Yvette Young on why choosing the guitar felt “magical” – and what it represents to her
After years of learning instruments her parents chose for her, Young explains how having the autonomy to choose her own instrument represented a sense of freedom
Latest news
Yvette Young on why choosing the guitar felt “magical” – and what it represents to her
After years of learning instruments her parents chose for her, Young explains how having the autonomy to choose her own instrument represented a sense of freedom
Body Count rip through their Comfortably Numb reimagining on the Tonight Show, as Ernie C does his best David Gilmour
In an interview with host Jimmy Fallon, Ice-T recalled getting the approval (and assist) for the modern-minded reworking from Gilmour – while also getting the go-ahead from Roger Waters
Soldano’s SLO Plus could be the new hard rock pedal amp to beat
A single-channel offering from 2022 has been usurped by the two-channel upgrade, which promises the tube-amp-like tones of the iconic SLO-100
Shergold makes one of its most iconic models more affordable with new Masquerader Standard
The newly revived firm continues its renaissance by returning to one of its earliest designs – and giving it a modern-day makeover
Sleep Token’s guitar tech finally lifts the lid on IV’s entire live guitar rig – right down to his pick of choice
Replicating this hugely elusive guitar rig won’t come cheap, but the comprehensive grand reveal is a fascinating insight into the high-end gear behind the hottest band in metal right now
Lindsay Ell on the “pinch me moment” she became Shania Twain's lead guitarist
Ell never saw herself doing a sideman gig – however, when she got the call from the Canadian legend, she couldn't resist the offer
Kiki Wong on how playing with Smashing Pumpkins has made her a better guitar player
From bedroom riffing with a Line 6 Spider to playing through tube amps in stadiums, Wong says her time in the band has opened her eyes to a whole new world of tone
Long-awaited Becoming Led Zeppelin documentary gets its first trailer – and hints at the band’s early struggles
The first authorized Led Zeppelin documentary was premiered at the 2021 Venice International Film Festival – and now it’s been given a 2025 release date
Gibson has put an all-new spin on its traditional Les Paul Studio – in response to requests from players
The Studio Session sits on the price scale between the regular Studio and the more expensive Standard – and promises to be “the one guitar you can rely on for any musical genre or scenario”
Artists
Remembering jazz great Victor Bailey, who used an unsung multi-FX pedal for his cover of Prince’s biggest hit
From his ’80s heyday with Weather Report through to his mid-’90s stint with Madonna, Victor Bailey earned his stripes as one of the world’s greatest bass players
Being in a band is tough – just ask bassist Dirk Lance, who left Incubus at the peak of their powers
Dirk Lance’s in-your-face bass style made him one of the most emulated bassists of a generation
Glen Drover grew up idolizing Megadeth and King Diamond’s guitar heroes – then he had to step into their shoes
Inspired by Yngwie Malmsteen but weaned on Black Sabbath, the Canadian guitarist discusses the new gear and new skills he’s racking up as his own band Withering Scorn takes flight
Musical polymath Luna Li on blending harps with Fender Jaguars – and making an illustrated solo tab book
Hannah Bussiere Kim is now touring with more instruments than ever before, but it’s the people she’s working with who help make the magic happen
Ernie Isley on watching Hendrix then taking his place to write hit after hit in his brothers' band
The longtime Isley Brothers guitarist was just a kid when his older brothers scored hits with Twist and Shout and Shout, but by the time he joined the band, he was able to draw on firsthand experiences with Jimi Hendrix
Pete & Vinnie Play started with a Racer X cover; now they’ve released their own shred single
After meeting at college and building up 150,000 followers online, the duo are stepping into the ‘real’ world as No Writer with help from Kiko Louriero’s producer and the master they studied under
Meet the Bad Ups, the Philadelphia punks inspired by country-and-western, reggae and Chet Atkins
The Philly punks kick down the walls of genre orthodoxy on their debut album Life of Sin, complementing their powerchord assault with new-wave vibes, acoustic guitar, and licks Chet Atkins taught 'em
“David Ellefson told me, ‘You got the gig. Oh and by the way, Dave told me to tell you that you played many of the wrong guitar parts’”: Marty Friedman tells the inside story of his auditions with Ozzy Osbourne and Madonna – and landing the Megadeth gig
In this exclusive excerpt from his new autobiography, Dreaming Japanese, the guitarist looks back at his early years, when he was broke and forced to choose between eating or auditioning
Alter Bridge’s Myles Kennedy spills his tone (and drop tuning) secrets – and why he doesn’t like brand-new guitars
Whatever you do, don’t lend Kennedy your brand-new 10 Top PRS, but do check out his new solo album, The Art of Letting Go, which he promises us is a “a rock ’n’ roll record – a lot of loud guitars”
Gear
“From the aesthetics to the feel and the sounds, the Sferata is wholly convincing”: Rivolta Forma Sferata review
Just because Rivolta is Dennis Fano's more affordable brand doesn't mean he keeps his best ideas for Novo...
