Why Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis moved away from high-end amps in favor of the humble gear he used back in the ’80s
J Mascis discusses why he has tried ditching modern amps in favor of the ones he used when recording the band’s first few albums
Latest News
Why Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis moved away from high-end amps in favor of the humble gear he used back in the ’80s
J Mascis discusses why he has tried ditching modern amps in favor of the ones he used when recording the band’s first few albums
16-year-old guitarist stuns in America’s Got Talent final by turning the White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army into a metal anthem
Wielding her vintage Ibanez, Nene Royal’s AGT run saw her perform Soundgarden, the Cranberries, and Muse classics
Dead Kennedys icon East Bay Ray reveals Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis
The Dead Kennedys co-founder has vowed to play on, with the band due to hit the road next month
Fender says it’s solved single-coil hum issues with a new breakthrough – and it could change the playing experience forever
The passive, battery-free system is built into the guitar to shut out signal hiss without hurting your tone – and it works with most pickups
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Busker unknowingly performs Coldplay classic with Chris Martin
Martin appeared out of nowhere, sung a verse, then disappeared into the night without a word
Carvin “King of Strings” Jones – once touted by Eric Clapton as “the next up-and-coming blues player” – dies at 60
Born in Texas and based in Phoenix, Arizona, Jones took East Texas blues to stages around the world, sharing bills with B.B. King, Santana, and Jeff Beck
Artists
Johnny Marr tried to make his first guitar look like Rory Gallagher’s – and it made him pass out
From the Archive Gallagher’s Strat was weathered through sweat and aggressive playing. Marr felt he could fast-track the same aesthetic
“I thought, ‘This is a McCartney song, surely? No, it’s Andy’”: Dave Gregory on the guitar story behind XTC’s 1979 classic
Twisting punk’s brutal template with angular riffs and solos, XTC’s Drums and Wires was essential listening for artsy kids circa ’79. Dave Gregory remembers butchering his SG, out-of-tune parts, and the gigs that spun out of control
Billy Squier on his classic album that went unheard when the label tried to bury it
Buried by his “malevolent” record label in ’93, Tell The Truth is the lost classic that Billy Squier hopes could bring him back from the dead
The rise and fall of Mick Ronson – rock ’n’ roll’s most quietly spoken guitar hero
In 1970, Mick Ronson changed the career of David Bowie, and went on to work with Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, Morrissey, and more
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Meet the Animeros, the Auerbach-approved guitar trio with big-screen appeal
The Austin trio’s widescreen Latin grooves have already caught Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye. Could Quentin Tarantino be next?
Duane Betts on hope, legacy, and his guitar right-hand-man
Saluting his fallen father – while surrendering his bag of tricks to producer Dave Cobb – Duane Betts’ new album reclaims that famous surname for himself
The fabled Infinite Guitar saved one of U2’s biggest hits. But why did Michael Brook’s invention never go into production?
From being horrified by Bill Nelson to sending U2 stratospheric and surviving Robert Fripp’s fiendish time signatures, the Canadian guitarist looks over a career journey that could have been very different
Gear
It's expensive, but you are getting a lot of plugin for your money": Line 6 Helix Stadium Native review
Following the launch of the Line Helix Stadium hardware, it's now Native's turn for a glow-up.
Best 12-string guitars 2026: our pick of 12-string acoustic and electric guitars
Our expert guide to the best 12-string guitars from Taylor, Rickenbacker, Fender, and others
How Fender resurrected its under-the-radar classic, the ’62 Deluxe
The ’62 Deluxe Amp returns to reveal why Fender’s ‘brown-panel’ period remains one of the most intriguing chapters in amplifier history. Fender product manager Rick Heins joins us to tell the story
“I can’t help but spend time admiring the guitar every time I pick it up.” Epiphone Futura ES-355 review
Epiphone iterates on the classic ES-355 with some stunning finishes and modern appointments
Best guitars for kids 2026: top electric and acoustic guitars for children
The top kid’s guitars available today and everything you need to know to get your child started with the guitar
Walnut brown, super-rare, these custom-order ‘50s Telecasters beg the question – who was Gillie?
