DESPITE SOME NOTABLE name-brand absences, there was a lot to see and chew on at the 2023 NAMM Show. And the ebullient vibe was undeniably palpable among the exhibitors and attendees who were caught up in the carnival-like atmosphere of NAMM. Every year promises advancements in the latest recording tech, reimagined classics and flat-out show-stoppers in gear, and this show didn’t disappoint. Behold! Here’s the gear that made the biggest impression on us.
IBANEZ
AXE DESIGN LAB SERIES SML721
The SML721 is part of Ibanez’s new Axe Design Lab series, which churns out experimental and exciting next-gen guitars. Ibanez refers to this guitar as a “light” multi-scale — with the first fret being parallel to the nut, followed by the frets gradually tilting inward as one moves further up the neck. The purpose of this design is not to facilitate drop-tuning like other multi-scale designs, but to deliver better string-to-string tension and improved playability in standard tuning. It’s also equipped with Q58 humbuckers found on the Q series and Ibanez’s dyna-MIX10 switching system, a rosewood fretboard, luminescent side dot inlays, Gotoh MG-T locking machine heads and a Rose Gold Chameleon finish.
Street Price: $999.99
POSITIVE GRID
SPARK GO
Positive Grid continues to prove that as things get smaller, they keep getting better. Picking up from where the Spark 40 and Spark MINI left off, Positive Grid introduces Spark GO — a rugged, ultra-portable guitar/bass amp and Bluetooth speaker you can hold in the palm of your hand with advanced acoustics that deliver detailed, room-filling sound. Like the other Spark amps, it
