Polyphia have invented a new genre with their rave riffing new single, CAN YOU FEEL IT Matt Owen published 11 June 26 Dance-djent becomes a thing as Polyphia gear up to release their hotly anticipated new record – and as they promised, it’s sounding heavy
Charvel returns to California with new USA-made Neo-Classic Superstrats Phil Weller published 11 June 26 Two distinct models help mark a triumphant return to the Corona factory
How Joe Satriani found the amp builder for his dream Eddie Van Halen tone Phil Weller published 11 June 26 Satriani needed an amp with exacting specifications for the Best of All Worlds tour – and he got more than he bargained for
Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee on Anika Nilles’ rollercoaster audition for Rush's Fifty Something tour Phil Weller published 11 June 26 Their five-day session with Nilles wasn’t an audition, but it took until the last day for their doubts over a Rush reunion tour to be destroyed
Ed Sheeran launches signature Orange amp range - could it topple the Roland Cube as the busking combos to beat? Phil Weller published 11 June 26 With an abundance of Sheeran-approved specs, the Outlowd ES amps look to nurture the next generation of musicians
Dean Guitars owner files for bankruptcy Matt Owen published 11 June 26 Armadillo Distribution Enterprises and Concordia LLC have jointly filed for a court-supervised reorganization as they look to safeguard their future
“She was a complete stranger. She was a bit intimidated at first because she’d heard of the band, but she wasn’t a Rush fan”: Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee on Anika Nilles’ rollercoaster audition for Rush's Fifty Something tour Their five-day session with Nilles wasn’t an audition, but it took until the last day for their doubts over a Rush reunion tour to be destroyed
“I was just playing, warming up for the show, and Glenn comes busting in… ‘What the hell’s that?’ ‘I don’t know, it’s just this lick I warm up with.’ He said, ‘No, that‘s an Eagles song, dude!’” The making of the Eagles’ 1976 masterpiece Hotel California How the Eagles harnessed their cresting creative powers – and resisted their appetite for destruction – to create one of rock’s all-time classics
“I just don't like chords – I don't like playing them. Music is much more interesting when everybody plays a harmonic line that creates a wider picture”: How Death Cab for Cutie found their second act – by embracing the weird, and guitars from their past Ben Gibbard developed the songs for their sharp and confident new album I Built You a Tower like he did in the indie icons' earliest days, power trio style – but he and guitarist Dave Depper have never been more in lockstep
“So common that it is depicted as a generic electric guitar in a dictionary”: When Fender went to court and lost – the 2009 court ruling that failed to trademark the Stratocaster In 2009, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board denied trademark protections to the Strat, Tele and P-Bass. How did it arrive at its judgement? And what’s different this time? 9 Comments
“A proactive step to position these iconic brands for long-term success”: Dean Guitars owner files for bankruptcy Armadillo Distribution Enterprises and Concordia LLC have jointly filed for a court-supervised reorganization as they look to safeguard their future
“It is good news. Better than I expected”: Höfner has been bought out after filing for bankruptcy – and will be backed by Thomann for a new era GEWA Music, of which Thomann is a shareholder, has bought the historic instrument maker beloved by Paul McCartney
Latest News
Polyphia have invented a new genre with their rave riffing new single, CAN YOU FEEL IT ByMatt Owen published 11 June 26 Dance-djent becomes a thing as Polyphia gear up to release their hotly anticipated new record – and as they promised, it’s sounding heavy
Music Releases
Charvel returns to California with new USA-made Neo-Classic Superstrats ByPhil Weller published 11 June 26 Two distinct models help mark a triumphant return to the Corona factory
Electric Guitars
How Joe Satriani found the amp builder for his dream Eddie Van Halen tone ByPhil Weller published 11 June 26 Satriani needed an amp with exacting specifications for the Best of All Worlds tour – and he got more than he bargained for
Guitar Amps
Ed Sheeran launches signature Orange amp range - could it topple the Roland Cube as the busking combos to beat? ByPhil Weller published 11 June 26 With an abundance of Sheeran-approved specs, the Outlowd ES amps look to nurture the next generation of musicians
Combo Amps
Epiphone launches hotly anticipated reissue of Alex Lifeson’s iconic ES-355 – just in time for Rush's return to the stage ByMatt Owen published 10 June 26 The original ES-355 was Lifeson's main guitar for decades, featuring on almost every Rush record before it was sold at auction in 2022
Electric Guitars
PRS has launched a new SE model for an anime character ByPhil Weller published 10 June 26 It's a unique recreation of the guitar used by the lead character in hit anime series, Rock is a Lady’s Modesty