“Outrageously excellent value”: Squier Affinity Series Starcaster Deluxe review
Is it time this electric expanded its cult appeal and became a mainstream blockbuster? Because this is one cool – and affordable – semi
“Gene Simmons used a Grabber for a reason – because they play like nothing else on earth”: Epiphone Grabber Bass review
With its classic looks and budget-friendly price tag, is the revived Grabber still as iconic?
“These guitars make Donner a firm competitor with other major brands in the sub-$500 category”: Donner DST-600 and DST-700 review
Donner Music might not be the first brand on everyone's lips when it comes to affordable electrics with impressive specs, but here are two reasons why that might change soon
“Dial in a wide range of tones with minimal effort”: Reverend Billy Corgan Signature Drop Z review
The Smashing Pumpkins frontman's latest signature collab with Reverend is built for drop tunings. Is this the ultimate grunge machine?
Best guitar cables 2024: recommended instrument cables for electric, acoustic and bass guitar
Plug in with confidence using our expert guide to the best guitar cables from Planet Waves, Mogami, Ernie Ball, George L’s and more
Best guitar capos 2024: top choice capos for acoustic and electric guitar
A capo is a great way to boost your creativity on the instrument. Here’s our expert picks for electric and acoustic guitar, ukulele, 12-string and beyond
Lessons
His playing had an intensity and drama that even Eric Clapton admired – and it all started with classical guitar: Paul Kossoff was a rare genius
It was Clapton's work with John Mayall that electrified the Free guitarist's imagination. Then it was Marshall stacks, a Les Paul and a wicked vibrato…
![Three funk guitar maestros [l-r]: Hamish Stuart of Average White Band crouches down to play his Telecaster; Nile Rodgers of Chic gives the audience some love; and Claydes Charles Smith of Kool and the King holds it down with sunglasses on in an archive B/W live shot.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JiG8AhR8Xa2U8sYe6rBRm7-840-80.jpg.webp)
The glitterball guitar heroes of ’70s funk were masters of rhythm guitar – and their techniques will make you a better player
Unpacking the techniques pioneered by the likes of Nile Rodgers, Hamish Stuart and Claydes Charles Smith
How you can use arpeggios to imply dominant 9th chords in your solos (it's easier than it sounds!)
