Matt Parker
Matt is Features Editor for GuitarWorld.com. Before that he spent 10 years as a freelance music journalist, interviewing artists for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.
Latest articles by Matt Parker
![Eric Clapton performs on stage with singer Yvonne Elliman and guitarist George Terry at Crystal Palace Garden Party 31st July 1976](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/43gTrV6KJ6e96apcyzFbQU-320-80.jpg)
“Someone dosed Eric with LSD”: George Terry on stepping up during Clapton's bad nights on the road
By Matt Parker published
The session pro and former Clapton sideman has been reflecting on life on tour and in the studio with the guitar icon in the 1970s
![A James Tyler Guitars headstock design](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DTNqqpAQUxfhbBxJRanwgV-320-80.jpg)
Renowned luthier and Superstrat pioneer James Tyler passes away, aged 72
By Matt Parker published
The high-end guitar-maker built and modded instruments used on the era’s biggest hits by session legends like Michael Landau, Dean Parks and Dann Huff
![Jeremy de Maillard CEO of Marshall Amps](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Hc6Fg63fDNviSsY5iFPW4E-320-80.jpg)
Behind the scenes at Marshall Amps with new CEO Jeremy de Maillard – and how he plans to win back guitarists
By Matt Parker published
Marshall Amplification is the ship that launched a thousand faces, but in the last decade, it’s been adrift. Now new CEO Jeremy de Maillard says he is out to meet the needs of modern guitarists
![Paul Gilbert holding his missing Ibanez PGM1000T electric guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aoMRCiwdu9MS39X6z5x4kc-320-80.png)
Paul Gilbert has had guitars worth $12,000 stolen – now the shred icon needs your help to find them
By Matt Parker published
The instruments, including three distinctive Ibanez signature models, were taken amid Mr. Big’s European tour dates
![Two guitarists recording next to a desk with a laptop, speakers and Blackstar Polar 4 audio interface](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dqrTKFfHmSNCafzh7ieAPK-320-80.jpg)
Blackstar’s Polar 4 pitches for the pro player by supersizing the guitar-focused audio interface
By Matt Parker published
The amp firm’s latest guitarist-centric interface offers a wealth of connectivity while continuing to wage war on digital clipping
![H.E.R. performs the USA national anthem during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics at Stade de France on Sunday, August 11, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9YyYzsokT9wAVqdaAfV6GW-320-80.jpg)
H.E.R. performs national anthem – and solos as Tom Cruise abseils into the stadium – at the Olympics closing ceremony
By Matt Parker published
The Strat-wielding superstar’s performance of the Star Spangled Banner marked the start of the official countdown to LA28
![John Mayall playing guitar onstage at Greenwich Village's Bottom Line nightclub, New York on January 23, 1979](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DaqZFiDsFhgBazWzmHirpm-320-80.jpg)
Tracking the phenomenal guitar lineage of John Mayall in 12 essential releases
By Andy Aledort published
We trace the evolution of the six-string linchpin behind the British blues rock boom of the 1960s
![Jakub Zytecki](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WtiJdqe7VyZRC7uxzJYWXj-320-80.jpg)
“I was determined to avoid hailing him as the future of shred, but I simply cannot do it”: July 2024 Guitar World editor's picks
By Michael Astley-Brown published
From an eight-string chug-a-thon with blues licks to make Eric Johnson blush, to a baritone turn from the hottest guitar player on the planet right now, this month was soundtracked by some top-tier guitar action
![Steve Albini with his Walco pedals at Electric Audio in Chicago](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6qTEQ5HCUQKeiLd6jSbe5A-320-80.jpg)
“It's meant to be a noise gate... It actually makes it noisier when it shuts off”: That time Steve Albini listed all of his worst pedals and why he hated them
By Matt Parker published
The influential guitarist and engineer had a few recommendations for your ‘don’t buy’ list
![Roman Ibramkhalilov playing his signature Jackson guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3m6YNXUYjpKP6dfy5wmT8S-320-80.jpg)
Jackson debuts a brand-new baritone body design in its road-warrior signature model for Roman Ibramkhalilov
By Matt Parker published
It’s heavy bevels for heavy metals as Jackson breaks cover with a signature guitar that’s been four years in the making
![Positive Grid Spark 2 looper](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/W2cXsv5fQqs3ts3efmBjAB-320-80.jpg)
