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Charvel returns to California with new USA-made Neo-Classic Superstrats
Two distinct models help mark a triumphant return to the Corona factory
Latest News
Charvel returns to California with new USA-made Neo-Classic Superstrats
Two distinct models help mark a triumphant return to the Corona factory
How Joe Satriani found the amp builder for his dream Eddie Van Halen tone
Satriani needed an amp with exacting specifications for the Best of All Worlds tour – and he got more than he bargained for
Ed Sheeran launches signature Orange amp range - could it topple the Roland Cube as the busking combos to beat?
With an abundance of Sheeran-approved specs, the Outlowd ES amps look to nurture the next generation of musicians
Epiphone launches hotly anticipated reissue of Alex Lifeson’s iconic ES-355 – just in time for Rush's return to the stage
The original ES-355 was Lifeson's main guitar for decades, featuring on almost every Rush record before it was sold at auction in 2022
PRS has launched a new SE model for an anime character
It's a unique recreation of the guitar used by the lead character in hit anime series, Rock is a Lady’s Modesty
Gibson supercharges the Victory with one key upgrade
The Victory has finally got the spec that fans have been begging for
Extreme and Red Hot Chili Peppers classics among first tracks confirmed for Guitar Hero's successor, Stage Tour
The game seems to be taking a page from Guitar Hero's playbook by featuring both old-school legends and more contemporary powerhouses
Artists
Lenny Kravitz on the time he blew Prince’s mind with his guitar tone
Kravitz's straight-into-the-amp setup – which has been at the core of his sound for most of his career – left pedal fan Prince with his jaw on the floor
Guitar tone gourmand Ariel Posen spills the secrets to his sound
The sonic adventurist’s latest album used a treasure trove of guitar, amp and pedal exotica, resulting in his best recording yet
Greg Chaisson waited years to reunite with Jake E. Lee. But then he had to quit, and couldn’t say why
The bassist, who failed his Ozzy audition but wound up in Badlands instead, recalls pushing boundaries with Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, falling into the music business despite sport aspirations, and being forced to use a substandard bass in the studio
The call that ended Flea’s days as a pick-playing punk and set him on the path to worldwide fame with the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Flea went on to have major success with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who released their self-titled debut album later that year
Failure’s Ken Andrews on teaming up with Hayley Williams and his return from near-death
After a scary hospital experience, the guitarist lost his mojo for a while – but he’s back with Location Lost, an album that features new twists and turns, along with classic attitude
The moment Jack Gardiner realized Giacomo Turra had lifted his licks
The serial solo thief targeted a range of virtuosos, but Jack Gardiner was one of the first to realize he’d been a victim
From Eric Clapton to Daft Punk and Avenged Sevenfold, Greg Leisz has played with everyone
He says finding himself working with Matthew Sweet, k.d. lang, and Lucinda Williams has been a dream. But he still wants his stolen ’64 Strat back
Gear
Best guitar plugins 2026: my top plugins to level up your recorded guitar tones
Get better guitar tones for recording and practice with my pick of the best guitar amp plugins
Best guitar straps 2026: play in comfort and secure your guitar in style – budget-spanning choices from a guitar salesman
My expert pick of straps for electric, acoustic and bass, covering all budgets and materials. Plus, buying advice to help you decide
Give your guitar-obsessed dad something he'll actually use this Father's Day – including a best-in-class desktop amp, an intriguing way he can recycle old guitar strings, and more
Save your papa from yet another boring Father's Day with my 9 hand-picked gift ideas for the guitar-playing dad in your life
Yamaha 60th Anniversary RSP20B and RS02CB Chris Buck review
After redesigning the ‘new’ Revstar back in 2022, Yamaha has added two models to the line-up: a 60th Anniversary knees-up and Chris Buck signature model
The $330,200 Fender Telecaster that connects Danny Gatton to Lou Reed
Lou Reed's ‘Goldie’ Tele is an early ’90s gem that went under the hammer at the record-breaking Jim Irsay auction
“I’ve been playing B-benders since 1999, so I was eager to get my mitts on this guitar”: Fender John Osborne Telecaster review
The country-rock star’s Tele tears up the template – and could be your fastest ticket to B-bender tone
What makes this 1957 Les Paul Special such a smokeshow?
