Chris Gill
Chris is the co-author of Eruption - Conversations with Eddie Van Halen. He is a 40-year music industry veteran who started at Boardwalk Entertainment (Joan Jett, Night Ranger) and Roland US before becoming a guitar journalist in 1991. He has interviewed more than 600 artists, written more than 1,400 product reviews and contributed to Jeff Beck’s Beck 01: Hot Rods and Rock & Roll and Eric Clapton’s Six String Stories.
Latest articles by Chris Gill

The secrets behind Eddie Van Halen's live rig at Van Halen's final shows
By Chris Gill published
On September 6, 2015, GW was invited to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts for an access-all-areas look at Ed's guitars, amps, effects and more

The definitive Kurt Cobain guitar gear guide: a deep dive into the Nirvana frontman's pawn shop prizes, turbo-charged stompboxes and blown woofers
By Chris Gill published
Decades on from the grunge legend's passing, his tone remains one of the most iconic in guitar's storied history

Fender 60th Anniversary Jazz Bass review
By Chris Gill published
A greatest hits Jazz Bass featuring the best of six decades' worth of specs

RedSeven Leviathan review
By Chris Gill published
If you're looking to level a city block with a powerchord, this boutique high-gain head has the KT88-powered ordnance

Elliot Easton: “People think I use a chorus pedal because of the sounds I recorded with the Cars. That’s actually the last thing I’d want on my pedalboard!“
By Chris Gill published
The Cars guitarist takes a deep dive into the gear and guitar solos that drive the Empty Hearts’ personality-packed second album

The secrets behind Pete Anderson's tone on Dwight Yoakam's Guitars, Cadillacs
By Chris Gill published
We investigate a bona-fide classic of '80s twang, with a modded Deluxe assuming a starring role

The secrets behind Elliot Easton's tone on The Cars' Touch and Go
By Chris Gill published
This highlight from the Boston new wave heroes' 1980 album Panorama is all about the magic in the midrange

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen review
By Chris Gill published
With pro-quality sound and easy setup, this is a great choice for new and experienced recording enthusiasts alike

Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster and Stratocaster HSS review
By Chris Gill published
Fender's flagship US models raise the bar for the electric guitar

BC Rich Shredzilla Prophecy Archtop with EverTune bridge review
By Chris Gill published
A pair of high-powered DiMarzio humbuckers and a bridge that's always in tune is the making of a shred monster

The secrets behind Eddie Van Halen's guitar tone on Everybody Wants Some!!
By Chris Gill published
Everything was on 10 for EVH on this feelgood hit from Women and Children First

Fender Mustang GTX100 review
By Chris Gill published
A modeling combo with all mod cons and a footswitch that makes it ideal for performance

The secrets behind Buddy Guy's tone on Damn Right, I've Got the Blues
By Chris Gill published
Guy's comeback was the sound of a blues master making the most of a minimalist rig

EVH Striped Series Shark review
By Chris Gill published
A spot-on replica of Eddie Van Halen's most aggressive electric with super-hot tones and a shreddable neck

Ernie Ball Music Man Luke III review
By Chris Gill published
The continued evolution of Steve Lukather's signature electric matches effortless playability with incredible tones

Eddie Van Halen revisits Van Halen's landmark '1984' album
By Chris Gill published
EVH tells GW how Van Halen's Diamond-certified blockbuster came to be

Overloud TH-U review
By Chris Gill published
Fully-featured amp, cab, mic and effects modeling software with amp modding and all kinds of clever tricks

Fender '64 Custom Princeton Reverb review
By Chris Gill published
This hand-wired reissue of the world's favorite small amp might just spare you the over-heated vintage market

The secrets behind Trevor Rabin's guitar tone on Yes's Owner of a Lonely Heart
By Chris Gill published
How Rabin achieved his expansive sound on the prog-rock legends' biggest hit

JHS Pedals PG-14 review
By Chris Gill published
Paul Gilbert's signature overdrive pedal has an amp-like operation that'll add some complex heat to your sound

Alex Lifeson reveals his tone and playing secrets behind 11 landmark Rush tracks
By Chris Gill published
In this classic interview from 1996, the Canadian guitar hero dissects Rush anthems from 2112 to Limelight and The Spirit of Radio

35 PRS guitarists – including John Mayer, Alex Lifeson, Dave Navarro and Carlos Santana – on why they love Paul Reed Smith's guitars
By Chris Gill published
As Paul Reed Smith celebrates its 35th anniversary, we speak to the players who put PRS on record and on the map

The secrets behind Geordie Walker's guitar tone on Killing Joke's Eighties
By Chris Gill published
The Killing Joke guitarist found his sound in a Gibson ES-295 and an ear for lush yet haunting tone
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