Bandbox

Interesting release by a non-guitar manufacturer - JBL has amps for you. That's right. These are portable amps with onboard effects & editing (e.g. the Trio lets you subtract / mute an instrument during play, this way, you can flex your own version of a loaded song. Neat). Online clips had been very positive pertaining to the tone / voicings on offer. I'm of the opinion that prices could have been better. These are in stock at JBL SG if you are interested. I'm definitely interested but not for that kinda price. Software DAW features are available at more competitive prices. OK, the manufacturer had factored in the amp manifestation & such but JBL should learn a thing or two by looking at the Positive Grid prices.

Pic: JBL SG 

Ibanez 2026: Ice, ice, baby...

Interesting developments in the Iceman offerings this 2026. A maple fretboard version was added to the lineup. I like it a lot but that black headstock is a poor consideration in terms of aesthetics. Just me, I guess. Iceman basses are also back. The black version features Bartolini pickups while the flame maple counterpart has Nordstrands in there. All instruments are available at Swee Lee less the IC420MFM which is already out of stock. That was fast.

Pics: Ibanez

Ibanez 2026: Xiphos

The Ibanez Xiphos is back this year as a standard offering (Xiphos Standard). It didn't go away actually, there were existing models in the Iron Label series. This current Standard is just a normal affair, nothing special. Unlike its Iron Label siblings (ebony), the fretboard here is rosewood. EDIT: This model is already available at Swee Lee ($1,479)

Pic: Ibanez

Silver blue

PRS did a simple thing to perpetuate the sales of its Silver Sky this year; giving it a matching body - headstock finish. Only this colour is offered (in the mean time) & it's called the Wild Blue.

Pic: PRS

ESP 2026: MT-1

So this is how the ESP version of Mick Thompson's signature model looks like... exactly like the LTD version but with a more aggressive chamfering at the bass side cutaway. Rather upset that for an ESP, the fingerboard here is phenowood; a compound of wood & resin. The LTD version is ebony, FYI. Reminds me of that time when Gibson used richlite for its LP Custom. Bummer. 

Pic: ESP

Ibanez 2026: Kiko

Kiko Loureiro's new KIKO300 puts him into the AZ camp. As seen above, the guitar offers an HSH pickup combo + 24 frets. Pickups here are DiMarzio KIKO models & that flick switch is a coil-tap feature, not the Alter Switch. If the features here look familiar to you, it's basically an AZ2407 with a flick switch. Of course, those block inlays help differentiate this guitar visuall7.

Pic: Ibanez