When his keys player quit, McKinley James had to rethink his playing style – and he did it without turning to pedals By Joe Bosso published 2 September 24 Now touring as a father-and-son duo, the Dan Auerbach-championed blues rocker just keeps on rolling…
Enumclaw are on a quest for alt-rock tone nirvana – using other people’s guitars and The Smashing Pumpkins’ fuzz pedal By Amit Sharma published 2 September 24 Home In Another Life is another slice of gourmet tones and big noise therapy from one of the most exciting bands in the US alt-rock scene
“I’m like the power forward on a basketball team”: Bob Glaub might be the most famous bass player you’ve never heard of By Nick Wells published 2 September 24 Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon, Stevie Nicks and oh so many more: for 50 years, Bob Glaub has kept things moving on hit after hit
Raphael Saadiq on playing with Prince, D'Angelo and the “dead” 1962 Fender that put the vintage in Instant Vintage By Chris Jisi published 1 September 24 The Tony! Toni! Toné! trailblazer created a whole new rhythm section style on his 2002 solo debut
The late Mick Karn on his first tour with David Torn and Bill Bruford By Bill Leigh published 31 August 24 Few electric bassists have a style as singular and strong as Japan’s fretless sorcerer
Meet Venus Grrrls, the UK goth grungers tackling cancer with intense songs, wild tones and Courtney Love’s guitar By Cheri Amour published 30 August 24 The band’s guitarists enthuse over sparkly narwhal cloud delays and the merits of the Kemper Profiler as they prepare for their first-ever headline tour following their lead singer’s cancer treatment
Morgan Wade on famous fans, oversized acoustics and why country is just “four chords and the truth” By Amit Sharma published 30 August 24 Wade is a singer-songwriter who likes to keep things simple in the classic country tradition. As she puts it: “I just want to play those chords and write those songs…”
Best basses for metal 2024: our selection of the best basses for heavy music across all budgets By Chris Corfield last updated 29 August 24 From Rickenbacker to Ibanez and Schecter, our picks of the best metal basses will help you sound heavier than ever before
Best humbucker pickups 2024: buck up your guitar with mellow lows and punchy mids By Richard Blenkinsop last updated 29 August 24 From PAF replicas to modern day active tone monsters, our experts pick the best humbucker pickups on offer right now
Behind the scenes at Marshall Amps with new CEO Jeremy de Maillard – and how he plans to win back guitarists By Matt Parker published 29 August 24 Marshall Amplification is the ship that launched a thousand faces, but in the last decade, it’s been adrift. Now new CEO Jeremy de Maillard says he is out to meet the needs of modern guitarists
Steve Morse reveals what’s on his pedalboard and the secrets behind his wet/dry rig By Andrew Daly published 29 August 24 With Morse, you won't find a million stompboxes on a spaceship-sized pedalboard. But you will find a lot of delay, and some clever routing for a two-amp setup
11 Best DistroKid Features By Guitar World Editors published 28 August 24 Reach a global audience with DistroKid DIY distribution service
When That Pedal Show got their hands on an iconic Dumble, it changed everything they thought they knew about great tone By Neville Marten published 28 August 24 When you play the best guitar amp of your life but know you can never own it, how do you move on? We speak to Mick Taylor and Daniel Steinhardt of That Pedal Show about their tussle with Robben Ford’s Dumble
Molly Tuttle on bluegrass inclusivity and her search of speed, feel and acoustic guitar virtuosity By Jenna Scaramanga published 28 August 24 One of bluegrass's most gifted guitarists, Tuttle checks in to discuss the evolution of her style, and why it pays to subvert received wisdom and practice flat-out as fast as you can go
Chris Wood unpacks his playing – both schooled and unschooled – with Medeski, Martin & Wood By Chris Jisi published 28 August 24 Leaning on a vintage Fender and an old Ampeg, Chris Wood indulged his tone addictions on Medeski, Martin & Wood's Uninvisible
New Pixies bassist Emma Richardson on how landing her dream gig made her switch to picks – and ditch the pedals By Andrew Daly published 27 August 24 The Band of Skulls bassist had to quickly learn to pick after taking over the role previously held by Paz Lenchantin and Kim Deal
Steve Vai mentored him, Tim Henson lent him his talents – Marcin is on a mission to redefine acoustic guitar By Phil Weller published 27 August 24 Flamenco-classical sensation Marcin Patrzalek is in the enviable position of releasing his debut album with millions of fans already in awe of his talents. Now he wants to steal some limelight off the “electric guitar big boys” and showcase the future of the acoustic guitar
After supporting Arctic Monkeys in stadiums, The Mysterines rewired their tones – and abilities By Phil Weller published 27 August 24 Lia Metcalfe and Callum Thompson pull us into the alternative reality and creative logic behind the thrilling sound of The Mysterines. It's all about shock, awe and the process of unlearning
“We’re taking guitar amps to where they should be in the 21st century”: Inside the rise of Blackstar Amps By Amit Sharma published 27 August 24 Blackstar's Chief Engineer Paul Stevens and Head of Products Alex Gee pull back the curtain on what keeps the British amp company at the sharp end of amplifier innovation
“I do my own thing”: How Simon McBride brought new color to Deep Purple's iconic sound By Andrew Daly published 26 August 24 Stepping into a role once occupied by Ritchie Blackmore and Steve Morse could be intimidating, but when McBride joined Purple, he never thought twice. And yes, he'll play Smoke on the Water his way