Australian Guitar

Latest news

Tim Henson, Manuel Gardner Fernandes and Scott LePage

“3 God-tier guitarists on one track”: Tim Henson, Scott LePage and Manuel Gardner Fernandes make late plays for solos of the year on fretboard-melting new collab

By Matt Owen published

Featuring members of Polyphia and Unprocessed, Die on the Cross of the Martyr unites three of today's finest progressive virtuosos – and the result is “the ultimate guitar nerd’s wet dream”

A Sterling by Music Man John Petrucci signature electric guitar on a blue background

Quick! There are only 3 days left to take advantage of Sweetwater's unbelievable up to 80% off Cyber Week Sale

By Matt McCracken published

These sweet deals on guitars, pedals, and amps are still live but won’t be around for much longer

J Mascis and Warren Haynes perform live

Warren Haynes lends his epic solo chops to Dinosaur Jr. as he jams Neil Young and the Cure with J Mascis

By Jonathan Horsley published

The Gov’t Mule frontman became the latest high-profile guest on Dinosaur Jr.’s tour celebrating 30 years of Where You Been, when he joined them at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in New York

Eddie Van Halen and Joe Satriani

“He just could not be contained. That was what was so beautiful... If you’ve been tasked with the job of imitating him, it’s like, ‘Well, which moment?’” Joe Satriani says the biggest challenge in covering Eddie Van Halen is pinning him down

By Matt Parker published

The virtuoso has been sharing his thoughts on how to tackle covering one of the world's greatest guitarists – and how to find the sweet spot in EVH's rigs

Kiss

“The new Kiss era begins now”: Watch Kiss close out their 50-year live career with epic last-ever performance – before announcing plans for “digital immortality”

By Matt Owen published

A 23-song setlist filled with hits, some trademark displays of showmanship and a surprise cameo from the digital stars set to carry Kiss into their next era

Myles Goodwyn

Myles Goodwyn, April Wine frontman and Canadian rock legend, dies aged 75

By Jonathan Horsley published

Goodwyn had stepped down from touring with the Canadian Music Hall of Famers in recent months

Latest Updates

Slipknot

Live Review: Knotfest, Sydney 25/03/23

By Australian Guitar published

"Knotfest is home for the maggots who never felt that they had a home anywhere else"

Polaris

Live Review: Polaris, Melbourne 10/03/23

By Ellie Robinson published

“If there’s any band can take our expectations and shatter them in the most beautiful and brutal of ways, it’s Polaris”

Phil Manning

Melbourne Guitar Show 2023: Phil Manning on his five favourite guitars

By Ellie Robinson published

"I just love guitars and, although I’m definitely not a collector, I have quite a few, all of which are special in their own way"

NOFX

Live Review: Good Things Festival, Melbourne 02/12/22

By Ellie Robinson published

“This edition offered one of the best festival experiences we’ve had in years”

NOFX

NOFX’s Fat Mike on Australia, ‘Double Album’ and the power of pegging

By Ellie Robinson published

Ahead of the punk icons’ hotly awaited return down under, Australian Guitar gets the lowdown on NOFX’s upcoming 15th AND 16th albums, what the future holds beyond their final tour, and… Lots of sex stuff

Adalita

Adalita: “I thought the songs were just too good to not release”

By Ellie Robinson published

Nine years in the making, Magic Dirt frontwoman Adalita has returned with her third solo album, ‘Inland’. Australian Guitar finds out why it’s worth the wait

Five Island Drive

Australian Guitar’s Fresh Frets: Vol. 12

By Ellie Robinson published

On the lookout for your next favourite Aussie band? You've come to the right place – here are five of the locals we're loving most at the moment!

