What sets DRAG apart are its patent-pending Friction modes, engaged by holding the footswitch down to bring the signal to a screeching halt and letting it reaccelerate as you release, mimicking the rush of a drifting street racer. SlideStop and Evade are both new to DRAG, offering shallow and deep slide behavior alongside HopStop and Slide-n-Go variations, while the third mode, Rubberneck, borrows from DRAG’s bigger sibling with octave-up and octave-down pitch bending.

The Friction knob governs how fast these maneuvers happen, while the Drift knob shapes the speed and depth of the modulation itself. Four Curve waveform options, sine, reverse saw, square, and random, along with three speed and depth ranges, give players plenty of room to dial in their own modulation style.

DOD also included some practical touches to round out the package. A reversible, patent-pending StagePlate offers both a skid pad side and a hook-and-loop side for secure pedalboard mounting, and the pedal ships with a Mechanic’s Toolkit for quick tone tweaks and emergency fixes on the fly.

A 3.5mm jack unlocks DRAG’s full functionality when paired with the optional FS3X footswitch, and players get both true bypass and tails-on modes for flexible signal handling. The all-new top-jack chassis keeps cabling tidy on crowded boards, and power comes via a standard 9V DC tip-negative barrel jack.

Get the DOD DRAG here for $219.99.

The neck is where the Sterling by Music Man Majesty 7 makes its first impression. A Mahogany set neck with a 3-piece Mahogany build and rosewood fingerboard delivers unusually smooth upper-fret access, backed by 24 medium jumbo frets, a 16″ radius, and a 25.5″ scale length. It’s a shape built for speed without giving up low-string clarity, with a dual-action truss rod keeping things stable and a neck width that runs 1.95″ at the nut out to 2.60″ at the last fret.

Tonally, the Majesty pairs two ceramic humbuckers with a straightforward but powerful control set: a 3-way toggle, a single tone knob, and a push-push volume pot that dials in up to 12dB of boost on demand.

The finish work is just as considered. A striking Arctic Dream body color, a Modern Tremolo bridge, locking tuners for tuning stability under aggressive playing, and Petrucci’s custom JP fret inlays give the Majesty a look as distinctive as its sound.

Get the Sterling By Music Man Majesty 7 here for $1,199.99.

Chambers built his reputation in gospel, picking up two Dove Awards before crossing into mainstream sessions with artists like Bootsy Collins and Britney Spears, and his signature MXR pedal is loaded with upgrades aimed at that same level of control. New Gain Bypass and Mute switches headline the changes – Gain Bypass routes the input signal around the preamp stage and clipping diodes entirely, giving keyboardists with a hot signal, or gospel and R&B players chasing articulation, a cleaner path through the pedal. The Mute switch governs the output path: engaged, your signal runs through the tube but skips the pedal’s output for a pure, funky tone; disengaged, both outputs are active for a thicker, deeper sound.

Under the hood, a lightweight neodymium driver improves low-end handling, while a self-contained 25-watt amplifier delivers headroom, dynamic response, and cleaner articulation without needing separate amplification. Standard Volume, Tone, and Gain controls round out the tone-shaping options, all housed in a custom gold sparkle enclosure that sets it apart on any pedalboard or desktop setup.

The package includes an 8-foot tube, a mic stand clip, and an 18-volt power supply, making it ready to go right out of the box for guitarists, keyboardists, and anyone chasing vocal-like expression in their signal chain. Get the MXR Mr. Talkbox Signature Talk Box here for $449.99.

At its core sits Hotone’s CDCM HD & FIRE modeling engine, giving players access to 52 amp models, 48 cabs, and a full suite of effects, plus a built-in acoustic simulation with matching effects. Up to 200 presets can be saved, with signal processing handled at 24-bit/48kHz.

Despite its small footprint, the amp pushes 20 watts of stereo sound through dual 2″ speakers – which isn’t shocking given the state of technology, but it is cool. Players wanting to go deeper than just the basics can load up to 20 user IRs and 10 Sound Clone/NAM A1 and A2 files, making it easy to drop in custom cab sims or amp profiles for a personalized virtual rig.

The Pulze Jr. also doubles as a practice and songwriting tool, with a 240-second looper, a drum machine/metronome loaded with 100 rhythms, and a built-in tuner rounding out the feature set.

Where things get interesting is the AI integration. Hotone AI can generate ready-to-use presets at the touch of a button, and the amp also offers AI-driven track separation for building backing tracks on the fly. Everything is managed through the Hotone Pulze Editor app, with Bluetooth on board for both music streaming and wireless app connectivity. Hotone rates the onboard 3000mAh lithium battery for roughly 8 hours of continuous playback at medium volume.

Styled after the 5-watt Pulze-Mini, the Pulze Jr. is available in white or black finishes. It’s priced at $299 and will soon be available right here at Sweetwater.

Under the hood, the Penguin sticks to the formula that’s made it a favorite of tone chasers for decades. The chambered Mahogany body and arched maple top work together to open up the guitar’s harmonic response, letting air move freely between top and back for a resonance that feels more alive under your hands.