This gorgeous and striking late-’50s Special turned out to have freakishly good pickups, says Sunbear Pickups founder Stu Robson – and he can't explain why
Lessons
Pinch Harmonics made easy: how to get the perfect squeal
Our definitive guide on how Billy Gibbons, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai and Zakk Wylde make their guitars scream
The secret to great guitar solos isn’t technique – it’s rhythm
All the greats put themselves into their phrasing, and that identity was not only note choice but rhythm. Here are four ways you can add rhythmic interest to great effect
If you learn one thing from Jake E. Lee it should be this: bigger stretches for better shredding
Try this enhanced lesson to strengthen your fourth finger and use your thumb for wide fretting like the iconic Ozzy Osbourne guitarist
How to funk up your blues solos
Taking cues from John Mayer, Jimi Hendrix and Nile Rodgers, this lesson offers three examples of phrases that add rhythm and movement to blues
“To some people, this is more of a ‘jazzy’ sound”: How to use dominant 7 arpeggios in a guitar solo
Because you can't have enough exit ramps from traditional blues phrases, here's how you can use the notes of a dominant 7 chord to spice up your solos
5 chords that sound like they’re in an open tuning (but aren’t)
Because sometimes retuning your guitar is, well, a pain in the backside – and there are workarounds
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
Reviews
Yamaha 60th Anniversary RSP20B and RS02CB Chris Buck review
After redesigning the ‘new’ Revstar back in 2022, Yamaha has added two models to the line-up: a 60th Anniversary knees-up and Chris Buck signature model
“I’ve been playing B-benders since 1999, so I was eager to get my mitts on this guitar”: Fender John Osborne Telecaster review
The country-rock star’s Tele tears up the template – and could be your fastest ticket to B-bender tone
"A genuinely brilliant guitar that can do far more than its heavy metal aesthetic suggests": Ibanez Iron Label AZ41B1 review
Ibanez's pitch-black metal machine is hiding a secret beneath its stealthy exterior
Ancoats Granada Special review – a unique modern-retro design with a fresh approach to relic’ing
This UK boutique build references the long-gone Granada Television, another Manchester oddity, and creates a new spin on the T-style
“A fine, gig-ready instrument with premium build quality”: Taylor Gold Label 710E review
As part of an ongoing revision to its esteemed catalog, Taylor has introduced a deep-bodied dreadnought into the fold. Let’s take it out for a spin
"The price might be chunky, but the playing experience, build and sonic delivery are tough to argue with": Ibanez Alpha A528 review
It’s already caused a stir online, but does the Alpha eight-string multi-scale prove itself in person?
Positive Grid Reactor 100 Intelligent Guitar Combo Amp review
Positive Grid is branching out from the market-conquering Spark family with a bold new lineup that could spell trouble for the Boss Katana
Buying Guides
Best guitar plugins 2026: my top plugins to level up your recorded guitar tones
Get better guitar tones for recording and practice with my pick of the best guitar amp plugins
Best guitar straps 2026: play in comfort and secure your guitar in style – budget-spanning choices from a guitar salesman
My expert pick of straps for electric, acoustic and bass, covering all budgets and materials. Plus, buying advice to help you decide
Best single coil pickups 2026: from trailblazing designs to vintage traditionalists
From Fender Telecaster twang to Gibson P-90 bite, we’ve compiled our pick of the best aftermarket single coils your money can buy right now
Best budget guitar amps under $500 2026: cost-cutting amplifiers for every player
Get great sounds and features without blowing your budget – from affordable tube amps to wallet-friendly digital modeling amps and everything in between
Best octave pedals for bass 2026: Pitch-shift your playing with my pick of essential pedalboard additions
Looking for a new octave pedal to add to your bass rig, or are you entering the world for the first time? Here's are my top choices along with expert buying advice
Best 3/4 acoustic guitars 2026: small-bodied, short scale sensations from Taylor, Martin, Faith, and more
I count down the best compact acoustics for new players, smaller guitarists and those looking for a neat 'couch guitar'
Best overdrive pedals for bass 2026: The ultimate in bass saturation at all price points
My pick of the top-rated overdrive pedals for bass players from the likes of EBS, Electro-Harmonix, Origin Effects, and more
