For those who have everything: Gibson’s Firebird X

last updated 10 January 2015

Gibson’s new Firebird X is arguably “quite revolutionary.” Essentially a traditional electric guitar with a computer built in, it “can model over 2,000 different sounds and styles out of the box.” It comes with Gibson’s trademarked RoboHead Tuners, which automatically tune the strings to any of multiple tunings. Purists don’t like the X, but it opens up infinite possibilities. Its Freescale processor “can run apps approved and sold through the Gibson website,” and won’t go obsolete because it’s completely upgradable. Old-school rockers will still be able to get their traditional Les Pauls, but “it’s good to see that Gibson is trying new things.”

$5,570, gibson.com