Harmoni Kelley on why five-strings rule for modern country players By Alison Richter published 23 April 24 With no experience of the extra string until her successful audition with Chesney, Kelley’s taken her P Bass attitude and hard rock roots for longterm stroll down Music Row
“I was standing in line at the bank when Dickey called: ‘Hey, listen – my guitar player just quit and the tour starts in a week. Do you want to do it?’” How I went from guitar journalist to Dickey Betts’ right-hand man By Andy Aledort published 23 April 24 Guitar World’s Andy Aledort played over 250 shows around the globe with his hero. He traces his history with the late Allman Brothers Band icon, and shares his personal experience of working with the complex, generous guitar legend who once gave him one of Duane Allman’s slides
5 signs your guitar cable needs replacing (and 6 ways to make it last longer) By Ross Holder published 23 April 24 Assess the health of your cables with our guide to the warning signs, plus our maintenance tips to extend their life
Is Emanuel Casablanca the hero that modern blues guitar has been waiting for? By Andrew Daly published 23 April 24 Strung Out on Thrills was hard to make and hard to write – every track was challenging. But Emanuel Casablanca's album throws down the gauntlet to blues guitar, presenting a new path forward
MJ Lenderman shares tone secrets and explains why there’s life in the live album yet By Richard Bienstock published 23 April 24 With a blazing (not to mention “fluid like the wind”) band behind him, indie rock’s leading overdrive purveyor takes his best one-man-band material to wild new places
Best acoustic guitars for beginners 2024: our pick of easy acoustic strummers for new players By Daryl Robertson last updated 23 April 24 We've tested epic affordable six strings from Epiphone, Taylor, Fender, Yamaha and more – read on to find the best beginner acoustic guitar for you
Mike Kinsella on his journey to cult guitar hero status with American Football By Ellie Rogers published 23 April 24 As his latest Owen album looms, the guitarist reflects on how he discovered the tunings that made him so influential, doing it all without pedals and why he can only play Teles
“A lot of people don’t know cheap guitars require the same energy, and resources to make as an expensive guitar”: How this Danish guitar company is turning factory rejects into some of its finest builds By Matt Parker published 22 April 24 Baum Guitars’ Revival Collection has hit upon a rare form of guitar alchemy, turning some of its worst productions into its most desirable – and sustainable – builds
Patti Smith on her controversial first gig – and why rock belongs to the people By Janelle Borg published 22 April 24 The punk poet laureate continues to inspire generations of artists
Meet Tasha S, the Ukrainian guitar phenom whose nonchalant covers have won her millions of followers By Andrew Daly published 22 April 24 The offset-wielding Ukraine-born guitarist has amassed 4.8m TikTok and 1.7m Instagram followers on her guitar journey. She reveals her plans to transition from the screen to the stage – and why passion is more important than gear
“I’m not thinking about trying to impress anybody”: Fusion legend Scott Henderson talks virtuosity and style By Jamie Dickson published 22 April 24 Returning with a new instrumental album seamlessly fusing rock, blues and jazz, Scott Henderson checks in to talk gear, style and what we can learn from vocals and horn
How Raphael Saadiq moved to guitar and earned his new limited-edition Tele By Amit Sharma published 22 April 24 The Grammy-winning producer has worked with the biggest names in music. He explains why the Telecaster has appeared on every album he’s ever worked on – and shares what he learned from Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Barry Gibb and countless others
“Beck wanted the bass coming unhinged at every turn”: Justin Meldal-Johnsen's bassline on Beck’s Sexx Laws By Bryan Beller published 22 April 24 How Justin Meldal-Johnsen anchored Beck’s postmodern pop classic by breaking all of the rules
Session legend Nathan East reflects on the business of bass By Nick Wells published 21 April 24 Nathan East looks back at some of his biggest tracks, and why he’d love to have a career like Pat Metheny or Marcus Miller
How to add warmth to digital amp modelers By Joe Dean published 21 April 24 From the unsung hero of your pedalboard to the importance of signal routing, here's what you can do to improve the tone of your digital amp rig
How to upgrade your Jazzmaster and Jaguar: mod tips and setup tricks By Huw Price published 20 April 24 From bridges to tremolos to pickups, these DIY upgrades for the offset electric in your life will make them better than ever
Why the 1946 Stromberg Master 400 is a jazz guitar to rival anything from Gibson and D'Angelico By David Davidson published 20 April 24 As vintage icons go, the Stromberg Master 400 takes some beating. Big-bodied, super loud, it is one of the greatest jazzboxes of all time. David Davidson of Well Strung Guitars tells us why
The 25 greatest Allman Brothers Band songs By Alan Paul published 19 April 24 From Dickey Betts’ iconic instrumentals to the tracks that made ABB one of rock’s most revered jam groups, here are the best Allman Brothers Band cuts from across their catalog – and the stories behind them
Dickey Betts and Gregg Allman tell the full story of the Allman Brothers Band By Alan Paul published 19 April 24 In this career-spanning oral history from 2009, Betts, Allman, Warren Haynes, Butch Trucks and more retrace the turmoil, tragedies and triumphs behind the Allman Brothers Band
“I grow the nails on my right hand as long as I can”: Steve Harris on Iron Maiden’s Wrathchild By Nick Wells published 19 April 24 Every would-be metalhead should learn from the best: Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris