My pick of the best new guitar gear launched this week – including Sleep Token’s debut signatures
All the big new drops from PRS Guitars, Charvel, Jackson, Gibson, Friedman Amplification and much more
Latest News
Friedman honors one of the most iconic amp modders of all time with new Jose 20 amps
Dave Friedman has teamed up with the late Jose Arredondo’s daughter for a 20W head and 1x12 combo that champions his innovative amp mods
John Mayer to induct Paul Reed Smith into Guitar Center Rockwalk
The esteemed guitar builder’s dedication to craftsmanship and innovation has been recognized
How Brian May ended up playing on Tony Iommi's forthcoming solo album
The two legends have been friends for over five decades and previously collaborated on a Black Sabbath and solo Iommi track
Guitar Hero’s spiritual successor is stacked with iconic tracks – but some big hitters are missing
Stage Tour comes from the makers of the cultural smash and is set to release on December 10
John Mayer pays tribute to Dolly Parton with instrumental I Will Always Love You cover
Mayer included a short tribute to the Queen of Country during his SiriusXM concert at the Stephen Talkhouse
The Beatles’ Day Tripper almost didn’t have its iconic guitar riff – as a recently unearthed recording reveals
A newly released demo highlights John Lennon and Paul McCartney's songwriting dynamic on what would become yet another Beatles classic
Joe Bonamassa pays tribute to Tim Curry as he shares their unlikely connection
Tim Curry, best known for his role in the 1975 film adaptation of The Rocky Horror Show, launched his debut album in 1978, which included Sloe Gin, later covered by Bonamassa
Artists
Manning the world’s first production fretless bass, Rick Danko had to be laser-sharp in the Band
Along with Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones and Boz Burrell of Bad Company, Rick Danko was one of the earliest players to take fretless bass guitar into the mainstream
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram on the enduring appeal of the Fender Telecaster
The modern day blues king is a Telecaster signature artist and an advocate for its bona-fides as the working player's guitar
Steve Louw on making his folk-country rock mashup – with a little help from Joe Bonamassa once again
Traces of the Flood is produced by Kevin Shirley, features Louw making the most of a third guitarist, and channeling his Dylan influences for one of the most breathtaking records of 2026
Why I spent 15 years playing guitar to killer whales
In their own words His work was dismissed by scientists, but Jim Nollman’s playing was admired by orcas for years. Now he’s releasing an album of oceanic field recordings that capture his efforts
Robert Fripp on his landmark David Bowie sessions – and why he didn’t join the legendary singer on tour
In their own words When David Bowie needed a unique guitar voice for Heroes, he called Robert Fripp. In his own words, the King Crimson founder recalls those heady days “by the Wall”
Dolly Parton on writing Jolene’s iconic guitar parts and pushing the boundaries of her playing (before the long fingernails)
Jolene’s guitar parts were eventually recorded by Nashville session players Wayne Moss and Chip Young
Patrick Simmons recalls the time the Doobie Brothers were stars of the small screen
Patrick Simmons on why some Doobies weren’t originally gung-ho about appearing in those classic 1978 episodes of What’s Happening!!
Gear
Thorn Soundlabs Flex Series pedals review
This new range of pedals straight out of Music City, USA, is designed for flexibility – meet the Bad Cash, Silver Spurs, Black Swamp, The FreaQ, Steam and Tremonator
“Compares well with instruments costing at least twice as much”: Epiphone Marcus King Dorado review
Epiphone revives its early 1970s Japanese-made El Dorado acoustic in the form of a very special Marcus King limited-edition
How Blind Guitars is redefining the traditional blues acoustic guitar
The B-24L has a price tag to send anyone down to the crossroads in search of a deal – but it delivers a sumptuous playing experience
“It’s staggering that a $329 bass can play like this”: Sire Marcus Miller V1 review
Marcus Miller-approved bass range gets a new baby sibling – is it worthy of the name?
On the shop floor at legendary Asbury Park guitar store Russo Music – where no day is a bad day
We visit Russo Music, where for over 60 years it has served Asbury Park, NJ, and now has stores in Hamilton Township and Philly
"A touch-responsive, dynamic drive that reacts like a good amplifier": Warm Audio Dirty Boy Jr. Overdrive review
Warm Audio teams up with a boutique legend to bring a sought-after drive to the masses
Best Gibson SGs 2026: Our budget-spanning picks of Gibson’s famous Solid Guitar
From retro reissues to contemporary shredders, here are the best Gibson SGs on the market right now
Lessons
Country icon Dolly Parton’s ‘thumb and flick’ playing style is essential learning for acoustic players
The late music icon had a distinctive approach to country rhythm, using alternating bassline picking and bluegrass soloing techniques
Learn “pendulum” strumming – the secret to natural-sounding chords
Take your rhythm playing beyond beginner with this simple exercise
How to write a “song within a song” with your guitar solos
Blackberry Smoke frontman Charlie Starr demonstrates how the solo really can serve the song – by being the song
Who’s afraid of the Mixolydian mode? Here’s how you can use it for triads
Corey Congilio wasn't that fussed about the Mixolydian mode at first but now he's a believer – and this lesson shows you just how practical it can be
Joe Bonamassa explains why varying your pick attack is a fundamental part of your playing style
Want to find your voice? Switch up your pick attack and put some character into your phrasing
Learn the all-purpose passing chord – the get-out-of-jail-free hack used by Kurt Cobain and Billie Joe Armstrong
You’ve heard it in Smells Like Teen Spirit and countless other grunge and punk classics. You may even already be doing it…
How rhythm and lead techniques can combine for the ultimate blues solo – especially in a trio
This lesson presents an improvised blues solo as a launchpad for your own improv
Reviews
Thorn Soundlabs Flex Series pedals review
This new range of pedals straight out of Music City, USA, is designed for flexibility – meet the Bad Cash, Silver Spurs, Black Swamp, The FreaQ, Steam and Tremonator
“Compares well with instruments costing at least twice as much”: Epiphone Marcus King Dorado review
Epiphone revives its early 1970s Japanese-made El Dorado acoustic in the form of a very special Marcus King limited-edition
“It’s staggering that a $329 bass can play like this”: Sire Marcus Miller V1 review
Marcus Miller-approved bass range gets a new baby sibling – is it worthy of the name?
"A touch-responsive, dynamic drive that reacts like a good amplifier": Warm Audio Dirty Boy Jr. Overdrive review
Warm Audio teams up with a boutique legend to bring a sought-after drive to the masses
"An unusual pedal that's trying to do something new": DOD Drag Analog Delay Pedal review
The spiritual successor to the DOD Rubberneck is just as weird
Charvel Sleep Token III Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass V review
Behold – a five-string offering from Charvel, on behalf of mysterious modern metal outfit Sleep Token
"Surprised me with its versatility": Jackson Pro Plus Series Sleep Token IV Monarkh SC review
A 30-inch extended-scale guitar built for crushing, low-tuned modern metal riffs can't be versatile too, can it?
Buying Guides
Best Gibson SGs 2026: Our budget-spanning picks of Gibson’s famous Solid Guitar
From retro reissues to contemporary shredders, here are the best Gibson SGs on the market right now
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 cheap acoustic guitars 2025: budget acoustics with genuine pedigree
Great tone doesn’t have to break the bank – these are the best cheap acoustic guitars from Fender, Yamaha, Cort and more
Best tube amps 2026: unlock incredible tone with my pick of valve amplifiers for stage, studio or home
Plug into legendary dynamic response and organic warmth with my top-rated valve amplifiers for every budget and playing style
Best clip-on guitar tuners 2026: hit the right note with my top pick of cost-effective tuners
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 FRFR speakers 2026: transparent tone for multi-effects and amp modelers
Get the most out of your modeler with my pick of FRFR speakers, from on-the-go options to arena-filling mammoths – these active speakers from Fender, Laney, IK Multimedia and more are tonally transparent beasts
Hang about! If you're in the need of something to display a single or multiple guitars and to always have an axe to hand, this is my pick of the best stands and hangers for your guitars right now
Hang about! These are the best stands and hangers for your guitars right now
