- Guitar Summit 2026 rumours, news & announcements
- Guitar Summit 2026 FAQs
- Catch every Guitar Summit moment
Thousands of guitar geeks from around the globe are heading to Mannheim in Germany this weekend. Why? It’s Guitar Summit 2026, baby! And it’s the best place to be if you want a first-hand look at the latest electrics, acoustics, basses, amps and pedals from the industry’s leading brands.
More than 600 exhibitors are setting up shop as we speak. But plenty of exciting new gear has already been announced in the run-up to the event. And we get it — no one wants their launch getting lost in the noise, do they? We’ve rounded up the biggest headlines so far below.
Guitar Summit 2026 rumours, news & announcements
Scroll down for all the coolest Guitar Summit ’26 talking points and gear news ahead of the show. And make sure to bookmark this page to stay in the loop, as we’ll be updating it with all the latest rumours, releases and breaking news throughout the weekend.
PRS Silver Sky x Land Rover Defender limited edition guitars
We love a good collab here at Andertons. Just check out our list of the top five epic gaming and guitar crossovers. But PRS and John Mayer joining forces with Land Rover to launch eight Silver Sky guitars in exclusive Defender colours? That defo wasn’t on our bingo card. If you’re wondering how this unexpected tie-up came to fruition, here’s John shedding some light on the story behind his latest limited-edition gear:
“Teaming up with Defender to offer the Silver Sky guitar in their legendary 4×4 colours is a dream come true. I’ve always chosen colourways based on objects and materials that inspire me in the world, and as a collector and lover of Defenders, this collaboration is the perfect crossover between two great passions of mine.”
These instruments are split between PRS’s Core range and SE Series, with the four American-made Silver Sky Defender guitars limited to just 500 units per colour (so don’t hang around if you want one). They also come with a custom case boasting a Defender badge and feature a neck plate bearing the Land Rover logo and colour name.
The more affordable SE models also have these unique neck plates and come with a PRS/Defender gig bag instead. But what’s really cool about ’em is their black pickguards and control knobs. It’s a first for the Silver Sky and a look that fans have been requesting for years. They’re not as tightly limited as the US-made versions either, so there’s less pressure to snap one up straight away.
Shop PRS Silver Sky Defender guitars
Jackson Pro Series PC1-E: an affordable Phil Collen signature axe
Do ya wanna get rocked? Jackson has finally released a Pro Series version of Phil Collen’s signature Superstrat. And it should draw quite a crowd on the show floor with its Worn Black finish and flashy gold hardware. With the exception of an obscure Japanese-crafted artist model released in the early 2000s, the Mexican-made PC1-E is the first-ever non-USA Collen siggy model. So, it’s a much more affordable way to get the Def Leppard guitarist’s weapon of choice in your hands.
And don’t think that makes this animal any less potent. The Jackson PC1-E is a shred-ready rock machine loaded with many of the standout features you’d find on the full-fat USA PC1. That includes a set of explosive-sounding DiMarzio pickups, a Mahogany body, a super-stable roasted Maple neck with dual graphite reinforcement rods, plus a 12″ to 16″ compound-radius Ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets.
What about the sustainer system Collen constantly uses on stage? Yup, you get that too, courtesy of a PC1 Sustainer Driver neck pickup powered by an 18V battery. And the recessed Floyd Rose trem is a 1000 Series, so you won’t have to be foolin’ around to get back in tune after a big divebomb. It’s a lot of guitar for around £1,700 — and you even get a Jackson Foam Core case thrown in.
Vox AC Mini: AC30 tone you can use at home
The Vox AC30 is one of those amps that hardly needs an intro. Loved for its chimey top end and lively feel, it’s been a go-to choice for generations of guitarists. The only catch? Getting that classic AC30 experience at home isn’t always easy due to its size and power.
That’s where the new AC Mini comes in. Designed to capture the look, feel and character of Vox‘s iconic AC Series amps in a more compact and affordable package, it’s perfect if you want that timeless tone without taking up loads of space or ticking off the neighbours.
Despite its small footprint, the Vox AC Mini dishes out the dynamic response and rich harmonics that make great valve amps so addictive to play. That’s thanks to Vox’s newly developed analogue Dynamic Response Circuit. And the simple control layout makes dialling in great sounds quick and easy too. There’s even a headphone output and aux input, so it’s ideal for quiet practice sessions and playing along to your fave tracks.
JAM Pedals Wahcko Mk.2: the most versatile wah pedal ever?
If you’re gonna be on the ground at Guitar Summit, you’ll struggle to miss the JAM Pedals booth. These Greek effects wizards make some of the wildest-looking stompboxes around, featuring vibrant, arty finishes designed to spice up any pedalboard. And they sound every bit as good as they look.
JAM’s new Wahcko mk.2 wah pedal is no exception. Its chassis features psychedelic hues of purple, blue, green and yellow, complete with a rad croc graphic on the side. When you use the treadle, it looks like it’s wagging its tail — how cool is that?! But what’s new for the Mk.2?
You get a custom JAM inductor inspired by vintage TDK designs, a new internal Q control, selectable guitar and bass modes, plus a newly designed custom rubber tread. In other words, it’s even more versatile and feels extra planted under your foot. You still get the awesome six-position Sweep control and internal input-gain trimmer from the original Wahcko too. And you can now power the pedal with a 9V battery.
Buy the JAM Pedals Wahcko Mk.2
Guitar Summit 2026 FAQs
What is Guitar Summit?
The Guitar Summit is Europe’s largest annual event and trade show dedicated entirely to guitars, basses, amps and effects pedals. It’s where leading guitar brands and boutique builders come together to showcase their latest products and launch brand-new gear. Various workshops, masterclasses and live concerts also take place, featuring some of the guitar world’s most renowned players.
When is Guitar Summit 2026?
The Guitar Summit 2026 dates are set, with the event running from Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27. The show will kick off at 11am CEST on the Friday (10am in the UK).
Where will Guitar Summit 2026 take place?
Guitar Summit 2026 will be hosted at the Congress Centre Rosengarten in Mannheim, Germany. With a total area of 25,000 square metres, the event will span four floors with more than 600 exhibitors.
Who is exhibiting at Guitar Summit 2026?
Some of the biggest names in the guitar industry will be exhibiting at Guitar Summit 2026. That’ll include PRS Guitars, Yamaha, Universal Audio, Blackstar, Martin, Ibanez, D’Addario, Music Man, Dingwall, Strandberg, Marshall, Jackson, Chapman, Orange, Schecter, Bad Cat, Gretsch and many more leading brands.
Mad about guitar pedals? The likes of Boss, Walrus Audio, Catalinbread, Warm Audio, DSM & Humboldt, Meris, Electro-Harmonix, EarthQuaker Devices, Darkglass Electronics, JAM Pedals and Source Audio will be getting in on the action with their latest effects.
Is Guitar Summit open to the public?
Yes! Anyone can attend the event, with tickets available via the official Guitar Summit website. Go for a single-day ticket or dive in with a full 3-day pass. You can also grab tickets for workshops, with Guitar Summit 2026 offering masterclasses with famous players such as Greg Koch, Fredrik Åkesson (Opeth), Wes Hauch, Phil Demmel, Jack Gardiner and Rabea Massaad.
Catch every Guitar Summit moment
Bookmark this page for the latest Guitar Summit 2026 news as it breaks. Better yet, follow us on YouTube and across our socials for live updates straight from the show floor:
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