My pick of the best new guitar gear launched this week – including an all-new species of pedal
All the big new drops from Epiphone, Death By Audio, Gretsch, Charvel, and much more
Latest News
Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s epochal performance at an English train station paved the way for the blues-rock revolution
The legendary concert, which was filmed for a Granada TV special called Blues and Gospel Train, was attended by Clapton, Richards, Jeff Beck, and Brian Jones, and has now been commemorated with a plaque
Session guitar great Chris Spedding diagnosed with lymphoma
A GoFundMe has been set up for Spedding, who has played with Paul McCartney, Brian Eno, the Pretenders, John Cale, and Jack Bruce, among countless others
New footage of Jimi Hendrix’s iconic Woodstock performance unearthed after decades
22-year-old student Albert Goodman sneaked onstage to film Hendrix's history-making performance – and the footage is finally available to watch
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The Smiths held their label to ransom until Johnny Marr got this guitar
Marr will be auctioning off his four-decade guitar collection next month, including a Gibson ES-355 that played a pivotal role in The Smiths’ repertoire
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”
Lzzy Hale’s new signature Epiphone Explorer Custom: more than just mirror-ball looks
This Explorer also has a few vintage touches – and even strands of Les Paul DNA
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
Artists
How did The Last Dinner Party become one of the UK’s biggest bands? Bassist Georgia Davies reflects
From a Wayne’s World-inspired Fender to “Roadie Friday”, Georgia Davies reveals the chaos, camaraderie, and curveballs of life on the road with The Last Dinner Party
King Tuff on his beloved butchered Gibson SG and the world’s most embarrassing Uber journey
The inimitable Kyle Thomas – aka King Tuff – checks in for a confessional interview documenting misadventures with the electric guitar
Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli on the guitar he values most, and what links Jimmy Page and Prince
Goes to 11 The alt-rock mainstay would rather not play than have to use a Strat or Les Paul. If he’s only given a Marshall amp he’ll stick to singing. And he still writes songs like he did when he was 15
“I said, ‘Jimi who?’” How Buddy Guy first encountered Jimi Hendrix
In 1967, Guy was not nearly as famous as the A-list blues-rock guitarists who took cues from his stinging phrases, piercing volume, and embrace of feedback
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
Gear
“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?
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
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
“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?
"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
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