Electric Guitars
Gibson supercharges the Victory with one key upgrade ByPhil Weller published 10 June 26 The Victory has finally got the spec that fans have been begging for
Electric Guitars
Extreme and Red Hot Chili Peppers classics among first tracks confirmed for Guitar Hero's successor, Stage Tour ByJanelle Borg published 9 June 26 The game seems to be taking a page from Guitar Hero's playbook by featuring both old-school legends and more contemporary powerhouses
Bands
How Mike Matthews saved pedal pioneers Electro-Harmonix from the brink ByJanelle Borg published 8 June 26 When Electro-Harmonix went bankrupt in the mid-’80s, Matthews was forced to pivot and find an alternative market for his business, away from the States
Guitar Pedals
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Artists
Lenny Kravitz on the time he blew Prince’s mind with his guitar tone ByMatt Owen published 11 June 26 Kravitz's straight-into-the-amp setup – which has been at the core of his sound for most of his career – left pedal fan Prince with his jaw on the floor
Guitarists
Guitar tone gourmand Ariel Posen spills the secrets to his sound ByDavid Mead published 11 June 26 The sonic adventurist’s latest album used a treasure trove of guitar, amp and pedal exotica, resulting in his best recording yet
Guitarists
Greg Chaisson waited years to reunite with Jake E. Lee. But then he had to quit, and couldn’t say why ByAndrew Daly published 10 June 26 The bassist, who failed his Ozzy audition but wound up in Badlands instead, recalls pushing boundaries with Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, falling into the music business despite sport aspirations, and being forced to use a substandard bass in the studio
Bassists
The call that ended Flea’s days as a pick-playing punk and set him on the path to worldwide fame with the Red Hot Chili Peppers ByKarl Coryat published 10 June 26 Flea went on to have major success with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who released their self-titled debut album later that year
Bassists
Failure’s Ken Andrews on teaming up with Hayley Williams and his return from near-death ByJim Beaugez published 9 June 26 After a scary hospital experience, the guitarist lost his mojo for a while – but he’s back with Location Lost, an album that features new twists and turns, along with classic attitude
Guitarists
The moment Jack Gardiner realized Giacomo Turra had lifted his licks ByMichael Astley-Brown published 9 June 26 The serial solo thief targeted a range of virtuosos, but Jack Gardiner was one of the first to realize he’d been a victim
Guitarists
From Eric Clapton to Daft Punk and Avenged Sevenfold, Greg Leisz has played with everyone ByAndrew Daly published 8 June 26 He says finding himself working with Matthew Sweet, k.d. lang, and Lucinda Williams has been a dream. But he still wants his stolen ’64 Strat back
Guitarists
“Everyone in the room thought I was buying it”: What Derek Trucks made of Jerry Garcia’s $11m Tiger ByAndrew Daly published 8 June 26 The slide icon explains why he was really in the room at the record breaking guitar auction – and reflects on the lessons learned making Future Soul
Guitarists
Michael Schenker on his lifelong pursuit of self-expression and track-by-track guide to Don't Sell Your Soul ByJon Wiederhorn published 8 June 26 Foxes, gold pieces, Tom and Jerry cartoons? It can only be the great Michael Schenker, who takes us through MSG’s new album, Don’t Sell Your Soul, track by weirdly inspired track
Guitarists
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Gear
Best amps for metal 2026: my top picks for high-gain heroes ByJonathan Horsley last updated 11 June 26 These powerhouse metal amps from PRS, Orange, Friedman, EVH, and more will have you primed to seek and destroy
Guitar Amps
Best pedal amps 2026: top preamps, power amps, and amp modelers ByChris Schwarten last updated 11 June 26 We rank and review the best guitar amp pedals from Strymon, Universal Audio, Blackstar, and more
Effects & Pedals
Best guitar plugins 2026: my top plugins to level up your recorded guitar tones ByMatt McCracken last updated 11 June 26 Get better guitar tones for recording and practice with my pick of the best guitar amp plugins
Plugins & Apps
Best guitar straps 2026: play in comfort and secure your guitar in style – budget-spanning choices from a guitar salesman ByRoss Holder last updated 10 June 26 My expert pick of straps for electric, acoustic and bass, covering all budgets and materials. Plus, buying advice to help you decide
Accessories
Give your guitar-obsessed dad something he'll actually use this Father's Day – including a best-in-class desktop amp, an intriguing way he can recycle old guitar strings, and more ByDaryl Robertson published 10 June 26 Save your papa from yet another boring Father's Day with my 9 hand-picked gift ideas for the guitar-playing dad in your life
Guitar Gear