Understanding the chord shape and the theory behind it is easier than you might think, and it offers another strategy for navigating the fretboard on the fly
How to understand the meaning behind guitar chord names – and why it matters
The Who's Pete Townshend made very effective use of suspended chords in tracks such as Pinball Wizard – and when you know the difference between your add9 and you sus4 maybe you can, too
When the band formed, they could barely play their instruments – then their guitarist bought a delay pedal and changed the sound of electric guitar forever
The Edge bought a delay just to fill out the sound out in U2 – it ended up all but defining them. But there's a trick to how to use it in tandem with your playing and make it sound huge
Robert Fripp is a true prog virtuoso: this lesson delves into his mad/brilliant soloing style
We delve into the mad, brilliant lead phrasing and fearsome alternate picking of one of guitar's true masters
5 essential strumming patterns for beginner guitar players
This lesson unpacks one of the fundamental skills of playing guitar, and offers a launchpad for budding singer-songwriters. All you need is three chords and the truth
Best online guitar lessons 2024: remote learning for guitar players – every platform tested by experts
Online lessons are great for developing your guitar skills from the comfort of your home or on the go – our experts have thoroughly tested options for all playing levels and for every budget, including a free option
Reviews
“From the aesthetics to the feel and the sounds, the Sferata is wholly convincing”: Rivolta Forma Sferata review
Just because Rivolta is Dennis Fano's more affordable brand doesn't mean he keeps his best ideas for Novo...
“Outrageously excellent value”: Squier Affinity Series Starcaster Deluxe review
Is it time this electric expanded its cult appeal and became a mainstream blockbuster? Because this is one cool – and affordable – semi
“Gene Simmons used a Grabber for a reason – because they play like nothing else on earth”: Epiphone Grabber Bass review
With its classic looks and budget-friendly price tag, is the revived Grabber still as iconic?
“These guitars make Donner a firm competitor with other major brands in the sub-$500 category”: Donner DST-600 and DST-700 review
Donner Music might not be the first brand on everyone's lips when it comes to affordable electrics with impressive specs, but here are two reasons why that might change soon
“Dial in a wide range of tones with minimal effort”: Reverend Billy Corgan Signature Drop Z review
The Smashing Pumpkins frontman's latest signature collab with Reverend is built for drop tunings. Is this the ultimate grunge machine?
“A supreme upgrade of the classic ES-335 design, with exceptionally more versatile tonal options”: Gibson ES Supreme review
The ES-335 gets an upscale makeover with ebony fingerboards, figured maple and an expanded range of sounds, but is it worth the extra outlay? We try one in each color to see what's what
“Luscious high-gain distortion and tight-but-mammoth bottom end”: Peavey Invective .112 combo review
Peavey's Misha Mansoor tube amp collab is reimagined as a 1x12 combo, with an expanded clean channel and all the the gain the 21st-century metal player needs
"Yes, the price is more reflective of the fact this is a signature model with the added 'celebrity tax', but it delivers on all fronts.": Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG review
A singlecut designed to meet the demands of metal as we know it in 2024, let's see if the Tetrarch guitarist's signature model delivers
Buying Guides
Best guitar cables 2024: recommended instrument cables for electric, acoustic and bass guitar
Plug in with confidence using our expert guide to the best guitar cables from Planet Waves, Mogami, Ernie Ball, George L’s and more
Best guitar capos 2024: top choice capos for acoustic and electric guitar
A capo is a great way to boost your creativity on the instrument. Here’s our expert picks for electric and acoustic guitar, ukulele, 12-string and beyond
Best locking tuners 2024: improve your performance with these powerful upgrades
Keep your guitar playing consistently with our top locking tuner picks from Fender, Schaller, Sperzel and more
Best online guitar lessons 2024: remote learning for guitar players – every platform tested by experts
Online lessons are great for developing your guitar skills from the comfort of your home or on the go – our experts have thoroughly tested options for all playing levels and for every budget, including a free option
Best practice amps 2024: hone your guitar and bass chops at home
These are the best practice amps for enabling you to keep the noise down when getting in some essential practice time with your electric guitar or bass
Best desktop guitar amps 2024: our top desktop amps for portable practice
Improve your guitar playing with our pick of the most powerful yet portable practice solutions
Best budget guitar amps under $500 in 2024: cost-cutting amplifiers for the budget-conscious player
Get great sounds and features without blowing your budget – from affordable tube amps to wallet-friendly digital modeling amps and everything in between
