The Darkglass Anagram Guitar Essentials is a limited-edition version of the Darkglass Anagram, a multi-effects unit made by Darkglass. For this edition, Darkglass partnered with retailers Andertons and Sweetwater to load the hardware with a Guitar Essentials package of guitar amp models and effects1. It is a one-time-only, limited-edition launch: sold exclusively through Sweetwater in the US and Andertons in the UK, and Darkglass's product page now lists the Anagram as sold out12.
As a piece of hardware it is the same compact form factor as the regular Anagram1. It works as an amp modeler and multi-effects unit that can run as part of a pedalboard or as an entire rig in its own right, with NAM capture support, IR loading and access to the Darkglass Marketplace3. MusicRadar's reviewer found plenty to like: compact and easily portable size, ease of use, low latency and high-quality sounds, NAM compatibility widening the scope, USB audio interface capability, and an effects loop that lets you integrate other pedals4.
What it does: an amp modeler and multi-effects unit
The Anagram was originally aimed at bass players as a multi-effects and amp modeler, and the Guitar Essentials edition keeps that hardware while pointing it at guitar. The limited edition comes with a default setting, which can be changed if desired, to hide the original bass-centric models from the menus4. What you get instead at launch is a range of 12 models of classic amps, going from Fender-style cleans to all-out 5150-style high gain3. The pedal comes preloaded with preamp models and effects as part of the Guitar Essentials plugin curated by Andertons and Sweetwater1.
The effects side is deep. Guitar World counted seven drives, three delays, five reverbs, 10 modulations, and 13 more effects under the EQ, Filters and Dynamics headings3. The delays are named Analog, Digital, and Mod, and the reverbs cover Room, Plate, Hall, Shimmer and Spring3. MusicRadar noted one limitation: the three delay types can cover a wide range of use scenarios but are mono-only, while all the reverbs have mono or stereo options4.
| Effects category | Count | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Drives | 7 | 3 |
| Delays | 3 | Analog, Digital, Mod; mono-only34 |
| Reverbs | 5 | Room, Plate, Hall, Shimmer, Spring; mono or stereo34 |
| Modulations | 10 | 3 |
| EQ, Filters and Dynamics | 13 | 3 |
Beyond effects, the feature list includes 126 presets, audio interface capability, a soft-shell case, a looper, a tuner, tap tempo, support for NAM, and IR loading4. Guitar World's reviewer called the amp models and effects "fantastic"3.
"Fantastic amp models and effects."
The controls: six knobs, three footswitches and a touch screen
The front panel is built around a seven-inch central display screen offering 3D-rendered interfaces, flanked by three footswitches and six control knobs1. Guitar World lists the controls as six assignable rotary controls, three footswitches and the 7-inch touch color screen3; MusicRadar describes the same six controls as encoders4.
The unit operates in three familiar modes: Presets, Stomps and Scenes. Through these, the footswitches change the entire rig, turn individual effects on and off, or move between scenes3. Editing happens on the screen: the chain view shows your entire 24-block chain, which can be zoomed into a more palatable and scrollable five blocks at a time3.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| 6 rotary controls (assignable) | Parameter editing, assignable per function3 |
| 3 footswitches | Switch presets, individual effects (Stomps) or scenes3 |
| 7-inch touch screen | 3D-rendered interfaces; chain view of the 24-block signal chain13 |
Connections and power
Connectivity covers a host of scenarios, with mono or stereo outputs available on both XLRs and standard jacks4:
- Standard instrument input4
- XLR outputs 1/L and 2/R4
- Standard outputs 3/L and 4/R34
- Standard Send (Insert) and Standard Return4
- 1/8-inch stereo headphone output4
- MIDI in/out (mini-jack)34
- USB and Bluetooth1
One thing to know before planning a rig around it: the Anagram does have an expression input, but it takes up the return of the effects loop3. As MusicRadar puts it, the return socket doubles as an expression pedal input, so you could obviously not use both at the same time4. If you want to run external pedals in the loop and an expression pedal, you have to choose.
