Today's Top Stories:

  Winter NAMM '09 Is Upon Us!
The first batch of on-the-scene reports are filtering in from our team in Anaheim, and it looks as if there's a ton of great stuff coming down the pike! What follows is a sampling of some of the things that caught our eye, but Winter NAMM is a huge show, and we're sure we'll find more great gear as the week goes on! Check out our show report for the whole scoop!

  Guitars, Amps, and Accessories
Fender always has a strong showing at NAMM, and this year is no exception! There are new signature Strats from Dave Murray and Ritchie Blackmore, both with unique touches added specifically for hot tones and heavy riffage! A new series of Eric Johnson Strats is on the horizon, boasting a trio of specially voiced pickups and bound round-laminated rosewood fingerboards. Just before NAMM, Fender announced the Road Worn Series, a batch of Fender classics showing signs of wear and tear from years on the road, but at a price that makes these Custom Shop-style instruments accessible to a new segment of the playing population.

Also from Fender, the Vintage Modified Amplifier Series offers classic tube amps from the past but adds DSP-powered effects in the form of reverb, chorus, and delay, making them stage-ready additions to your live rig.

  Computer Recording
Keeping with the guitar theme but branching into the realm of computer recording, IK Multimedia partnered with Fender to create AmpliTube Fender, the only official Fender amp software suite. Inside you'll find digital re-creations of legendary Fender amps from the past, along with more modern high-gain creations. A perfect companion to AmpliTube Fender is Stealth Pedal, a wah-style footpedal/guitar audio interface built for onstage control of any MIDI-capable amp/FX modeling software.

  Mics and More
Audix announced camo-covered versions of two of their popular mics, the OM2 and the i-5. These unique finishes are slated for a winter 2009 release, with more finishes coming later in the year.

Sennheiser gives you the chance to personalize your wireless handheld G2 mic, with a series of skins that fit snugly over your mic. Slip one on, and you're ready to take the stage looking like a star! There are nine skins available.

Blue's Bottle Rocket Series pays homage to the mics that have come before, in both look and sound. With both Class A solid-state and tube versions available, you can choose the one that best meets your needs and your budget, and, best of all, they're already shipping from Blue!