The best new guitar gear this week, ft. John Mayer's most affordable Martin yet
Gear goodies from the likes of Fender, Sundragon, Orangewood and more
![Phil Collen [left] plays his new Jackson Pro Series PC1-E onstage, and [right] the late Gary Moore in 1995, with Greeny, the Les Paul Standard now owned by Kirk Hammett.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wY8SZftfcWqPrMrj2LC4aW-320-80.jpg.webp)
![Phil Collen [left] plays his new Jackson Pro Series PC1-E onstage, and [right] the late Gary Moore in 1995, with Greeny, the Les Paul Standard now owned by Kirk Hammett.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wY8SZftfcWqPrMrj2LC4aW-1200-80.jpg.webp)
Latest News
Why acoustic phenom Marcin is embracing electric guitar
New single PANICATTACK showcases the Polish fingerstyle master’s finely honed electric chops, with the help of Polyphia producer RJ Pasin
This could be the cheapest fretless guitar on the market for Angine de Poitrine microtones on a budget
It couldn’t be more on trend if it were headless, spray painted with polka-dots and fitted with a rubber bridge – meet Orangewood’s Del Sol Baritone Fretless
PRS reveals why it decided to ditch Bird inlays for its new Tekton range
The firm’s radical new metal guitar family has turned heads, and the omission of its trademark inlays haven’t gone unnoticed
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Julian Lage on when the guitar hero who inspired him to play recruited him for the Crossroads Guitar Festival
If it wasn’t for Clapton, the jazz virtuoso says he might never have picked up a guitar
With over $200 off a Fender Player II Telecaster, Guitar Center’s full Black Friday sale just launched with a bang - grab up to 30% off the best guitar gear
Guitar Center’s Black Friday sale is live with massive discounts of up to 30% off guitars, amps, pedals, accessories, and more
Michael J. Fox on the surprise guitar cameo with Coldplay that stole the show at Glastonbury
Fox details his surprise contribution to Coldplay’s 2024 record-breaking fifth Glastonbury headline performance – and why a kick can steal the show
Gene Autry’s long-lost Martin, missing for nearly 100 years, found in rural Sweden after it was listed on Marketplace for $50
The ultra-rare OM-45 is now at the center of a Trans-Pacific ownership dispute between its current custodian and the Autry estate
Artists
Car Bomb bassist John Modell on how a support slot with Meshuggah went from band joke to reality
From chasing a dream tour to dropping their label and building a fiercely independent band, Jon Modell discusses the demands of playing bass in Car Bomb
Crossroads sequel: who we want to take Steve Vai’s place
The virtuoso has said he won’t return as Jack Butler – so, who should fill his shoes in the next great Ralph Macchio guitar battle? GW editors have their say
21 Comments
How Play That Funky Music guitarist Bryan Bassett wound up playing in three iconic rock bands
Wild Cherry, Foghat, Molly Hatchet: whoever he’s playing with, Bassett is bringing his own brand of blues-rock swagger. He looks back at recording Play That Funky Music and Foghat’s final years with Dave Peverett
The life and times of prog icon Jan Akkerman, from Brainbox to Focus
In this career-spanning interview, the Dutch master tells all, from early beginnings in the red light district to Focus, B.B. King, and synth guitar
Chris Rörland on the making of his signature Jackson, switching from Kemper to Quad Cortex and sharing the stage with historical figures
The Swedish power metaller explains the band’s contrasting guitar styles, what makes his signature 7-string a dream come true, and why he has nothing to do with their history-lesson lyrics
Billie Joe Armstrong is underrated and music is all about channeling the outer realm – meet NYC alt-rockers Telescreens
Singer/guitarist Jackson Hamm and drummer Oliver Graf join GW to explain how “pure inspiration” comes from the great beyond
How The Beaches sneaked up on the world, won seven Junos and opened for the Rolling Stones
The Canadian band only achieved global awareness after leaving their major label. But they understand the value of their awards and acclaim
L7’s Donita Sparks on the cult of Sub Pop, losing Jennifer Finch and hitting the road one last time
The alt-rock icon reflects on messing up with Pearl Jam, the band’s last hurrah and how Nirvana inspired her to up her songwriting game
Robin Finck on his Nine Inch Nails tone secrets – and why he’s selling half his gear collection
Finck’s official Reverb store will be stocked with gear from his adventures with Nine Inch Nails, Guns N’ Roses and more. He discusses some of the treasures that could be yours and the stories they carry with them
Gear
Cort L-60 review: "An exceptional sub-$300 budget acoustic guitar"
The guitar-making giant delivers a brilliant no-frills acoustic that won't break the bank
The end of single-coil hum? How Fender solved a 70-year problem
Rolled out on the American Professional Classic series, the Fender Silent System is a bid to improve on Noiseless pickups, aiming to kill off more noise and retain more tone
EarthQuaker Devices Plumes Jr MOSFET Mod review: “I set it to MOSFET and left it there”
EarthQuaker’s popular overdrive shrinks into a mini enclosure and swaps its most Tube Screamer-like voice for a punchy new clipping option
Best clip-on guitar tuners 2026: tested for acoustic and electric
