Latest articles by Neville Marten
“On a quick trip to interview Paul Reed Smith I was told we were going to the White House so I’d better pack a suit”: Celebrating 500 issues of Guitarist, one of the world’s greatest guitar magazines
From playing Eric Clapton’s Strats to narrowly avoiding knocking out Slash, Guitarist editors past and present share their favourite – and sometimes most embarrassing – memories of working for the esteemed UK publication
Fender American Vintage II 1972 Telecaster Thinline and 1975 Telecaster Deluxe review
Time has mellowed the wrath of the detractors and reinforced the joy of the believers in a range that divided opinion when first released in the early ’70s – and now it’s back with authentic CuNiFe humbuckers
Taylor 412ce and 417e review
Taylor revamps its ‘workhorse’ rosewood and spruce 400 Series with sunburst tops and new inlays – then there’s the innovative V-Class bracing, not to mention the ES2 electronics. A match made in heaven?
Epiphone 1958 Korina Explorer and Flying V review
This intriguing collaboration between Epiphone and Gibson’s fabled Custom Shop has produced faithful reproductions of two of the most brilliantly radical guitars ever devised
Faith PJE Legacy Twenty Series Mars, Earth and Neptune review
Three special instruments to celebrate 20 years of Faith acoustics. Designed by Patrick James Eggle with bespoke abalone inlays, they really are something to behold
David Crosby: “I’m usually trying to tell a story. Musically, I think it has to do with the fact that I like more complex chord structures and progressions”
In one of his final guitar interviews, the free-thinking founder of The Byrds and CSNY reflected on his storied career and discussed the making of his final, Joni Mitchell-inspired album, For Free
Hank Marvin: “When I got the first Strat we’d ordered with a ‘tremolo arm’, I was intrigued. None of us had seen one before or really knew what it did”
Cited by Clapton, May, Page and more, Marvin is the first true legend of instrumental guitar. Here, he talks gypsy jazz, his favorite Shadows tunes, and the genius of Jeff Beck
Taylor 514ce review
Another new wood joins the Taylor stable: let’s introduce red ironbark to the world of guitar tone! But what does it bring to the table?
Fender American Vintage II ’61 Stratocaster and ’51 Telecaster review
Fender has been making Vintage Reissues since the AVR models of the early ’80s, but this new American Vintage II range? It looks set to challenge even the mighty Custom Shop
Eastman Juliet P-90-VR and PB review
Romeo signalled a change of direction for Eastman, moving away from recreations of well-known shapes and styles to crafting new and exciting originals. Juliet continues that theme
Behold Rickenbacker’s new Midnight Purple 330
As limited-edition Rickenbackers go, they don't get much cooler than this...
Patrick James Eggle Macon SC Goldtop review
Another single-cut from one of the UK’s finest luthiers, but are dramatic timbers, classy hardware and thoughtful electrics enough to convince us there’s gold in them there hills?
Taylor 724ce Koa review
The premium Californian acoustic brand's massive revamp of its 700 Series witnessed the launch of two new Koa models, and this exquisite Grand Auditorium 724ce is one of them
10 essential Elvis Presley guitar tracks
Plus! Learn how to play three classic Elvis riffs with video lessons on Jailhouse Rock, Mystery Train and Suspicious Minds
Fender JV Modified ’50s Telecaster and ’60s Stratocaster review
Forty years on from the launch of the Japanese-made JV series Strat and Tele, Fender revisits the range with ‘modified’ versions that claim to offer the best of the old and the new
Why Gibson’s Elvis SJ-200 has us all shook up
The King of the Flat-Tops does not get any more regal than this
Atkin The Fifty-Two and The Fifty-Four review
A new range of electric guitars from a builder of renowned British acoustics? Indeed… but if anyone can cross the hollow-to-solidbody divide it’s Alister Atkin
Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard review
Another new Epiphone model enters the fray, promising the looks, sound and playability of its USA Gibson cousin at a fraction of the price
ABBA guitarist Lasse Wellander shares his story of playing for the Swedish pop institution
As ABBA’s Voyage tops the charts the world over, we meet the man whose guitar has graced records and stages alongside Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid since the mid-'70s
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa ‘Lazarus’ 1959 Les Paul Standard and BB King Lucille review
These signature Epiphones for two of Gibson’s most famous endorsers look so good as to challenge the legendary guitar maker at its own game. Let’s see if they can do it…
Fender Noventa Telecaster and Stratocaster review
Fender has treated some of its most iconic guitar models to a new, stripped-down P-90 format that turns them into lean, mean rocking machines
Epiphone USA Collection Frontier and Casino review
Some of Epiphone’s most iconic electrics and acoustics are being built again in the USA. We examine a legendary electric and a show-stopping acoustic
Gibson Murphy Lab review
We’ve heard the buzz and seen the online ads, but is Gibson's time machine worth all the hype? We put a Les Paul Standard, a Junior, and an ES-335 through their paces
