Jackson Maxwell
Jackson is an Associate Editor at GuitarWorld.com. He’s been writing and editing stories about new gear, technique and guitar-driven music both old and new since 2014, and has also written extensively on the same topics for Guitar Player. Elsewhere, his album reviews and essays have appeared in Louder and Unrecorded. Though open to music of all kinds, his greatest love has always been indie, and everything that falls under its massive umbrella. To that end, you can find him on Twitter crowing about whatever great new guitar band you need to drop everything to hear right now.
Latest articles by Jackson Maxwell
![Black Friday Fender deals 2024: The official sale is here! Save big on guitars, amps, pedals, and more](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CEeARM6GdjJYTL3eBcgd9D-320-80.jpg)
Black Friday Fender deals 2024: The official sale is still live! Last chance to save big on guitars, amps, pedals, and more
By Daryl Robertson last updated
This Black Friday, we're seeing some fantastic Fender deals crop up across the web, including discounted Player II guitars
![Gibson's Custom Shop VOS Jimmy Page EDS-1275 guitar, leaned up against a Gibson Custom hardshell case](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Yng3F6EphoquLmmuL4iT2H-320-80.jpg)
Gibson launches new Custom Shop Jimmy Page 1969 EDS-1275 model that doesn't cost $50,000
By Jackson Maxwell published
While still exacting – with 3D scan rendering and molecularly accurate electronics – this replica of one of Page's most famous weapons diverges from its ultra-high-end predecessor in a few ways
![Fender's Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xGiUDwqBJMtt9rzULk5i46-320-80.jpg)
Achieve Nirvana for less with this roaring Cyber Monday discount on Fender's Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang
By Jackson Maxwell published
We gave this super-fun Fender a five-star review, and for $999 this Cyber Monday, it's a killer choice for anyone looking for a weapon for garage-rock, punk, surf-rock, or, obviously, grunge
![Three acoustic guitars on sale this Cyber Monday](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x2XMEbw4ismPwDHcMKSMWj-320-80.jpg)
I’m in serious need of an acoustic upgrade. These are the Cyber Monday savings I have my eye on
By Jackson Maxwell published
These huge discounts on models from Martin, Taylor, Fender, and more – with savings of up to $350 – are perfect for anyone looking for the right acoustic
![Hello Kitty guitar accessories](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QLvD39usAfvmwYMybwYR53-320-80.jpg)
Guitar Center just dropped a 15% off coupon for Cyber Monday – and it’s valid on thousands of guitars, pedals, amps and accessories
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Could you snag a discount on the gear you’re salivating over?
![D’Angelico's Premier Bedford SH guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kXSj3jzkyLs6875nezrawe-320-80.jpg)
Save a whopping $400 on D’Angelico's sleek Premier Bedford SH this Black Friday
By Jackson Maxwell published
With gorgeous vintage looks and a unique pickup lineup, this semi-hollow in beautiful Navy Blue looks and sounds like a million bucks, but will only set you back $399 at Musician's Friend
![A selection of music gear including amps, pedals, and guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/52cTXG4sGRxDtZuLU8saY-320-80.jpg)
Sweetwater Black Friday deals 2024: savings are still live with up to 70% off
By Daryl Robertson last updated
The Sweetwater Black Friday sale is still live but you'll need to act fast to seal your deal
![A selection of music gear including guitars, pedals, and amps](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vAocxH2dAoirjMtT7kEdwA-320-80.jpg)
Guitar Center Black Friday deals 2024: you can still get the lowest prices of the year
By Chris Barnes last updated
Black Friday may be officially over, but Guitar Center still has loads of items on sale
![Yamaha's Pacifica Standard Plus PACS+12M guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K4KWh3jTHuk269oySiFSJ8-320-80.jpg)
Save $200 on Yamaha's stellar Pacifica Standard Plus PACS+12M this Black Friday
By Jackson Maxwell published
Though it's made in Indonesia, this Pacifica can go toe to toe with plenty of Strat-style guitars that ring up at twice the price, or more. Now, it's even cheaper
![A man plays a Fender Stratocaster guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AUy8QEjD2FCiorPR2arFX8-320-80.jpg)
Start your or a loved one's guitar journey with 60% off Fender Play this Black Friday
By Jackson Maxwell published
Fender Play is the perfect one-stop shop for those looking to get started on the guitar. With 60% off this Black Friday, there's never been a better time to get yourself – or a loved one – started on guitar
![A Positive Grid Spark 2 amplifier](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AWSQ8yoyzMs9wnMqaRxtUM-320-80.jpg)
Black Friday Positive Grid deals 2024: The first-ever Spark 2 discounts are here – plus, ways to save on the rest of the Spark line-up today
By Chris Barnes last updated
The official Black Friday deals are here, with discounts on nearly every smart amp in the line-up, plus big savings on software
![Kurt Cobain performs onstage with Nirvana at Sony Studios in New York City on November 18, 1993](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rKMeP4rCWUittJPpTnK93-320-80.jpg)
The mod that made Kurt Cobain's $6 million MTV Unplugged Martin one of a kind
By Jackson Maxwell published
According to Nirvana guitar tech Earnie Bailey, Cobain was far from a vintage guitar fiend, and had no qualms with making his already weird D-18E even more unusual
![(from left) Dimebag Darrell, Snake Sabo, and Ace Frehley perform onstage](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Jc6fajNBtpiBrbJbeaEXTW-320-80.jpg)
Dimebag Darrell and Snake Sabo on their love of Ace Frehley, and how the Kiss legend shaped their playing
By Jackson Maxwell published
