Latest articles by Phil Weller
Quilter’s latest pedal amp crams classic tones into a single stompbox
The DirectAmp studio-in-a-pedal is designed to be travel-friendly and goes directly into mixing desks and recording devices, promising huge tonal scope
Rabea Massaad confirms an affordable Sterling by Music Man version of his signature Sabre is on the way
The guitarist has revealed a scaled-back signature is in the works, and it might arrive in time for NAMM 2025
Andy Summers wishes he’d let loose on more solos in The Police
Summers says his guitar chops were stifled by the hardcore punk scene, and that players like him “weren’t supposed to be able to play”
How The Edge's guitar parts – and a rare Fender prototype – helped save one of U2’s biggest hits
The Edge crafted his now-iconic lead lines on a uniquely modded Fender, and helped resurrect a song that was destined for the scrap heap
Has Mark Morton just given us a glimpse of his upcoming signature Gibson Les Paul?
Two years after he signed with Gibson, the Lamb of God metal machine has seemingly teased his long-awaited signature model
Mark Knopfler says the lack of a guitar amp growing up helped him develop his now-iconic fingerpicking style
Sensitivity to his family’s finances – as well as an exchange involving his sister and a tennis racket – helped Knopfler on the way to crafting his legendary approach to the guitar
Eric Johnson says the ever-expanding world of guitar gear has resulted in “so much option anxiety”
As the amp modeler and digital multi-effects markets continue to grow, Johnson has responded with a back-to-basics record that demonstrates the benefits of a stripped-back signal chain
Wolfgang Van Halen explains how Eddie’s game-changing talents “kind of ruined” the ’80s guitar scene
The Mammoth WVH frontman reflects on the guitar playing trap that emerged as a result of his father's groundbreaking style – and names one player who managed to avoid it
MXR's Randy Rhoads Distortion+ pedal finally gets a release date
MXR’s boffins opened up Rhoads' legendary chip pan pedalboard for the first time in 40 years to create the new stompbox, and after several delays, it will be out very soon indeed
Harley Benton launches three new ‘build your own guitar’ kits – starting from $117
Thomann’s budget gear firm extends its entry-level guitar-building kits with okoume and basswood six-strings inspired by V and Explorer shapes
Marcin brings virtuosic acoustic playing to mainstream TV – and tackles Tim Henson’s guest solo with a mid-song guitar switch – in Late Show performance
The percussive guitar extraordinaire wowed with his ambidextrous modern acoustic playing
GoFundMe page launched in the wake of Spiritbox bassist Bill Crook’s passing
The former Spiritbox bassist tragically passed away last week, and the metalcore scene has shown its support to Crook’s grieving family, helping cover funeral costs
A new whiskey company has been launched in Dimebag Darrell’s name – but the wait for his guitars and amps continues
Founded by the Pantera legend’s widow, Rita Haney, Blacktooth Beverages should help the wait for new Dimebag guitars and amps go down smoother
Jackson just made a serious play for the metal baritone market with its new Pro Plus XT series
The blacker-than-black 27”-scale models are built with no quarter and high-end specs for aggressive tones
Tim Henson 7-string headlines mega new Ibanez signature guitar drop – including a Paul Gilbert Fireman with a world-first mod
The Polyphia guitarist’s first extended-range signature guitar lines up alongside fresh models for Paul Gilbert, Andy Timmons, Pat Metheny and John Scofield
How Steve Vai helped Jacob Collier become a better player without even touching a guitar
The newly crowned Strandberg signature artist discusses how Vai’s progressive mentality informed his approach to the guitar
Mooer cements itself as the accessible amp modeler maker to beat with upgraded GE200 Pro
IR and MIDI compatible with nearly 300 amps and effects, a looper, and an “intuitive” interface, the GE200 Pro looks to bring the modeler magic of the industry's big guns to the more affordable end of the market
Gary Moore’s Showbiz Blues SG Junior set for auction
Moore used the vintage ’61 SG Junior during prep for his tour with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, and can be heard on his 1995 Blues For Greeny tribute album
This firm has invented a removable B-Bender that can be fitted to practically any acoustic
The discovery comes from YouTuber Samurai Guitarist, who has been searching the internet for the wildest acoustic guitar gadgets available
D’Addario just launched a mic stand that attaches directly to your pedalboard
The XPND Pedalboard Mic Stand creates a clever solution for guitarists tasked with tackling tiny stages
Richard Fortus explains the simple tweaks used by Jimi Hendrix and Joe Perry that improved the Stratocaster
Fortus has made the two relatively straightforward adjustments to his own signature Strat-style guitar, as he believes they both vastly improve a Stratocaster's tone
Sammy Hagar on whether we’ll ever see Wolfgang Van Halen join the Best Of All Worlds tour
Hagar hopes to take the tour to South America and Europe, which could increase the chances of a Wolfgang guest spot in the future
Gojira’s Joe Duplantier sparks rumors he’s signed with another guitar brand after playing a custom ESP during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Could the heavy metal riffsmith be leaving Charvel, or is his show-stopping new axe the sign of a new dual-brand relationship with ESP?
