Steve Morse on why his ill-fated Fender signature guitar never got off the ground
Before partnering with Ernie Ball Music Man for his now-iconic signature, Morse was courted by Fender – but the project didn’t get far
Latest News
Steve Morse on why his ill-fated Fender signature guitar never got off the ground
Before partnering with Ernie Ball Music Man for his now-iconic signature, Morse was courted by Fender – but the project didn’t get far
How Linda Perry saved 4 Non Blondes’ ’90s classic What's Up? from certain doom
Released in 1992 as the second single from their sole studio album, What's Up? became 4 Non Blondes' biggest and most enduring hit
Flea looks back on his life-changing jam with Parliament-Funkadelic guitar hero Eddie Hazel
Flea shared the stage with the P-Funk guitar icon during soundcheck at one of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' earliest European gigs
Morgan Nagler on that time Kim Deal showed up on her driveway
The Haim and Phoebe Bridgers collaborator started out as an actress, moved on to the Californian indie project Whispertown, and is now stepping out on her own
How Mk.gee is bringing back this Roland ’90s-era modeler favored by Joni Mitchell, David Lynch, and Sting
The Roland VG-8, released in 1995, was designed as “a toolbox filled with essentially every existing guitar sound” – and, over the past couple of years, has been given a new lease on life by modern-day tone hunters
Gibson gives the Les Paul Studio the Double Trouble treatment
Following last year’s Les Paul Standard Double Trouble, the pickup covers are off for a gorgeous workhorse
Why Jim Root eschewed traditional metal guitars and made the Telecaster his main Slipknot instrument
The player reveals who first drew him to the now 75-year-old instrument – and it might surprise you
Artists
Steve DiGiorgio’s life with Death – and why he wouldn’t trade Testament for Megadeth
The fretless metal bass pioneer recalls refusing to leave Testament, the homemade bass built out of necessity and Death’s determination to avoid the familiar
From touring with Metallica, to filling Geddy Lee’s shoes, they were the ’90s Seattle band that did it all – without taking the grunge tag
Candlebox guitarist Peter Klett owns up to having a big ego in the early days, recalls hitting the road with Rush, and the magical demo session for Far Behind
Steve Rothery on the guitars that changed his life – and why you don't have to spend big to find the guitar of your dreams
The longtime Marillion guitarist on why his Squier Strat might be the bargain of all-time, and the unique custom builds behind his prog sound
The mistake that led Robben Ford to buy his first great instrument – and how Miles Davis and Jeff Beck took him to the Strat
As Ford returns with Two Shades of Blue, the Californian guitar legend drops by for a video lesson and to talk all things guitar, from his adventures with big-box jazz models to Strats
Joe Perry on how the most romantic thing he has ever done involved a custom-painted guitar
The Aerosmith icon tells GW about the time he surprised his wife, Billie, with a Lucille inspired by WWII fighter pilots
Masca’s Tina Maynard on how three months in IDLES reinvented her playing – and why Teles are underrated grunge tools
On Love Letters, the Bristol, UK-based guitarist and frontwoman of ‘heavy pop’ trio Masca showcases a hard-won confidence as a guitarist and tonesmith
![ZZ Top's Dusty Hill [left] and Billy Gibbons get their work clothes on as they perform live in 1981.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bUMsKABz6njZ3udwswAzpg-840-80.jpg.webp)
“An unabashed element was the constant ferociousness of the guitar tone coming from Pearly Gates”: Billy Gibbons on the making of ZZ Top’s El Loco
How Billy Gibbons unleashed the power of his holy grail '59 Les Paul Standard for the Texan blues-rock legend's “in-between” classic, El Loco – and set the stage for ZZ Top's domination of the decade
The story of the Prince’s underrated 1986 classic – and the lip-smacking hit single that scared his record label
Parade is the Prince and the Revolution album that time forgot – and the critics panned. But it’s time for a reappraisal...
