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The Smashing Pumpkins reunite with Siamese Dream producer for the first time in 32 years
Butch Vig was the man behind the board for Billy Corgan and co's landmark albums, and has been on production duties for their new single
![Tailgunner [L-R]: Bones, Rhea Thompson, Craig Cairns, Zach Salvini and Eddie Mariotti](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9efNJrexXv7Gm4D5VwJVie-1200-80.jpg.webp)
Latest News
The Smashing Pumpkins reunite with Siamese Dream producer for the first time in 32 years
Butch Vig was the man behind the board for Billy Corgan and co's landmark albums, and has been on production duties for their new single
Two of guitar’s biggest YouTubers are cutting ties with Fender over its cease and desists
Fender has been widely criticized after it allegedly sent cease and desist letters to multiple builders that make Stratocaster-inspired guitars
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Guitar Center’s Memorial Day sale has officially started with up to 30% off the best guitar gear – including $250 off a PRS SE Silver Sky and $599 off a Gibson J-45
Grab yourself some new gear for less in this mega sale over at Guitar Center
Misha Mansoor completes his Juggernaut jigsaw with new Jackson that introduces a firm-first feature
The djent master’s new signature is an eight-string, EverTune-equipped beast
Ike Willis, long-term guitarist and vocalist with Frank Zappa, dies aged 70
Willis was part of Zappa’s bands and projects for a decade, and aside from his role as a guitarist, he voiced the protagonist in Zappa opus Joe’s Garage
Before he died, Brent Hinds recorded a solo for a Marcus King track – and it’s been released
The late guitar great made a surprise guest appearance on King’s latest release
Ibanez’s S-style lineup gets a serious expansion with 6 sleek new AZ models
Additions to the Iron Label, Premium and Standard lineups are built for everything from jazz to metal
Artists
George Lynch on his custom ESP that’s too valuable to leave the house
Mr Scary on how his heart melts for the 1990 ESP Custom Haji/Wicked Sensation from the cover of Guitar World's November 1990 issue
Berton Averre on writing My Sharona – and why the Knack were never the next Beatles
My Sharona was the perfect pop-rock anthem, and as Averre reflects on the life and times of the Knack he admits he knew he had something special back then
Charles Spearin on how Broken Social Scene embrace “the ridiculousness” of everyone playing guitar
The multi-instrumentalist and indie lynchpin recalls his early gear, how BSS make sure every guitarist gets their say, and explains why Remember the Humans is deliberately difficult to work out
Backed by Fugazi’s rhythm section, even guitarist Anthony Pirog can’t signpost the turns in The Messthetics’ avant-jazz sound
On The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis’ latest collab, all bets are off on where Pirog will take his guitar next
Joe Perry on the weirder guitars in his collection
The Aerosmith guitarist shares the story behind his custom-made Dazzle guitars and his greatest gear modding mistakes
Her guitar playing had already reached the ears of millions, but advice from Johnny Marr re-shaped her approach
Already an established instrumental composer, Rebecca Mardal took up acoustic guitar at the Smiths man’s suggestion, and she changed her playing style after he gave her a slimmer neck than she’d used before
Paul McCartney’s greatest post-Beatles bassline
After the Beatles, Paul McCartney wasn’t done writing killer basslines – as L.A. session and Wings guitarist Laurence Juber can attest
Gear
"It looks like a lost relic from Rupert Neve’s ‘to-do’ drawer": Walrus Audio Mantle Analog Bass Preamp & DI review
Walrus and Ian Martin Allison's stompbox collaboration puts studio-grade preamp processing into a pedal
Best modeling amps 2026: get iconic amp and effects tones at your fingertips
I break down the best modeling amps available, covering a range of budgets, brands and sizes
“I've never found the perfect solution for combining analog pedals with a digital rig before – this could be it”: IK Multimedia Tonex One+ review
With the addition of Bluetooth and MIDI, the Tonex One+ looks to add a ton of functionality to an already impressive pedal
“Finding a twin humbucker guitar that looks and sounds as good as this is far from easy”: Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HH review
The newly appointed Mastodon guitarist gets heavy with his first dual humbucker signature, which comes in a fitting Silverburst-esque finish
14 ways to improve your Telecaster: tried and tested methods to get more out of Fender’s original mod platform
Players were already modifying their Telecasters in the 1950s, and a thriving aftermarket parts industry provides countless ways to enhance playability, reliability and tone
