Customer Kudos
"Great customer service and the best extended payment plans of ANY online retailer."
November 22, 2024
All-Star Gear: Hidden Gems
Our customers' favorite under-the-radar performers
Most All-Star Gear lists you find at zZounds are full of perennial favorites made by iconic brands and loved and played by musicians worldwide. But this time, we're doing things a little differently and showcasing some often overlooked gear. These All-Star Hidden Gems may not have the same level of name recognition, but they bring it in the performance and tone departments night after night, earning cult-favorite status.
Check out this list of proven performers and invest in gear that will rock any stage. Find your Hidden Gem and get it shipped fast and free from zZounds!
Check out this list of proven performers and invest in gear that will rock any stage. Find your Hidden Gem and get it shipped fast and free from zZounds!
Schecter PT Electric Guitar
"This guitar might be the best guitar I've ever played, which might be somewhat of a surprise given the price, but it feels good, it plays well, it sounds amazing."
- A Happy Owner
"The bridge pickup when it is coil tapped is SO clean and twangy sounding. I love it, but then you push the knob in and you can ROCK. So cool!! The action was set perfectly, and It's very well made and really solid, AND the black hardware is just AWESOME looking."
- David in Lewiston, ME
"Every detail of this instrument is made with unbelievable quality. So classy, versatile, and easy to play. The 18:1 Grovers are amazing. And tuning stability is impeccable."
- Keola in Hutchinson, KS
Own it for $699.00 or 12 payments of $58.25!
- A Happy Owner
"The bridge pickup when it is coil tapped is SO clean and twangy sounding. I love it, but then you push the knob in and you can ROCK. So cool!! The action was set perfectly, and It's very well made and really solid, AND the black hardware is just AWESOME looking."
- David in Lewiston, ME
"Every detail of this instrument is made with unbelievable quality. So classy, versatile, and easy to play. The 18:1 Grovers are amazing. And tuning stability is impeccable."
- Keola in Hutchinson, KS
Own it for $699.00 or 12 payments of $58.25!
Rode K2 Tube Condenser Microphone
"The sound is harmonic and beautifully colored with enough tube to be authentic and enough smoothness to be versatile. I am a tube roller but found the stock tube to deliver excellent results. The K2 has a beautiful color any artist would be proud to wield."
- Will in Flint, MI
"The K2 will remain in my mic locker for years to come, and a second one may be joining it for mid-side or Blumlein recording. The sound is velvety smooth, and has an airiness that just makes it so crisp."
- A Happy Owner
"It is such a great mic. Change the tube, run it through a high quality preamp, and it'll find a place in your mic closet. Regardless of how expensive (or budgeted) your studio is, you WILL find a place for this mic!"
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $699.00 or 12 payments of $58.25!
- Will in Flint, MI
"The K2 will remain in my mic locker for years to come, and a second one may be joining it for mid-side or Blumlein recording. The sound is velvety smooth, and has an airiness that just makes it so crisp."
- A Happy Owner
"It is such a great mic. Change the tube, run it through a high quality preamp, and it'll find a place in your mic closet. Regardless of how expensive (or budgeted) your studio is, you WILL find a place for this mic!"
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $699.00 or 12 payments of $58.25!
Alvarez MDA66CESHB Masterworks Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar
"This guitar is a true hidden gem... Right out of the box I was floored by the look of it. It has a personality that stands out big time aesthetically speaking. Soundwise... It just blew me away. "
- David in Asheville, NC
"I don't think you'll find a warmer, better balanced guitar that projects any better than this instrument! Additionally the looks of this guitar are a perfect match for the sound produced. This guitar is beautiful!"
- Gary in Austin, TX
"This guitar is awesome, well built and very beautiful! It plays and sounds like it cost 5 times as much as it does."
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $999.99 or 18 payments of $55.55!
- David in Asheville, NC
"I don't think you'll find a warmer, better balanced guitar that projects any better than this instrument! Additionally the looks of this guitar are a perfect match for the sound produced. This guitar is beautiful!"
