This Guitar Feels Like Cheating | Best of NAMM '26

Summary by Krater

Paul Davids explores unique guitars, pedals, and amplifiers at the NAMM 2026 trade show, testing innovative gear like smart LED-fretboard guitars and modular effects units.

From the video

Answers: What are the most innovative guitars and gear at NAMM 2026?

• smart LED guitars
• boutique guitar pedals
• guitar amplifiers
• MIDI guitars
• hollow-body metal guitars

What it concludes

• The .strandberg* x Jamstik Chameleon adapts to endless creative possibilities by functioning as a regular guitar and a MIDI controller at the same time.
• The Litejam smart guitar lights up every fret position and connects with a mobile app to display chords and scales in real time.
• The Eastman Fullertone Offset features design updates including a lower arm bevel, higher pickup switch position, and a bigger volume guard for improved tone and ergonomics.
• The James Trussart Steelcaster has no wood in the body, yet it delivers a unique and amazing tone with a super stable maple neck.
• The Mentha Works Monk Echo combines reverb and delay in one unit with monk-chant-inspired filter modulation.