Posthumous Steve Cropper album announced, featuring some of electric guitar’s biggest names
The late Stax guitar legend has touted the star-studded affair as “the best record he’d ever made”
Latest News
Posthumous Steve Cropper album announced, featuring some of electric guitar’s biggest names
The late Stax guitar legend has touted the star-studded affair as “the best record he’d ever made”
What happened when Brian May recorded with Black Sabbath – and played through Tony Iommi’s rig
The Black Sabbath legend weighs in on the ‘gear versus player’ debate
Blur's Graham Coxon on how Damon Albarn rejecting his songs started his solo career
With eight solo records and four film scores under his belt, Coxon has looked back on the moment that led to his first solo record, 1998’s The Sky Is Too High
The blue-collar amp that Tyler Bates used on all his albums with Marilyn Manson
Since the prolific player was gifted the amp, he’s never looked back
EVH updates the Wolfgang Special line with baked maple necks and ’boards, and colors to dazzle
The Wolfgang Special Baked Maple comes in Floyd Rose and TOM configurations, while staying true to Eddie Van Halen’s shred-ready recipe
This guitarist's “baby” completely lost its finish – so PRS stepped in
The Hollow-Body II’s Blue Fade finish quite literally lived up to its name, but PRS went the extra mile when hearing about the instrument’s plight
Ronnie Wood explains his guitar dynamic with Keith Richards at launch for surprise new Rolling Stones album
The album's laundry list of star guest spots were top priority for the launch event Q&A, but arguably more interesting were the nuts-and-bolts insights into how the Stones have musically kept on, well, rolling, for well over 60 years
Fender’s Telecaster 75th anniversary show might be the greatest assemblage of Tele talent ever
Held at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, the Tele Town concert was highlighted by perhaps the most electrifying Telecaster jam of all time – featuring, to name a few participants, Jack White, Brad Paisley, Tommy Emmanuel, and John Osborne
Artists
Mark Collins on triumph, tragedy, and the long-awaited return of the Charlatans
Collins explains why the Britrock survivors still believe in albums and real amps moving air, and discusses their return to the formative Rockfield Studios after three decades
The making of the Smiths’ 1986 classic The Queen Is Dead
It was a square peg amid the shred scene and almost sank Johnny Marr, but the Smiths’ majestic third album ended up as the jewel in their crown
How the Dirty Nil’s sound runs on vintage Marshall power and a healthy serving of the Rat pedal
Weaned on the Stooges, Luke Bentham developed a taste early on for any player who could “peel paint” from the walls. Here, he walks through the high-volume approach behind the Dirty Nil's latest, which originally provoked a cease-and-desist from the Holy See...
Richard Oakes on the making of Suede’s 1996 Brit-pop classic Coming Up
Guitarist Richard Oakes arrived in the band as Bernard Butler's replacement – a relative rookie. Suede were supposedly cooked. And yet in songs like Trash and Beautiful Ones, they had something special indeed
How fast-rising blues ace Laura Chavez found her voice on guitar
On her solo debut, the longtime backup musician proves she’s got far more than the blues in her bag
38 bassists appeared on Bob Dylan albums before Tony Garnier came onboard. In the 37 years since, no others have
With a career backing artists like Bob Dylan, Dr. John, Chuck Berry, and Tom Waits, Tony Garnier is a walking textbook of bass history
Marshall Crenshaw on his Karen Carpenter tribute, why collecting is "infantile" and how he was made in Detroit
From the Hellhole collects deep cuts and EP tracks from the ’10s and it presents a unique insight into an artist who believes FM ruined radio – and who would do as many takes as it took
Gear
"Just the thing to fight back against the rise of amp modeling": Two Notes Torpedo Captor X Plus review
Two Notes' uber-popular tube amp companion just got even more powerful thanks to a swathe of additional features
Up close and personal with a '63 Strat and '70s Höfner Violin Bass with Oasis and Ocean Colour Scene connections