- Gary in Austin, TX
"This guitar is awesome, well built and very beautiful! It plays and sounds like it cost 5 times as much as it does."
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $999.99 or 18 payments of $55.55!
Ampeg MICRO-VR Bass Amplifier Head (200 Watts)
"Other musicians often make jokes and laugh at me when I am first setting it up someplace - then when they hear the amp and cabinets they are always curious how it can be so loud, and sound so good tone wise. Often other bass players come up to me and ask all kinds of questions about it after hearing me play through it at a gig. They always want one!"
- A Happy Owner
"Don't get me wrong, this is a little amp, but it has great sound! It will not rattle the walls, but I can get the same quality of sound and tone that I can get from the BIG RIGS! A great buy, and the best part, it easily fits in the car and is easy on this guys back!"
- Dan in Clermont, FL
Own it for $379.99 or 8 payments of $47.50!
- A Happy Owner
"Don't get me wrong, this is a little amp, but it has great sound! It will not rattle the walls, but I can get the same quality of sound and tone that I can get from the BIG RIGS! A great buy, and the best part, it easily fits in the car and is easy on this guys back!"
- Dan in Clermont, FL
Own it for $379.99 or 8 payments of $47.50!
Vox AC15C1X Limited Edition Guitar Combo Amplifier
"Hidden gem to me. Love the clean sound when paired with my Strat. Tremolo and reverb are fabulous."
- A Happy Owner
"I can get the classic Vox sound and pretty much any jazzy, blues to blues-rock sound. Actually, pretty good at country sounds too. The Blue Celestion speaker really makes a difference too."
- Ian in Scottsdale, AZ
"I opted for the custom version with the Alnico Blue speaker, and it hasn't disappointed. Make no mistake that this thing gets loud! The Vox "chime" is unmistakable, and the clean tones are excellent."
- Joey in Chicago, IL
Own it for $1,299.99 or 18 payments of $72.22!
- A Happy Owner
"I can get the classic Vox sound and pretty much any jazzy, blues to blues-rock sound. Actually, pretty good at country sounds too. The Blue Celestion speaker really makes a difference too."
- Ian in Scottsdale, AZ
"I opted for the custom version with the Alnico Blue speaker, and it hasn't disappointed. Make no mistake that this thing gets loud! The Vox "chime" is unmistakable, and the clean tones are excellent."
- Joey in Chicago, IL
Own it for $1,299.99 or 18 payments of $72.22!
Shure PSM300 Wireless In-Ear Monitor System with SE215CL Earphones
"The receiver of this unit is built like a tank and transmits a fairly low amount of noise to signal. The audio reproduction is on point with the headphone jack on my mixing desk."
- Brian in Paw Paw, WV
"The receiver itself is incredible quality. You can tell by holding it in your hand you have a great product. The system is very easy to install into a rack and very easy to setup. The sync and scan feature is incredible, very fast, and extremely accurate."
- A Happy Owner
"Now I have concert sound in my ears and I must say that the 215s that come with this unit sound unbelievable for a single driver."
- Chris in Lebanon, VA
Own it for $899.00 or 12 payments of $74.92!
- Brian in Paw Paw, WV
"The receiver itself is incredible quality. You can tell by holding it in your hand you have a great product. The system is very easy to install into a rack and very easy to setup. The sync and scan feature is incredible, very fast, and extremely accurate."
- A Happy Owner
"Now I have concert sound in my ears and I must say that the 215s that come with this unit sound unbelievable for a single driver."
- Chris in Lebanon, VA
Own it for $899.00 or 12 payments of $74.92!
Ashun Sound Machines Hydrasynth Explorer Synthesizer, 37-Key
"The sounds? I didn't need to go but 20 or so presets in and was amazed with the instant creative inspirations! The filters are better than many 'analog' synths. I highly doubt you will feel anything but excitement and satisfaction with most everything about this little hidden gem!"
