Affordable replica of a contemporary high-tech guitar design from the 21st century has hit the market after a three-year wait: This week's roundup of the coolest new guitar equipment - featuring an exquisite yet eye-popping acoustic model for 2021.
In the ever-evolving world of music, guitar manufacturers continue to push boundaries and surprise us with innovative designs. Here's a roundup of some recent announcements that are sure to excite guitar enthusiasts.
Gibson's Exquisite Monarch Acoustic
Gibson has unveiled its 100th Monarch acoustic, a one-of-a-kind guitar that is extremely decadent and expensive. This masterpiece boasts exquisite craftsmanship and is a testament to Gibson's unwavering commitment to quality.
A Tribute to Randy Rhoads
MXR, in collaboration with Kathy Rhoads, has launched a new RR Distortion pedal. This pedal is based on Rhoads' own Distortion+, offering guitarists the chance to recreate the legendary guitarist's iconic tone.
Phil Demmel, of Machine Head, has also released a Randy Rhoads-honouring signature guitar. The Phil Demmel King V Polka Dot guitar is a tribute to the late Quiet Riot guitar hero and serves as a reminder to Demmel of his first Jackson guitar, which he acquired under some shady circumstances.
Affordable Advanced Designs
Ernie Ball Music Man and Tosin Abasi's advanced electric guitar design, Kaizen, has been released under the Sterling by Music Man label. This more affordable version retains the original's essence while incorporating cost-cutting measures such as a standard radius and Heat Treated pickups.
Headless Electrics and More
Solar Guitars has ventured into the world of headless electrics with the H2.6C and H2.7C models, priced competitively. Ibanez, too, has released new six- and seven-string headless designs, marking its first foray into this category.
Upgrades and New Collections
Ibanez has expanded its resources into its nylon-string lineup, giving the standard-run FRH model a cosmetic upgrade. The company has also established a new collection called the Vision Series, which aims to deliver best-of-the-best guitars by moving away from mass production and relying on individual artisans.
Amplification Solutions
Blackstar has released the Beam Solo, a headphone amp for guitars, offering a silent playing experience and effortless tone-tweaking. Strymon has released the PCH Stereo Active DI, a solution for ampless rig woes, particularly for those with reverbs and time-based effects post-modelers.
A DI Box with a Twist
RockBoard has unveiled the Power Mod, a DI box that also includes power amp modules to drive passive cabinets directly from a pedalboard.
A Glamorous Lineup from Strandberg
Strandberg has given the Boden Essential line a glow-up with two new finishes: Transformative Teal and Coral Pink.
Yamaha's A5R ARE Acoustic Guitar
Yamaha has released the most extravagant acoustic guitar model in 2025, the A5R ARE. Notable for its high-quality solid tonewoods, unique bracing, and innovative SRT2 electronic preamp and mic modeling system designed for both recording and gigging, this guitar is sure to be a hit among professional musicians.
The Ibanez 540PIII and the Power Series
Lastly, the Ibanez 540PIII, a reverse-body style guitar with an HS pickup configuration and a locking tremolo, has been reissued as part of the Power Series. This long-forgotten Ibanez Superstrat from the late 1980s now sports a design that resembles bananas, especially the yellow one in the middle.
These developments underscore the continuous innovation in the guitar industry, offering musicians a wide range of options to suit their needs and preferences. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, there's never been a better time to explore the world of guitars.
