Randy Bachman on how a broken string inspired his iconic American Woman guitar riff By Janelle Borg published 26 April 24 How one broken string on a ‘59 Les Paul changed Randy Bachman’s career
Guitar Center’s new CEO explains why the firm’s future must prioritize premium guitars By Phil Weller published 26 April 24 Gabe Dalporto insists the firm needs to “evolve and execute better” in order to survive, and that it has forgotten who its core customer really is
Vernon Reid is working with Reverend on a signature guitar By Phil Weller published 26 April 24 Believed to be called Talisman, the guitar might be arriving sooner than you think
“It made me realize how grateful I am to have the guitar in my life”: I applied to be the new Smashing Pumpkins guitarist – I didn’t get the gig, but it was one of the most life-affirming experiences of my musical career By Michael Astley-Brown published 26 April 24 Kiki Wong deservedly landed the touring guitarist spot, but applying to join one of my all-time favorite bands reignited my teenage dreams – and Billy Corgan should be commended for offering the opportunity to so many players
Solar Guitars honors Kirk Windstein with a signature that pays tribute to New Orleans city By Phil Weller published 26 April 24 The Down and Crowbar riffsmith's newest no-nonsense Solar signature was designed with “simplicity is power” in mind
Ace Frehley sold his 1959 Gibson Les Paul to fund a gambling trip By Matt Owen published 26 April 24 The former Kiss guitarist bought the guitar for $4,000 and sold it for $18,000 – but in today's market, it's estimated to be worth $350,000
Mike McCready recalls meeting Eddie Van Halen – and tries his hand at playing Eruption off the cuff By Phil Weller published 26 April 24 The Pearl Jam guitarist has opened up about his encounter with the guitar legend on Howard Stern, before showing off a few two-hand tapping licks
Score a FREE Fender pedal when you buy two at full price with this insane Hammertone offer By Daryl Robertson published 26 April 24 Fender has gone hammertime for Hammertone discounts with this insane 3 for 2 offer – overdrive, distortion, delay and flanger pedals up for grabs
Kiki Wong announced as new Smashing Pumpkins guitarist after 10,000 applications By Michael Astley-Brown published 26 April 24 The popular Instagram guitarist will tour the world with the alt-rock legends from June 2024
Guitar World deals of the week: save over $1,000 on a Marshall, get $230 off a Guild, plus all the week's best bargains By Matt McCracken published 26 April 24 With plenty of Spring sales in bloom we've found massive savings on Fender, Marshall, Eventide, and more
Lee Ritenour sets the record straight on fixing George Benson’s Give Me the Night solo By Janelle Borg published 26 April 24 Quincy Jones made Ritenour swear never to tell George Benson about the incident
The story of Van Halen’s 1984 – the Flying V, the synths and the end of the David Lee Roth era By Chris Gill published 26 April 24 Creative differences led to Roth’s departure the following year, but 1984 found the band firing on all cylinders, as Eddie Van Halen embraced his pop sensibilities while retaining the musical adventurism that made him the greatest of all time
Mötley Crüe share their first new single with John 5 – and as promised, it marks a heavy return By Matt Owen published 26 April 24 Headlined by a blistering solo from John 5, Dogs of War is the band's first new single since 2019, and the first to be released since their split with former guitarist Mick Mars
Best guitar wireless systems 2024: set your playing free, from the rehearsal room to the stage By Jonathan Horsley last updated 26 April 24 Fed up with cumbersome cables? Here's our pick of the best wireless guitar systems for every budget
Why Bob Dylan and Tom Waits guitarist Duke Robillard is American blues guitar royalty By Andy G Jones published 26 April 24 This lesson in Robillard's improvisational lead guitar style showcases his ability to incorporate melody in solos, and blend blues with jazz
How Anna Calvi threw out the guitar rulebook to write the Peaky Blinders score By Amit Sharma published 26 April 24 The UK guitar great explains how she approached writing for a prestige TV show, and why she shares a Telecaster obsession with her hero Jeff Buckley
“John Sykes changed my world”: How Fozzy’s Rich Ward invented Stuck Mojo By Andrew Daly published 26 April 24 The Marshall fan explains what made him shut down the crossover band he loved, how he developed the perfect partnership with Fozzy bandmate Chris Jericho, and why mid-’70s Les Pauls are the best
10 legendary blues guitars, featuring Lucille, Lucy, Greeny – and the Loch Ness Monster of Les Pauls By Jonathan Horsley published 26 April 24 Named and famed! Behind every great blues player is a great guitar, and they don’t come more iconic than this...
Flatwound vs roundwound bass strings: What’s the difference? By Richard Blenkinsop published 25 April 24 Mellow and warm or bright and snappy? We look at the key differences between flatwound and roundwound bass strings
Dweezil Zappa on the high-tech custom build that Eddie Van Halen dubbed “The Super Pluto Guitar” By Matt Parker published 25 April 24 The tale of a truly distinctive instrument that was custom-made for a trio of rock’s most innovative players in the 1980s