- Steve
"I've gone through a lot of presets and I find myself lost in the sound. It's really nice. Keys are mid sized but easily played. The after touch is responsive and fun to play around with."
- A Happy Owner
"The Hydrasynth is amazing. I was excited waiting for it and when it arrived it did not disappoint, still getting associated with it and sounds amazing right out of the box!"
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $599.00 or 12 payments of $49.92!
- Steve
"I've gone through a lot of presets and I find myself lost in the sound. It's really nice. Keys are mid sized but easily played. The after touch is responsive and fun to play around with."
- A Happy Owner
"The Hydrasynth is amazing. I was excited waiting for it and when it arrived it did not disappoint, still getting associated with it and sounds amazing right out of the box!"
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $599.00 or 12 payments of $49.92!
Fender Rumble Stage 800 Bass Combo Amplifier (800 Watts, 2x10")
"This amp is a sleeper! I picked the Rumble Stage 800 for the flexibility of having a 400 watt stage monitor on its own, PLUS the ability to drive a 4 ohm extension load. HELLO...This is a modeling amp and the presets are great sounds for the living room or studio."
- Kevin in Brooksville, FL
"I'll keep it short and sweet. It's super light, super loud, and packs a ton of customizable effects. There is nothing else out that that compares for the price. The perfect bass rig for any working cover band bassist."
- J Martin
"Unless you are on tour with Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, or Metallica I can't imagine you needing much more than this combo offers."
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $899.99 or 12 payments of $75.00!
- Kevin in Brooksville, FL
"I'll keep it short and sweet. It's super light, super loud, and packs a ton of customizable effects. There is nothing else out that that compares for the price. The perfect bass rig for any working cover band bassist."
- J Martin
"Unless you are on tour with Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, or Metallica I can't imagine you needing much more than this combo offers."
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $899.99 or 12 payments of $75.00!
Peavey MAX 208 Bass Amplifier Combo (200 Watts, 2x8")
"I wanted an amp to play my passive electric bass in my music room and this Peavey is perfect. I did a lot of research and landed on the MAX 208. I think it's one of Peavey's hidden gems. Plenty of power and crystal clear sound from a unit that's not monstrous in size."
- L. Rodriguez
"I needed to get something small to play with my sons. This amp is perfect for the basement/garage/bar scene. Plenty loud for most, and has direct out. Built like a tank, but not classic Peavey heavy."
- Steven in Bridgeton, NJ
"This has a feature that I admire greatly...the speakers are angled up just a bit so you can hear it better. And they are still straight enough so the crowd hears it just fine."
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $399.99 or 8 payments of $50.00!
- L. Rodriguez
"I needed to get something small to play with my sons. This amp is perfect for the basement/garage/bar scene. Plenty loud for most, and has direct out. Built like a tank, but not classic Peavey heavy."
- Steven in Bridgeton, NJ
"This has a feature that I admire greatly...the speakers are angled up just a bit so you can hear it better. And they are still straight enough so the crowd hears it just fine."
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $399.99 or 8 payments of $50.00!
World Tour Padded Strong Side Equipment Gig Bag
"I just got mine yesterday. It's well made, and offers more protection than most OEM gig bags. Great deal for the money."
- A Happy Owner
"Great bag, fits perfectly for my Zoom effects pedal. The side pocket allows me to keep my cables, charger, and picks separate and out of the way from banging around on the pedal."
- A Happy Owner
"The external pocket has loads of room proportionately, even in the smaller bags."
- Ken in Westfield, MA
Own it from $29.95!
- A Happy Owner
"Great bag, fits perfectly for my Zoom effects pedal. The side pocket allows me to keep my cables, charger, and picks separate and out of the way from banging around on the pedal."
- A Happy Owner
"The external pocket has loads of room proportionately, even in the smaller bags."
- Ken in Westfield, MA
Own it from $29.95!