A guide to the oft-overlooked shredders who anchored Dio
From a 17-year-old prodigy to a future stadium-conquering guitar superstar, Ronnie James Dio had a dream team of six-string sidekicks over the course of his solo career – and their contributions to his catalog should be essential listening for any aspiring metal guitarist
Gear
"It gives my $2,800 American Vintage II Telecaster a serious run for its money": Fender 75th Anniversary Vintera Road Worn 1951 Telecaster review
Fender is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Telecaster in style, and this Road Worn model is an exceptional ode to the first-ever mass-produced solidbody electric guitar
Best blues guitars 2026: these six-strings are ideal for all types of electric blues covering various price points
Wondering what the best blues guitars are at the moment? Here we have 10 of the finest options from Gibson, Fender, Guild and more
Best acoustic guitar amps 2026: let your acoustic tone shine
Our expert pick of acoustic amplifiers for all budgets, from AER, Boss, Fishman, and others
"The simple layout, compact size, and beautiful tone have made me excited to pick up my acoustic guitar again and again": AER Compact 60/4 review
A compact, premium acoustic amp delivering stunning tone with simple, singer-songwriter-friendly controls
Best noise gate pedals 2026: clean up your signal with the best noise gate pedals for guitar
Unwanted noise in your chain? A noise gate pedal could be the solution
Casio Dimension Shifter review
Casio’s strap-mounted expression pedal looks to breathe new life into how we play – but it teeters on the fine line between gimmick and genius
Best 7-string guitars 2026: the ultimate guide to extended range instruments
Navigate scale lengths, active pickups, and multiscale fretboards with our expert-vetted selection of the best seven-string guitars
Lessons
How to introduce hybrid picking into your lead playing
In his inaugural Guitar World column, the great Corey Congilio demonstrates how all players can benefit from a technique borrowed from country players
How to stop burning out before you stop the music
We all know it’s tough to survive in this industry. But do we all know what to do about it? Here are some ways to look after yourself better, suggested by welfare experts
Charlie Starr on the magic of the B-Bender – and 5 bender-inspired licks you can play on any electric
The Blackberry Smoke guitarist gives us a lesson in how to sound like you've got a B-Bender, even if you don't
A blues guitar hero showed me how he held his pick – and it changed the way I played guitar
Some sage advice has shaped my entire playing journey – and anyone can give it a go for immediate results
Philip Sayce: The 5 techniques that define my sound
Turbocharge your fretting hand stretches, screaming bends and blues-rock intensity with the core techniques that shaped Philip Sayce’s signature sound
Welcome to Mike Stringer’s downpicking bootcamp, in which he teaches us the punishing string skipping techniques behind Spiritbox’s Jaded
In his debut GW column, the prog-metal master teaches you the punishing seven-string string-skipping techniques behind Spiritbox’s Jaded
Paul Gilbert: What I learned and taught at GIT
Paul was a student and a tutor at LA's G.I.T. (Guitar Institute of Technology). Here are the shred secrets he learned there – and taught
Reviews
"It gives my $2,800 American Vintage II Telecaster a serious run for its money": Fender 75th Anniversary Vintera Road Worn 1951 Telecaster review
Fender is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Telecaster in style, and this Road Worn model is an exceptional ode to the first-ever mass-produced solidbody electric guitar
"The simple layout, compact size, and beautiful tone have made me excited to pick up my acoustic guitar again and again": AER Compact 60/4 review
A compact, premium acoustic amp delivering stunning tone with simple, singer-songwriter-friendly controls
Casio Dimension Shifter review
Casio’s strap-mounted expression pedal looks to breathe new life into how we play – but it teeters on the fine line between gimmick and genius
“It will certainly take some beating”: Taylor Next Generation 324ce review
Taylor has introduced a raft of changes into its Grand Auditorium range, including revised bracing, an easily adjustable neck system, and a new pickup
“Both amps dazzle”: Blackstar TV-10 AH & TV-10 BH heads review
Can this pair of new compact heads from Blackstar – the US-styled TV-10 AH and its British-counterpart, the TV-10 BH – deliver those classic tones?
“Out of the box, there’s something to suit any genre”: Kemper Profiler Player review
With the pedalboard user in mind, Kemper has downsized for its compact new Profiler Player
"An enlightening instrument that will force you to think about new ways to play the guitar – but it won't be for everyone": Taylor Jacob Collier Academy 22e 5-string review
Jacob Collier has become a modern day guitar hero, and his unorthodox five-string guitars have helped him carve out a new path for guitar playing
“Is it worth the higher price tag? For some, it won’t matter, but for others, it is something to weigh on heavily”: Act Entertainment Sterling Vermin RAT Distortion Pedal review
The Sterling Vermin impressively presents itself as an evolved and cultivated RAT pedal dressed in shining armor
Buying Guides
Best blues guitars 2026: these six-strings are ideal for all types of electric blues covering various price points
Wondering what the best blues guitars are at the moment? Here we have 10 of the finest options from Gibson, Fender, Guild and more
Best acoustic guitar amps 2026: let your acoustic tone shine
Our expert pick of acoustic amplifiers for all budgets, from AER, Boss, Fishman, and others
Best noise gate pedals 2026: clean up your signal with the best noise gate pedals for guitar
Unwanted noise in your chain? A noise gate pedal could be the solution
Best 7-string guitars 2026: the ultimate guide to extended range instruments
Navigate scale lengths, active pickups, and multiscale fretboards with our expert-vetted selection of the best seven-string guitars
Best beginner guitar amps 2026: my top picks from over a decade working in music retail
After nearly 10 years working in a busy high-street music store, I’ve seen which beginner amps truly deliver, offering the best value, most useful features, and long-lasting popularity from brands like Blackstar, Fender, Positive Grid, and more
Best budget bass amps 2026: brilliant bass tone without a hefty price tag
Deliver low-end punch without the high-end price tag: the best budget bass amps from Fender, Ampeg and more
Best acoustic guitars under $1,000 in 2026: great tone for less
Enjoy superb playability and sound with our guide to the top mid-priced acoustics from the likes of Epiphone, Fender, Martin and more