Both guitarists were recruited by Guitar World in 1993 for a roundtable of sorts with Frehley – during which Dimebag and Sabo even went to the trouble of donning “Spaceman” makeup themselves
![Alice Cooper (left) and Orianthi perform onstage at Webster Hall in New York City on July 17, 2013](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h6Gokfie6MaaVMdeZYvsBX-320-80.jpg)
Orianthi will re-join Alice Cooper’s band on tour as a fill-in for her successor, Nita Strauss
By Jackson Maxwell published
Orianthi toured with Cooper from 2011 through 2014, and will reunite with his band for a series of shows from late January through mid-February 2025
![Richie Sambora (left) and Jon Bon Jovi perform at Nagoya Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on August 4, 1984](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Wgtx8xRUz77RSVpCU45vS3-320-80.jpg)
“I hit the first chord and my Marshall blew up”: Richie Sambora on Bon Jovi's nightmare arena debut
By Jackson Maxwell published
Reflecting on the experience decades later, Sambora said that – embarrassing as they are in the moment – mishaps like that are “what shape you as a pro”
![Greg Suran (left) and Joe Walsh perform onstage](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vRmiUsa7JK2Fe4R98N3mMn-320-80.jpg)
Greg Suran on his time with Joe Walsh – and the Eagle’s passion for tonal tinkering
By Jackson Maxwell published
A veteran guitarist whose resumé also includes work with Sunny Day Real Estate, The B-52's, and Lionel Richie, Suran tells GW that he learned plenty from the Eagles legend, both tone-wise and solo-wise
![A black-and-white photo of David Gilmour tracking new solo album Luck and Strange in the studio.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LD2BiB8ocHDYyJET7743kC-320-80.jpg)
A guide to everything David Gilmour used on his new solo album, Luck & Strange
By Henry Yates published
Gilmour's tech, Phil Taylor, provides GW with an exhaustive list of the guitar gear used to record the prog icon's first solo album in nine years – and there are some surprising pieces of kit
![John Petrucci from the band Dream Theater performs on stage at Oslo Spektrum on May 19, 2022 in Oslo, Norway.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7h9RcXw46KsXbW3YLWMF3d-320-80.jpg)
“The sonic equivalent of a fist-fight between James Hetfield and Alex Lifeson”: October 2024 Guitar World editors’ picks
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The hot new tracks and deep cuts GW editors have been listening to this month
![Rory Gallagher plays his 1961 Fender Stratocaster onstage (left), the 1961 Fender Stratocaster in question](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PydRcUewd5SC9ZZ5S4AKE7-320-80.jpg)
Rory Gallagher’s 1961 Fender Stratocaster sells at auction for $910,000
By Jackson Maxwell published
The historic Strat – the sale of which attracted the attention of senior members of the Irish government, who hoped to keep the instrument in Gallagher's native country – went under the hammer along with dozens of other guitars from the legendary player's collection
![Eddie (left) and Alex Van Halen perform onstage at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, California on September 30, 2015](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kWQpY9tmp8vi6Vvhwkz7Uf-320-80.jpg)
AI-aided Eddie Van Halen solos could be a possibility, according to Alex Van Halen
By Jackson Maxwell published
The late guitarist's older brother says that he reached out to OpenAI about potentially analyzing “the patterns of how Edward would have played something” to help round out unfinished material
![Jake E. Lee performs onstage at Webster Hall in New York City on December 2, 2014](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CwyrsD5HgDLesYBottsMhi-320-80.jpg)
Former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee shot multiple times in Las Vegas
By Jackson Maxwell published
According to Lee's representative, the guitar virtuoso was out walking his dog in Las Vegas when he was shot multiple times. He is expected to make a full recovery
![(from left) Brian May, Steve Cropper, and Billy Gibbons perform onstage](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ffbqrj7rCa2j2uaEN6arHi-320-80.jpg)
Brian May on his unlikely guitar kinsmanship with Steve Cropper and Billy Gibbons
By Jackson Maxwell published
Recruited for the recent Cropper tune Too Much Stress, May says the three masters fit together better than you might think
![(from left) Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton, and Ginger Baker perform live at the Royal Albert Hall in London on November 26, 1968](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hkTifF6kuKSjtXYZJvfqe9-320-80.jpg)
Cream were one of the loudest rock bands of their time – that excessive volume helped tear the band apart
By Jackson Maxwell published
During Cream's late '60s heyday, and again during their brief reunion in 2005, drummer Ginger Baker felt that both his – and even Eric Clapton's – contributions were often drowned out by bandmate Jack Bruce's
![Les Dudek (left) and Neal Schon perform onstage](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4upbEGsxRKD5g2Y2KBxLMF-320-80.jpg)
“I got a call: ‘I’m putting a super band together’”: How Les Dudek joined Journey “for two hours”
By Jackson Maxwell published
Recruited due to his stellar resume – which included studio work with the Allman Brothers Band and Steve Miller – Dudek turned down the gig to pursue a solo career
![Steve Morse (left) and Dave LaRue perform onstage at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, Georgia on April 20, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AQigNnXov5xZdPbHUNhqs6-320-80.jpg)
Steve Morse modded the heck out of his first serious guitar, and it became the blueprint for his signature Ernie Ball Music Man model
By Jackson Maxwell published
Unsatisfied with the limitations of his first proper guitar, Morse took matters into his own hands, a lá Eddie Van Halen
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