Latest articles by Phil Weller
Mono releases next-gen soft cases for traveling guitarists
With a host of new security features, the luxury case firm is ensuring guitars remain safe from whatever perils stand in the way of you and your next gig
IDLES' Lee Kiernan encourages EarthQuaker Devices to revive its Gray Channel overdrive and fuzz pedal for his signature stompbox, Gary
The two-sided pedal brings back a stompbox loved by many, and ensures it comes back with an evil streak
Celestion’s first Artist Series IRs bring Tony Iommi’s early and latter-era Black Sabbath tones to the digital sphere
“Faithful digital images” of the cabinets used across five decades of Iommi’s career have been made available by the revered speaker manufacturer
Meet the Olinthus Cicada, the world’s smallest overdrive pedal with “the roar of a lion”
Based on one of the most popular tube screamers, the pocket-sized device is redefining how small and mighty stompboxes can be
Meet the D.U.M.Bucker – a fully functioning, monstrous eight-coil pickup that you might actually be able to buy
The earth-shaking octa-coil went viral on social media – and its maker has confirmed five units will be made available for those brave enough to give it a go
Fender Japan teams up with fashion designer Hiroshi Fujiwara for the furniture-inspired Fragment Telecaster
Featuring a rare rosewood and alder body and traditional 1960s specs, the Hiroshi Fujiwara-designed beauty represents one of 2024’s most unique Telecasters
Walrus Audio wades into uncharted waters with a fresh take on one of the world’s most cloned overdrive pedals
The original Voyager caught the ears of Ed O’Brien, Joe Bonamassa and more. Now, an updated version hopes to add new levels of customization to the crowded Klon clone market
Alex Lifeson celebrates 40 years of Grace Under Pressure by launching a next-gen Sportscaster replica
The Lerxst Grace is inspired by Lifeson’s original Hentor Sportscaster, complete with a red finish, mirror pickguard and HSS pickup configuration
PRS preps for its 40th Anniversary with two high-end limited edition models
A luxurious Dragon fingerboard and vintage specs combine with all-new pickups for a pair of guitars that look forward and backward in equal measure
Behringer rolls out a $65 Tone Bender copy
The budget pedal offers two modes inspired by different iterations of the legendary fuzz stompbox, as well as a smaller ergonomics to maximize pedalboard space
Steve Lukather on how Quincy Jones saved Michael Jackson’s Beat It from becoming a heavy metal track
Jackson wanted a rock track for Thriller – and Lukather says Jones had to step in to stop the song from entering fully fledged metal territory
Gary Rossington’s ‘Free Bird’ SG will be loaned out for a series of A-list gigs
The Chicago Music Exchange is working with Rossington’s family to help put the iconic guitar in the hands of big-name players, in a new initiative that aims to honor the late Southern rock icon’s legacy
Brubaker merges headless guitar hype with modern modular designs for the NBS Series
Bartolini, Dark Glass, John East, Aguilar, and Nordstrand preamp modules are available, and each can be swapped out in less than 60 seconds
Brian Wampler conquers a career-long challenge with the Catacombs – a hybrid delay/reverb pedal he almost didn’t release
A range of popular reverb and delay effects can be harnessed from the Catacombs, which looks to deliver complex sounds in a not-so-complex package
John Petrucci’s Majesty signature guitar has hit its 10th Anniversary
DiMarzio and Ernie Ball Music Man have both helped Petrucci commemorate the milestone by unveiling a Majesty fitted with new-look humbuckers
![[L-R] Ozzy Osbourne and Jake E. Lee](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GsG64nBua4FkRe2KkMC4xc-840-80.jpg.webp)
Jake E. Lee on comparisons with Randy Rhoads – and what his fellow Ozzy shredder was better at
The virtuoso has weighed in on the decades-long debate that has pitted him against his Prince of Darkness predecessor
Ella Feingold auditioned to join Prince’s band – but was turned down because her playing was “too funky”
Feingold has discussed her 2005 audition, during which her chops proved to be too funky – and not enough ‘Elton John’ – for Prince
Meet Gore. guitarist Alex Reyes – the modeler-melting Texan metal player summoning djent riffs from six-strings
The Houston metal trio’s debut EP is turning heads as Reyes summons low-tuned maelstroms into stunning structures, making the most of his producers’ songwriting experience
Prince’s iconic custom ‘Parade Tour’ guitar, used in the America video, is up for auction
The eye-popping Sadowsky build starred in the America video and features artwork by reggae musician Wayne Jarrett
Supercool Pedals puts a new spin on the famed distortion box beloved by James Hetfield and Dave Grohl
With the help of expanded controls and a new Turbo mode, the Barstow Bat promises to nail the ProCo Rat’s tones and then some
Harley Benton introduces the $42 JAMster amp – one of the most affordable desktop amps to hit the market yet
Joined by an equally affordable and flexible bass amp, the JAMster Guitar offers Clean and Overdrive channels and Bluetooth connectivity
Charvel continues the expansion of its made-in-Japan operations with 3 new MJ Series Dinkys
The Superstrat-inspired shred machines seek to pay homage to the 1980s, when Charvel guitars were exclusively made in Japan
Tony Iommi has been experimenting with digital amp modelers – and he’s used one to record new material
The guitarist has been using a Kemper in the studio, and his new music features a blend of both tube and digital amps