A Mahogany neck leads to a 12″ radius Ebony fingerboard, loaded with 22 medium jumbo frets, mother of pearl Neo Classic thumbnail inlays, and Luminlay side dots that glow on the darkest stages.

The real story, though, is in the electronics. TV Jones Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity Filter’Tron pickups bring an authentic slice of history to the build, recreated from Ray Butts’ own notes and TV Jones’ years of studying original units. Compared to modern Filter’Trons, these run tighter in the low end with a touch more top-end sparkle, and since they skip wax potting, the sound stays open and three-dimensional with dynamics that respond to how hard you dig in.

Rounding out the spec sheet: a bone nut for stable tuning and rich harmonic transfer, a Space Control bridge with a pinned Ebony base, and a String-Thru Bigsby B3CP tailpiece that speeds up string changes while boosting sustain. Grover Imperial tuners and chrome hardware finish the look, and every Penguin ships in a G6238XL Gretsch deluxe hardshell case.

Twangy, growling, and built for players who want their gear to stand out as much as it sounds great, this rare bird is ready to earn its spot on stage. Get it here for $3,799.99.

The Build: Shredder’s Cut Neck And A Slim Dinky Body

Every Pro-Mod Plus DK24 starts with a slim Basswood Dinky-style body. The neck joint uses Charvel’s Shredder’s Cut design, which contours the lower back of the heel so your hand doesn’t get blocked out when you’re reaching for the upper register.

The neck itself is bolt-on Caramelized Maple with graphite reinforcement rods running through it for added stability under string tension. It’s finished in satin with a natural lacquer on the back for a fast, low-friction feel.

On top of that sits an Ebony fretboard cut with a compound radius that flattens from 12″ at the nut to 16″ up the neck — tighter for chording near the headstock, flatter for bending without fretting out higher up. Charvel has fitted 24 jumbo stainless steel frets with rounded edges, which should hold up well under heavy bending and string-bending duty.

Pickups: Two Setups On Offer

Charvel is offering the Pro-Mod Plus DK24 in two pickup configurations, both built around Seymour Duncan hardware. The HH models pair a Seymour Duncan Nazgûl at the bridge with a Sentient in the neck position, both direct-mounted. It’s a combination designed to handle heavy rhythm tones without losing clarity on cleaner leads.

The HSS models swap in a Seymour Duncan Full Shred TB-10 humbucker at the bridge, with a Seymour Duncan SSL-6 in the middle and an SSL-6 RWRP (reverse-wound/reverse-polarity) in the neck position. That layout adds single-coil options into the mix alongside the humbucker, giving players more tonal range for different set needs.

Hardware Options Across The Range

The Pro-Mod Plus DK24 lineup splits further based on hardware and finish. Some models come with a quilted maple top for a more upscale look compared to the standard finish options. On the bridge side, there are three routes:

• A Charvel HT6 hardtail bridge with string-through-body construction, found on some HH models
• A recessed Floyd Rose 1500 Series double-locking tremolo with a matching Floyd Rose 1500 Series locking nut, aimed at players who want dive-bomb capability
• A recessed Wilkinson WVS130-2P tremolo with locking saddles, used on the HSS models and offered in two new colors

The Wilkinson setup gives you tremolo movement without the string-changing hassle that comes with a fully locking Floyd Rose system, while the Floyd Rose option is built for players who want the full range of dive bombs and pull-ups.

Check out the entire line here.

It’s like her Kramer from back in 2023, but y’know – an Explorer.

Built for a Modern Rock Icon

As one of rock’s most influential guitarists and the first female Gibson brand ambassador, Lzzy Hale has forged a reputation as one hell of a presence in the rock world. Her signature Explorer reflects that approach and then some.

The solid Mahogany body and Set Mahogany neck provide a warm, sustaining foundation, while the SlimTaper ’60s C neck profile offers a fast, comfortable feel that encourages everything from powerful rhythm work to expressive lead playing. An Ebony fingerboard with a 12″ radius and 22 Medium Jumbo frets completes the playing experience, delivering smooth bends and effortless upper-register access.

The visual details are equally distinctive. Finished in Gloss Black Diamond Holographic Sparkle, the Explorer catches the light from every angle, while multi-ply top binding, a single-ply mirror pickguard, and the signature hockey-stick headstock create a really angular look.

Personal touches include a rare three-dimensional nickel Epiphone logo, a Black stinger on the rear of the headstock, and a truss rod cover engraved with a reproduction of Hale’s signature.

High-Output Power with Vintage Roots

At the heart of the Explorer Custom is a matched set of Epiphone ProBucker Ignite humbuckers.

Based on the company’s popular ProBucker design but revoiced for higher output, the Ignite pickups retain the warmth and character of vintage PAF-style humbuckers while delivering the additional punch and clarity demanded by modern hard rock.

he bridge pickup excels at tight, articulate riffing with ample bite, while the neck pickup offers a thicker voice suited to melodic solos and expressive clean passages.

