The first NAMM show took place in 1902. This means that the world’s biggest music convention on the planet is older than the electric guitar.
NAMM 2025 will be a special edition since the wildfires in Los Angeles have the whole country on alert. Although flames are still burning, the show’s CEO, John Mlynczak confirmed that “Anaheim is still unaffected by the wildfires in northern Los Angeles.”
He added, “We have confirmed that the air quality is safe, that traffic between LAX and Anaheim will not impact relief efforts, and that our hotel rooms will not displace any evacuees.”
We’re about to review some of the comebacks, absences, and the biggest rumors in the electric, acoustic, and bass guitar categories.
The show must go on, and this is the biggest show on the planet for musical instruments fans.
It’s an exciting time to be alive and playing, let’s see what Winter NAMM 2025 might have for us.
NAMM 2025 The Comebacks
For those wondering, “Will Gibson be at NAMM 2025?” The answer is yes. This is, perhaps, the biggest news; you’ll find a Gibson NAMM 2025 space.
Another big name making a comeback in NAMM 2025 is Marshall. Yes, after a five-year hiatus, the brand announced exciting new Marshall amps for NAMM 2025. Moreover, look for the Marshall NAMM 2025 booth to discover new lines including combos and modelers.
Finally, in the electric guitar realm, the NAMM 2025 Fender space is big news too. Yes, the California brand, one of the main musical instrument companies in the world, will reappear after five years.
NAMM 2025 The Absences (from The Showroom Floor)
One of the main absences for this year is Paul Reed Smith’s brand. Yes, there won’t be a PRS NAMM 2025 space. That said, the brand that turns 40 this year, will sponsor and make appearances at other brands’ booths. Furthermore, Eightlock, Paul Reed Smith’s band, will perform live at the event.
The German guitar brand Maybach informed the show’s management that they won’t attend the fair because of the wildfires.
NAMM 2025 The Rumors
Now that we talked about presences and absences, it’s time to get to the juicy stuff: NAMM 2025 rumors. In the following few paragraphs, we’ll unveil potential NAMM 2025 new products, announcements, and some unexpected NAMM 2025 guitar gear news.
Did you spend the last months reading and making some NAMM 2025 predictions of your own? Well, let’s see if the NAMM 2025 releases are close to what you thought would happen.
Electric Guitars
Fender
Andy Mooney, Fender’s CEO said in the past that they didn’t have any intentions of returning to NAMM. Since Fender launched the Professional II and Ultra II in 2024, the fact that the brand will be at the show makes us think they have some exciting NAMM 2025 new guitars.
Although this is great news, Fender won’t have exhibits on the show floor, it’ll have a meeting room for the media and the dealers.
Gibson
Just like Fender, the brand of the big G announced it won’t have a booth on the show’s floor but a meeting room. What can we expect from them this year? Well, no NAMM 2025 Epiphone news but some exciting new Gibson guitars. Some hints? A Hetfield Explorer, the comeback of the almighty RD, a Mark Morton signature Les Paul, and maybe a Jimmy Page double-neck guitar.
Jackson
Offset baritone guitars can be a groundbreaking instrument for this new era. Misha Mansoor has been making a lot of fuss about his recently. Will this be one of the Jackson guitars for NAMM 2025? We can only hope and wait it becomes a thing.
Ibanez
A brand that packs some punch and a cataract of NAMM 2025 guitar news is this Japanese giant. First of all, we’re all waiting for the hyped-up 8-string Tim Henson signature model. Secondly, there’s a group of Ibanez fans who are expecting an affordable version of the brand’s AZ Standard Super Strat. Finally, the gossip is that there can be a Josh Smith guitar with mighty humbuckers.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg because some are expecting to see some offset AZs or crazy wild stuff. Yes, they built up a reputation and we hope this year’s show is just another chance to grow it further.
Yamaha
One of the hottest guitarists today is Mateo Mancuso. He’s also a big Yamaha Revstar fan. Can we hope for a collaboration? Furthermore, could we think that they’re going to extend and overhaul their current offer of that model?