Yamaha 60th Anniversary RSP20B and RS02CB Chris Buck review ByDave Burrluck published 10 June 26 After redesigning the ‘new’ Revstar back in 2022, Yamaha has added two models to the line-up: a 60th Anniversary knees-up and Chris Buck signature model
Electric Guitars
The $330,200 Fender Telecaster that connects Danny Gatton to Lou Reed ByJamie Dickson published 10 June 26 Lou Reed's ‘Goldie’ Tele is an early ’90s gem that went under the hammer at the record-breaking Jim Irsay auction
Electric Guitars
“I’ve been playing B-benders since 1999, so I was eager to get my mitts on this guitar”: Fender John Osborne Telecaster review ByDamian Fanelli published 9 June 26 The country-rock star’s Tele tears up the template – and could be your fastest ticket to B-bender tone
Electric Guitars
What makes this 1957 Les Paul Special such a smokeshow? ByJamie Dickson published 9 June 26 This gorgeous and striking late-’50s Special turned out to have freakishly good pickups, says Sunbear Pickups founder Stu Robson – and he can't explain why
Electric Guitars
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Lessons
Pinch Harmonics made easy: how to get the perfect squeal ByJamie Humphries published 11 June 26 Our definitive guide on how Billy Gibbons, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai and Zakk Wylde make their guitars scream
Techniques
The secret to great guitar solos isn’t technique – it’s rhythm ByRichard Barrett published 9 June 26 All the greats put themselves into their phrasing, and that identity was not only note choice but rhythm. Here are four ways you can add rhythmic interest to great effect
Techniques
If you learn one thing from Jake E. Lee it should be this: bigger stretches for better shredding ByLeon Todd published 4 June 26 Try this enhanced lesson to strengthen your fourth finger and use your thumb for wide fretting like the iconic Ozzy Osbourne guitarist
Techniques
How to funk up your blues solos ByRichard Barrett published 3 June 26 Taking cues from John Mayer, Jimi Hendrix and Nile Rodgers, this lesson offers three examples of phrases that add rhythm and movement to blues
Techniques
“To some people, this is more of a ‘jazzy’ sound”: How to use dominant 7 arpeggios in a guitar solo ByCorey Congilio published 27 May 26 Because you can't have enough exit ramps from traditional blues phrases, here's how you can use the notes of a dominant 7 chord to spice up your solos
Artist Lessons
5 chords that sound like they’re in an open tuning (but aren’t) ByRichard Barrett published 22 May 26 Because sometimes retuning your guitar is, well, a pain in the backside – and there are workarounds
Chords
Charlie Starr on how to play “Piedmont” fingerstyle guitar ByCharlie Starr published 20 May 26 The Blackberry Smoke frontman goes unplugged to give us a lesson in the fingerstyle techniques he applies in his day job
Artist Lessons
Hidden for four decades, the story behind the (almost) unheard outro solo on John Farnham’s smash hit, You’re the Voice ByBrett Garsed published 14 May 26 Celtic rock bagpipe phrasing, THAT blazing arpeggio and a crazy bend that broke a string – learn how Brett Garsed played his solo in this exclusive feature
Artist Lessons
Joe Bonamassa breaks down the differences between P-90s and PAF humbuckers ByJoe Bonamassa published 13 May 26 In this lesson, the blues maestro demonstrates how pickup choice affects the tone and can be used for different purposes
Artist Lessons
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Reviews
Yamaha 60th Anniversary RSP20B and RS02CB Chris Buck review ByDave Burrluck published 10 June 26 After redesigning the ‘new’ Revstar back in 2022, Yamaha has added two models to the line-up: a 60th Anniversary knees-up and Chris Buck signature model
Electric Guitars
“I’ve been playing B-benders since 1999, so I was eager to get my mitts on this guitar”: Fender John Osborne Telecaster review ByDamian Fanelli published 9 June 26 The country-rock star’s Tele tears up the template – and could be your fastest ticket to B-bender tone
Electric Guitars
"A genuinely brilliant guitar that can do far more than its heavy metal aesthetic suggests": Ibanez Iron Label AZ41B1 review ByMatt McCracken published 8 June 26 Ibanez's pitch-black metal machine is hiding a secret beneath its stealthy exterior
Electric Guitars
Ancoats Granada Special review – a unique modern-retro design with a fresh approach to relic’ing ByDave Burrluck published 8 June 26 This UK boutique build references the long-gone Granada Television, another Manchester oddity, and creates a new spin on the T-style
Electric Guitars
“A fine, gig-ready instrument with premium build quality”: Taylor Gold Label 710E review ByDavid Mead published 7 June 26 As part of an ongoing revision to its esteemed catalog, Taylor has introduced a deep-bodied dreadnought into the fold. Let’s take it out for a spin
Acoustic-electric Guitars
"The price might be chunky, but the playing experience, build and sonic delivery are tough to argue with": Ibanez Alpha A528 review ByConnor Flys published 3 June 26 It’s already caused a stir online, but does the Alpha eight-string multi-scale prove itself in person?