Whether you play acoustic, electric, or bass, these clip-on tuners offer a quick, easy, and affordable way to achieve concert pitch every time you pick up your instrument
Best multi-effects pedals 2026: expert reviews of the ultimate digital rigs
From budget-friendly all-in-ones to professional studio tools, we break down the most capable multi-effects units on the current market
What's the best guitar cable in 2026? These are the tried & tested options I'd recommend to any player
I'm a professional guitar gear reviewer, and I've tested 12 of the best to help you find your perfect match
Best beginner electric guitars 2026: top electric models for new players, reviewed and demoed by experts
So you're a budding guitarist? Get started with our pick of the best beginner electric guitars from Squier, Yamaha, and Epiphone
Lessons
5 extended chords that add depth and harmonic richness to your playing
In this lesson, we're moving onto extended chords – experimenting with scale order for different effects
Best online guitar lessons 2026: tried and tested tuition sites and apps for all skill levels
Learning guitar online is cheaper and more flexible than private lessons, but only if you choose the right platform. Together with Guitar World’s expert team, I’ve put the top lesson sites to the test for every budget, genre, and skill level, including a fantastic free option
Eric Gales breaks down how jazz and classical influence his blues
In his latest GW lesson, Eric Gales talks jazz, blues, classical and gospel and how it relates to blues
The ultimate power chord guide: essential shapes for every genre
Guitarists as diverse as James Hetfield, Brian May, Steve Lukather and George Benson all swear by power chords. Learn the core shapes that will empower you in any genre
Alex Skolnick on how to explore legato – and explains where a little music theory can go a long way
In his second Guitar World column, the Testament guitarist uses a lick from So Many Lies to take us deeper into his Allan Holdsworth-inspired legato style
Drop C tuning: how to get to grips with the earth-shaking tuning used by Metallica and Periphery
Metal’s finest have forged some of their heaviest riffs in Drop C – now you can too
How to nail a blues-rock solo in the style of Eric Johnson
This Eric Johnson lesson serves up a solo split into four. We've got the tab and video, you bring your Strat
Reviews
Cort L-60 review: "An exceptional sub-$300 budget acoustic guitar"
The guitar-making giant delivers a brilliant no-frills acoustic that won't break the bank
EarthQuaker Devices Plumes Jr MOSFET Mod review: “I set it to MOSFET and left it there”
EarthQuaker’s popular overdrive shrinks into a mini enclosure and swaps its most Tube Screamer-like voice for a punchy new clipping option
“Despite its small stature, it’s not lacking in low-end, and has masses of tight, punchy gain on tap”: Laney Ironheart Foundry IRF60-112 review
Laney's analog solid-state renaissance continues – fresh from the Foundry, here's a gig-ready 1x12 Ironheart combo
“A wild thing, and we think you’ll love it”: Warm Audio The Black Keys Peach Fuzz review
The Black Keys team up with Warm Audio for a furry fuzz with switchable octave. Let's see if it will have the fOXX on the run
“You really can’t fault anything… unimpeachable”: Patrick James Eggle Oz Carved Top review
This cousin of a PJE Cabronita Oz features Wide Range humbuckers, ‘grained mahogany’ finish, and still boasts Eggle’s astounding attention to detail
"A nitro finish nearly always comes with a high price tag - this changes that": Patina PT-3 review
Patina looks to open the door to nitro-finished guitars for those who are on a budget.
Cort AP550M review – an astonishing parlor acoustic for $209
Can one of the largest manufacturers in the world turn out an instrument at this price that is actually worth buying? Let’s see…
Buying Guides
Best online guitar lessons 2026: tried and tested tuition sites and apps for all skill levels
Learning guitar online is cheaper and more flexible than private lessons, but only if you choose the right platform. Together with Guitar World’s expert team, I’ve put the top lesson sites to the test for every budget, genre, and skill level, including a fantastic free option
Best clip-on guitar tuners 2026: tested for acoustic and electric
Whether you play acoustic, electric, or bass, these clip-on tuners offer a quick, easy, and affordable way to achieve concert pitch every time you pick up your instrument
Best multi-effects pedals 2026: expert reviews of the ultimate digital rigs
From budget-friendly all-in-ones to professional studio tools, we break down the most capable multi-effects units on the current market
What's the best guitar cable in 2026? These are the tried & tested options I'd recommend to any player
I'm a professional guitar gear reviewer, and I've tested 12 of the best to help you find your perfect match
Best beginner electric guitars 2026: top electric models for new players, reviewed and demoed by experts
So you're a budding guitarist? Get started with our pick of the best beginner electric guitars from Squier, Yamaha, and Epiphone
Best electric guitars 2026: our top picks for every playing style, ability and budget
Useful buying advice and our expert pick of the best electric guitars for newcomers to pro players
Best acoustic guitars 2026: 10 top options for guitarists of all ages and abilities
Guitar World’s pick of the best acoustic guitars from Fender, Gibson, Martin, Taylor, Epiphone and more
