Best 12-string guitars: our pick of 12-string acoustic and electric guitars By Jonathan Horsley last updated 18 December 23 Our expert guide to the best 12-string guitars from Taylor, Rickenbacker, Fender, and others, from 12-string acoustic guitars to shimmering electrics
Stranger things: Phoebe Bridgers wields Eddie Munson’s guitar in Boygenius’ instrument-hurling, B.C. Rich-rocking, Beatles-channeling SNL appearance By Matt Parker published 13 November 23 The indie supergroup’s spot as musical guests on SNL leaves a lot to talk about
“I love the sound of the Rickenbacker, but I didn’t sound like Chris Squire on it!” Geddy Lee on his Rick-O-Sound tone and ‘crossing the floor’ to Fender By Joel McIver published 17 October 23 The Ricky 4001 is both loved and hated by bass players: for the Rush legend it’s still a classic
“We mic’d one of Steve Howe’s old Gibson guitars and mixed it with the bass. That’s what gave it such a bright sound”: Listen to Chris Squire’s isolated bassline on Roundabout By Nick Wells published 3 October 23 Learn the tone secrets behind Chris Squire’s iconic bassline on the Yes classic, Roundabout
The 12-string guitar that defined the ‘60s: in praise of the Rickenbacker Capri By Rod Brakes published 21 June 23 A favourite of The Beatles and The Byrds, these era-defining electrics still resonate
Best Fender acoustic guitars: Our top picks from Fender’s expansive range of acoustics By Ross Holder published 7 June 23 Whether you’re looking for an impressive jack-of-all-trades or a miniature dreadnought, Fender has an acoustic for you
The Yes Album: When Chris Squire created one of the most recognizable bass tones in rock By Mike Brooks published 21 May 23 The Lowlist The Lowlist – celebrating longplayers with low-end – doffs its cap to Chris Squire
How The Jam's Town Called Malice turned a cheeky Motown steal into a bona fide bass classic By Tom Poak published 17 February 23 Bruce Foxton on destroying Rickenbackers and the band's history of borrowing bass parts – plus, how to play Town Called Malice
How to replicate the Beatles’ classic tones using today’s affordable guitars, basses and effects pedals By Chris Gill published 7 February 23 Because sourcing the vintage gear is almost impossible, financially and practically, we've put together a list of gear that's on the market today that will help you nail the Fab Four's sound
Lemmy’s 5 greatest Motörhead basslines By Nick Wells published 27 January 23 "Lemmy’s bass playing was just so insane!" The bass playing legacy of one of the greatest bassists in the history of metal and hard rock: Lemmy
From the vaults: former Machine Head bassist Adam Duce on the tone secrets of Cliff Burton By Joel McIver published 16 November 22 “He had a Stratocaster pickup hidden under the bridge of his Rickenbacker”
Sleep’s Al Cisneros: “For my lifespan, I’ll be playing Rickenbackers. When I hear the sound of Rush’s Permanent Waves, there’s nothing else like that’” By Joel McIver published 26 October 22 The OM and Sleep bassist on gathering his solo singles into a collection, Sinai Dub Box, flow states and the universal groove, and which bass is so heavy he needs pain relief to play it...
Behold Rickenbacker’s new Midnight Purple 330 By Neville Marten published 24 October 22 As limited-edition Rickenbackers go, they don't get much cooler than this...
Best basses for metal: plus everything you need to find the metal bass for you By Chris Corfield last updated 21 October 22 Need a bass capable of going heavy? We’ve picked out the best bass guitars for metal, including models from Rickenbacker, Warwick, Schecter and Ibanez
Wilco’s John Stirratt: “With the bass, you can change the tone of different parts... I try to find a really good rhythm track that aids the melody” By Ryan Madora published 19 October 22 Stirratt tells all about a febrile writing and recording session that found Wilco tracking live in the room and heading in a cosmic country direction just like Waylon Jennings
How Chris Squire got his iconic bass tone By Joel McIver published 22 August 22 The evolution of the Yes man’s incredible low-end sound
How luthier Roger Rossmeisl shaped the look of Rickenbacker guitars with the legendary Capri series By Rod Brakes published 2 May 22 Rickenbacker author Martin Kelly unpacks Rossmeisl’s crowning achievement
Best high-end bass guitars 2024: our pick of premium basses from Rickenbacker, Fender, PRS, Fodera and more By Simon Fellows published 27 April 22 Get the lowdown on the very best of the deep, pummelling world of bass
Jennylee: “Bass is a really easy instrument to learn, but it’s a really hard instrument to get good at” By Joel McIver published 7 April 22 The Warpaint bassist on the challenge to bring melody to the rhythm section and how bass guitar became an obsession
50 guitars that changed the world By Tony Bacon published 7 March 22 A perfect union of form and function, guitars have the power to change the course of music and even history itself. Here, we present the most influential guitars of our time