Guitar Journal: Wham, Bam, Thank You NAMM!
NAMM 2026: New boutique tube amp tones coming this year
4,5 / 5,0 | 
This week, I look at some of the interesting guitar gear from last weekend’s NAMM 2026. This year’s event had loads of booths and many new product announcements for the year ahead, so we peeked at some of the cooler ones this week.
Guitar Journal
Friedman Amps 2026
I briefly covered the announcement of the new Friedman IR-Load during the show. This is a collaboration with Synergy Amps, which uses their Machine-Learning power amp technology, which will also feature in the new Wampler Pedalhead.
This was not the only new product that Dave Friedman was showing off to the crowds over the three-day event.
Friedman PX20 – 20 Watt Head
Dave Friedman is a busy man, though, and this year the Phil X 20-watt head, the PX20, is finally making its debut (it was first announced back in 2024 and should be ready for production at last in 2026). Essentially, it’s a shrunken-down edition of his full-sized amp head.
Minified X Tones?
A seasoned session and touring pro, Phil X has lent his chops to heavyweights like Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, and Rob Zombie.
Known for being obsessively particular about his sound, Phil demanded nothing short of sonic perfection when collaborating on his original signature amplifier. Therefore, this shrunken 20-watt head has the potential to be a very versatile amp, as Mr X needs to cover a lot of ground.
It has distinctive red control knobs, and I’m looking forward to seeing the full specifications announced sometime (hopefully) soon.
If the price is right on this model, it could be a huge seller for Friedman, as Phil X has a great reputation in the guitar community and has had several signature amps in the past, which are highly regarded. These obviously include the full-sized Friedman amp and his original Evil Robot series.
There will also be Friedman’s take on the Vox AC30, due out this year.
Friedman VX30 – British Chime
There will also be Friedman’s take on the Vox AC30, the Friedman VX30, due out at some point this year. This one is based on one of Dave’s vintage Vox amps and features three channels that can be blended to create completely new Vox-like tones.
It concludes the British AC amp tones with the Top Boost and Normal channels (plus the Bass head version). There are no official prices or complete specifications on either of these models yet, but we will update you once they become available.
MSRPs – TBC
Two-Rock Studio Overdrive
Another new boutique amp model at the show was the Two-Rock Studio Overdrive amp head. This one features a dual 6L6 tube power section and a tube-buffered effects loop.
All-Tube
This 35-watt all-tube head is two channel design and includes a Three-band EQ with their new Tone Stack Bypass feature. Two-Rock has a reputation for Dumble-style amps, and so if you like that sort of thing, these could be just what you need.
Tone Stack Bypass
When you engage the Tone Stack Bypass, it gives the amp a huge mid-boost and more oomph. The map comes with a two-button footswitch to toggle between channels and engage the Tone Stack Bypass feature.
MSRP – $3,799
Super Black mini
Mad Professor showed off their new Super Black mini, offering a Fender-like ’60s black-panel tone in a compact pedal format.
Refined Design
According to Mad Professor, the SB Mini is a compact evolution of the original Super Black circuit, meticulously engineered to mirror the entire signal path of a vintage amplifier.
Coming Soon
By refining the all-analog design, they have expanded both the headroom and output level, delivering that signature punchy, crystalline “Black Panel” clarity in a much smaller footprint. According to their website, the Super Black miniwill be available later this spring.
We will update you once it hits, as it looks like a winner.
MSRP – TBC
2026 Gear
It looks like 2026 is already shaping up to be an interesting year for guitar players, especially those chasing boutique amp tones and seeking modern reliability and flexibility.
Friedman obviously hit the ball out of the park with all their announcements, and the new Two-Rock and Mad Professor releases could also be winners for boutique amp connoisseurs (just at different ends of the price spectrum). I’ll update you on all these new products once they have official releases and prices.
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