Electric Guitars
Positive Grid Reactor 100 Intelligent Guitar Combo Amp review ByMatt Owen published 2 June 26 Positive Grid is branching out from the market-conquering Spark family with a bold new lineup that could spell trouble for the Boss Katana
Combo Amps
“Waiting to throw a spanner in the works of your guitar tone”: Electro-Harmonix Pico Atomic Cluster review ByTrevor Curwen published 1 June 26 EHX’s new Pico pedal is designed to deconstruct your tone to an atomic level
Guitar Pedals
“It’s a guitar that can indeed be a singer-songwriter’s tool, or a guitar for chugging metal”: PRS SE Ed Sheeran Hollowbody I Piezo Baritone review ByMatt McCracken published 28 May 26 One of the biggest names in pop delivers a first signature electric that bridges the gap between open chords and heavy metal chugs
Electric Guitars
Buying Guides
Best amps for metal 2026: my top picks for high-gain heroes ByJonathan Horsley last updated 11 June 26 These powerhouse metal amps from PRS, Orange, Friedman, EVH, and more will have you primed to seek and destroy
Guitar Amps
Best pedal amps 2026: top preamps, power amps, and amp modelers ByChris Schwarten last updated 11 June 26 We rank and review the best guitar amp pedals from Strymon, Universal Audio, Blackstar, and more
Effects & Pedals
Best guitar plugins 2026: my top plugins to level up your recorded guitar tones ByMatt McCracken last updated 11 June 26 Get better guitar tones for recording and practice with my pick of the best guitar amp plugins
Plugins & Apps
Best guitar straps 2026: play in comfort and secure your guitar in style – budget-spanning choices from a guitar salesman ByRoss Holder last updated 10 June 26 My expert pick of straps for electric, acoustic and bass, covering all budgets and materials. Plus, buying advice to help you decide
Accessories
Best single coil pickups 2026: from trailblazing designs to vintage traditionalists ByRoss Holder last updated 8 June 26 From Fender Telecaster twang to Gibson P-90 bite, we’ve compiled our pick of the best aftermarket single coils your money can buy right now
Guitar Pickups
Best budget guitar amps under $500 2026: cost-cutting amplifiers for every player ByMichael Astley-Brown last updated 8 June 26 Get great sounds and features without blowing your budget – from affordable tube amps to wallet-friendly digital modeling amps and everything in between
Guitar Amps
Best octave pedals for bass 2026: Pitch-shift your playing with my pick of essential pedalboard additions ByConnor Flys published 3 June 26 Looking for a new octave pedal to add to your bass rig, or are you entering the world for the first time? Here's are my top choices along with expert buying advice
Guitar Pedals
Best 3/4 acoustic guitars 2026: small-bodied, short scale sensations from Taylor, Martin, Faith, and more ByDaryl Robertson last updated 2 June 26 I count down the best compact acoustics for new players, smaller guitarists and those looking for a neat 'couch guitar'
Acoustic Guitars
Best overdrive pedals for bass 2026: The ultimate in bass saturation at all price points ByConnor Flys published 1 June 26 My pick of the top-rated overdrive pedals for bass players from the likes of EBS, Electro-Harmonix, Origin Effects, and more
Bass Guitars