How Randy Bachman saved Gretsch after its factory burned down
Bachman became obsessed with collecting Gretsch guitars after his prized 6120 model was stolen in 1976
Latest News
How Randy Bachman saved Gretsch after its factory burned down
Bachman became obsessed with collecting Gretsch guitars after his prized 6120 model was stolen in 1976
Jerry Cantrell looks back on the guitar gift from Eddie Van Halen that went missing
Cantrell opens up on the nearly-two decade search to find his Van Halen Music Man
This browser-based amp and effects generator creates guitar tones based on text prompts – and it’s free to use
The tech generates tweakable tones from prompts, with no installs needed – and it’s free to try out
Gus G opens up on missing out on Back to the Beginning
The guitarist was a notable absentee at Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell show, but accepted it wasn’t meant to be
Billy Corgan trained himself to play in pitch black
Corgan reveals the unconventional approach he took to learn the instrument
Petition launched for Randy Rhoads memorial statue in his hometown of Burbank
The project already has the backing of Randy’s sister, as well as his former Ozzy bandmate
Dave Mustaine reflects on the overarching influence he had on the guitarists of the Big Four of thrash metal
Mustaine makes a compelling argument that he directly inspired the likes of Kerry King and Scott Ian
Artists
Laura Snowden on how downtuning makes classical guitar “creepy” and what she learned from the great Julian Bream
The classical guitarist's solo debut, This Changing Sky, is a breathtaking work that finds her exploring altered tunings in search of drama
The life and times of Ralph Towner, the endlessly curious frontiersman of acoustic jazz
Taking influence from Indian classical, Brazilian bossa nova and beyond, this late jazz master’s touch and vision equalled anyone on the fusion scene
Ariel Posen on Jeff Beck, amp strategies and how his thirst for fresh tones inspired one of the most unorthodox Strats ever
Posen's new album, Bannatyne, finds the Canadian flipping the script for rock guitar, exploring in full the creative potential of that quite brilliant signature Strat of his
The life and times of B.B. King
To celebrate the King of the Blues' centenary, we rewind the reels of a life story that’s equal parts pain and redemption…
Chris Spedding on his favorite sessions with Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce and John Cale
From handling Jack Bruce’s temper, to Brian Eno’s budget studio and Macca’s post-Beatles era, the UK session veteran picks his most treasured moments
Out went David Lee Roth and Frankenstein, in came Sammy Hagar and Kramer – the story of Van Halen’s rebirth
It was the end of an era. Roth’s exit, Frankenstein's last hurrah. But it was the start of a new one as Eddie Van Halen got experimental on 1986's blockbuster, 5150
Steve DiGiorgio’s life with Death – and why he wouldn’t trade Testament for Megadeth
The fretless metal bass pioneer recalls refusing to leave Testament, the homemade bass built out of necessity and Death’s determination to avoid the familiar
From touring with Metallica, to filling Geddy Lee’s shoes, they were the ’90s Seattle band that did it all – without taking the grunge tag
Candlebox guitarist Peter Klett owns up to having a big ego in the early days, recalls hitting the road with Rush, and the magical demo session for Far Behind
“I had a couple of drinks and started thinking, ‘I wonder if they have an Ovation Breadwinner…’” Jake E. Lee on the ultimate ’70s oddball guitar – and how he found a holy grail Marshall for $80 while touring with Ozzy
The ex-Ozzy guitarist talks about his love for SGs, his disdain for bad amps, and how you can find a connection with the most unlikely instruments
Gear
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?
"Modeling tech has gotten so good I doubt many guitarists would be able to tell the difference": Analog vs. digital rig build challenge - here’s how two very different players would spend $2,500
One player puts his stake in tubes and pedals; the other in IRs and FRFRs. We gave them both $2,500 to build the ultimate mid-tier rig
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
Decoding the mysteries of the 1967 Martin D-35S with the slotted headstock
Martin’s slope-shouldered dread style meets innovative three-piece rosewood backs in this slept-on design from an undervalued period in the acoustic brand's storied history
"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
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
Lessons
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
Paul Gilbert: What I learned and taught at GIT
Paul was a student and a tutor at LA's G.I.T. (Guitar Institute of Technology). Here are the shred secrets he learned there – and taught
Reviews
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
"It made me excited to pick up my acoustic guitar again and again": AER Compact 60/4 review
A compact, premium acoustic amp delivering stunning tone with simple, singer-songwriter-friendly controls
“As fun as it can be, I’m struggling to see where it would fit into my rig longterm”: Casio Dimension Shifter review
Casio’s strap-mounted expression pedal looks to breathe new life into how we play – but it teeters on the fine line between gimmick and genius
“It will certainly take some beating”: Taylor Next Generation 324ce review
Taylor has introduced a raft of changes into its Grand Auditorium range, including revised bracing, an easily adjustable neck system, and a new pickup
“Both amps dazzle”: Blackstar TV-10 AH & TV-10 BH heads review
Can this pair of new compact heads from Blackstar – the US-styled TV-10 AH and its British-counterpart, the TV-10 BH – deliver those classic tones?
“Out of the box, there’s something to suit any genre”: Kemper Profiler Player review
With the pedalboard user in mind, Kemper has downsized for its compact new Profiler Player
"An enlightening instrument that will force you to think about new ways to play the guitar – but it won't be for everyone": Taylor Jacob Collier Academy 22e 5-string review
Jacob Collier has become a modern day guitar hero, and his unorthodox five-string guitars have helped him carve out a new path for guitar playing
Buying Guides
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
Best budget bass amps 2026: brilliant bass tone without a hefty price tag
Deliver low-end punch without the high-end price tag: the best budget bass amps from Fender, Ampeg and more
