Latest Updates
Pat Smear’s first Nirvana appearance almost didn’t happen – because of his guitar
By Janelle Borg published
Smear had bought a 1982 Charvel when he was playing with Nina Hagen – but the guitar didn't quite impress the Nirvana troupe
David Gilmour explains the origins of his lauded ‘feel’ playing technique
By Janelle Borg published
In a new interview with Rick Beato, the Pink Floyd legend discusses the “David Gilmour effect” and picks apart his playing style, which has captured the hearts and minds of generations of guitarists
Boss goes head-to-head with Positive Grid with the $149 Katana-Mini X – one of the firm’s most portable practice amps yet
By Matt Owen published
Could the newest addition to the Katana collective become the go-to desktop amps for players?
Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt and Fredrik Åkesson on their love of “stupid riffs,” and “recapturing that old death metal magic”
By Amit Sharma published
Opeth may have returned in a way to their sonic roots on their new album, The Last Will and Testament, but – with appearances from a Neal Schon signature model and a “not very metal” trick picked up from Eddie Van Halen – there are still plenty of quirks to go 'round
Fender just dropped a game-changing Tone Master Pro update
By Matt Owen published
Fender has bolstered its flagship amp modeling multi-effects pedal with its first dedicated bass amps, a host of new functional updates and more
Zachary Ezrin showcases his wild whammy technique on Eye of Mars – and a Gibson with the Midas touch
By Phil Weller published
The experimental band’s forthcoming album, Goldstar, puts Ezrin’s oddball blend of influences and techniques center stage
Yes icon Steve Howe on why he rarely runs scales, thrashing acoustics – and how he’s still chasing Chet Atkins’ touch
By Jonathan Horsley published
The prog legend checks in to talk all things guitar, from drawing inspiration from his parents' record collection and cutting his teeth on a cheap arch-top to finding his sound on the ES-175 and six-string explorations on Guitarscape
Jim Suhler on the time Joe Bonamassa played on one of his tracks – and delivered a searing solo while sick
By Janelle Borg published
Suhler met Bonamassa back in 2001, when the then-rising star was supporting George Thorogood, and has stayed in touch with him ever since
Soccer Mommy on the power of alternate tunings in pushing her songwriting capabilities
By Janelle Borg published
The singer-songwriter discusses how opting for left-field tunings forces guitarists to learn a whole new vocabulary, which ultimately improves their playing
Line 6 keeps up the pace with the Fender Tone Master Pro in free Helix update
By Phil Weller published
The update also delivers amp models inspired by sought-after Fender and Bogner amps, four new cabs, and a bass wah to widen the line-up’s tonal palette
Vic Flick, the guitarist who played the iconic James Bond riff, dies aged 87
By Phil Weller published
Flick had planned to record the legendary hook on a Strat, but after it was stolen, the guitarist got creative with a semi-hollow instead
“I don’t trespass on people’s style”: The Pixies’ Joey Santiago on living life as an outsider guitar hero
By Andrew Daly published
Long ago, the Pixies blazed a trail for Nirvana and others to follow. But now, as before, there is no masterplan. As guitarist Joey Santiago says: “I still go by feel – and with my gut”
Donita Sparks tells the story of L7’s infamous set at 1992’s Reading Festival
By Janelle Borg published
Sparks recalls dealing with lost equipment and a series of technical issues on stage – alongside a crowd that was throwing mud at the band – which ultimately led to her then-controversial response
Steve Vai lays down a smoking alternative solo for Chicago’s South California Purples at the rock icons’ Live at 55 show
By Matt Owen published
Vai was joined by the likes of Judith Hill and Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram to help mark 55 years Chicago Transit Authority
Fender and Chris Shiflett cut no corners in creating the new signature ‘Cleaver’ Telecaster
By Matt Owen published
The P-90-loaded workhorse was first teased earlier this year, and has been rigorously road-tested over a number of months in order to meet the Foo Fighters guitar maestro’s exacting standards
“A lot of my peers have turned to modelers. I’m not there yet. It still feels like an electronic toy to me”: Jerry Cantrell on his love of guitar duos, vibing off Jeff Beck on his solo album – and why he remains a digital tone skeptic
By Amit Sharma published
The Alice In Chains guitarist discusses sticking to tubes, breaking out the talkbox and the potty-mouthed solo sessions behind his new album I Want Blood
Paul McCartney joined by Jack White and St. Vincent for a raucous rendition of The Beatles’ The End
By Janelle Borg published
While it was White’s first time sharing the stage with the former Beatle, St. Vincent had joined Macca earlier to take up lead guitar duties for a cover of Get Back
The original Mary Kaye Strat became one of the most iconic Fender builds of all time – now it’s heading to auction
By Matt Owen published
The 1956 Strat was snapped in an early Fender ad that featured The Mary Kaye Trio – and helped Kaye’s name become synonymous with the instantly recognizable finish