Home #Hwoodtimes Gibson Unveils a New Era for 2026 at NAMM

Gibson Unveils a New Era for 2026 at NAMM

January 21, 2026

Debuting at NAMM, the legendary brand blends 132 years of craftsmanship with bold new vision

NASHVILLE, TN – Gibson, the iconic global instrument brand that has shaped the sound of generations, returns to the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA, this week with a powerful statement of innovation, craftsmanship, and artist-driven purpose. For more than a century, Gibson has been among the most played and beloved brands worldwide, inspiring legendary musicians and empowering new players across every genre.

With innovation, quality, and renowned craftsmanship at the forefront, Gibson kicks off the year by unveiling an all-new 2026 product range. On Wednesday, January 21, during NAMM Media Day, Gibson will showcase its 2026 lineup and present a special live performance by singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy. Gibson’s presence at NAMM emphasizes a strong commercial focus and curated experiences for both media and the general public.

From Thursday, January 22, to Saturday, January 24, NAMM attendees can explore highlights across Gibson, Epiphone, MESA/Boogie, KRK, and more. In front of Room #208A, Gibson will present vignettes spotlighting the year’s biggest stories with multiple first-look acoustic and electric reveals. Upstairs in the Creator Lounge Room #303B, media will find hands-on access to instruments and products, podcast studios, and robust content creation opportunities, alongside Gibson Generation Group (G3) performances, product demos, and panels featuring Gibson and Epiphone partners, artists, and creators. In the Pro Audio Hall, in Booth #14112, KRK will debut new monitoring solutions and studio innovations. Interviews and video tours of the Gibson vignette areas are by appointment only; media may request in advance here.

For the public NAMM experience at Room #208A, Gibson Custom Master Artisan Rickie Hinrichsen will demonstrate his hand carving craft, while the Gibson Guitar Throne and an oversized Gibson guitar provide immersive, social-ready photo moments for fans and creators.

“Gibson and NAMM share in our missions to better lives through music and to strengthen the music instruments industry at large,” says Beth Heidt, Chief Marketing Officer at Gibson. “At NAMM, the MI community connects with industry leaders, retailers, influencers, and artists to learn about new products and trends while supporting professional development and nonprofits through the arts.”

The Gibson team will also deliver daily panels during NAMM at the following locations:

Wednesday, January 21:

NAMM Media Day
3:00 PM Hilton Pacific Ballroom — Mat Koehler, Gibson, Vice President of Product, will present Gibson 100 Years of Flat‑Tops, and other key stories for 2026. Mat will be joined onstage by singer-songwriter and Gibson artist Margaret Glaspy for a special guest performance.

Thursday, January 22:

12:00 PM at TEC Tracks/Hilton California B — From Studio to Standard: Hit-Boy on Craft, Culture, and Longevity — 3x GRAMMY® Award-winning producer and rapper Hit-Boy and Deston Bennett of KRK Audio Relations join TEC Tracks for a candid fireside chat on staying creative and relevant in a constantly evolving music landscape. He breaks down his process—from beat‑making and collaboration to shaping culturally lasting albums—while reflecting on how new technology, trusted tools, and intentional artistry are guiding his upcoming 2026 project.
12:00 PM at Creator’s Lounge 303 B — Jim DeCola, Gibson’s Master Luthier, will take the stage to share how every Gibson electric guitar is meticulously handcrafted in Nashville, TN. His talk will spotlight the company’s time‑honored traditions, the skilled artisans behind the instruments, and the legacy craftsmanship that continues to define Gibson today.
12:30 PM at Creator’s Lounge 303 B — Mat Koehler of Gibson will take the Creator stage to present 100 Years of Flat-Tops, exploring the rich history and enduring legacy of Gibson’s acoustic instruments. His talk will highlight the evolution of our flat‑top designs, the craftsmanship behind them, the milestones that shaped a century of acoustic innovation, and the new collections on the way.

Friday, January 23

11:00 AM–3:00 PM Creator’s Lounge 303 B — Gibson Generation Group (G3) emerging global artists perform, including Sawyer Lee, Russell Watson, Jayden English, and Zach Krys.
6:00 PM Hilton Hotel Pacific Ballroom — She Rocks Awards — Critically acclaimed Gibson artist Margaret Glaspy will be honored with the “Innovator Award” at the 14th Annual She Rocks Awards.

Saturday, January 24:

10:30 AM Hilton Laguna AB Ballroom — Solutions for House of Worship — Andrew Ladner, Marketing Manager, Mesa/Boogie, Gibson Amplifiers, Maestro, and KRK. This session explores why Gibson, Epiphone, and MESA/Boogie remain top choices for worship musicians on Sunday mornings and beyond. Covering Gibson’s iconic, time‑tested tones, Epiphone’s exceptional value without compromise, and MESA/Boogie’s versatility from studio to stage, this talk highlights real‑world player experience, the role of modelers and studio monitors in modern worship setups, and practical tools like CabClone™ IR for shaping consistent, reliable tone.
11:00 AM Creator’s Lounge 303 B — Melinda Colaizzi, founder of Women Who Rock, will speak, sharing practical insights on advancing women in music, her experience building and promoting the major annual Women Who Rock benefit concert, creating safe communities for expression, and empowering emerging artists—with actionable takeaways for creators, brands, and industry leaders. Rising alternative artist Black Polish (Jayden “Jay” Binnix)—a Gibson Spotlight Artist for 2026, will be performing a handful of songs acoustic at the event.

