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Trending

- Kiesel's new answer to Strandberg and Abasi Concepts?
- Scott Gorham recalls his nerve-racking Thin Lizzy audition
- That time Zakk Wylde almost joined Guns N’ Roses
- Grace Bowers shreds with All-American Rejects

## Latest news

### Andrew Watt on the essential studio skill that’s enabled him to work with rock gods and pop icons alike

Phil Weller published 2 June 25

He's worked with and played guitar for the likes of Bruno Mars, Pearl Jam, and Ozzy Osbourne, but there’s one player he believes nails his catch-all approach

### Alex Lifeson is one of the greatest players of his time – but he says he’s often lacked faith in his skills

Naomi Baker published 2 June 25

The Canadian virtuoso went through a period of guitar dormancy when Rush ended – now he says he feels reborn as a player

### After her beloved Gibson was ruined on a flight, Valerie June found new inspiration in this iconic acoustic brand, recommended by Dan Auerbach

Phil Weller published 2 June 25

She was in the market for a new guitar following her beloved Clyde's demise – and, thanks to the Black Keys' guitarist and vocalist, she managed to find her perfect match

### Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney had just finished a run of shows – when his very first, Vince Gill-signed guitar got stolen

Janelle Borg published 2 June 25

Rooney still hopes to one day reunite with his beloved guitar, which was bought for him by his late dad

### I’m a professional gear reviewer and my go-to guitar wireless system just got a generous 20% off – here’s why I use it daily

Matt McCracken published 2 June 25

I couldn't live without my Positive Grid Spark Link and now you can get yours at a reduced price

### Kiesel launches the Kyber – a futuristic metal guitar that’s its answer to Strandberg and Abasi Concepts offerings

Phil Weller published 2 June 25

With a seriously lightweight and almost paper-thin design, the customizable axe puts modern needs at its core – and it's reasonably priced too

“In all the years I’d played with Albert, I’d always wanted to hear him play something in a minor key – and he smoked it!”: Robert Cray tells the story behind the greatest all-star blues team-up of the ‘80s In 1985, Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, and Robert Cray got together for Showdown! – a bona-fide blues classic, and, as Cray tells us, a real fun time, too

“I had this little house in California, back in 1984. My Marshall stacks and a reel-to-reel were set up in the living room. I remember getting my drummer to have a jam at 3am”: From his live show, to cutting classics, Yngwie Malmsteen lives off-the-cuff He explains why his guitars are numbered, not named, his warts-and-all approach to studio work – and why his “I won’t conform or follow” attitude has nothing to do with arrogance

“With this pedal, you’re practically getting a Gilmour tone cheat-code”: From totally unique synth pedals to signature collabs and game-changing takes on the classics, here are our 30 favorite guitar pedals from the past 5 years We break the glass on the pedal cabinet to dig out a long-list of some of the coolest effects from the new Golden Era of stompboxes

“I really like using small amps in the studio. It’s an old Led Zeppelin trick, right? But they just sound pretty incredible”: How Samantha Fish used raw amp energy and some “wild, funky, weird little guitars” to make her new album come alive Paper Doll is the sound of Fish unleashing the riffs and working a newfound confidence with her vocals, and it has some seriously sizzling tones

## Latest news

### Andrew Watt on the essential studio skill that’s enabled him to work with rock gods and pop icons alike

By Phil Weller published 2 June 25

He's worked with and played guitar for the likes of Bruno Mars, Pearl Jam, and Ozzy Osbourne, but there’s one player he believes nails his catch-all approach

Guitarists

### Alex Lifeson is one of the greatest players of his time – but he says he’s often lacked faith in his skills

By Naomi Baker published 2 June 25

The Canadian virtuoso went through a period of guitar dormancy when Rush ended – now he says he feels reborn as a player

Artists

### After her beloved Gibson was ruined on a flight, Valerie June found new inspiration in this iconic acoustic brand, recommended by Dan Auerbach

By Phil Weller published 2 June 25

She was in the market for a new guitar following her beloved Clyde's demise – and, thanks to the Black Keys' guitarist and vocalist, she managed to find her perfect match

Guitarists

### Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney had just finished a run of shows – when his very first, Vince Gill-signed guitar got stolen

By Janelle Borg published 2 June 25

Rooney still hopes to one day reunite with his beloved guitar, which was bought for him by his late dad

Guitarists

### I’m a professional gear reviewer and my go-to guitar wireless system just got a generous 20% off – here’s why I use it daily

By Matt McCracken published 2 June 25

I couldn't live without my Positive Grid Spark Link and now you can get yours at a reduced price