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“Despite its unassuming looks, I think this is a lot of guitar for the money”: Charvel Standard Series San Dimas Style 2 SD2 HH HT Gloss Black review
Charvel scales down its T-type to around half its usual outlay, but the quality remains largely intact
“The sound and fury of a classic Marshall amp, but in a format that’s incredibly easy to get the best from”: Synergy SYN-20IR Amp Head with Marshall JCM 800 and JMP preamp modules review
Synergy’s range of modular marvels has been dialled up to 11…
Lessons
Charlie Starr on how to play “Piedmont” fingerstyle guitar
The Blackberry Smoke frontman goes unplugged to give us a lesson in the fingerstyle techniques he applies in his day job
Hidden for four decades, the story behind the (almost) unheard outro solo on John Farnham’s smash hit, You’re the Voice
Celtic rock bagpipe phrasing, THAT blazing arpeggio and a crazy bend that broke a string – learn how Brett Garsed played his solo in this exclusive feature
Joe Bonamassa breaks down the differences between P-90s and PAF humbuckers
In this lesson, the blues maestro demonstrates how pickup choice affects the tone and can be used for different purposes
How to survive setbacks when music is your identity, not just your job
Australian metal veteran Glen Phillips on what he wished he knew when he was starting out
The simple trick that adds sparkle to your songs: Nashville Tuning explained
David Gilmour, Keith Richards & Taylor Swift all do this…
Spiritbox's Mike Stringer shows you how syncopated bends can add extra spice to your metal playing
Your 21st-century metal workshop is in session, as Stringer shows you how to play Spiritbox's Holy Roller
Dare you join us at the crossroads? Welcome to the acoustic blues masterclass
Inspired by Big Bill Broonzy, Lightnin' Hopkins and the O.G. blues great Robert Johnson, this lesson just requires an acoustic guitar. Heartbreak optional
Reviews
"It looks like a lost relic from Rupert Neve’s ‘to-do’ drawer": Walrus Audio Mantle Analog Bass Preamp & DI review
Walrus and Ian Martin Allison's stompbox collaboration puts studio-grade preamp processing into a pedal
“I've never found the perfect solution for combining analog pedals with a digital rig before – this could be it”: IK Multimedia Tonex One+ review
With the addition of Bluetooth and MIDI, the Tonex One+ looks to add a ton of functionality to an already impressive pedal
“Finding a twin humbucker guitar that looks and sounds as good as this is far from easy”: Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HH review
The newly appointed Mastodon guitarist gets heavy with his first dual humbucker signature, which comes in a fitting Silverburst-esque finish
“Despite its unassuming looks, I think this is a lot of guitar for the money”: Charvel Standard Series San Dimas Style 2 SD2 HH HT Gloss Black review
Charvel scales down its T-type to around half its usual outlay, but the quality remains largely intact
“The sound and fury of a classic Marshall amp, but in a format that’s incredibly easy to get the best from”: Synergy SYN-20IR Amp Head with Marshall JCM 800 and JMP preamp modules review
Synergy’s range of modular marvels has been dialled up to 11…
“Despite its toy-like dimensions, it comes across as a very grown-up guitar indeed”: Taylor BT1e Baby Taylor review
Has Taylor’s travel pioneer retained the top spot three decades on? We get hands-on to find out if it’s still the best sofa strummer out there
“One of the best electrics out there, at any price”: Yamaha Pacifica SC Professional and Standard Plus review
Yamaha’s Pacifica range has been a stalwart of the company’s electric guitar lineup since 1990. These new SC models could well represent the pinnacle of that journey
Buying Guides
Best modeling amps 2026: get iconic amp and effects tones at your fingertips
I break down the best modeling amps available, covering a range of budgets, brands and sizes
Best mini amps for guitar 2026: power up your practice with these tiny towers of tone
My top picks of small guitar amps that pack a punch and let you practice when you're short on space
Best parlor guitars 2026: sofa-friendly acoustics for every budget
The grandfather of acoustic guitars – our top parlor guitar picks from Gibson, Martin, Yamaha, and more
Best guitar cleaning kits and tools 2026: Keep your guitar looking and sounding sweet
Keep your instrument in its prime with my pick of the best cleaning kits and maintenance tools
Best ukuleles 2026: Acoustic and electric ukes for all budgets and playing styles
Get started or find your next upgrade with our pick of the best ukes from Mahalo, Martin and Cordoba, plus a cool Fender Jazzmaster ukulele
Best overdrive pedals 2026: from mid-hump to transparent tone
My pick of the top-rated overdrive pedals will get your gain tones on point
Best multi-effects pedals 2026: replace your entire rig with our top-rated multi-FX units
From the high-end Neural DSP Quad Cortex to the budget NUX MG-300, we’ve tested 17 multi-effects pedals to help you replace your rig with a single unit
