July 2026 Guitar World Editors' Picks
Featuring a ferocious new single from the future of shred, defiantly optimistic post-punk, “ecstasy for the ears” indie, irresistible jazz fusion, and much more
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July 2026 Guitar World Editors' Picks
Featuring a ferocious new single from the future of shred, defiantly optimistic post-punk, “ecstasy for the ears” indie, irresistible jazz fusion, and much more
How John Squire’s replacement had to reinvent his playing when he joined the Stone Roses
Aziz Ibrahim says replacing the beloved guitarist was “bittersweet” – and he had a tough time settling into the gig
Tony Iommi reveals Brian May’s role on his upcoming solo record
The Black Sabbath riffsmith recently announced the release date of his new album, From the Dark
Mick Gordon to perform Doom score live for the very first time next year
The Australian composer will bring the post-apocalyptic first-person shooter vibes – and his infamous Doom Machine – when he headlines the UK's RADAR Festival 2027
Geezer Butler gets a limited-edition combo and Dingwall honors a modern metal great in July’s biggest bass releases
From classic heavy-metal thunder to the soulful tones of reggae, these are the bass releases putting some serious weight behind July’s gear calendar
D’Addario sets the record straight over generative AI accusations
The string maker was recently accused of using generative AI to create the music for a product demo video
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Ozzy Osbourne's best friend on the legend's final days
Billy Idol's rhythm guitarist, Billy Morrison, was the Prince of Darkness' best friend for three decades
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Artists
Zac Schulze on the ultimate eBay bargain Strat, and the greatest blues tone ever
The Zac Schulze Gang's eponymous band leader discusses blues heroes, tone tricks, and how the sound of the fast-rising UK blues-rock band came together
Dominic Davis on growing up with Jack White and what he’s learned playing bass with him
The session ace talks essential bass gear, channeling John Paul Jones on Jack White's new album, and explains how working with White has made him rethink his tone and his playing
Chris Caffery on the return of Savatage, and his guitar partnership with the late Criss Oliva
Ahead of the release of a new classic lineup era live album, he looks back on working with the queen of rock and the king of polka, and admits to pride over a unique Trans-Siberian Orchestra stat
Why Bad Brains icon Darryl Jenifer traded punk for instrumental jazz – without changing his bass
The Bad Brains bassist discusses his new jazz album and why decades with one instrument taught him that great tone starts in your fingertips
Remembering the late Alan Entwistle – pickups guru, guitar electrics whiz, repair man to the British blues boom
The great electronics designer has died at 79, leaving his retro-modern pickups to echo his genius in countless electric guitars
Laura Cox on taking her sound from YouTube to the studio and the stage – and the release from playing with “real people”
Now a fully fledged touring artist with three albums to her credit, the French blues-rocker talks Les Pauls vs SG, studio pressure and Marshall amps
Meet Opal Ocean, the viral Aussie duo reimagining flamenco guitar
Alex Champ and Nadav Tabak explain why the sky is the limit with the nylon-string guitar
Gear
"The build quality is superb, it plays like a dream": Sire Larry Carlton S7 Ash Top review
With a raft of premium features, Sire's super value-for-money S-style makes a concrete case for dodging the big brands
"Any aspiring dirt purveyor worth their salt will naturally gravitate toward the HalfLife’s crushing wall of sound" EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife Octave Distortion & Booster review
EQD’s HalfLife pedal delivers the droned, bottom-heavy fury inspired by Sunn O))) with uncompromising force
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
“Every note comes out with punch and clarity. You could immediately slot it into a mix”: Ibanez Mode MDM1300 review
Ibanez takes on the boutique-styled ‘super Jazz’ market – has it cracked it?
Best bass preamp pedals 2026: consistently great tone, wherever you are
Unlock bass preamp power with our expert picks from Orange, Ampeg, Electro Harmonix and more…
Best acoustic guitar pickups 2026: electrify your acoustic with our expert picks
Whether it be for performing live or recording at home, the best acoustic guitar pickups from LR Baggs, Fishman and others will help you enhance your tone
The hidden history of Eric Clapton’s 1960 Summersburst Les Paul Standard
When his ‘Beano’ ’Burst was stolen, Slowhand reached out to Andy Summers for a replacement – and the guitar became the sound of Cream
Lessons
How to build a compelling rhythm guitar part with triads
Confused about triads? They are just chords with three notes, and as Corey Congilio demonstrates here, they can be the building block of a great guitar part
If you learn one thing from Buddy Guy it should be this
Get that Buddy Guy-like phrasing by mastering his signature style: rhythmic on-grid and off-grid phrasing
Switching guitar chords is one of the hardest parts of learning. This exercise will help you master changing chords faster
Beginner guitarists, this is your fast track to nailing those chord changes in time with the music
John Paul Jones breaks down four Led Zeppelin classics, and how they demonstrate where and when to leave space
The bass legend illustrates his “hard and soft” approach via Trampled Under Foot, The Song Remains the Same, Kashmir, and What Is and What Should Never Be
5 chord voicings that are a songwriter’s best friend
Despite the ‘four lads from Liverpool’ tag, The Beatles used some very sophisticated chords in many of their songs, and the audience lapped them up
From B.B. King to Eric Clapton and Otis Rush, the blues is the core element of Joe Bonamassa's playing
In this essential video lesson with the guitar superstar, he explains why it doesn't matter what style he is playing – it always begins and ends with the blues
Best online guitar lessons 2026: I tested 20+ apps and sites to help you play faster, smarter, and cheaper
Learning guitar online is cheaper and more flexible than traditional tuition, 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
Reviews
"The build quality is superb, it plays like a dream": Sire Larry Carlton S7 Ash Top review
With a raft of premium features, Sire's super value-for-money S-style makes a concrete case for dodging the big brands
"Any aspiring dirt purveyor worth their salt will naturally gravitate toward the HalfLife’s crushing wall of sound" EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife Octave Distortion & Booster review
EQD’s HalfLife pedal delivers the droned, bottom-heavy fury inspired by Sunn O))) with uncompromising force
“Every note comes out with punch and clarity. You could immediately slot it into a mix”: Ibanez Mode MDM1300 review
Ibanez takes on the boutique-styled ‘super Jazz’ market – has it cracked it?
“Strangely unique after all these years”: Danelectro Dan O Cool and Dan O Mano review
Danelectro presents a pair of far-from-historically-correct Short Horns. Where to start?
“A step towards the upper echelon of acoustic guitar lutherie at a very reasonable price”: Cort Gold-A10 Cocobolo review
Cort introduces a gold standard to its acoustic line with a grand auditorium model that pairs two of the mightiest tonewoods
“This is the sound in every Green Day fan's head”: Marshall Billie Joe Armstrong Signature 1959BJA review
The legendary Green Day frontman’s new amp – Time of Your Life, or a Basket Case?
Darkglass Anagram Limited Edition Guitar Essentials review
Darkglass goes guitar with the Guitar Essentials package and this limited edition, facelift version of the hardware, in collaboration with Andertons and Sweetwater.
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 bass preamp pedals 2026: consistently great tone, wherever you are
Unlock bass preamp power with our expert picks from Orange, Ampeg, Electro Harmonix and more…
Best acoustic guitar pickups 2026: electrify your acoustic with our expert picks
Whether it be for performing live or recording at home, the best acoustic guitar pickups from LR Baggs, Fishman and others will help you enhance your tone
Best online guitar lessons 2026: I tested 20+ apps and sites to help you play faster, smarter, and cheaper
Learning guitar online is cheaper and more flexible than traditional tuition, 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 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 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 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