Accessories

### Kiesel launches the Kyber – a futuristic metal guitar that’s its answer to Strandberg and Abasi Concepts offerings

By Phil Weller published 2 June 25

With a seriously lightweight and almost paper-thin design, the customizable axe puts modern needs at its core – and it's reasonably priced too

Electric Guitars

### David Lynch's Parker Fly is up for auction – and its revealed one of the big mysteries of his unique playing style

By Janelle Borg published 2 June 25

Julien’s Auctions appraiser Mike Adams has been examining Lynch’s guitar and rig and says it answers a key question about his highly unconventional style

Guitarists

### This luthier was offered the chance to buy a Les Paul, but something didn’t feel right – it turns out he had the ultimate proof to hand

By Phil Weller published 2 June 25

The guitar was brought into George Parfitt’s guitar shop, but a deep dive into the instrument’s history led him to a baffling discovery – and a powerful illustration in not trusting serial numbers

Electric Guitars

### Why Larry DiMarzio decided to start a pickup line that would change the face of guitar music in the 1970s

By Janelle Borg published 1 June 25

DiMarzio started his career as a guitar repairman in New York, when his distaste for stock pickups prompted him to make his own

Guitar Pickups

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## Artists

### Session legend John McCurry on Cyndi Lauper, Alice Cooper and the stories behind his biggest hits

By Andrew Daly published 1 June 25

A long-time collaborator of Lauper and Lennon, scoring hits with Bonnie Tyler, Belinda Carlisle and Alice Cooper, McCurry’s session career is legendary. To think he started out on accordion…

Guitarists

### How Tommy Shannon stumbled onto the foundation for one of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s biggest radio hits

By Bryan Beller published 31 May 25

What started with a rehearsal room groove ended up an SRV classic. We dissect the anatomy of bassline that walks the line (you might even call it a Tightrope) between blues, rock and funk

Bassists

### Bob Mould on myth vs reality and the making of Hüsker Dü’s New Day Rising

By Jon Weiderhorn published 30 May 25

Tension? What tension? New Day Rising found Hüsker Dü's creativity surging, setting the table for Flip Your Wig. But is it as influential as people say is? Mould is not so sure

Guitarists

### In 1985, Kiss needed the best and got the best – his name was Bruce Kulick

By Andrew Daly published 29 May 25

It was the no makeup era of Kiss, and after a succession of guitarists, they needed an ace in the pack. Kulick stepped up, and brought his A game. Here he reflects on a pivotal moment in Kisstory

Guitarists

### Michael Monarch was just 18 when he tracked one of the most iconic riffs of the ’60s – next came Janis Joplin

By Andrew Daly published 29 May 25

Fan of slide-based tuning recalls not being credited for his work with Janis Joplin, why he left Andy Fraser’s band, waiting to work with Roger Glover, and why Led Zeppelin couldn’t save Detective, his band with Michael Des Barres

Guitarists

### Dirty amps, unplayable tunings and a DIY plugin build – this is the story of Novelists’ remarkable rebirth

By Phil Weller published 28 May 25

After years of identity struggles, the French progressive metalcore band have redefined themselves and, in their fifth album, created one of modern metal’s brightest statements

Guitarists

### Mike Campbell explains how a lifelong connection with Tom Petty was forged in a matter of days – and the guitar was central to it all

By Andrew Daly published 28 May 25

As he celebrates the release of his memoir, Heartbreaker, Tom Petty’s right-hand man and dear friend reflects on a career’s worth of enduring hits, and why he “never doubted the music”

Guitarists

### Simple Minds guitarist Charlie Burchill on the regrets and rewards of making their ’80s classic, Once Upon A Time

By Mark McStea published 27 May 25

Riding high on The Breakfast Club success of Don't You (Forget About Me), Scottish rockers Simple Minds got into the studio with Jimmy Iovine and made one of the great albums of the '80s

Guitarists

### In 1985, J. Mascis was a beginner guitarist stumbling upon a sound – yet Dinosaur Jr.’s debut would shape a generation

By Andrew Daly published 27 May 25

Recorded in a cabin in the woods, Dinosaur Jr.'s debut was the sound of a beginner guitarist stumbling upon on guitar tone that would influence a generation of players

Guitarists

VIEW MORE

## Gear

### "With a little patience and dedication to experimenting, you’ll unlock a satisfying range of serviceable sounds": Harley Benton DNAfx GiT multi-effects pedal review

By Daryl Robertson published 31 May 25

Harley Benton's budget multi-stomp looks to deliver the building blocks of tone, but it requires you to tweak the presets on a molecular level

Effects & Pedals

### “It’s a bit of an investment, but I think these power supplies will truly go the distance if you let them”: Walrus Audio Canvas Power series review

By James Grimshaw published 31 May 25

I trialled three pedalboard power supplies from Walrus Audio’s Canvas series of utilities – and found some stunning practicality in the process

Guitar Gear

### “An easy insert into any small pedalboard or studio setup”: Cioks Sol Future Power Generation review

By James Grimshaw published 30 May 25

I put Cioks’ switch-mode small-pedalboard power supply through its paces, and fell in love in the process

Guitar Gear

### That Pedal Show’s Daniel Steinhardt reveals his top 5 pedals (from the past 5 years)

By Jamie Dickson published 29 May 25

Looking for some 'board inspiration? Here, the man behind GigRig and one half of YouTube's favorite pedal show gives us his shortlist

Guitar Pedals

### "It’s certainly worth considering against the start-point of the Gibson USA Les Paul range. The lines are getting blurred.": Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue review

By Dave Burrluck published 29 May 25

Epiphone chases the flame of the world’s most coveted electric guitar

Electric Guitars

### Best beginner electric guitars 2025: top electric models for new players, reviewed and demoed by experts

By Daryl Robertson last updated 29 May 25

So you're a budding guitarist? Get started with our pick of the best beginner electric guitars from Squier, Yamaha, and Epiphone

Beginner Guitars

### Celebrating 40 years of Paul Reed Smith’s first production model, the PRS Custom 24

By Chris Gill published 28 May 25

Birthed amid the Superstrat mania of the 1980s, the Custom 24 bucked the trend with a set-neck build – and hit a spot with players that wanted timeless looks and modern, high performing upgrades

Electric Guitars

### Best practice amps 2025: hone your chops at home

By Matt McCracken last updated 28 May 25

My tried & tested pick of the best guitar practice amps to get your playing up to speed without any noise complaints

Guitar Amps

### Positive Grid Spark Mini review

By Rob Laing last updated 28 May 25

The Spark 40 has got a smaller 10W sibling and it offers a similarly audacious range of sounds and functions in a non-more-portable format – and \[spoilers\] it sounds huge

Combo Amps

VIEW MORE

## Lessons

### Every player uses the minor pentatonic – here’s how you can leverage the guitar's most-used scale in your own playing

By Stuart Ryan published 28 May 25

Every player is aware of the minor pentatonic, but not everyone knows how to make the most of it. These examples – in the style of some prolific pentatonic players – will help you master the shape everyone uses

Techniques

### Sue Foley shares some blues you can use with 6 essential licks that all blues fans should know

By Sue Foley published 23 May 25

Sue Foley's inaugural GW column kicks off with a bang! Blues you can use, people. This part one of a two-parter introduces essential walk-up licks to build your soloing vocabulary

Artist Lessons

### Joe Bonamassa explains the slide guitar genius of his hero and icon, Rory Gallagher

By Joe Bonamassa published 20 May 25

In this tab and video lesson, Joe dons a metal guitar slide and unpacks the late Irish blues legend's glissando magic

Artist Lessons

### Cory Wong on collaboration and how to stack and blend guitar parts that complement the song

By Cory Wong published 16 May 25

Looking for the perfect part to play with another guitarist? Wong says it's all about finding the compositional "hook" – and he has some practical examples to show us

Artist Lessons

### Bend it like B.B.: What you can learn from these 6 blues and jazz guitar greats

By Alex Farran published 15 May 25

Bends, embellishments, arpeggios and more – from Charlie Christian to BB King and George Benson, how to unlock the genius of the jazz and blues icons

Techniques

### Erja Lyytinen shares her 6 go-to slide licks for unlocking more expressive soloing

By Jon Bishop published 1 May 25

She wowed Sonny Landreth and Carlos Santana called her the “future” – Erja Lyytinen shares her 6 go-to slide licks for unlocking more expressive soloing

Techniques

### “The passion of Gary Moore with riffs inspired by Zeppelin”: The searing lead guitar of ’80s rock’s great journeyman

By Richard Barrett published 28 April 25

Exploring the lead guitar style of John Sykes, a player who – like Page, Blackmore, and Moore – balanced flair with power

Artist Lessons

### How to get better at guitar – 10 proven ways to improve your playing fast

By Dre DiMura published 24 April 25

These small details can separate an amateur-sounding guitarist from a professional one

Techniques

### 5 lo-fi guitar chords to add to your progressions

By Richard Barrett published 23 April 25

These chord voices are so cool they're worth the stretch

Chords

VIEW MORE

## Reviews

### "With a little patience and dedication to experimenting, you’ll unlock a satisfying range of serviceable sounds": Harley Benton DNAfx GiT multi-effects pedal review