The electronics layout remains reassuringly familiar, with independent Volume controls, a shared Master Tone control, Speed knobs, and a three-way pickup selector offering plenty of flexibility without overcomplicating the guitar’s operation.

Get the Epiphone Lzzy Hale Explorer Custom for $999 at Sweetwater right here.

The Ibanez ICWH727 brings Hauch’s vision of the perfect guitar to life with a 3-piece Maple/Purpleheart neck, with the Purpleheart stripe running through it to add stability and longer sustain. It’s a set-in neck design with a smooth heel for comfortable upper-fret access across all 24 jumbo frets, each finished with Ibanez’s Custom Shop fret edge treatment for an exceptionally smooth, even feel.

The body pairs a Flamed Maple top with an African Mahogany body, delivering a warm tone with rich resonance, while a bound Rosewood fretboard with offset Abalone dot inlays provides a well-balanced, focused midrange character underneath. Loaded into that Mahogany body is a matched set of Seymour Duncan Jupiter Rails pickups in the neck and bridge, Wes Hauch’s own signature design. These passive, ceramic pickups feature dual stainless-steel blade poles on each unit, delivering balanced output across every string along with enhanced note articulation. Voiced with a distinctive midrange character and high output, they’re chunky.

On the hardware side, the ICWH727 features a Lo-Pro Edge tremolo bridge, prized for its streamlined profile, recessed fine tuners, and locking studs that contribute to serious tuning stability. That’s paired with Hipshot machine heads for further tuning reliability, along with a locking nut and black hardware throughout. The neck measures a 27-inch scale length, with a 48mm width at the nut expanding to 68mm at the 24th fret, and a 430mm radius for smooth, consistent playability across the neck.

The bad news is that the ICWH727 is (and this is not a typo) available here for $9,999.99.

Designed alongside legendary guitarist Steve Lukather, the Luke has become one of the most recognizable designs in modern guitar history. The Luke HSS carries that legacy forward, keeping the iconic body shape and V-neck profile players know from past iterations while introducing a new set of versatile tones through an HSS pickup configuration. Rounded out with a 5-way selector, vintage tremolo, and a 12dB push-push volume boost, the Luke HSS is available in two eye-catching Flamed Maple Veneer finishes.

At the heart of the Luke HSS is that much-requested HSS pickup layout, pairing a ceramic humbucker at the bridge with two Alnico single coils for a range that spans crisp single-coil cleans to powerful humbucker drive. The 5-way switching gives players quick access to that full spectrum, while the 12dB push-push volume boost adds an extra shot of punch when it’s needed most.

The guitar’s playability centers on a Roasted Maple neck, offering a smooth, stable feel built for speed, paired with a Rosewood fingerboard, 22 medium frets, and a 12-inch radius across a 25.5-inch scale length. A dual-action truss rod and 5-bolt neck attachment round out the neck’s construction, while white dot fret markers keep things clean and classic looking. Up top, locking tuners make for faster string changes and more reliable tuning stability night after night.

Body-wise, the Luke HSS is built from Nyatoh with a Flamed Maple veneer, finished in Yucatan Blue for this particular model, and outfitted with a vintage tremolo bridge. Controls are kept straightforward with one Volume (featuring the push-push boost) and one Tone knob, and it ships strung with Ernie Ball 2221 Regular Slinky strings.

Get the Sterling by Music Man Luke HSS in Yucatan Blue or Heritage Cherry Burst finishes for $849.99 right here.

At the core of the pedal is a contactless magnetic position sensor, meaning it won’t wear out the way strings, gears, and potentiometers do in other expression pedals. That sensor also delivers a notably smooth tracking response, and Walrus Audio has paired it with adjustable tapers so players can dial in the exact feel they want. For deeper customization, the company has also built a Canvas Expression web editor, giving users control over tapers, wiring, MIDI CC and PC assignments, CV settings, switch behavior, and more.

Connectivity is handled through Jack A and Jack B analog outputs, which cover expression, CV, and switch-out functions and support TRS, TS, and RTS formats. MIDI is available via 1/8-inch mini-jack connections and USB-C, with the latter also supporting firmware updates. The web app allows users to assign these outputs as needed for their specific setup.

On the pedal itself, the lower interface features two directional arrow buttons alongside four parameter LEDs. These LEDs indicate which of four editable parameters — TYPE, WIRE, DIR, or X — is currently selected for editing.

The Canvas Expression is built for players with more complex expression pedal needs. Its customization options and support for multiple control formats, including high-resolution MIDI and CV, mean it could appeal to synth users as well as guitarists.

That said, for anyone who just needs a straightforward expression pedal for a single parameter on one effect, it may be more than necessary. Where it really shines is for touring musicians who need a robust, reliable control system for both live and studio use. It runs on a standard 9V negative-tip 300mA power supply, so it should integrate easily into most existing setups.

Get the Walrus Audio Canvas Expression here for $299.99.