Fender's guitar models explained: We break down the entire Fender line-up from Player to Custom Shop By Richard Blenkinsop published 17 April 24 Get to know your Jazzmasters from your Jags and your Players from your Performers with our breakdown of the vast Fender catalog
Best amps for metal 2024: our top picks for high-gain heroes By Jonathan Horsley last updated 17 April 24 These powerhouse metal amps from PRS, Orange, Friedman, EVH, and more will have you primed to seek and destroy
12 blues guitar albums that chart the genre – and the instrument’s – evolution By Ellie Rogers published 17 April 24 From Son House to Eric Gales, John Lee Hooker to Albert Collins, these classics highlight how blues guitar has changed over the years – its stories, tones and techniques all passed down and reinvented
Best FRFR speakers 2024: full range, flat response speakers that won't color your tone By Richard Blenkinsop last updated 17 April 24 Our pick of the best FRFR speakers for Helix, Kemper, Quad Cortex and other digital amp and effects modelers
Lita Ford on why B.C. Rich guitars “were God” – and that time she nearly joined Led Zeppelin By Andrew Daly published 17 April 24 Ever since she lied about her age to save for her first electric guitar, Lita Ford has been all about lead and leading. She looks back at life-changing encounters with Tony Iommi and Ritchie Blackmore, and explains why Kemper profiling is like “putting a Rolls Royce into a Volkswagen body”
Alex Lifeson takes us behind the scenes at Lerxst to talk gear, tone and new music By Richard Bienstock published 16 April 24 Time will tell whether Lifeson and Geddy Lee will work together again, but in the mean time the Rush icon has lots of new gear to show us, developed in partnership with Mojotone and Godin
Jesse Dayton is glad he didn’t have a hit years ago – it might have taken his freedom By Andrew Daly published 16 April 24 Fresh from his “Bonnie and Clyde” success with Samantha Fish, the six-string outlaw talks low-string droning, Texas storytelling and why it’s worth struggling with vintage gear – in the studio at least
How Martin threw away the tonewood recipe book to rethink acoustic guitar with the Inception By Jamie Dickson published 16 April 24 Martin's vice president of product management Fred Greene gives us the skinny on how the brand's latest acoustic presents players with some seriously innovative features
Paul Gough of Zilla Cabs takes a closer look at cabinet materials – and asks: what’s more important to you, consistency or quality of sound? By Paul Gough published 16 April 24 Paul Gough of Zilla Cabs takes a closer look at cabinet materials – and asks: what’s more important to you, consistency or quality of sound?
Listen to Geddy Lee’s “flamenco” strumming technique on Rush’s Snakes & Arrows By Nick Wells published 16 April 24 Geddy Lee’s signature sounds abound on Snakes and Arrows, but was there a new twist in his bass playing?
How the wah pedal changed electric guitar – but was originally intended for the trumpet By Huw Price published 15 April 24 Among the earliest guitar effects, made famous by Hendrix, Clapton and co, wah has remained a pedalboard staple for decades. This is its story
Mike Vennart influenced a generation of prog guitarists – and he’s not ruling out an Oceansize reunion By Alex Lynham published 15 April 24 The Empire State Bastard riff-meister and Biffy Clyro guitarist has produced some of his best work with his latest solo album, Forgiveness & The Grain. He breaks down his otherworldly tone secrets, and explains what made The Verve’s Nick McCabe a guitar Jedi – and why the Pro Co Rat is the only distortion pedal you need
Jonas Reingold switched from classical guitar and became Steve Hackett’s bassist By Andrew Daly published 14 April 24 From Wire and Karmakanic to the Flower Kings and Steve Hackett, the Swedish musician loves to learn, and always strives to be a better team player
Why Klaus Voormann’s bassline on John Lennon’s Whatever Gets You Thru The Night is a must-listen By Chris Jisi published 14 April 24 The German musician and artist was John Lennon's bass guitarist of choice for two decades
Listen to John Deacon’s isolated bassline on Killer Queen By Chris Jisi published 13 April 24 John Deacon’s bass playing on Killer Queen is guaranteed to blow your mind
Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield found her country voice via indie and riot grrrl By Cheri Amour published 12 April 24 The Alabama-born songwriter recalls her formative punk years, graduating to a Thinline Tele, and embracing banjo and dobro on latest album Tigers Blood
Cedric Burnside on keeping country blues real – and why he plays guitars built by a brain surgeon By Phil Weller published 12 April 24 Cedric Burnside’s style of country blues is deep, deceptively complex, and unafraid of sending in a curveball – because if it feels right it is right
The history of Fender offset guitars By Huw Price published 12 April 24 Only now, over 60 years on from their launch, are the Jazzmaster and Jaguar becoming recognised as guitars for all players. We trace the innovations that mapped the offset’s long journey from misunderstood outsider to contemporary king
Heart performed Stairway to Heaven for Led Zeppelin – and reduced Robert Plant to tears By Matt Owen published 12 April 24 When Led Zeppelin were awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 2012, they were treated to an emotional rendition of their 1971 classic, performed by Ann and Nancy Wilson with the help of John Bonham's son
Nashville session master Rob McNelley on his emotional reunion with his dad's '55 Tele By Andrew Daly published 12 April 24 Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now made him a country guitar hero, and playing with Buddy Guy ranks among his career highlights. Now with his father’s ’55 Tele in tow, Rob McNelley reveals the secrets to succeeding in Nashville