Why Thin Lizzy’s Brian Robertson knew his stint in Motörhead was doomed
The flying Scotsman replaced Fast Eddie Clarke, and had a formidable rep as Thin Lizzy guitarist, but he soon found Motörhead were not quite his speed
![Billy Gibbons [left] plays a custom T-style; B.B. King takes a solo on Lucille.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4yzvvUKZ96pjSWVvfNDAxD-1920-80.jpg.webp)
Latest News
Why Thin Lizzy’s Brian Robertson knew his stint in Motörhead was doomed
The flying Scotsman replaced Fast Eddie Clarke, and had a formidable rep as Thin Lizzy guitarist, but he soon found Motörhead were not quite his speed
How Pat Smear surprised Dave Grohl and joined the Foo Fighters
These songs were absolutely not In Utero part II as Dave Grohl gamed-out his post-Nirvana musical future
Who's the most exciting up-and-coming guitar player?
Let us know who's got you optimistic about the future of the instrument
Ritchie Blackmore sets the record straight about his relationship with Jimmy Page
Blackmore says he has nothing but respect for the Led Zep guitarist
All the guitar gear that caught my eye this week – including a nifty new accessory that could completely change the game for guitar swaps
New drops from Gibson, PRS, John Page, Strymon and more...
Noel Gallagher’s signed Wonderwall EJ-200 smashes pre-auction estimate
As seen in the video for Wonderwall, and signed by the Chief himself... but maybe the Inspired by Gibson Custom SJ-200 presents better value?
Fender Japan drops its MIJ Hybrid II 2026 Collection – and we can’t get enough of those new finishes
New Fender Japan models offer vintage-styled specs, modern tweaks, updated electronics and absolutely killer colorways
Artists
“Bob Rock said, ‘Don’t worry, I’m gonna help you become a guitar hero.’ And he did!”: Billy Duffy on how The Cult made their most challenging hit single
The guitar icon explains how tours with Billy Idol and Guns N' Roses shaped their 1989 hit, Fire Woman
Bakithi Kumalo looks back at his formative years touring South Africa
Kumalo made a radical change in his bass technique during a tour of South Africa – before he ever played a note with Paul Simon
Miroslav Vitous on his departure from Weather Report (and his thoughts on the bassists who replaced him)
Bassist Miroslav Vitous co-founded Weather Report with fellow Miles Davis alumni Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter
“I’d seen pictures of Keith Richards playing it. I figured I’d try one out”: How Joe Perry found his ultimate slide guitar
And even better still, the Ampeg Dan Armstrong was see-through…
Val McCallum’s accidental introduction to session work
He’s worked with Jackson Browne, Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams, and others, but doesn’t regard himself as an in-demand studio guy. The gearhead lists some of his favorite tools, including a Tele Custom he didn’t expect to like
Inside the rabble-rousing country rock guitar madness of Treaty Oak Revival
A beer can in the face? That ain’t nothin’ for these punk-country-rock troubadours (who you might’ve already heard if you’ve binged on Landman)
How Rainbow bassist Craig Gruber galloped his way through a hard-rock classic alongside Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio
Having become disillusioned with Deep Purple’s growing love of funk, Ritchie Blackmore jumped ship in August 1975 – taking most of Purple’s opening act with him
Gear
“You hear the ‘Lowden effect’ immediately – even the simplest of chords seems to ring for days”: Lowden GL-J 2026 review
Ed Sheeran’s acoustic builder introduced its first production electric model to the lineup in 2018. We check in on its progress
“I think this might just be the missing analog link to complete your amp modeling rig”: Victory PowerValve 200 review
Victory's new power amp aims to marry our digitally modeled preamps to a real cabinet, whilst providing tube warmth and feel - is it the best of both worlds?
Best multi-effects pedals 2026: replace your entire rig with our top-rated multi-FX units
From the high-end Neural DSP Quad Cortex to the budget NUX MG-300, we’ve tested 17 multi-effects pedals to help you replace your rig with a single unit
Electro-Harmonix Pico Intelligent Harmony Machine review
EHX shrinks another pedal as the Intelligent Harmony Machine joins the ranks of the pedalboard-friendly Pico range
Who is buying $15 million guitars? One of the world’s leading dealers lifts the veil on the collectible guitar market
At 32, Matthieu Lucas hosts guitars wielded by the likes of Slash, Eric Clapton and AC/DC at Parisian guitar emporium Matt’s Guitar Shop. He is driven by his core belief that vintage guitars, once owned by legendary musicians, are meant to be played on stage again
The making of the Blackstar Doug Aldrich Signature DA100 Ruby
Doug Aldrich reveals how decades of vintage amps, real-world touring and close collaboration with Blackstar helped shape his DA100 Ruby signature head
“The playability is good. The ‘great’ lies in the pickup swapping”: Cream T Crossfire LT review
Brit brand Cream T aims to make instant solderless pickup-swapping even more attractive with an affordable new made-in-China range
“It can easily be seen as a gimmick, but it's much more than that. As a guitar, it’s superb; as a MIDI controller, it’s uncanny”: Strandberg x Jamstik Chameleon review
Jamstik’s new MIDI pickup tech finds a home in Strandberg’s futuristic guitar design, but is it a match made in tonal heaven?
Lessons
5 easy open-position alternate chord voicings that will give you extra jangle
James Honeyman-Scott of The Pretenders was a master at creating interesting parts from simple alternate chords. We look at five you can use in your playing
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
5 Comments
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
Reviews
“You hear the ‘Lowden effect’ immediately – even the simplest of chords seems to ring for days”: Lowden GL-J 2026 review
Ed Sheeran’s acoustic builder introduced its first production electric model to the lineup in 2018. We check in on its progress
“I think this might just be the missing analog link to complete your amp modeling rig”: Victory PowerValve 200 review
Victory's new power amp aims to marry our digitally modeled preamps to a real cabinet, whilst providing tube warmth and feel - is it the best of both worlds?
Electro-Harmonix Pico Intelligent Harmony Machine review
EHX shrinks another pedal as the Intelligent Harmony Machine joins the ranks of the pedalboard-friendly Pico range
“The playability is good. The ‘great’ lies in the pickup swapping”: Cream T Crossfire LT review
Brit brand Cream T aims to make instant solderless pickup-swapping even more attractive with an affordable new made-in-China range
“It can easily be seen as a gimmick, but it's much more than that. As a guitar, it’s superb; as a MIDI controller, it’s uncanny”: Strandberg x Jamstik Chameleon review
Jamstik’s new MIDI pickup tech finds a home in Strandberg’s futuristic guitar design, but is it a match made in tonal heaven?
"Nestles naturally against the (female) body in a way many traditional designs simply don’t": Venus Revolution review
A featherweight double-cut challenging decades of one-size-fits all guitar design
"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
Buying Guides
Best multi-effects pedals 2026: replace your entire rig with our top-rated multi-FX units
From the high-end Neural DSP Quad Cortex to the budget NUX MG-300, we’ve tested 17 multi-effects pedals to help you replace your rig with a single unit
Best Telecasters 2026: top Teles for all tastes
Whether it’s your first Telecaster or you’ve walked in the boots of guitar-playing royalty, our top Telecasters will help you get your twang on
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