By Daryl Robertson published 31 May 25

Harley Benton's budget multi-stomp looks to deliver the building blocks of tone, but it requires you to tweak the presets on a molecular level

Effects & Pedals

### “It’s a bit of an investment, but I think these power supplies will truly go the distance if you let them”: Walrus Audio Canvas Power series review

By James Grimshaw published 31 May 25

I trialled three pedalboard power supplies from Walrus Audio’s Canvas series of utilities – and found some stunning practicality in the process

Guitar Gear

### “An easy insert into any small pedalboard or studio setup”: Cioks Sol Future Power Generation review

By James Grimshaw published 30 May 25

I put Cioks’ switch-mode small-pedalboard power supply through its paces, and fell in love in the process

Guitar Gear

### "It’s certainly worth considering against the start-point of the Gibson USA Les Paul range. The lines are getting blurred.": Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue review

By Dave Burrluck published 29 May 25

Epiphone chases the flame of the world’s most coveted electric guitar

Electric Guitars

### Positive Grid Spark Mini review

By Rob Laing last updated 28 May 25

The Spark 40 has got a smaller 10W sibling and it offers a similarly audacious range of sounds and functions in a non-more-portable format – and \[spoilers\] it sounds huge

Combo Amps

### "It sounds more alive with sweetened highs, richer harmonics in the mid-range, and a tighter, more defined low-end": Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 review

By Daryl Robertson last updated 28 May 25

Boss cuts through the noise with its revamped practice amp

Guitar Amps

### "If you want an instrument that’s versatile enough to cover the guitar-playing styles of EVH and nail Nile Rodgers’ classic funk tones, then look no further": Fender Player II Modified Stratocaster HSS Floyd Rose review

By Matt McCracken published 24 May 25

Fender looks to put its stamp on the super-Strat with this gassed-up take on its classic double-cutaway

Electric Guitars

### “Already a versatile instrument, the addition of the series circuit makes it even more of a multi-role guitar”: Fender Player II Modified Telecaster review

By Matt McCracken published 23 May 25

Fender's latest Tele puts a decidedly modern twist on an all-time classic. I get hands-on to find out if it's worth the upgrade or not

Electric Guitars

### "An astounding number of features and a lot of bang for your buck, but is it too good to be true?": Mooer GS1000 multi-effects and amp profiling pedal review

By Pete Emery published 21 May 25

Mooer presents their MSNRS 2.0 amp capturing tech, allowing users to "emulate their favourite gear" at an affordable price point, with a ton of other features to boot

Effects & Pedals

## Buying Guides

### Best beginner electric guitars 2025: top electric models for new players, reviewed and demoed by experts

By Daryl Robertson last updated 29 May 25

So you're a budding guitarist? Get started with our pick of the best beginner electric guitars from Squier, Yamaha, and Epiphone

Beginner Guitars

### Best practice amps 2025: hone your chops at home

By Matt McCracken last updated 28 May 25

My tried & tested pick of the best guitar practice amps to get your playing up to speed without any noise complaints

Guitar Amps

### Best guitar wireless systems 2025: set your playing free, from the rehearsal room to the stage

By Jonathan Horsley last updated 27 May 25

Fed up with cumbersome cables? Here's my pick of the best wireless guitar systems for every budget

Guitar Gear

### Best guitar audio interfaces 2025: get better recorded guitar tones

By Matt McCracken last updated 14 May 25

My pick of the best audio interfaces for guitar will have you up and recording in no time

Studio & Recording Equipment

### Best pedalboards 2025: perfect platforms for your pedals, tested

By James Grimshaw last updated 14 May 25

I used 10 pedalboards from Fender, D’Addario, Pedaltrain and more at home, in the studio and on stage to find out which ones are worth stomping on

Pedalboards

### Best guitars for beginners 2025: epic entry-level acoustic and electric guitars

By Chris Corfield last updated 14 May 25

Start playing today with our pick of great beginner guitars from Squier, Ibanez, Yamaha and more

Beginner Guitars

### Guitar pedal footswitch toppers explained – and why they could be your pedalboard’s new best friend

By Michael Astley-Brown published 12 May 25

We dive into the pedal topper trend and what’s behind it, highlighting the key types you need to look out for

Pedalboards

### Best modeling amps 2025: get iconic amp tones at your fingertips with these top picks

By Richard Blenkinsop last updated 8 May 25

I break down the best modeling amps available, covering a range of budgets, brands and sizes

Guitar Amps

### Best cheap acoustic guitars 2025: budget acoustics with genuine pedigree

By Daryl Robertson last updated 7 May 25

Great tone doesn’t have to break the bank – these are the best cheap acoustic guitars from Fender, Yamaha, Alvarez and more

Acoustic Guitars

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