It's the most wonderful time of the year (updated)

Yeah, that's right, it's time for NAMM, the semi-annual music industry trade show in Anaheim where all the big music manufacturers debut their hot new gear for 2008. Of course, I'm stuck in the midwest, but I've been keeping up on the cool new stuff through forums and manufacturer/retailer websites.

Here are my top 10 picks...

TC Electronic Nova System
http://www.tcelectronic.com/NovaSystem
Looks like a cross between the G-System and the Nova pedals... analog overdrive + DSP compression, EQ, modulation, pitch shift, delay, and reverb all in a floor-based unit. Will be interesting to see what the quality of effects is and what the street price in USD is. Very tempting since it would allow me to downsize/simplify the pedalboard considerably!



Boss GT-10
http://www.bossus.com/gear/productdetails.php?ProductId=941&ParentId=46
While on the topic of cool floor-based effects, Boss just released the next generation GT processor to replace the GT-8. Definitely looks cooler than the GT-8, but still not clear what changes have been made inside, or if it sucks any less tone than the GT-8 when using 4-cable method. At half the price of the TC, I'll probably end up checking one out at some point in time.



Line 6 ToneCore DSP Developer Kit
http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM08/Content/Line6/PR/ToneCore-Developer-Kit.html
Ok, let me get this straight... a hardware/software solution that allows folks to design custom effects algorithms and download them to a stompbox? Extra points for appealing to both my musical interests and computer geek interests.


PRS McCarty Korina, Mira
http://www.prsguitars.com/namm08/index.html
Technically both of these models were introduced in 2007, but will really start hitting the stores in 2008. Both sport simpler finishes, simpler electronics than most PRS models (and should therefore have lower prices), but should offer the same high-end tone, feel, and attention to detail as the more expensive models.


Egnater Rebel, E2
Very little info available on these so far... the Rebel is a very compact amp head, the E2 is an 1U expander that allows 2 modules (4 channels) to be added to an M4, MOD50, quite possibly any amp with an effects loop. Hoping for some new modules, too, but haven't heard anything yet, which brings me to...


Randall Kirk Hammett Signature Amps
http://www.randallamplifiers.com/products/amplifiers/mts/hammett/index.asp
An extension to the MTS line that includes new heads and combos, it also includes several modules to emulate Kirk's tone (sans wah pedal) over the years. Am hoping that the KH1 (clean module) has that super-clean JC120 vibe to it. And check out this sweet RM100 with the Mesa-esque flamed maple finish...



Blackheart Engineering Killer Ant head
http://www.blackhearteng.com/bh1h.html
Theoretically designed by the same folks who brought us the Epiphone Valve Jr and marketed/distributed by Crate, the latest features an all-tube circuit that cranks out less than 1 watt. If the Valve Jr and Blackheart Little Giant are any indication, it will probably be a tweaker's delight. And anything that's all-tube with a list price of $139 is hard to argue with under any circumstances.



Digitech Control 2
http://www.digitech.com/products/Control2/
While technically not that exciting on its own, the Control 2 is the dedicated foot controller for the GSP-1101 that Digitech released last year. Having grown up (so to speak) on the GSP-21 and GSP-2101 series, I've been eyeing the GSP-1101 for a while, saying "if it only had a foot controller..." Now it does.



Gibson Custom Shop Alex Lifeson ES-355
While it's official Gibson liquidation week around here (I shipped out the Firebird and LP Standard on Wednesday, then sold the Explorer and SG on ebay today), this one's worthy of attention since Alex Lifeson is one of my biggest influences as a guitar player.



Audix CabGrabber
http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM08/Content/Audix/PR/CabGrabber.html
And finally, in the "why didn't somebody else think of this first" department... an adjustable mic clip that attaches to a guitar cabinet, to reduce the clutter of mic stands when recording (or more importantly, to keep someone from tripping over a mic stand while recording). Should work great with mics with shockmounts (e.g., condensers), but will be interesting to see how it works with dynamic mics... if too much vibration from the cab gets transferred directly to the mic via the CabGrabber.

--B