Best of NAMM 2026: Bass Pedals That Defined the Show
Every January, the NAMM Show brings together manufacturers, artists, retailers, and media from around the world for the largest and most influential music industry trade event. For gear companies, NAMM is the ideal stage to unveil new products, gather real-time feedback from players, and set the tone for the year ahead. New releases debuting at NAMM often reflect where technology, design, and player demand are heading, making the show a reliable snapshot of the future of music gear. Our Best of NAMM 2026 series highlights the most noteworthy bass pedals launched at this year’s event—tools that stood out for innovation, tone, and real-world usefulness for working bassists.
One of the most significant bass pedal releases at NAMM 2026 came from an unexpected but highly complementary collaboration: Fodera and Trickfish. Known respectively for boutique bass craftsmanship and high-fidelity amplification, the two brands joined forces to create a Preamp / Practice Amp pedal that bridges premium tone shaping with practical, everyday usability.
At its core, the Fodera x Trickfish pedal is designed to deliver true Trickfish amp voicing in a compact, pedalboard-ready format, while preserving the articulate, full-range response Fodera instruments are known for. The preamp section offers a clean, modern bass tone with ample headroom, fast transient response, and a focused low end that remains tight even at higher output levels. The EQ is voiced for musical, intuitive shaping rather than extreme coloration, making it easy to dial in everything from pristine studio tones to authoritative live sounds.
What truly sets this unit apart is its integrated practice amp functionality. A built-in headphone amplifier allows bassists to practice silently without sacrificing tone quality, while auxiliary input support makes it easy to play along with tracks, loops, or backing material. Unlike many practice-focused devices, this pedal maintains professional audio quality, ensuring that the sound heard through headphones closely mirrors what would be sent to a PA or recording interface.
With balanced DI output, headphone monitoring, and a compact footprint, the Fodera x Trickfish Preamp / Practice Amp is clearly aimed at modern bassists who need one solution that works at home, in the studio, and on stage. It stands out at NAMM 2026 not just as a convenience tool, but as a serious tone platform that reflects the shared design philosophy of two respected bass brands focused on clarity, precision, and real-world performance.