Below is a snapshot of some of the key highlights for Gibson at NAMM, with more to be revealed throughout 2026:

Gibson Acoustics:

Gibson Century Collection

It’s a sound you can feel in your bones. For 100 years, Gibson flat-top acoustic guitars have dominated the airwaves, flowing through our hearts and into our homes. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the very first Gibson flat-top, we present the Century Collection, a beautiful assortment of 12-fret instruments channeling the minimalist elegance of early 20thcentury design, offering an easier and more intimate playing experience and rich, warm toes perfect for fingerpicking and vocal accompaniment. Available Spring, 2026, on www.gibson.com.

Gibson L-1 Anniversary Limited Edition

First introduced in 1902 and reinvented as a flat-top in 1926, the Gibson L-1 has an indelible link to the blues. This one-time-only run comprises 100 instruments, each featuring a beautiful Cremona Burst lacquer finish, a thermally aged red spruce top paired with mahogany back and sides, historic 12-fret construction with a 25-inch scale length, a bound ebony fingerboard, and a script headstock logo in mother of pearl. Available next month, on www.gibson.com.

Gibson Custom:

Gibson Custom ES-330 Reissues

The legendary ES-330™ is back in the Gibson Custom lineup after an eight-year hiatus, and with more and more of today’s players using direct rigs at home or on silent stages, there’s never been a better time to enjoy the expressive dynamic range and beautiful P-90 tones of a fully hollow Gibson ES™ model, handcrafted in Nashville, TN, by the artisans at the Gibson Custom Shop. 1959 and 1962 ES-330 Reissue models offer two distinct flavors in vintage-inspired colorways. Available Summer 2026, on www.gibson.com.

Gibson:

Gibson ES-335 50s & 60s

Introduced in 1958, the Gibson ES-335 is the most versatile electric guitar of all time. For 2026, the ES-335 is elevated in our core Gibson lineup with a choice of 50s and 60s-inspired models in vintage-inspired colorways. Handcrafted in Nashville, TN, using the same ES laminate press that was used to build the guitars played by the most iconic artists in music, our new ES-335 50s and 60s models feature era-specific plastics, neck shapes, pickups, and more. Available Summer 2026, on www.gibson.com.

Gibson Les Paul Studio Double Trouble

Hot on the heels of the hugely successful Gibson Les Paul™ Standard 50s & 60s Double Trouble models comes an even more accessible route to the Double Classic White aesthetic beloved by so many players. Based on the smash-hit Les Paul Studio platform and handcrafted in Nashville, TN, these guitars are as versatile as they are head-turning, with gloss nitrocellulose finishes and Double Classic White Burstbucker™ Pro pickups with coil tapping for a wide range of tones. Available Spring 2026, on www.gibson.com.

Also premiering at NAMM are a soulful new Gary Clark Jr. ES‑355 from Gibson Custom, the meticulously recreated Mick Ronson 1968 Les Paul Custom, and the Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V™. Add in the Les Paul Custom Long Scale and the refined ’57 L‑5 CES VS Humbuckers GH Prototype, and the range runs deep. Gibson USA counters with the new Victory Floyd Rose®, refreshed Victory Figured models, and the new Mark Morton Les Paul Modern Quilt—each delivering bold style and modern attitude.

Epiphone:

Epiphone Inspired by Gibson

The all-new 2026 Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Collection brings premium feel, refined performance, and iconic design within reach—no matter where you’re starting or where you’re headed. From reimagined icons like the 1959 Les Paul Standard to exciting new platforms like the Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured and “if you know, you know” models like the Explorer™ 80s EMG, there’s something here for every stage. Available Winter 2026, on www.epiphone.com.

Epiphone Futura Series

Bold by design, the new-for-2026 Futura Series from Epiphone takes the most iconic Gibson body shapes and remixes them with modern, professional-grade features at a price point for every player. Chromashift finishes change color in real time, while stainless steel frets, compound radius fretboards, and ProBucker™ Ignite pickups deliver the feel and fire to match. Don’t just play. Show up. Available Spring 2026, on www.epiphone.com.

MESA/Boogie:

MESA/Boogie Custom Configured

MESA/Boogie brings its legendary custom‑built craftsmanship to NAMM with new additions to the Custom Configured collection, honoring a tradition that began with Randall Smith’s hand‑built amps in 1971. Still crafted from scratch in Petaluma with fully personalized options—from premium finishes and exotic hardwoods to custom grilles and hardware—each MESA amplifier is a true reflection of the player behind it. With 19 models already in the lineup, 2026 introduces a standout limited‑edition 90s Dual Rectifier featuring a Rosso Scuderia Red chassis and matching Split Back 4×12, continuing the brand’s legacy of building dream rigs for artists and individualists alike. Available at, www.mesaboogie.com.

KRK:

V Series Five

At NAMM, KRK debuts the first look at the all-new V Series Five—the latest evolution in Gibson’s professional audio portfolio and a milestone in KRK’s nearly four-decade legacy of precision studio monitoring. Since 1986, KRK has set the standard for accurate translation through hallmark technologies such as woven Kevlar® aramid fiber woofers and a scientifically tuned front bass reflex port, and the V Series Five advances that heritage with refined clarity, control, and reliability trusted across music, film, and content creation. Designed for musicians, producers, and engineers who demand every nuance, the V Series Five empowers creators to craft chart-topping mixes, score to picture, or elevate personal projects with confidence. Available Summer 2026, at www.krkmusic.com.

Gibson: