Tom Morello’s unique Arm the Homeless EMG combo gets a signature release for the first time
It puts Morello’s favored pickup pairing found in his iconic Arm the Homeless guitar into a ready-made set
Latest News
Tom Morello’s unique Arm the Homeless EMG combo gets a signature release for the first time
It puts Morello’s favored pickup pairing found in his iconic Arm the Homeless guitar into a ready-made set
Polyphia announce new album Be Not Afraid, delay North American tour dates
New single Power in the Blood is out now
Orianthi’s new Band of Gypsys-inspired supergroup, The Power of 3, announce debut album with Hendrix producer Eddie Kramer
The trio features powerhouse drummer Cindy Blackman Santana and Prince bassist Rhonda Smith – hear their first music now
Marshall celebrates 60 years of Hendrix with a second drop of anniversary editions
A 20-watt half-stack arrives alongside celebratory Major V headphones and an Emberton III portable speaker
Sweetwater just launched its Labor Day sale 2 weeks early
Jump on board this latest Sweetwater sale for an early Labor Day deal on some of the best guitar gear around right now
16-year-old guitarist wins over America's Got Talent with Soundgarden's Black Hole Sun
After covering The Cranberries and Muse in previous rounds, Nene Royal continued to stun the audience and judges with her searing rendition of Soundgarden's signature song
John Mayer’s Neural DSP plugin joins the Quad Cortex as part of biggest firmware update in company’s history
A load of signature plugins and key workflow improvements have been added to the Quad Cortex and Quad Cortex mini
Artists
Patrick Simmons recalls the time the Doobie Brothers were stars of the small screen
Patrick Simmons on why some Doobies weren’t originally gung-ho about appearing in those classic 1978 episodes of What’s Happening!!
Joan Jett on the end of The Runaways – and why she nearly gave up on a solo career
From the Archive When the trailblazing band called it quits in April 1979, it felt like a huge blow to Jett – so much so that she even considered quitting music altogether and joining the military
Cut Worms’ Max Clarke on recording with Jeff Tweedy – and the indie icon's epic gear collection
Cut Worms' new album, Transmitter is sound of the fast-rising Brooklyn artist surrendering to collaboration and chasing new tones
Graham Coxon on the perfection of the Telecaster (and why you shouldn’t lend him your Strat)
The Blur guitarist reflects on his “wooden wife” – and the charms of the Tele’s weird headstock
3 Comments
Jimmy Page on how a ‘lost guitar track’ almost derailed Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti
A miraculous salvage job rescued The Rover after an overdub ruined an original take
Skid Row’s Rachel Bolan on going solo, his ’70s inspirations, and the band’s continuing search for a new singer
Bolan looks back on the only gear he could afford when he started, his creative process, and what he learned from Gene Simmons, Paul McCartney, and Yes
How Merle Travis pushed Paul Bigsby to one-up Gibson with his iconic vibrato
From the Archive The country guitar giant was possibly the first to ever try out the game-changing piece of guitar hardware, and its invention was born out of a challenge he set for his friend
Gear
Charvel Sleep Token III Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass V review
Behold – a five-string offering from Charvel, on behalf of mysterious modern metal outfit Sleep Token
"Surprised me with its versatility": Jackson Pro Plus Series Sleep Token IV Monarkh SC review
A 30-inch extended-scale guitar built for crushing, low-tuned modern metal riffs can't be versatile too, can it?
“The leading mini-modeler has reached another level”: Neural DSP Quad Cortex mini review
Its CorOS 4.1.0 firmware update raises the level of an already highly impressive multi-effects and amp modeler
Best overdrive pedals 2026: from mid-hump to transparent tone
My pick of the top-rated overdrive pedals will get your gain tones on point
“There's hardly a bad setting in the pedal”: Crazy Tube Circuits Triptychon review
A triple-block drive pedal isn't a new idea, but CTC has executed the idea very well
“My favorite bass needs to be retired, but it plays so good and has this unmistakable sound. So I gave it to Spector and said, ‘Let’s get close to that’”: How Rex Brown’s new signature bass channels his punchiest Pantera era
The metal icon explains how his labor-of-love Euro4 bass – painted to imitate a desert sunset – bottles his pummelling Far Beyond Driven period
Best cheap acoustic guitars 2025: budget acoustics with genuine pedigree
Great tone doesn’t have to break the bank – these are the best cheap acoustic guitars from Fender, Yamaha, Cort and more
Lessons
Learn “pendulum” strumming – the secret to natural-sounding chords
Take your rhythm playing beyond beginner with this simple exercise
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
Reviews
Charvel Sleep Token III Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass V review
Behold – a five-string offering from Charvel, on behalf of mysterious modern metal outfit Sleep Token
"Surprised me with its versatility": Jackson Pro Plus Series Sleep Token IV Monarkh SC review
A 30-inch extended-scale guitar built for crushing, low-tuned modern metal riffs can't be versatile too, can it?
“The leading mini-modeler has reached another level”: Neural DSP Quad Cortex mini review
Its CorOS 4.1.0 firmware update raises the level of an already highly impressive multi-effects and amp modeler
“There's hardly a bad setting in the pedal”: Crazy Tube Circuits Triptychon review
A triple-block drive pedal isn't a new idea, but CTC has executed the idea very well
“It’s a guitar I’d trust to get the point across on a live stage”: Martin Shawn Mendes 000-10E review
Martin has cooked-up a big-voiced workhorse with custom vibes and star appeal
“The Light Aged aesthetic isn’t unconvincing”: Harley Benton PB-62LA review
Thomann’s in-house guitar and bass brand takes on a tough challenge – relic finishes.
“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?
Buying Guides
Best overdrive pedals 2026: from mid-hump to transparent tone
My pick of the top-rated overdrive pedals will get your gain tones on point
Best cheap acoustic guitars 2025: budget acoustics with genuine pedigree
Great tone doesn’t have to break the bank – these are the best cheap acoustic guitars from Fender, Yamaha, Cort and more
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
