Latest articles by Matt Parker
NAMM 2024 live: this year’s biggest guitar news as it happens
Everything you need to know direct from the show floor at the world’s no. 1 guitar gear show
NAMM 2024: all the latest guitar news, rumors and predictions from the greatest gear show on Earth
The guitar, amp and pedal news you need to know about, all in one place
NAMM 2024: “The same design as the one Jimi Hendrix wore when he stole the show at a 1967 music festival”: Vintage reissue straps are now a thing: check-out this Dunlop x Authentic Hendrix reproduction of Jimi’s Monterey Pop strap
Get the strap that held the guitar that Hendrix set on fire...
NAMM 2024: “Some people were like, ‘That's the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen!’ It turns out it was the most successful instrument we ever could have imagined”: John Petrucci on the wild ride of his signature guitar, the Music Man Majesty
Like many game-changing ideas, the Majesty (which wasn't the guitar's original name...) was not immediately welcomed with open arms, the Dream Theater man says
NAMM 2024: “One of the most unique and spectacular LTD models that Takamine has ever created”: Takamine's master luthiers celebrate once more around the sun with this spectacular solar system-themed acoustic guitar build
Every year the firm builds a guitar to showcase the finest work of its Japanese luthiers and this year’s model really dazzles
NAMM 2024: “From classic 1970s to contemporary modern”: Following the success of its Kim Thayil signature model, Guild’s expanded range hopes to find a Polara for every player
The overhauled Polara solidbody has formed the basis for three new tiers of standard line Polara builds, including the Deluxe, Night Edition and standard lines
“The Gibson Garage has become this Mecca in Nashville for guitar players. Bringing the London store to life is going to be equally as as gratifying”: Gibson’s first-ever flagship store outside of the US has announced its grand opening date
The firm’s first-ever flagship store outside of the US is preparing to open its doors on February 24
NAMM 2024: “It’s not just a reissue of that very special instrument. This was an opportunity to showcase 40 years of evolution”: Alex Lifeson partners with Godin for the LERXST Limelight – a new take on his legendary Hentor Sportcaster
The Rush icon has teamed-up with another forward-thinking Canadian export for his new S-style signature guitar
A Slash Jessica Les Paul, new Epiphone Firebirds, a Dual Falcon 20 amp and the Theodore goes Standard: Gibson just surprised us with a massive preview of unannounced guitar gear for 2024
Take a look at some of the treats on display at Gibson’s pre-NAMM LA hangout
“One of the most requested models in Epiphone's history”: The Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 signature exists – and we’ve played it
The Foo Fighters man’s affordable signature broke cover at Gibson’s pre-NAMM preview event
NAMM 2024: With the $2,199 Pacifica Professional, Yamaha is hoping to prove the beginner workhorse has thoroughbred potential. Can it persuade players to pay a higher price for an entry-level name?
The firm's new Japanese-made Professional and Standard Plus models are challenging perceptions of the enduringly popular Pacifica
NAMM 2024: “For all of the original mojo and magic craved by the true believers”: EHX’s Double Anniversary Big Muff Pi delivers its first ‘big box’ Ramshead circuit since the 1970s – and sells-out in hours. Will there be more big boxes on the way?
The firm’s extremely limited edition full-size reissue of the definitive ’70s fuzz circuit sold-out soon after its announcement
“Artfully aged by the Murphy Lab to match the look and feel of Kirk’s original”: Gibson’s Custom Shop takes on Kirk Hammett’s mod-heavy, “blacked-out” 1989 Les Paul Custom – and it’s safe to say it’s nothing like Greeny...
The Metallica guitar god debuts his latest signature Les Paul – and it’s a little different to his other recent custom shop build...
NAMM 2024: “Finally, an acoustic amp you can leave in your living room when company comes over”: Taylor debuts its own amp brand, Circa ’74 – complete with mid-century modern design, mahogany cabinets, and looks to kill
The brand's debut solid-state combo hides a modern feature set behind its beautifully retro form
NAMM 2024: “Hands-free control for the entire Spark family of smart amps” – Positive Grid’s colorful new Control X footswitch gives us expression pedal inputs – and serious Helix vibes. Could a Spark floor unit be in the offing?
It still doesn’t have a looper, but the Spark Control X points to an interesting new future for the dominant smart amp
NAMM 2024: “A groundbreaking fusion of hardware and software technologies”: Positive Grid’s Spark LIVE is a four channel, multi-instrument amp that aims to replace your band’s backline – and, possibly, your sound engineer
The ambitious new launch from the tech-savvy tone-makers is an all-in-one smart amp and PA system
“We are back!” Al Di Meola plays live for the first time since his onstage heart attack, returning to the songs – and the Gibson Les Paul – that first made his name
Fan-shot footage shows the fusion guitar icon appears to to have made a strong recovery, following his onstage health scare last fall
“The broken-in feel of an instrument with plenty of playing miles on it”: Charvel brings relic’d and nitro finishes to its standard range for the first time
New finishes, new techniques and a trio of new made-in-Japan HSS models, 2024 is set to be a year of firsts for the firm
“Distinctive and affordable”: Jackson’s new X Series Dinky DK1 guitars offer straightforward speed machines with complex finishes
The new electrics aim to dazzle on a budget, with a combination of streamlined spec and unignorable aesthetics
“Pro-level board control in a user-friendly package”: Fender’s Switchboard Effects Operator brings RJM’s sought-after switching magic to the masses
Want a pro-grade switching unit but can’t stretch to a GigRig or MasterMind? Fender has the answer
NAMM 2024: “Our homage to our legendary ’60s legacy”: The new Vox AC Hand-Wired Series promises to be the ultimate recreation of the iconic guitar amps used by everyone from Brian May to the Beatles
The new collection is the result of a detailed study into vintage Vox AC15 and AC30 amps, with each entry aiming to deliver “a sound that’s as faithful to the original as possible”
“When I hold her close to me, I immediately feel less anxious”: Epiphone’s signature WAXX Nighthawk Studio revives an underrated Gibson model, beloved by the French guitarist and producer
The firm’s latest signature guitar sees them join forces with WAXX to bring back 2011’s short-lived Studio ’Hawk
“The strings I put on it cost more than the actual guitar”: Portishead guitarist Adrian Utley explains why he used a $5 junk shop guitar and a $10,000 Martin – in the same session
The British guitarist – who has played with everyone from Jeff Beck to Mark Lanegan and Perfume Genius – has been discussing his esoteric gear philosophy
“Gibson is back in the amp business”: Gibson’s Falcon amps have landed – can the Mesa-made combos get their claws into the boutique amp market?
The firm’s first new tube amps since the late ’60s are hand-built in the USA and seem priced to compete
“I’m still looking for my original SG. If anyone out there knows anything about that, please call me. Seriously!” Robby Krieger is trying to track down his stolen Gibson SG Special used on Light My Fire and the Doors’ most iconic material
The guitarist has repeated his call for help in tracking down –and buying back – the early-’60s Gibson SG Special and is asking players to look for the serial number