This 1963 Fender Stratocaster and 70s Höfner 500/1 violin bass guitar recently went under the hammer – and, as it turns out, these were Britrock unicorns for collectors
“Holy smokes, it’s absolutely stunning in person”: Fender 75th Anniversary American Ultra II Telecaster
The Telecaster has a big birthday this year, commemorated by this golden wonder
“Of all the mini practice amps I’ve tried, this is easily my favorite”: Blackstar Beam Mini review
The world of mini practice amps just got serious, with Blackstar's new Beam Mini boasting impressive tones in compact form with some surprising twists
"Who thought we’d look to the kings of gritty bass for silky neo-soul tones?" Neural DSP Darkglass Ultimate review
Neural revisits its origins with an expanded suite of Darkglass emulations that have the power to become your go-to bass plugin
“It does those Spaghetti Western sounds just as well as it does the crushingly heavy stuff”: Sterling by Music Man StingRay Baritone review
The iconic StringRay shape makes its debut in the new world of baritone guitar with some seriously impressive results
“This is the one processor that brings me significantly closer to joining the virtual amp modeling dark side”: Nux MG-50Li review
It’s glaringly apparent that the new comparitvely affordable multi-effects and amp modeler pedal is a significant leap forward for Nux
Lessons
The simple trick that adds sparkle to your songs: Nashville Tuning explained
David Gilmour, Keith Richards & Taylor Swift all do this…
Spiritbox's Mike Stringer shows you how syncopated bends can add extra spice to your metal playing
Your 21st-century metal workshop is in session, as Stringer shows you how to play Spiritbox's Holy Roller
Dare you join us at the crossroads? Welcome to the acoustic blues masterclass
Inspired by Big Bill Broonzy, Lightnin' Hopkins and the O.G. blues great Robert Johnson, this lesson just requires an acoustic guitar. Heartbreak optional
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
Reviews
"Just the thing to fight back against the rise of amp modeling": Two Notes Torpedo Captor X Plus review
Two Notes' uber-popular tube amp companion just got even more powerful thanks to a swathe of additional features
“Holy smokes, it’s absolutely stunning in person”: Fender 75th Anniversary American Ultra II Telecaster
The Telecaster has a big birthday this year, commemorated by this golden wonder
“Of all the mini practice amps I’ve tried, this is easily my favorite”: Blackstar Beam Mini review
The world of mini practice amps just got serious, with Blackstar's new Beam Mini boasting impressive tones in compact form with some surprising twists
"Who thought we’d look to the kings of gritty bass for silky neo-soul tones?" Neural DSP Darkglass Ultimate review
Neural revisits its origins with an expanded suite of Darkglass emulations that have the power to become your go-to bass plugin
“It does those Spaghetti Western sounds just as well as it does the crushingly heavy stuff”: Sterling by Music Man StingRay Baritone review
The iconic StringRay shape makes its debut in the new world of baritone guitar with some seriously impressive results
“This is the one processor that brings me significantly closer to joining the virtual amp modeling dark side”: Nux MG-50Li review
It’s glaringly apparent that the new comparitvely affordable multi-effects and amp modeler pedal is a significant leap forward for Nux
“The new vibrato only adds to the appeal – it’s easy to see how this guitar could do the business equally well for metal, jazz-fusion or function gigs”: Strandberg Boden Standard N2.6T review
A new vibrato design, on a guitar we loved already – will we be tickled pink?
"The AI-assisted future of guitar effects pedals? In its current form, not quite. But its ambition is massive": Polyend Endless review
NAMM 2026's Best in Show winner promises to provide an immersive insight into the future of guitar effects pedals – but is the potential of this stompbox well and truly endless?
Buying Guides
Best ukuleles 2026: Acoustic and electric ukes for all budgets and playing styles
Get started or find your next upgrade with our pick of the best ukes from Mahalo, Martin and Cordoba, plus a cool Fender Jazzmaster ukulele
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 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