The effects loop return and the expression pedal input share one socket, so an expression pedal and the loop return cannot be used together34.
Power comes from a 9-12V DC adaptor drawing a minimum of 1700mA, with a 9V, 2000mA adaptor supplied4. Guitar World lists the power requirement as 9-12V DC, 2A3. That current draw rules out a battery and means a standard low-current daisy chain is not an option.
The limited edition and the Guitar Essentials package
The differences from the standard Anagram are the finish and the software. The limited edition comes in an aluminum chassis in a black finish, which Guitar World's reviewer preferred to the original, and it costs $100 more to cover the pre-loaded Guitar Essentials package3. Once the limited run of hardware is sold, that is it: Darkglass stressed the guitar-based Anagram is a one-time-only, limited-edition launch1.
On price, the published reviews disagree. Guitar World reported a launch price of $1,299 in the US and £999 in the UK3, and Guitar World's news coverage confirmed $1,299 exclusively at Sweetwater and £999 exclusively at Andertons1. MusicRadar's review listed the price as $1,219, £999 and €1,2294. Both agree on the UK price; the US figures differ by $80.
| Limited Edition Guitar Essentials | Standard Anagram | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $1,299 (Guitar World) or $1,219 (MusicRadar)134 | $100 less than the limited edition3 |
| UK price | £999, exclusive to Andertons1 | 3 |
| Finish | Black aluminum chassis3 | Original finish3 |
| Software | Guitar Essentials package preloaded1 | Bass-centric models4 |
The maker's product page now lists the Anagram as sold out, along with the Anagram Expression Pedal2, so the limited edition has run its course. Players interested in the platform itself can read about the standard Darkglass Anagram, or browse other multi-effects pedals.
Videos
Guitar World
Andertons Music Co and 2 more
The Studio Rats and Andertons Music Co
Questions
Is the Darkglass Anagram Guitar Essentials edition for guitar or bass?
It is the same Anagram hardware, which was originally aimed at bass players, but this limited edition ships with the Guitar Essentials package of guitar amp models and effects. A default setting hides the original bass-centric models from the menus, and that setting can be changed if you want the bass models back.
How much does the Anagram Limited Edition cost compared with the standard Anagram?
Guitar World reported a launch price of $1,299, which is $100 more than the standard Anagram to cover the pre-loaded Guitar Essentials package. MusicRadar listed the limited edition at $1,219, so the published US prices disagree. UK pricing was £999 at both outlets.
Which amp models come in the Guitar Essentials package?
At launch the package includes 12 models of classic amps, described by Guitar World as ranging from Fender-style cleans to all-out 5150-style high gain. The package also includes preamp models and effects curated by Andertons and Sweetwater.
Can I use an expression pedal with the Anagram and an effects loop at the same time?
No. The Anagram has an expression input, but it shares the return socket of the effects loop, so the two cannot be used at the same time. You have to choose between running an external effects loop return and connecting an expression pedal.
Does the Anagram support NAM captures?
Yes. Both Guitar World and MusicRadar list support for NAM (Neural Amp Modeler) captures among the unit's features, alongside IR loading. MusicRadar's reviewer found that NAM compatibility widens the scope of what the unit can do.
Where was the limited edition sold in the US?
It was sold exclusively through Sweetwater in the US, priced at $1,299, with Andertons holding exclusivity in the UK at £999. Darkglass stressed it was a one-time-only, limited-edition launch, and the maker's product page now lists the Anagram as sold out.
Sources (4)
- Darkglass rivals Neural DSP with first guitar-based modeler, Guitar World, 2026-06-30
- Anagram Multi-Effects Unit, Darkglass
- Darkglass Anagram Limited Edition Guitar Essentials review, Guitar World, 2026-07-21
- Darkglass Anagram Guitar Essentials Limited Edition review, MusicRadar, 2026-10-14
