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“Andrew Watt pushed us as hard as we could be pushed”: Pearl Jam’s energetic new album is “just about finished” – but Mike McCready is also working on a rock opera about the Seattle music scene
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The lead guitarist shares the first details of his ambitious new musical that honors Chris Cornell and other Seattle legends – and why he used Andrew Watt’s gear rather than his own for the rock veterans’ forthcoming record

“Reuniting the original G3 lineup is a dream come true”: Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson are hitting the road for a G3 reunion tour next year
By Matt Owen published
The three fretboard heroes will link up early next year almost three decades after they launched one of guitar's most influential events back in 1996

The fate of Dean Guitars hangs in the balance as Armadillo faces demands to surrender all equipment and inventory – inside the Succession-esque drama determining the future of the US guitar brand
By Matt Parker published
Exclusive We go in-depth on the guitar firm’s most serious legal wrangle yet, as two separate lawsuits allege Armadillo is liable for nearly $10 million in debt

“I’m honored to deliver a more approachable guitar to the next generation of players”: Fender makes Mike McCready’s iconic 1960 Stratocaster accessible to the masses with new signature model
By Matt Owen published
The Pearl Jam legend’s second signature Strat is vastly more affordable than its $15,000 Custom Shop sibling, but still carries all the hallmarks of McCready’s fabled 1960 workhorse

“It’s tough for me to listen to many of the newer technical players out there today”: Shrapnel Records founder Mike Varney helped guitar gods soar in the 1980s, but he doesn’t “enjoy” new wave shred stars – here’s why
By Matt Owen published
The founder of Shrapnel Records was a key figure in popularizing the shred boom of the 1980s, and he has some choice words for the emerging generation of fretboard pioneers

Blackstar just launched some of the most versatile mid-priced tube amps on the market
By Jonathan Horsley published
The HT Venue MKIII lineup borrows the recording-friendly features of the St. James and Amped range to make it a powerhouse option for stage or studio – and the new looks are pretty smart, too

“To embody Jimmy Page, I need the tone, the guitar performance and the emotions to come together”: Akio Sakurai aka Mr. Jimmy has spent 30 years honing the perfect Led Zeppelin guitar sound. As he explains, “tone is the most important thing”
By Jonathan Horsley published
In this exclusive clip from new documentary Mr. Jimmy, Sakurai’s lifelong dedication to mastering Jimmy Page’s tone, playing style and look is laid bare

Joe Bonamassa brings out his legendary Bolin ‘Burst to tear through Deep Purple classics with Glenn Hughes and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith
By Jonathan Horsley published
Fan-shot footage captures Bonamassa joining the Voice of Rock for an epic jam on Mistreated, with Smith’s rhythm powering them all through Burn and Highway Star

“We needed that ultimate technique – and that’s Marcin”: Percussive fingerstyle reaches the masses as acoustic virtuoso Marcin is revealed to be the blockbuster guitarist on Netflix’s One Piece soundtrack
By Matt Owen published
The Ibanez signature artist was recruited to help create the theme for a key character – and the result was an extraordinary blend of classic flamenco and experimental fingerstyle acoustic sounds

“At the heart of every significant musical movement for 150 years”: Epiphone celebrates its 150th anniversary with new exhibit, featuring Noel Gallagher’s Oasis guitars
By Matt Parker published
The display will be unveiled at the British Music Experience museum in Liverpool, UK later this month
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