From 25 to 27 September 2026, Guitar Summit filled the Rosengarten in Mannheim for its eighth edition. As usual, Europe’s biggest guitar show was packed with new gear, big-name players and boutique builders. Here are the highlights, based on reporting from Guitar World and the show floor.
New to the show? Read our guide to Guitar Summit Mannheim for what to expect and tips for your visit.
Matteo Mancuso’s Yamaha Revstar Signature
The Sicilian virtuoso unveiled his signature Yamaha Revstar at the show: a sunburst guitar with a flame maple top, gold hardware and DiMarzio pickups. Mancuso is one of the most talked-about players of his generation, so this was one of the most photographed guitars of the weekend.
PRS John Mayer Silver Sky SE Defender
PRS showed a limited-edition Silver Sky SE in Land Rover Defender colours with a black pickguard. It was reportedly the only European example at the show.
Höfner Is Back
Höfner’s booth drew a lot of attention, with the famous 500/1 violin bass on display alongside new instruments in development. It’s a welcome sight after the company’s financial troubles earlier this year and its takeover by GEWA Music.
Wes Hauch’s Ibanez Seven-String Iceman
Ibanez showed a premium seven-string Iceman signature for Wes Hauch, priced at around $10,000. Not an impulse buy, but a statement guitar.
Effects and Modellers
Digital gear was everywhere, continuing the “amps or modelling” debate we saw at the Bridge Guitar Convention in Eindhoven:
- Eventide H9 Harmonizer Gen 2: a compact pedal with a redesigned interface and capabilities in line with the larger H90.
- IK Multimedia TONEX Board: a flagship floor modeller with a touchscreen and more processing power.
- TONE3000 and NAM: Neural Amp Modeler captures demonstrated through a Blackstar Beam Mini, showing how open-source amp captures are reaching everyday gear.
If you’re weighing up a modeller, our Quad Cortex Mini review and NUX MG-300 review cover both ends of the price range.
Marshall Celebrates Hendrix
Marshall’s booth marked 60 years since Jimi Hendrix’s arrival on the scene, with limited-edition purple swirl stacks and a Sex Pistols collaboration amp.
Boutique and Signature Gear
The boutique area featured the Dime Guitarz Culprit, the Boss EX-4, Strandberg’s Essential Boden with tremolo, and Jackson’s Sleep Token signature models.
On Stage
The stages hosted performances from fingerstyle player Andy McKee, Jack Gardiner, Rabea Massaad and Jared James Nichols, among others.
Our Take
Two trends stood out. First, signature guitars from the new generation of players, with Mancuso leading the way. Second, modelling keeps getting smaller and more powerful. But the crowds around the Höfner and Marshall stands show that heritage still matters.
Coming Up Next
Missed Mannheim? There’s more to come this autumn. See our calendar of guitar events in Europe, and bring your guitar to a show playing at its best with a GuitarBuddy setup in Zandvoort.
