Gear plans 2026

[rstites]

I'm at a stage in life that I really need to move some gear and simplify. However, I've been kicking this particular can down the road for several years now, so we'll see what happens. I don't have a coherent plan yet, so it'll probably be the same in 2027!

 

[thegame]

Happy New Gear everyone

 

[PeteLaramee]

Gear wise - just to sell two guitars and buy one (Ibanez AZ24027). I might get the Fractal FM9. may get a new desk for my studio.

I'm actually just playing a lot right now and re-learning songs. I'm thinking I might start gigging again. Just received a Digitech Drop pedal yesterday and I finished assembling a pedalboard.

 

[romanianreaper]

Sell a few guitars, maybe. I´m really happy where I´m at right now.

You are on the wrong forum. Buy stuff you don't need or leave sir...


Just kidding. That is awesome that you can feel content. I'm actually pretty set right now and feel like I have a guitar for a different scenario, etc.

 

[PBGas]

I have a more modern style acoustic on order so that will probably be about it.
I updated my interface late in the past year and got a really nice new guitar and that was more than enough.

just Strings and picks....I keep telling myself!

 

[fek]

What I want to do most is to rearrange my music room so that it is easier to move cables around on the back of my amp shelves.

I haven't fired up my modded JCM800 in over a year because trying to pull the rack out that houses a SYN-2 and Powerstation, move 4X12's, a big pedal board, and guitars around is too big of a PITA to get to the speaker cables.

Edit: Probably just need to incorporate an amp switcher of some type.

 

[glpg80]

What’s the deal on those Randall T2HH? It’s solid state right?

Nope. Hybrid just like Abaddon. The T2HH is a tweaked T2 for Gus G and super rare. They don’t have a lot of gain but they sound good to me. The power side is all solid state which is why I want one - it makes a great practice amp.

 

[Exo-metal]

I hope the selfish spirit of hoarding collectors is broken this year. It is better to give than receive. Take a chance and break that spirit of hoarding and let more go. I know bc I have been there and last year was better bc I know what need and sold off what I didn't. I'm still buying but you have to let things go in life. I have had epic amps and other gear and focus on what I had but it wasn't meant to sit collecting dust my friends. Dial your rigs this year like never before my RT brethren.

 

[JDs Couch]

Likely not buying anything major this year. Strings and pics. Between the Kemper and Mark IIC+, I'm not missing anything ampwise. Guitars...well, I would love to have more but that's just being greedy.

 

[Metlupass2]

A Tom Anderson that's supposed to be finished in Feb and order a James Tyler Studio Elite in the next few months.

 

[ners]

Plans? None...but Hermansson had a last minute Marshall mod available so jumped on that without even thinking about the price, kinda worried it's going to be expensive.

 

[Fusionbear]

Lots of gigs already booked for 2026 and I suspect a few more will be added throughout the year. Gonna be the busiest year for me in 15 or so years.

EDIT - I didn’t even mention gear plans. I have four guitars up for sale now and may sell more next year. I’m pretty good on amps. If I can keep myself busy gigging, I will probably cut down on my impulse purchases.

This is where I am too. First gig is on the 23rd of this month. Have 9 more booked so far.... my other bands will start booking in the next two weeks.... woo hoo!

 

[cobrahead1030]

Buy less shit.

I’m pretty much out of space & like all the gear that I have. I need to be an adult and move a couple of amps & guitars, so I can get back to gear whoring.

I want a better amp for clean & mid gain sounds; will probably sell my Mesa Fillmore & Deluxe Reverb to make that happen. I like both, but don’t love them.

I want a nicer acoustic. I’m happy enough with my Taylor 314, I can gig with it & it gets the job done just fine. I’ve never owned an acoustic that I was really inspired by, even though I’ve played several over the years.

I might consider some type of 335, if I find one that’s really better than my Eastman enough to justify the price tag.

I’d like a nicer 7 string. I could probably part with my PRS Holcomb & LTD Stef to make that work. The seven string band I was in kind of fell apart, so I really don’t need two of them anyway.

 

[DanTravis62]

I want a better amp for clean & mid gain sounds; will probably sell my Mesa Fillmore & Deluxe Reverb to make that happen. I like both, but don’t love them.

