Jenna Scaramanga
Jenna writes for Total Guitar and Guitar World, and is the former classic rock columnist for Guitar Techniques. She studied with Guthrie Govan at BIMM, and has taught guitar for 15 years. She's toured in 10 countries and played on a Top 10 album (in Sweden).
Latest articles by Jenna Scaramanga
![Sophie Lloyd](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pyBRPreMpTePys8Sd3ChEF-320-80.jpg)
“Eruption was my phone alarm – we have a love-hate relationship”: Sophie Lloyd names 10 guitarists who shaped her sound
By Jenna Scaramanga published
The Machine Gun Kelly guitarist and Kiesel signature artist reveals what she learned from which players – and the techniques she’s still working on
![Left-Sophie Lloyd performs with Machine Gun Kelly on day 2 of Lollapalooza at Grant Park on July 29, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois; Right-Joe Bonamassa performs in concert at Park City Arena on November 19, 2024 in Park City, Kansas](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8mVvfF4o7mX6JKc8a97g4F-320-80.jpg)
Sophie Lloyd on the time she met Joe Bonamassa – her childhood guitar hero
By Janelle Borg published
Lloyd looks back on the time her dad would play Joe Bonamassa records while driving her to school
![Sophie Lloyd](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WekRE5NrieLLjGmEoXKyEV-320-80.jpg)
Sophie Lloyd names the guitarist who overhauled her perspective on what makes a good solo
By Janelle Borg published
Lloyd may be known for her shredding playing style – but learning Comfortably Numb proved to be a revelation for her technique
![Devon Eisenbarger](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JbE7SCRzT3LZhzPZ78umi5-320-80.jpg)
Devon Eisenbarger plays with Chappell Roan and Katy Perry – but still jams covers in amusement parks
By Jenna Scaramanga published
The session pro discusses the skills needed to hold down gigs with pop icons – including playing on top of a giant mushroom with pyro shooting out of your guitar...
![Johnny Ramone plays a low-slung Mosrite onstage with the Ramones, a bank of Marshall amps in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6FdjWMwmZqHPdAxqjQ8xeP-320-80.jpg)
From Joe Strummer’s Tele to Johnny Ramone's Mosrite, here are the iconic guitars behind the sound of punk rock
By Jenna Scaramanga published
The filth, the fury, and '80s Fernandes Strat copies – these guitars, amps, and effects defined the sound of some of rock's greatest, and most rebellious, bands
![Kurt Cobain's 1969 Fender Mustang electric guitar photographed at Hard Rock Cafe on April 28, 2022 in London, England](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4i8jfa2KAk77CKHKEZq5dh-320-80.jpg)
The 16 most expensive guitars of all time
By Jenna Scaramanga last updated
Fenders owned by Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan, Martins belonging to Kurt Cobain and David Gilmour, and one independently made axe headline the list of most profitable guitars sold at auction
![Carmen Vandenberg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ARgyj8a9uX6wH95VndYg29-320-80.jpg)
Featuring a Joe Bonamassa wah and an overdrive gifted by Jeff Beck, Carmen Vandenberg’s pedalboard is a tour de force of tone
By Jenna Scaramanga published
The Bones UK and Morrissey guitarist is one of the most exacting tone connoisseurs in the game, with some quietly radical picks and some familiar favorites
![Carmen Vandenberg and Rosie Bones of Bones UK](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eYccpAsdJPUtM896Dz8pKH-320-80.jpg)
Rosie Bones on her guitar chemistry with Carmen Vandenberg, Corgan co-writes – and why Bones UK doesn’t need a bassist
By Jenna Scaramanga published
Augmenting the rock with electronic elements, Bones UK are dragging it into the future, but as frontwoman Rosie explains, they have one foot in the past, with an old-school blues cat playing lead
![Carmen Vandenberg leans against a white wall with a black Telecaster](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4pBgUhB5fYnjVG45oVoVdJ-320-80.jpg)
Bones UK’s Carmen Vandenberg on going hard to make Soft – and the Jeff Beck pedal that won’t leave her ’board
By Jenna Scaramanga published
Vandenberg is making guitar sounds you’ve never heard before. In a brilliant new album from Bones UK, she’s also blues, Hendrix and her mentor Jeff Beck – all in the pursuit of authenticity…
![A close up of the body on a Art & Lutherie Roadhouse Tennessee Red acoustic guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2SZDZ5kf3pQoBbUzapeQkc-320-80.jpg)
10 licks that prove the acoustic guitar can handle anything from folk to metal
By Jon Bishop published
Become an acoustic polymath and be comfortable in any musical company with this lesson in styles spanning boygenius to Genesis
![Taylor 50th Anniversary 814ce Builder’s Edition](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qnb5oKJGCALLXjJWEebLcQ-320-80.jpg)
21 ways to get more from your acoustic guitar
By Jenna Scaramanga published
Acoustic guitars are arguably simpler than electrics, but there’s still a wealth of details involved in playing like a pro…
![A portrait of Molly Tuttle wearing a patterned shirt, holding a Pre-War dreadnought](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EYNw73HJ3WapCr3DUbPcm-320-80.jpg)
Molly Tuttle on bluegrass inclusivity and her search of speed, feel and acoustic guitar virtuosity
By Jenna Scaramanga published
One of bluegrass's most gifted guitarists, Tuttle checks in to discuss the evolution of her style, and why it pays to subvert received wisdom and practice flat-out as fast as you can go
![Carmen Vandenberg of Bones UK performs at Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre on August 16, 2024 in Sterling Heights, Michigan](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8d6QdZgvGUQiz882x9GSyT-320-80.jpg)
Carmen Vandenburg recalls Jeff Beck’s ultimate tone test
By Janelle Borg published
Vandenberg discusses the invaluable lesson she learned from Beck about achieving your tone no matter what equipment you have at hand
![20 covers hero image ft Joan Jett, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ow4fNnEGpp3xzCpqcjfgsc-320-80.jpg)
The 20 greatest guitar cover versions (as voted for by you), ft. Hendrix, Johnny Cash, LedZep and more
By Jenna Scaramanga published
We asked, you voted, and the results are in, with a top 20 covers list featuring Guns N' Roses, Aretha Franklin, SRV and Joe Bonamassa. But who was voted number one?
![Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway performs during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2024 at Fair Grounds Race Course on April 27, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pNQDCvX3YRHqDozUsi5Khm-320-80.jpg)
Bluegrass virtuoso Molly Tuttle on the differences between metal and bluegrass shredding
By Janelle Borg published
Tuttle also shares the key technique that aspiring bluegrass guitar players need to master before they get on a stage
![Joe Perry plays a red B.C. Rich Bitch live onstage](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UMUsxiWGXcSy2Dk9VRy6AY-320-80.jpg)
Here’s how to sound like Joe Perry, by our man on the inside, guitar tech Darren Hurst
By Jenna Scaramanga published
54 guitars. 8-gauge strings. A semi full of amps. Joe Perry's live rig is a changeable, often untameable beast, and Hurst has been in charge of it since 2019. With the Aerosmith juggernaut ready to pull in for good, he spills all of its secrets, from string gauge and intonation to a heck of a lot of gain stacking...
![IDLES Mark Bowen and Lee Kiernan onstage](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2mTWxunVZghSTqJKaJJoqc-320-80.jpg)
“We’ve also embraced the jangly, the twang”: Idles’ Mark Bowen and Lee Kiernan talk Tangk tones
By Jenna Scaramanga published
Tankg is a another tour de force of electric guitar provocations with Idles' dynamic duo finding wilder ways to take their sound to the edge of disaster then hold it there, just for kicks
![Nancy Wilson of Heart performs at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds on August 25, 2015](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VsCPwvMTHApWUjhQj4g3CQ-320-80.jpg)
Heart’s Nancy Wilson on their long road to the top – and that cover of Stairway to Heaven
By Jenna Scaramanga published
The band might have landed in the ’70s, but Nancy Wilson is inspiring more players than ever in 2024 – just glance at Instagram
![St. Vincent performs onstage during 2024 BottleRock Napa Valley at Napa Valley Expo on May 24, 2024 in Napa, California.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BoqBmH8eFkPqxqWzt4WSg8-320-80.jpg)
St. Vincent on returning to real amps, stealing Josh Homme’s secret weapon – and how she overcame her fear of Strats
By Jenna Scaramanga published
St. Vincent’s new album, All Born Screaming, sees her teaming up with two Foo Fighters, using Prince’s favourite pedal and embarking on a prog odyssey. It also sees her return to real amps played real loud…
![Man playing guitar sitting down](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NXtamJfHYfHDrnCCW4XXL7-320-80.jpg)
10 things every beginner guitarist needs to know
By Jenna Scaramanga last updated
Chords and scales, rhythm and lead: these core skills set you up for success in any style
![Tyler Bryant](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bcHWSsEmeG9fnieoVX9sHD-320-80.jpg)
From thefts to being gifted a 1960 Stratocaster aged 13 – Tyler Bryant on his remarkable Strat stories
By Jenna Scaramanga published
He's one of the hottest young exponents of Texas blues. So of course he plays Strats…
![L-R) Nancy Wilson and Ann Wilson of Heart perform during day 4 of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2024 at Fair Grounds Race Course on April 28, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zNM8RAXaNR6sbuT4CURaqW-320-80.jpg)
Heart's Ann Wilson on how she managed to get Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains to jam together
By Janelle Borg published
Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson recount how they were embraced by Seattle’s music community after the band experienced a dip in popularity
![Tash Sultana](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eZjRNJThoRyXyHn6c5QE86-320-80.jpg)
Tash Sultana talks Strats and blowing Nile Rodgers’ mind with a rare vintage example
By Jenna Scaramanga published
The musical polymath reveals what the future holds for their signature Strat, and why jamming with Nile Rodgers, Mateus Asato and Tom Morello was just what the doctor ordered
![Left - Nancy Wilson of Heart opens for Styx at Abbotsford Centre on October 06, 2022 in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada; Right - Grace Bowers performs during 2023 Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park on October 15, 2023 in Austin, Texas](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zXwkrhRxbKuYyA8jG9Xwgg-320-80.jpg)
Heart's Nancy Wilson says this “Clapton-type shredder” is her favorite contemporary guitarist
By Janelle Borg published
Nancy Wilson explains how the young guitarist has impressed her with her distinct conversational-type shredding
![Phil Collen live in Tokyo, 1984](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rHjrFxGvrZM27joSqHXNMP-320-80.jpg)
Phil Collen on how Def Leppard accidentally reinvented rock guitar on classic album Pyromania
By Jenna Scaramanga published
Pyromania is 40 years young this year is still fresh as a daisy. Collen explains how tones, solos, Mutt Lange and the art of recording one string at a time forged a pivotal moment in rock
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