The Week in Gear 72: A Deep Dive into This Week’s Exciting Releases

Welcome back, gear lovers! It’s time to dive into the latest and greatest in the world of guitars and gear. This week, we’re unpacking some amazing new guitar gear that promises to thrill enthusiasts and professionals alike. From signature guitars to high-powered cabinets, there’s something for everyone. So, let’s get started!

Prepare to get gas because it’s time for some exciting gear talk! This week, we’re featuring guitars that scream quality and performance, alongside some heavy-duty cabinets that are ready to elevate your sound. And if you’re in the market for something fast and fancy-free, you’ve come to the right place!

First up, let’s talk about the Martin 000-EC and 000-42EC, celebrating 30 years of collaboration between Martin Guitars and Eric Clapton. These guitars are not just instruments; they’re pieces of history.

Way back in 1992, Clapton’s MTV Unplugged performance reignited the acoustic guitar scene, leading to a surge in demand for the guitars he used. Fast forward to now, and Martin has released two special editions that ooze collector-worthy appeal.

The 000-EC is the more accessible option, featuring a solid spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides, all for around $4,000. It offers a vintage feel with classy snowflake inlays and herringbone trim, plus it comes with a premium embroidered case and a certificate of authenticity.

For those wanting the full boutique treatment, the 000-42EC is a dream, boasting Adirondack spruce and Guatemalan rosewood, along with hand-signed labels. But brace yourself for the price tag: around $11,000. For the right fan, though, this is a worthy investment.

Mesa has cracked open the vault to bring back a classic—the Split-Back cabinets, formerly known as the Halfback. These cabs are designed for those who want to combine open-back sparkle with closed-back thump, available in both 2×12 and 4×12 configurations.

The 2×12 model is equipped with two Celestion C90 Black Shadow speakers, delivering 180 watts at 8 ohms. If you want to step it up, the 4×12 features a combination of Celestion C90s and Vintage 30s, offering 300 watts of power.

These cabinets are not just about sound; they’re built with Baltic birch plywood and come with removable casters for easy transport. Prices start at around $1,500 for the 2×12 and $2,000 for the 4×12. If you’re craving that vintage Mesa sound, these might just be your next big tone move.

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Now, let’s shift gears to something that screams metal. Say hello to the Jackson Pro Series Signature Dave Davidson Warrior WR7. This guitar is built for high-speed, high-gain technical brutality.

The body is crafted from alder, paired with a through-body maple neck reinforced with graphite. The ultra-smooth satin finish on the neck ensures you won’t be slowed down during your fastest solos.

Armed with DiMarzio Imperium humbuckers, this guitar is designed to handle high gain without getting flubby. Plus, you’ve got a push-pull volume knob for coil-splitting and a Floyd Rose 1000 series tremolo for those dive bombs.

Aesthetically, it’s bold with sharp edges and comes in striking Ferrari red or yellow finishes. This guitar is perfect for those who want a no-compromise metal machine.

Gibson has been on a roll lately, and their latest addition, the Gibson Victory, is no exception. With a punk rock vibe, the TV Yellow Satin finish keeps it edgy while the Dark Purple Burst goes full glam apocalypse.

Equipped with 80s tribute humbuckers and push-pull coil splits, this guitar offers versatility. It features a fast-playing slim taper neck, ideal for those who want upper fret access without sacrificing comfort.

Pricing is around $1,700 for the TV Yellow and $1,900 for the Dark Purple Burst. It’s a respectable price for a USA-made Gibson that blends vintage vibes with modern flexibility.

Now, onto my pick of the week! Ibanez has just dropped a fresh batch of RG models, and the RG450QMB-TGB caught my eye. With a stunning quilted maple top over a lightweight Meranti body, this guitar is both visually appealing and practical.

The Wizard III maple neck is fast and smooth, paired with a Jatoba fretboard loaded with 24 jumbo frets. This guitar is shred-friendly but also great for clean phrasing and big bends.

Equipped with an HSH Quantum pickup configuration and a double-locking Edge Zero II tremolo bridge, it offers tonal flexibility at an affordable price. This guitar is perfect for anyone looking to step up their game without breaking the bank.

That wraps up this week’s gear roundup! I hope you found something that excites you. If you’ve got thoughts on this week’s gear, drop them in the comments below. Until next time, keep on playing and exploring new guitar gear!