There are a bunch of amps you need to try out man

I have gone through a million amps trying to find the best clean and mid gain tones, and there's about a half dozen that have ended up at the top of the list. Here they are in no particular order:

1. Dr Z Maz
2. Matchless Clubman/Phoenix/cobra (all the el34 ones)
3. TopHat club royale/king royale
4. Mesa Boogie Cali Tweed
5. Hiwatt DR504 and 103 (if your ears can take it, they are stupid loud)
6. Vintage Bassman/Bandmaster AB165 Fenders


I would seek some of these out and give them a try - most of these I was completely blown away by for those types of tones

 

[Smash]

I have a fortin 33 coming tomorrow, which I always thought was overhyped until last year when i played a clone. But that is small potatoes.

I want to get an Abbadon, just because it is so different from pretty much everything and seems massive.

And I am thinking of getting a cheap epiphone les paul jr and a maz 18 for some more classic rock and lighter shit, because I have high gain right where I want it.

 

[Rackman]

If we're talking clean/reverb amps, unless you want a very stiff feel I think the Victoria Victorilux is hard to beat.

It's just a badass sounding reverb, especially in slightly larger halls. The tremolo is solid too.

The pine cabinet makes them less stiff/punchy than a typical high-wattage blackface.

 

[phillybhatesme]

Try and stay focused on not getting another Gibson or Gibson like guitar and Marshall like amp. Trying to find a Gretsch or Tele/Strat that I like that’s not crazy in pricing. Possibly an old school Fender/Supro type combo.

That being said, if a really nice Humbucker LP or SG, at the right price, steps in front of me by happenstance, it’s coming home (I only have V’s and a LP Special)

I too am addicted to buying Gibsons lol.

That looks like my plan.

Also would like to improve my knowledge about fixing and setting my guitars. A local school is offering some training and i am planning to follow some of their courses

Yes, definitely need to practice more (the post you quoted). I've actually been stepping up my speed game a lot lately. I also recently watched part of a video where Dean Lamb (Archspire) talked to Brandon Ellis (ex-Black Dahlia) about some practice techniques. Brandon went on about how guitarists always practice their down strokes, but never their upstrokes. He attributed his tremolo picking style and speed to practicing upstrokes-only. My mind was kind of blown.

Couple that with - did you know upstroke pinch harmonics are possible? Yeah, 2026 is gonna be fun.

Your second sentence really resonates with me. I'm ashamed to say that I know nothing about setting up guitars. I am kind of nervous to turn a truss rod, so when I get new guitars, I usually take them to a luthier (he's a builder, not just a guitar tech) to get them set up. Dude is running a class this January that I'll be attending to start learning the basics. It's really damn time I learn how to do a setup.

I have 30 guitars and 11 amps…picked out 6 guitars and 6 amps I’m going to put on consignment at a local store. I’ve been playing the Synergy/KSR PA-100R more than anything and loving it best. So going to expand my Synergy pallet.

Going to try to not buy too much. I have a Tom Anderson Arch Angel arriving Friday, so after that one…

Mainly planning to get better and keep recording and releasing songs. Start going to bed at a decent hour and wake up early to practice and exercise before work, tough for me though.

Good for you dude. I need to pare down as well, but am in denial.
Practicing in the morning has been instrumental for me when I actually do it. It's the best time for me to practice. Keep at it!

 

[phillybhatesme]

I know I already posted, but after reading some of the other comments, I'd like to add: play with purpose and practice more. There's a huge difference between sitting down on the couch and playing a composition vs. practicing technique. I need to do the latter.

I also started a band in 2025, so I'd like to gig in 2026. Wish me luck guys lol.

 

[phillybhatesme]

Oh!!! OH!!! The thing I'm most excited about (jfc how'd I forget this) - I just got a nice acoustic (Breedlove Premier Concert). I had an acoustic as my main G for about 15 years before taking the GAS plunge the past 4 years or so and buying a bunch of shit I don't use. Acoustic is actually where I think my music shines the most, so I want to play that a lot more, but more importantly get off my trepid ass and do some solo performances (open mics and shit).

 

[shar-vell Dan]