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“It’s like a hybrid of a Strat and a Les Paul – it gives me everything I need in one stop”: Steve Lukather and Ernie Ball Music Man launch overhauled L4 signature guitar range – including ultra-limited 30th Anniversary Steamroller model
By Matt Owen published
Said to be “the culmination of over 30 years of collaboration”, the L4 models arrive with an array of pickup configurations – with the standout Steamroller version also flashing a double-locking floating tremolo

Boss stakes its claim for the biggest-sounding desktop amp yet as the wireless Katana-Air gets an overhaul
By Matt Owen published
For the first time since 2018, the firm’s Katana-Air receives a much-deserved upgrade – and the new-for-2023 Katana-Air EX takes the platform to new heights

“Red-blooded overdrive without shaking the foundations”: Is Ashdown's upgraded CTM-15 desktop bass amp the ultimate recording rig for tube fans?
By Nick Wells published
A “low-wattage powerhouse,” the Ashdown CTM-15 now features a built-in load and headphone output

“How can you possibly be satisfied being a singer when you play like that?”: Dave Mustaine recalls the first time he heard James Hetfield play guitar
By Matt Parker published
The Megadeth man has said Hetfield kept his talent hidden, and that witnessing him play for the first time was “kind of shocking”

LAVA Music launches overhauled LAVA ME 4 lineup – but can its Spruce model convert traditional acoustic fans to the tech revolution?
By Matt Owen published
The company's latest futuristic guitars have had a major overhaul

Death metal SG tones, the drummer from Slayer and “unabridged hatred in musical form”: get a load of this year’s filthiest riffers Empire State Bastard
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Mike Vennart is touring guitarist for Biffy Clyro and former frontman of UK prog heroes Oceansize, but he’s finally let his extreme metal alter ego out – and it’s seriously nasty, as evidenced in this no-holds-barred playthrough

The ultimate all-in-one guitar and vocal rig? HeadRush continues its assault on the modeling market with amp-cloning, Auto-Tune-loaded Core FX processor
By Matt Owen published
Streamlined version of the brand's feature-packed Prime amp modeler and multi-FX unit might just have Line 6 and Neural DSP looking over their shoulder

“Are You Experienced? wouldn’t come out for two weeks. Nobody knew what to anticipate...”: Hear a pre-fame Jimi Hendrix perform to an unsuspecting audience of Mamas and Papas fans
By Matt Parker published
“Thanks anyway,” quips Hendrix on this previously unreleased recording of Killing Floor – the first taster from the new Hollywood Bowl 1967 live album

“Gene Simmons is breaking ground again”: Gibson unveils second signature bass guitar for the Kiss icon – and it’s the brand’s first 30.5” scale custom shop model
By Matt Owen published
Following Simmons' G² Thunderbird model from last year, the limited-edition EB-0 is based on the bassist's heavily modded '59 example, which he used throughout the 1970s
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