Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell says his cancer has returned
Despite the setback, Campbell says he’s not slowing down: “I’m doing as much with my life as possible”
Latest News
Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell says his cancer has returned
Despite the setback, Campbell says he’s not slowing down: “I’m doing as much with my life as possible”
Joe Bonamassa reveals how many Gibson and Epiphone signature models he’s sold – and it’s a lot
The reigning king of signatures has come a long way – the initial run of his first model was limited to 300
Charvel’s new, mid-price Pro Plus Dinky DK24 models are aimed straight at the metal market
The new guitars are tailor-made for speed, but there’s more firepower than usual in the pickup department
Green Day's Mike Dirnt is selling some of his most iconic gear – from Dookie era and beyond – on Reverb
Collectibles include several basses that were burned on stage, American Idiot-era Fender Mike Dirnt signature Precisions, a smashed Gibson Grabber, and tour-worn Mesa/Boogie amps
Ibanez teams up with Wes Hauch for a 7-string Iceman signature, and fans are all talking about one thing: the price
Preorders list the eagerly awaited guitar for $9,999, but there’s a reason for that
Rush’s Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee call Angine de Poitrine’s music the “most entertaining and exhilarating” they’ve heard in a long time
The prog legends say the duo remind them of “Primus and a bit of Rush”. And they’re not the only guitar gods to be wowed by the polka-dot aliens lately
Billy Gibbons vows ZZ Top will continue performing, following drummer Frank Beard's death
Gibbons confirmed that, as per Beard's wishes, the band is going to “keep on keeping on”, with a Texas show scheduled for this weekend
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Artists
How the Pretenders emerged from tragedy with new guitarist Robbie McIntosh
Shattered by drugs and reeling from the loss of James Honeyman-Scott, the Pretenders came back swinging with 1984’s Learning to Crawl
How a battle-scarred vintage Gibson survived three broken necks to power a Mercury Prize-nominated jazz collective
Bassist Stan Woodward talks eBay finds, music theory, and the rapid rise of the Geordie Greep-backed jazz outfit
What Ritchie Blackmore thinks of Yngwie Malmsteen
From the Archive As Malmsteen’s guitar hero, Blackmore’s fingerprints are all over the Swedish shredder’s gear choices and repertoire
When Nils Lofgren tried to join the Rolling Stones
From The Archive Lofgren almost flew out to audition after Mick Taylor’s eventual successor put him in touch with the Stones
Meet Robert Jon and the Wreck, the rock fanatics who sound like they rolled out of Georgia in ’82
Eddie Van Halen, the Allmans, Tom Petty… The list of influences is long and it all goes into the Orange County rocker's ’70s-flavored stew
Sin City filmmaker Robert Rodriguez lifts the lid on his guitar collection
The filmmaker takes us through his extensive guitar collection, including gifts from the likes of Billy Gibbons and Kirk Hammett, and reveals why he needs 24 frets to perform with his cinematic Latin-rock band
How a Fender Strat anniversary event led to Queen’s first world tour since Freddie Mercury’s death
From The Archive May shared the Strat Pack stage with a singer whose performance convinced him to get the Queen machine up and running again
How Mike McCready overcame his addictions to form a grunge supergroup
Emerging from rehab in 1994 gave McCready a sense of purpose and clarity, and a newfound creativity as he put together Mad Season with Layne Staley on vocals
How a chance family connection brought Raphael Saadiq a lesson with one of the greatest bass players of all time
Since breaking through as the frontman of Tony! Toni! Toné!, Raphael Saadiq has forged a career alongside A Tribe Called Quest, Snoop Dogg and Q-Tip, while playing a key role in the sound of D’Angelo’s acclaimed neo-soul albums
Gear
“There’s a lot to extract from this cheap, gig-worthy modeler”: Mooer GE150 Pro Li review
Extremely affordable and packed with features, is this the perfect gateway into floor modelers?