Hallie

Spotlight: Hallie

By Ellie Robinson published

The new EP, ‘This Is Love’, is out in February

Devin Townsend

Devin Townsend: “I’m a pretty tranquil person, but that’s mixed with a constant undercurrent of anxiety and intensity”

By Ellie Robinson published

Devin Townsend is back at his theatrical best, presenting his most refined self on ‘Lightwork’. Australian Guitar taps into the brightness

L.S. Dunes

L.S. Dunes: “We needed a place to put our hearts and souls, musically, during the pandemic”

By Ellie Robinson published

L.S. Dunes might comprise members of the most iconic bands in post-hardcore, but you shouldn’t dare call them a “supergroup”. Australian Guitar finds out why

Slowly Slowly

Slowly Slowly: “I want to help people party through the pain”

By Ellie Robinson published

On their game-changing fifth album, Slowly Slowly slam their darkest lyrics into their brightest songs, making for one hell of a musical rollercoaster. Australian Guitar takes it for a ride

Pei

Joji Malani, aka Pei: “As a solo artist, I’m able to be way more intentional about everything”

By Ellie Robinson last updated

On his debut album as Pei, ex-Gang Of Youths strummer Joji Malani welcomes us to a world of technicolour indie-pop. Australian Guitar takes a first-class tour

Enter Shikari

Live Review: Enter Shikari, Melbourne 11/11/22

By Ellie Robinson published

"Even after six albums and 20-plus years of thrashing up a storm, Enter Shikari are still one of a kind"

Kirklandd

Spotlight: Viktor Rufus of Kirklandd

By Ellie Robinson published

The new single, ‘OTHERSIDE’, is out now

Nova Twins

Nova Twins: “Half of my family is from Australia, so I’ve always wanted to go and see what the vibe’s like”

By Ellie Robinson published

Less than a month away from their live debut Down Under, Nova Twins take Australian Guitar behind the scenes of their audio-visual assault

Sly Withers

Sly Withers: “For however challenging it was to dive that deep into our songs, it was equally exciting”

By Ellie Robinson published

Just a year on from their second album, Sly Withers have returned with clearer minds and catchier hooks. Australian Guitar journeys through the fierce rock foliage of ‘Overgrown’

Ocean Alley

Ocean Alley: “We’re definitely conscious of trying to give each other space”

By Ellie Robinson published

Australian Guitar gets groovy with the kings of cruise-rock, Ocean Alley

Alter Bridge

Alter Bridge: “By learning how to turn down the noise in my brain, I can centre in on the music”

By Australian Guitar published

As they wade through the waters of the new world around them, Alter Bridge have grown a new appreciation for their art, and developed new perspectives for how they should approach it

Bec Sandridge

Spotlight: Bec Sandridge

By Ellie Robinson published

The new EP, 'Lost Dog', is out now

Orianthi

Orianthi: “I wanted the verses to focus more on storytelling than aggression”

By Australian Guitar published

Orianthi’s fifth studio album, ‘Rock Candy’, is pretty damn sweet. The Adelaide pop-rocker tells us how it came about

Latest Features

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Donald "Duck" Dunn of Booker T. & the MGs

“Paul McCartney was one of my favorite bass players. I didn’t do him justice”: Paying tribute to the Beatles turned out to be a humbling experience for Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn

By Nick Wells published

As a member of Booker T. and the MGs, Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn cut an instrumental version of the Beatles’ Abbey Road. But the experience wasn't all that satisfying...

1954 Fender Stratocaster

“I had to drive several hours through snow to get to him. He told me this was one of the first Stratocasters, and there were some things I noticed immediately”: This 1954 Fender Stratocaster is one of the most unusual Fender builds in history

By David Davidson published

David Davidson of Well Strung Guitars explains what makes this uniquely preserved vintage Strat so unique – starting with control pots from a TV set

Kyle Seely of Sheer Mag performs live

“I do this thing where I literally black out, and then the song’s over. I’m not even registering what I’m doing – it’s beyond muscle memory”: Kyle Seely has been playing the same Telecaster since he was a teen – but Sheer Mag keep evolving

By Gregory Adams published

The acclaimed Philly outfit enter their 10th year with a sound that’s more defined than ever, via their lead guitarist’s accidental journey into a side-project he could barely control

Cat Stevens

How the 1960s Gibson J-200 upset acoustic purists but remained King of the flat-tops in the eyes of the Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Yusuf/Cat Stevens

By Chris Gill published

The bridge was the one thing the purists just couldn't cross, but those who did found an acoustic bursting with songs and a tone that could not be matched

Steve Lukather

“Eddie Van Halen changed the game. I remember him telling me once, ‘Man, I didn’t mean to start all this madness’”: Steve Lukather on why he’s always championed melody above all else, and how that philosophy informed his new “unabashedly ‘80s” solo album

By Andrew Daly published

Returning with the triumphant new album Bridges, Steve Lukather reflects on the madness of shred, why Luke III is his Excalibur and why the melody and the song is all that counts

George Johnson (L) and Louis Johnson (R) from the Brothers Johnson perform live at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1976

“We had it in about two takes. The funk was there as soon as we hit it”: Watch Louis 'thunder thumbs' Johnson slap a classic bass solo on the Brothers Johnson’s Stomp!

