, a volume control slider, and chromatic tuner.

Hohner BLB Blues Bender

Blues harp players are going to love Hohner’s new Blues Bender Harmonica. Its airtight construction and longer-lasting reeds make for easier bending and a harp that’ll stand up to those bluesy draw notes. Special acoustic coverplates enhance volume and projection.
Expected availability: 1/20/2009.

Ernie Ball 4118 - Power Peg String Winder

Do you delay changing your strings because of the hassle? Using Ernie Ball’s PowerPeg Powered String Winder, stringing up is 70% faster than with manual winders. Powered by 4 included AA batteries, it’s compact and portable.
Expected availability: 2/20/2009.

EVH Frankenstein Relic Humbucker

EVH is garnering a lot of buzz over the new Frankenstein Relic Humbucker. Its vintage looks and snarling sonics, coupled with the fact that it is being produced in a limited edition of just 500 units, each personally signed by Eddie Van Halen, means this should become one highly collectible pup. EVH is also offering a non-Relic version of the pickup that offers a more affordable alternative to the one used on the EVH electric guitar.
Expected availability: Late January.

Peterson G2M

The G2M Universal Guitar to MIDI Converter from Peterson requires no special pickups. It connects to your guitar just like a stompbox and delivers accurate triggering with low latency. Compatible with any electric guitar, you can use the G2M to sequence bass lines and guitar solos during live performance—it generates MIDI with great accuracy capturing every nuance of your performance.
Expected availability: Late January.

Mapex Meridian Maple Drum Set

The new Meridian Maple SRO 5-Piece Drum Set from Mapex is one the best values we’ve seen in an all-maple set of this quality. From tom holders, to lugs, to even its tom mounting system, Mapex has rethought every component on the Meridian kits to deliver a lighter, easier to set up, and more tour-friendly set for drummers. 6-ply, 100% maple shells produce full-bodied, rich, low tones.
Available now.

Mapex Meridian Birch Drum Set

Like the new Maple Meridian Maple set, the Mapex Birch 5-Piece Fusionease Drum Set is all about portability and easy setup. From tom holders, to lugs, to even the tom mounting system, Mapex has rethought everything on this kit to bring a lighter, easier to set up, and more tour-friendly set to the table. 6-ply birch shells deliver bright top end, a narrower midrange, and plenty of bottom-end punch.
Available now.

Zildjian Rezo Ride

Zildjian’s new A Custom Rezo Ride Cymbal features an unlathed but brilliant finish bell area that provides extra weight to establish a bright and cutting bell sound. The cymbal’s bow area allows for a ride sound that has lots of ride pattern clarity and control, yet has a warm shimmering quality.
Available now.

Numark Stealth Control

Numark’s new Stealth Control is a robust USB MIDI controller for DJs that’s compatible with all scratching software, greatly expanding the creative choices available to the modern DJ.
Expected availability: February 2009.

Akai MPK25

Akai has added the MPK25 to its lineup of MIDI USB controllers. Ideal for musicians who lack desk space or who don’t require a larger keyboard, the MPK25 combines a high-quality, 25-key, semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch and 12 genuine MPC drum pads with Note Repeat and Swing plus 4 banks. It even has its own arpeggiator. You get a total of 24 assignable controls—in sliders, pots, and switches—with 3 banks for each, as well as transport buttons and a large, easy-to-read display.
Expected availability: May 2009.

Line 6 POD Studio KB37 With POD Farm

The new KB37 with POD Farm from Line 6 is half guitar interface, half MIDI controller. A powerful tool for recording guitar, it delivers 24-bit/48kHz audio with 37 full-sized velocity-sensitive keys, pitch and mod wheels; octave up/down buttons; and assignable controls including 5 transport, 4 buttons, and 4 knobs. It also features 2 high-quality, low-noise preamps with phantom power and trim control, comprehensive analog and digital I/O, stereo headphone out, and assignable VU meters.
Expected availability: February 2009.

Steinberg Cubase Studio 5

Steinberg’s best-selling DAW software, Cubase, is now available as Cubase 5 with dozens of new features, functions, and improvements. Also available in both Studio and Educational editions.
Expected availability: February 2009.

M-AUDIO DCP-200 Digital Console Spinet

M-Audio’s new DCP-200 Digital Console Piano offers real piano feel with Realistic TruTouch II graded hammer action that makes it a pleasure to play. Authentic acoustic and electric piano sounds, as well as harpsichord, organ, strings, and bass give you plenty of versatility. The built-in USB computer connection gives you instant access to the world of music software for education, recording, notation and more, making DCP-200 a superior investment that will grow with your family. This expressive digital console piano upholds the best of music tradition while embracing today’s new creative technologies.
Available now.

Native Instruments MASCHINE Groove Production Studio

Native Instruments is unveiling its MASCHINE Groove Production Studio that combines the flexibility of computer-based music production with the ease of a groove box in one powerful creative tool. Using onboard samples or your own audio files, MASCHINE’s symbiosis of hardware and software not only ensures a fast and fun workflow, but lets you easily turn your ideas into professional productions. MASCHINE comes loaded with over 5GB of production-ready sounds and patterns. Everything from fat drum kits to state-of-the-art synthesizer sounds and pristine acoustic instruments have been sampled, sliced, and tagged for your convenience. It also features studio-quality effects ranging from dynamics processors to beat-mashers, and even mastering tools—all tweakable in real time via the hardware controller. The MASCHINE hardware is both instrument and controller in one. 16 illuminated, velocity-sensitive pads form an interface to intuitively make beats, tweak sounds, create patterns, and sequence whole songs with the powerful MASCHINE software. Two large, high-resolution displays with eight corresponding rotary encoders, buttons, and transport controls integrate perfectly with the MASCHINE software.
Expected availability: April, 2009.

Lexicon I•ONIX U42S Desktop IO 4X2 With USB 2.0

Featuring newly designed, high-voltage dbx preamps on every channel, the new I•ONIX series from Lexicon delivers superior recording across a wide dynamic range. Both units feature performance-driven A/D - D/A converters for pristine 24-bit/96kHz audio, analog 1/4"-XLR combi ins, 1/4" TRS outs, Windows/Mac support, 48V phantom power, 8-LED signal meters, and more. The Pantheon II VST/AU plug-in features 6 reverb types with 16 adjustable parameters and 35 factory presets. Also included is Steinberg Cubase LE4 and Toontrack EZDrummer Lite software. I•ONIX units offer a range of connectivity options.
Expected availability: April 2009.