Latest articles by Phil Weller
Vintage squares up to Positive Grid and Boss with its Retro desktop modeling amp range – which starts at less than $150
Vintage is throwing its weight into the mini modeler market for the first time with a range of new amps that look set to face some tough competition
Mike Bloomfield’s Telecaster – which was used during Bob Dylan’s 1965 Newport Folk Festival performance – is up for sale
The Tele was present during a change-making moment in rock ‘n’ roll history, but was later curiously modified by a left-handed player
Cesar Gueikian all-but-confirms the return of the cult Gibson RD – an unsung build beloved by Dave Grohl and Ghost
One of the firm’s most obscure designs of the 1970s looks set for an unlikely return
Breedlove turns to an unsung tonewood for two new special edition acoustics that promise “unparalleled tonal qualities”
Breedlove has made bold claims about its new Myrtlewood Legend builds, but believes the tonewood they utilize will soon reach legendary status
That time Tom Hamilton ended up playing bass for Thin Lizzy
The bassist handled Phil Lynott’s parts during a 2016/17 anniversary tour – a gig he got after meeting members of the new-look lineup at a Motörhead concert
Ibanez takes a leaf out of its heavy electric playbook to produce its most ‘metal’ acoustics yet
Featuring “in-demand” tonewoods and high-end electronics, the new Blackout lineup offers a metal-inspired twist to the traditional acoustic guitar recipe
Mike Bloomfield’s missing custom-painted ’66 Fender Telecaster – which was lost in 1974 – is going up for sale
The quirky Tele, which mysteriously disappeared in the 1970s after it had been used by Bloomfield, was recently discovered
Dante Swan is blurring the lines between djent and trap music – and he wants you to steal his riffs
The Chicago guitarist’s unique fusion of styles is expanding the horizons of where metal guitar can go, with the backing of Tosin Abasi
Has HeadRush changed the future of amp modeler rigs with a tiny $149 FRFR cab?
The 30-watt FRFR-GO offers color-free amping of modelers for just shy of $150
Hughes & Kettner finally brings back its Puretone amp by popular demand... as a plugin
The no-nonsense amp head, which has been re-purposed by Nembrini Audio, has joined the digital realm
Keeley takes on the Walrus Fundamental and JHS 3 Series with new range of $99 Sweetwater exclusives
From a David Gilmour-inspired fuzz to a classic Marshall-style amp tone in a pedal, the budget collection packs plenty of appeal
Jimmy Carter planted trees and personally harvested the wood that was later used to create his custom acoustic
The former President planted an orchard in the 1990s, and at the age of 95, personally cut down a tree for it to be turned into a guitar
Randall Smith on the origins of his ‘hammer test’ that makes Mesa/Boogies bulletproof
We don’t recommend trying this at home, but it’s a test that has helped Mesa/Boogie amps stand the rigors of touring throughout the decades
Joe Satriani on the unique challenges of having Yngwie Malmsteen on the G3 tour
Satch has no notes for the Swedish maestro’s playing, but found other aspects of his performances a little distracting during their G3 time together
Why Rhett Shull thinks amp modelers will fall out of favor in the future
While Reverb’s 21 best-selling amps of 2024 were all bereft of tubes, Shull is convinced that tube amps will make an inevitable comeback
Nirvana track named the best guitar riff of all time by surprising new study
Many of the big hitters feature, but not where you’d expect them to be – and there are some notable absences, too
John Mayer on why right-handed guitar players were responsible for the eventual creation of the left-handed SE Silver Sky
Mayer discusses the making of the left-handed version of his best-selling PRS signature guitar
Chibson has made a movie about Robert Plant’s “favorite band” – a reggae Led Zeppelin cover group
The meme machine has expanded its empire into the world of film with a debut documentary that tells the story of one of the wildest cover bands ever
Linkin Park’s Brad Delson on why he stepped back from touring – and if he’d ever return to the stage
Though he isn’t directly involved in the show night-on-night, Delson has been instrumental in what the band delivers on the road
Tim Commerford’s new Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay is a love letter to the pawnshop bass that crafted the first Rage record
Passive and active editions have been launched, but both come optimized with some clever, player-adjustable additions
The highly anticipated Norman’s Rare Guitars documentary gets its first trailer – and an official Netflix release date
The feature-length film about the legendary vintage gear shop is due to land before the end of the year – and it will star some huge names
Why Steve Vai dropped his anti-supergroup stance to help revive some of King Crimson’s most celebrated work
BEAT has been celebrating King Crimson’s 1980s albums, with Adrian Belew and Steve Vai’s new guitar partnership at its core
Electro-Harmonix responds to sky-rocketing looper competition with the Pico 360+ – can this mini looper take the crown?
Downsized reimagining of EHX’s best-selling 360 Looper channels the original’s magic, adds unlimited overdubs, and bottles it all in an ultra-tiny chassis