By Chris Jisi published

Johnson used a Music Man StingRay (which he helped design), and strung it with new D’Addario roundwounds 

Latest Gear

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Close up of Taylor acoustic guitar

Best acoustic guitars 2023: 12 top options for guitarists of all ages and abilities

By Chris Corfield last updated

Guitar World’s pick of the best acoustic guitars from Fender, Gibson, Martin, Taylor, Epiphone and more

A Martin LX1E Little Martin acoustic guitar on a blue background

Best acoustic guitars under $500 2023: our top picks, including acoustic-electric models

By Chris Bird last updated

These sub-$500 acoustic guitars are ideal for everything from folk and indie guitar to blues and country

An Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 reverb pedal on a pink background

Best reverb pedals 2023: from spring to shimmer, our pick of the best reverb effects for your pedalboard

By Michael Astley-Brown last updated

Take a deep dive into the cavernous world of 'verb and explore the best reverb pedals for every budget

Close up of Telecaster pickups and strings

Best electric guitar strings 2023: the finest electric guitar strings for every budget and playing style

By Chris Corfield last updated

Keep your axe feeling and sounding fresh with the best electric guitar strings on offer right now

Close-up of Rockboard pedalboard on a concrete floor

Best pedalboards 2023: budget-spanning picks to help organize your guitar effects

By Jonathan Horsley last updated

Get the best from your effects with expert recommended 'boards from Voodoo Labs, Boss, Friedman and more

Close up of Ibanez acoustic guitar and strings

Best acoustic guitar strings 2023: outfit your acoustic with the strings it deserves

By Chris Corfield last updated

Our pick of the best acoustic guitar string sets, and everything you need to know about them

Latest Review

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Seth Baccus Argonaut

Seth Baccus Argonaut Classic and Argonaut Classic Baritone review – not another boutique Fender bender, but a fresh shot at an original offset design

By Dave Burrluck published

It’s been a long time coming, but Seth Baccus’s Argonaut is finally here and sets a new level for offset design. Guitar‑making rarely gets better than this!

Fender Highway Series Dreadnought

Fender Highway Series Parlor and Dreadnought review – Fender reinvents the acoustic once again… and the results took us by surprise

By Neville Marten published

Following the success of Fender’s Acoustasonic series come two somewhat more traditional-looking electros. Packed with Fender/Fishman innovation, could they be even cooler?

Maybury Upscaler Fish Hook S

Neet the boutique guitar built out of old floor joists, reclaimed Fender parts… and a Squier Affinity neck: Maybury Upscaler Fish Hook S review

By Dave Burrluck published

British builder Jason Snelling aims to turn reclaimed wood, parts and pickups into viable and vibey Strat-style guitars

Fender Tone Master Pro

Fender Tone Master Pro review – Fender takes the amp modeler and multi-effects crown

By Nick Guppy published

Fender jumps into the lead of the modeling preamp race with a floor unit that's steeped in the brand's DNA and presents heaps of amp sounds and effects in an easy-to-use package

Squier Sonic Stratocaster HT

Squier Sonic Stratocaster HT review – Fender's classic beginner electric guitar just got better

By Matt Owen published

Squier's new entry-level Strat brings Leo Fender's most famous creation to the masses and begs the question: is there a better beginner electric guitar on the market?

Joe Doe By Vintage Gas Jockey

Joe Doe by Vintage Gas Jockey review – a madcap pairing of the Stratocaster and Firebird designed by a UK screenwriter

By Dave Burrluck published

The new 2023 Joe Doe by Vintage range boasts a totally fictitious history but some refreshingly different takes on the classics