We take a look at to custom Teles from 1956, one played, one left pristine, and present us with an unusual walnut stain and white pickguard look
"Still the reverb/tremolo pedal to beat": Strymon Flint V2 review
Does this John Mayer pedalboard mainstay still hold up to scrutiny in this day and age?
Lessons
If you learn one thing from Johnny Marr it should be this…
The Smiths’ chord secrets revealed
Joe Bonamassa on how to saddle up a capo and get more out of your cowboy chords
The blues maestro demonstrates how a change of key can change your perspective and give your chord work new life
Charlie Starr on how the acoustic guitar can play a vital role in songwriting
Strumming a few chords is all it takes to open up a world of possibilities for new songs, and here the Blackberry Smoke frontman shows us how
Meet the “super arpeggio” – the extended shape that can supercharge your solos
Based on an approach Larry Carlton taught him, Corey Congilio says these extended arpeggios can power up your vamping
"There's no replacement for picking up a guitar and feeling those strings": How to get your fingers fretboard ready by building your calluses the right way
How to get your fingers fretboard ready by building your calluses the right way
Eric Gales on how the blues turned his life upside down – and what you can learn from his approach
In the blues-rock maestro's new GW column, he unpacks the core influence in his playing that came from listening to the original greats
The ultimate guide to sus chords: the secret sauce shapes for the Edge, Andy Summers and the Beatles
Some of guitar’s biggest names swear by suspended chords. Learn why they’re not so sus after all…
Reviews
It's expensive, but you are getting a lot of plugin for your money": Line 6 Helix Stadium Native review
Following the launch of the Line Helix Stadium hardware, it's now Native's turn for a glow-up.
“I can’t help but spend time admiring the guitar every time I pick it up.” Epiphone Futura ES-355 review
Epiphone iterates on the classic ES-355 with some stunning finishes and modern appointments
"Still the reverb/tremolo pedal to beat": Strymon Flint V2 review
Does this John Mayer pedalboard mainstay still hold up to scrutiny in this day and age?
"It’s incredibly easy to edit and adjust sounds”: Strymon BigSky MX review
Big-box reverb workstations can bury their best sounds in menus. We put Strymon's dual-engine BigSky MX through its paces to see if it falls into the same trap
"What sets it apart is its sheer versatility and interactivity": Z.Vex Vexter Fuzz Factory review
A more affordable way to gain entry to the factory floor
“A tiny tone machine that proves solid-state can sound great”: Orange Baby Terror review
Orange expands its Baby line of products with the Baby Terror. A 20-watt solid-state amp head that is as mighty as it is mini
“Inspired generations of guitarists”: Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi review
This mid-scooped fuzz has been around for nearly 60 years, and it deserves to be around a whole lot longer
Buying Guides
Best 12-string guitars 2026: our pick of 12-string acoustic and electric guitars
Our expert guide to the best 12-string guitars from Taylor, Rickenbacker, Fender, and others
Best guitars for kids 2026: top electric and acoustic guitars for children
The top kid’s guitars available today and everything you need to know to get your child started with the guitar
Best reverb pedals 2026: from spring to shimmer, these are our top picks for your pedalboard
Take a deep dive into the cavernous world of 'verb and explore the best reverb pedals for every budget
Best signature guitars 2026: artist-endorsed electrics for every style
Discover the best signature guitars tested by the experts at Guitar World, with options from PRS, Epiphone, Ibanez, and Fender for every budget and style
Best acoustic guitars under $500 2026: get more acoustic for your money with expert picks
These sub-$500 acoustic guitars are ideal for everything from folk and indie guitar to blues and country
Best fuzz pedals 2026: add some filth to your sound with these essential pedalboard effects
Want to know your Fuzz Face from your Fuzz Gun, or channel your inner Jimi Hendrix? This guide is for you
Best baritone guitars 2026: extended-range guitars for all styles and budgets
Get low with my expert pick of the best baritone guitars from PRS, Gretsch, Jackson, and more