Best tube amps 2026: unlock incredible tone with my pick of valve amplifiers for stage, studio or home
Plug into legendary dynamic response and organic warmth with my top-rated valve amplifiers for every budget and playing style
"Most definitely a show-stopper": Epiphone Lzzy Hale Explorer Custom review
A stage-ready Explorer that is sure to appeal to more than Hale's horde of fans
“Reacts to your playing as well as premium pedals over three times the price”: Boss BD-2 Blues Driver review
With over 30 years of continuous production, it’s time to investigate why the Boss BD-2 Blues Driver is so revered
Best clip-on guitar tuners 2026: hit the right note with my top pick of cost-effective tuners
Whether you play acoustic, electric, or bass, these clip-on tuners offer a quick, easy, and affordable way to achieve concert pitch every time you pick up your instrument
“At around $69, it’s hard to think of another pedal that’s so cheap and so reliable”: Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive review
We find out if the iconic yellow box of tone still has a place in the modern world
Best FRFR speakers 2026: transparent tone for multi-effects and amp modelers
Get the most out of your modeler with my pick of FRFR speakers, from on-the-go options to arena-filling mammoths – these active speakers from Fender, Laney, IK Multimedia and more are tonally transparent beasts
"A superbly built, affordable pedal that rivals pricier competitors": Klowra Limbo reverb review
This fully loaded reverb proves that affordable pedals can more than hold their own against the big guns
The enduring allure of the O.G. Stratocaster – and how drastically different two first-year Strats can be
We take a closer look at a pair of Strats that might share a birthday but have quite different sounds and specs, as Fender was evolving the design in real-time when it launched in ’54
Lessons
How to write a “song within a song” with your guitar solos
Blackberry Smoke frontman Charlie Starr demonstrates how the solo really can serve the song – by being the song
Who’s afraid of the Mixolydian mode? Here’s how you can use it for triads
Corey Congilio wasn't that fussed about the Mixolydian mode at first but now he's a believer – and this lesson shows you just how practical it can be
Joe Bonamassa explains why varying your pick attack is a fundamental part of your playing style
Want to find your voice? Switch up your pick attack and put some character into your phrasing
Learn the all-purpose passing chord – the get-out-of-jail-free hack used by Kurt Cobain and Billie Joe Armstrong
You’ve heard it in Smells Like Teen Spirit and countless other grunge and punk classics. You may even already be doing it…
How rhythm and lead techniques can combine for the ultimate blues solo – especially in a trio
This lesson presents an improvised blues solo as a launchpad for your own improv
Decoding the notes between the notes – the ultimate guide to microtonal guitar
Ready for a math and history lesson? We break down microtonal music’s mind-bending tones for the modern guitar player
Don’t barre the F chord. Try embellishing it instead
John Frusciante and Lindsey Buckingham are both advocates for alternative F chord shapes that give you extra options for color
Reviews
“There’s a lot to extract from this cheap, gig-worthy modeler”: Mooer GE150 Pro Li review
Extremely affordable and packed with features, is this the perfect gateway into floor modelers?
"Most definitely a show-stopper": Epiphone Lzzy Hale Explorer Custom review
A stage-ready Explorer that is sure to appeal to more than Hale's horde of fans
“Reacts to your playing as well as premium pedals over three times the price”: Boss BD-2 Blues Driver review
With over 30 years of continuous production, it’s time to investigate why the Boss BD-2 Blues Driver is so revered
“At around $69, it’s hard to think of another pedal that’s so cheap and so reliable”: Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive review
We find out if the iconic yellow box of tone still has a place in the modern world
"A superbly built, affordable pedal that rivals pricier competitors": Klowra Limbo reverb review
This fully loaded reverb proves that affordable pedals can more than hold their own against the big guns
“A very versatile wah pedal that has you covered for whatever style of music you play”: Dunlop Cry Baby BB535 Reissue review
First seen in 1994, updated in 1999 and reissued in 2026, Dunlop’s Cry Baby now comes with even more versatility
“One of the most impressive designs we’ve encountered in quite a while”: Valiant Mercury Distressed review
A guitar built in Ukraine that nods to the familiar yet brims with ideas to set it apart from the mundane
Buying Guides
Best tube amps 2026: unlock incredible tone with my pick of valve amplifiers for stage, studio or home
Plug into legendary dynamic response and organic warmth with my top-rated valve amplifiers for every budget and playing style
Best clip-on guitar tuners 2026: hit the right note with my top pick of cost-effective tuners
Whether you play acoustic, electric, or bass, these clip-on tuners offer a quick, easy, and affordable way to achieve concert pitch every time you pick up your instrument
Best FRFR speakers 2026: transparent tone for multi-effects and amp modelers
Get the most out of your modeler with my pick of FRFR speakers, from on-the-go options to arena-filling mammoths – these active speakers from Fender, Laney, IK Multimedia and more are tonally transparent beasts
Hang about! If you're in the need of something to display a single or multiple guitars and to always have an axe to hand, this is my pick of the best stands and hangers for your guitars right now
Hang about! These are the best stands and hangers for your guitars right now
Best travel guitars 2026: top acoustic and electric options designed for portability and performance
My top travel guitar choices and expert buying advice for musicians on the move
Best parlor guitars 2026: sofa-friendly acoustics for every budget
The grandfather of acoustic guitars – our top parlor guitar picks from Gibson, Martin, Yamaha, and more
Best acoustic guitar amps 2026: let your acoustic tone shine
Our expert pick of acoustic amplifiers for all budgets, from AER, Boss, Fishman, and others