Positive Grid has unveiled the Spark 2 – here’s how it plans change the amp game... again
By Matt Parker published
The year’s most anticipated amp launch is here – and we’ve got the full details
![Positive Grid Spark 2 amp and smartphone app](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8xCsdYPWcqFkgjpvZYAbqY-320-80.jpg)
Positive Grid confirms the Spark 2 will arrive within weeks – and, yes, it has a looper
By Matt Parker published
The most-requested missing feature of the original amp has now been addressed – and it will be here sooner than you think
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UkY5RCg86V4dCQmMKVPm97-320-80.jpg)
PRS has dropped its objection to Gibson’s Theodore trademark – but the dispute continues outside of the courts
By Matt Parker published
The McCarty-era sketch that Gibson recently brought to life has caused ruptures with the McCarty estate
![Blackstar TV-10A](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2qNUmMXrKxBrdusxDD5W5L-320-80.jpg)
British builder Blackstar turns the dial towards vintage Fender tone with the TV-10A
By Matt Parker published
The new 1x12” Class A combo draws inspiration from early Fender circuits, but adds in modern conveniences
![The 1962 Vox AC15 Twin, purportedly owned by John Lennon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fTvqcRyksT7hebErkueeJa-320-80.jpg)
John Lennon’s lost Vox amp – used on the Beatles’ first recordings and Cavern gigs – may have been found
By Matt Parker published
Heard on Please Please Me and Love Me Do, this unassuming 1962 Vox AC15 Twin may have just become the most valuable amp on the planet – and we’ve had the exclusive first look
![Dean Guitars and Gibson headstocks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eMA4ESGRWTtVoQAphvYUCG-320-80.jpg)
Dean Guitars maker has won the right to a retrial in Gibson trademark dispute
By Matt Parker published
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Armadillo Enterprises is entitled to a retrial that will include previously excluded evidence
![Stevie Ray Vaughan playing his Strat onstage in 1989](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9kc4YZtVyzjb74YEit7MBk-320-80.jpg)
Stevie Ray Vaughan stuns David Letterman in newly uploaded footage of his Late Night show debut
By Matt Parker published
The recently unearthed clip catches the guitar hero in the form of his life, three years sober and following the recording of his Grammy-winning album, In Step
![Gibson ES Supreme](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZnMfGSbZFhKdBSq2Y4TVxa-320-80.jpg)
Gibson’s ES Supreme adds full-body Burst finishes and flexible switching to the firm’s classic semi-hollow
By Matt Parker published
Gibson’s much-loved ES-335 has been given a fancy new outfit
![Fender Squier Affinity group shot](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DBf3pkpJD5wvqTBGj38xtS-320-80.jpg)
Squier’s affordable Affinity series just a got a major new expansion
By Matt Parker published
The five new budget-friendly builds mean there’s now more variety to the Affinity series than we’ve ever seen before
![Tom Morello (left) and Roman Morello](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7n6dYHbQuByBTXZmtqRi95-320-80.jpg)
“Big riff energy is in this kid’s blood – and he might even solo better than his dad…” June 2024 Guitar World editor’s picks
By Michael Astley-Brown published
From all-star offspring to returning noise-rock icons, a punk trailblazer’s first album in 53 years and the future of blues, this month had it all
![Harley Benton DNAfx GiT Advanced](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eTXoXYpHJodeGr94onGsZM-320-80.jpg)
Harley Benton already has the best-value electric guitar of 2024. Now it’s done the same for amp modelers
By Matt Parker published
It’s only $170, but the new DNAfx GiT Advanced offers serious multi-FX spec for the price
![Junior Marvin playing a Les Paul and a black and white photo of Jimi Hendrix playing guitar above his head](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r8N8S6vSgmPEzdvvJHGn6B-320-80.jpg)
Junior Marvin saw Jimi Hendrix blow away the Beatles – but says the guitar hero was too shy to speak to him
By Matt Parker published
The Bob Marley and The Wailers guitarist says Hendrix was “like two different people” on and offstage
![Montage of cut and paste images and JHS Hard Drive pedal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L4UEf9jowRWTBhmfqtZuh7-320-80.jpg)
JHS unveils its first ever original distortion pedal, the Hard Drive
By Matt Parker published
The new unit is not a clone of any previous pedal, but offers a huge variety of recognizable modern distortion tones
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