Latest articles by Eric Kirkland
20 gear innovations from the ‘80s that changed the game for guitar players
From Super Strats to classic stompboxes and rack-mounted signal processors, the decade transformed guitar with new tech promising fresh sounds and all-new musical horizons
Steve Vai reflects on his role in Crossroads: “The guitar duel was energetic and well laid out – kids responded to that”
In this previously unpublished 2004 Guitar World interview, Vai explains how he accessed his dark side to play Jack Butler
What happened to Jimi Hendrix's Monterey Stratocaster?
The iconic Fender Strat and others were set on fire by Jimi's hand, but thereafter their whereabouts are the stuff of legend
Tracking down Steve Vai's elusive "Crossroads" Jackson – the most famous guitar that was never heard
How an epic 20-year quest to find the red Jackson Vai played as Jack Butler in the movie Crossroads led to the ultimate replica headcutter
Review: Carvin Legacy 3 Steve Vai Signature Head
Carvin’s relationship with guitarist Steve Vai dates back to his formative years as Frank Zappa’s “stunt guitarist” and David Lee Roth’s virtuoso ax god.
Seymour Duncan AHB-1 Blackout active pickups
Seymour Duncan’s Blackouts have an exciting and natural sound, qualities I would have never expected to find in active pickups.
Keeley Electronics Katana Clean Boost pedal
Tested through a host of amps, the Katana was supremely transparent, offering everything from mild lift to radical boost while it maintained the precise nuances of my attack.
Landmine Distortion Pedal
If you're looking for a boutique overdrive that can introduce wicked tone in your arsenal, by all means, step on the Landmine and prepare to be destroyed.
Orange Thunderverb 200 head and PPC 412 HP8 cabinet
With punchy, distortion-free tones down to 30Hz, the Thunderverb is ideal for down-tuning shred-a-holics.
Marshall RG-1 Regenerator modulator, RF-1 Reflector reverb, EH-1 Echohead delay pedals
Marshall's digital stomp boxes deliver boutique tone at affordable prices.
Fender Princeton Recording-Amp combo
Like a tastefully updated vintage Porsche, the Princeton Recording-Amp marries what's great about the old days with the utility of the modern age.
Rivera Knucklehead Tré head
The high-gain Tré treats players to dazzling clean tones, pragmatic tone-shaping circuitry and scintillating touch sensitivity.
Radial Engineering Tonebone Plexitube distortion
A feature-laden pedal that delivers searing Brit-style preamp-derived gain.
Jackson Pro Series "Dominion" Mark Morton Signature Guitar
A short-scale guitar with distinctive classic looks and modern features.
Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Ace 1x12 Combo
Mate a Stiletto Stage II preamp to a vibrant 50-watt power section, and you get the Mesa Stiletto Ace.
Floyd Rose Discovery Series DSOT-3
Handcrafted quality at a production-model price.
DiMarzio Area '58 and Area '61 Pickups
Noiseless pickups with the nuances and tone of vintage single-coils
Stellartone Tonestyler Tone Pot
A passive 16-position electric guitar tone pot that replaces stock tone controls.
B.C. Rich Exotic Classic Series 10-String Bich & Mockingbird Electric Guitars
These two established B.C. Rich designs are recreated as modern works of art whose striking looks are matched only by their powerful sounds.
