Latest articles by Chris Gill
“Affordable, gig-worthy stompboxes that bring pro-level polish and timeless tones to any rig”: Universal Audio UAFX Evermore, Heavenly, Orion and 1176 review
Offering studio hardware in a compact, pedalboard-friendly format, UAFX is democratizing reference-quality guitar tones – and we can't get enough of it
“A great and affordable option for players seeking a stripped-down hot rod shred guitar”: EVH Frankenstein Relic Series review
Meet the new Frankenstein, same as the old one, just without the stripes, and with a lived-in feel that's as comfortable as well-worn denim
“The SA-126 is way beyond a typical semi-hollow. There’s nothing else like that guitar. It’s like a hot rod, but with a souped-up modern engine”: Wolfgang Van Halen on building the supersized sound of Mammoth II (with some help from Eddie’s Frankenstein)
Armed with his new EVH semi-hollow signature model, plus the most hallowed pieces in his father's collection, Wolfgang Van Halen explains how he went all in for his epic sophomore album
Why Guild’s 12-string design is one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century – and how it became a go-to acoustic for Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Brian May
We chart the history and innovations behind one of music's most popular 12-string acoustics – a guitar that can be heard on classic tracks from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Supertramp, Simon & Garfunkel and more
Game-changers, taste-makers and trend-setters: here are 2023's guitarists of the year
We tip our hats to the players that made 2023 such a defining year in guitar history – and whose achievements we'll be talking about in years to come
How the 1960s Gibson J-200 upset acoustic purists but remained King of the flat-tops in the eyes of the Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Yusuf/Cat Stevens
The bridge was the one thing the purists just couldn't cross, but those who did found an acoustic bursting with songs and a tone that could not be matched
“It felt like a really special moment to celebrate by using the Frankenstein. It was like having my dad right there with me”: Wolfgang Van Halen on how it felt to use Eddie’s OG Frankie and Marshall rig to record one of Mammoth WVH’s standout solos
Found on the latest Mammoth WVH record, the lead effort on Take a Bow was recorded using one of the most iconic gear combos in music history
The ‘90s was a watershed era for gear, and set the template for the future of the electric guitar – these are the retro designs, digital innovations and misfit toys that defined a decade and beyond
The invention of the seven-string, emergence of digital modeling and rise of the boutique pedal industry all took place during the ‘90s, and provided the blueprint for the sound of guitar music to come
Why the Vox AC30 is the “desert island” amp of choice for guitar legends including Brian May, the Edge and Rory Gallagher
The AC30 is an all-time classic tube combo. We unpack its history and design, its brief deployment in the studio with the Beatles, and the titanic influence it has had on guitar tone
Boss DM-101 Delay Machine review – the ultimate analog delay pedal? It’s hard to argue
The Japanese pedal giant is as good as its word with this innovative and musical take on classic analog delay effects
D’Angelico Deluxe Eric Krasno Brighton review: it hits a magical “goldilocks” spot between a vintage Les Paul Special and Stratocaster – with even more sparkle and brilliance
Krasno's new signature model might be strictly limited edition but its unique voice and top-class build would have mass appeal among any player looking for something different
Used by everyone from Kurt Cobain to Ace Frehley, the DiMarzio Super Distortion pickup changed the sound of rock – and the future of electric guitar tone
Larry DiMarzio’s Super Distortion not only presented players in the ’70s with a high-output option, it started a culture of players swapping out pickups in search of better tone
Driftwood Purple Nightmare Tube Preamp Pedal review – all the guts and glory of the full-blown PN head's Burn channel without the $3,000 investment
The Burn channel from the PurpleNightmare is ready for its pedalboard close-up and does not disappoint
Yamaha FG9M review – a classic square-shoulder dreadnought combining old-world craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technology
A reminder, if needed, that Yamaha can also make high-end acoustic instruments to take your breath away
Gretsch G5420T-140 Electromatic review – personality, attitude and tones to match those dazzling looks
Gretsch celebrates 140 years with a stunning anniversary line that dresses this handsome hollowbody in two-tone Pearl Platinum over Stone
A staple of Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai and Steve Lukather’s ‘80s live rigs, the Roland SDE-3000 was a game-changer for digital delay
Recently reissued in pedal form, the SDE-3000 was more than just a delay unit. Combining modulation with musical, organic repeats, it was the secret sauce in many a pro player’s live rig and studio setup
Furch Violet D-SM review – a first-class build that proves you don't need to spend silly money for a pro-quality dreadnought
What this Furch lacks in flash it more than makes up for with first-class playability and sound quality
Orange OR30 review – a British-built 30W head that can breathe fire onstage… or in the bedroom
This single-channel tube head could put the squeeze on its rivals thanks to a surprisingly versatile range of tones – with a distinctly British accent
Seymour Duncan HyperSwitch review – the Bluetooth-equipped pickup selector that opens up a vast world of tonal possibilities
Believe the hype: this clever mod can give your guitar the sort of versatility a session pro would dream of
Fishman Fluence Tim Henson Signature Series and Scott LePage Custom Series review: Innovative pickups that boast an awesome tonal range
The Polyphia guitarists' signature pickups take the Fishman Fluence multi-voice concept to a new level
Boss SDE-3000EVH Dual Digital Delay review: an Eddie Van Halen live staple returns in pedal form
This digital delay boasts presets containing the exact settings from the two SDE-3000 rack delays in Van Halen's live rig – and a lot more besides
In praise of the Fender Electric XII, the 12-string electric loved by Jimmy Page that brought jangle to ‘60s rock
No Electric XII, no Stairway... Well, not quite. But while the Ricky always gets the glory, it's time to show some appreciation for Fender's 12-string for the iconic tones it gave to iconic tracks
Fender Steve Lacy People Pleaser Stratocaster review
Debuting a new Chaos Burst finish and an onboard fuzz circuit, this really is a people-pleasing Strat...