Finally, the Neve-pickup-loaded Pacificas the brand unveiled in 2024 were everyone’s favorites. Can we expect an affordable version of those guitars? Well, again, we can only hope and wait.
ESP
ESP is Ibanez’s biggest Japanese competitor, especially in Super Strats and metal-oriented guitars. The NAMM 2025 ESP booth will be filled with Slipknot fans trying out the new Mick Thomson signature axe. Also, Richard Kruspe’s Phoenix signature guitar will be there for fans to try. But, can we expect some ESP NAMM-2025 exclusive surprises?
Well, that’s about to be seen, but one thing is certain, the company has been making many one-pickup metal guitars. Therefore, it’s very likely to be the theme for this year as well.
Ernie Ball
Apart from the imminent Rabea Massaad’s Sterling Sabre release, will the brand announce a big Ernie Ball/Music Man guitar? Rumor is that there’s a major player that has been working on such a guitar with the brand and that it’ll be ready for the show.
But that’s not all, because there are also strings and accessories announcements to be made according to the running gossip.
John Cruz
Former Fender Master Builder and uncanny guitar maker John Cruz joined Iconic Guitars to release models that match the brand’s name. They will be present at the NAMM show in 2025.
I don’t know if you remember that Cruz Guitars shut its doors in 2023. Since then, the former Master Builder has been working to “Set a new standard in boutique guitars”.
Although the answer to the question “Will Fender be at NAMM 2025?” is not on the show floor, having the man who made John Mayer’s Black N°1 guitar, SRV’s replica, and Malmsteen’s recreation is as close as it gets.
Acoustic Guitars
Ibanez
The new Blackout Series by Ibanez reminds us of their Iron Label guitars, finished entirely in matte black. Well. These acoustics are the closest we can be to a metal guitar. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that they have a floating tremolo and humbuckers, but the finish and the shape are enough to be intimidatingly heavy.
Will they unveil the whole collection with some odd surprises? Coming from Ibanez, anything can happen.
Martin
One of the oldest guitar manufacturers in the world, founded even before the NAMM show in 1833 just updated its Standard Series. It’s a range of workhorse acoustics for the gigging, working musician. Perhaps, we can hope for a double-neck version of the Standard Series?
Besides that, can we also think of something along the lines of their 3 millionth guitar or a museum piece? In any case, Martin’s is a booth worth checking during NAMM 2025 and every year.
Basses
Ernie Ball
Tim Commerford is one of the most relevant Sting Ray players in history. Well, the brand just dropped a new variant of his signature model. What’s different? It’s based on the pawn shop specimen he used to record Rage Against the Machine’s first record. I hope we see more in that line during NAMM 2025.
Spector
Ever since Rex Brown, Pantera’s bass player, dropped Epiphone and rejoined Spector, there have been rumors of a signature instrument in the making. It would be one of the biggest NAMM 2025 bass revelations if it were to drop this January.
Artists & Performances
NAMM Festival 2025 isn’t just a musical instrument show, it’s also a music festival. This year, besides the NAMM 2025 artist appearances that will happen at a plethora of booths, there is an elite-level marquee of artists performing live.
The headliner is the 34-time Grammy Awards nominee and 12-time Grammy Award winner Jack White. This is no surprise given the guitar God’s recent outstanding collaboration with Fender.
Among other relevant performing NAMM 2025 artists are Jacob Collier and Peter Frampton. These guitar icons and multi-instrumentalist virtuosos will make an appearance joined by 170 NAMM 2025 bands which include local acts and performers from all over the world.
With this many concerts, it should be called NAMM Music Show 2025!
For a full list of the 2025 NAMM show performers including all awards, the NAMM 2025 Yamaha stage, sessions, and events, check the calendar here.
Conclusion
NAMM 2025 is around the corner and that’s always a reason to be excited.
Yes, the world of musical instruments prepares for an entire year to meet their fans these four days. Moreover, NAMM 2025 is the biggest and longest iteration of this musical celebration and promises the best attendees and coverage ever.
Whether you can make it to the premises or not, as a musician, it’s always a great time to be alive when NAMM is happening in Anaheim.
Happy playing!
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