Latest articles by Chris Schwarten
Best guitar audio interfaces 2025: get better recorded guitar tones
My pick of the best audio interfaces for guitar will have you up and recording in no time
Best online guitar lessons 2025: remote learning for guitar players – every platform tested by experts
Online lessons are great for developing your guitar skills from the comfort of your home or on the go – myself and our in-house experts have thoroughly tested options for all playing levels and budgets, including a free option
“Spanning every conceivable style and technique, it’s a haven for guitarists who love to explore”: TrueFire review
The original online guitar learning resource may have the biggest learning library, but is it the best option right now? We take a deep dive into one of the most comprehensive guitar teaching platforms out there
Best guitar strap locks 2025: Safeguard your axe
Our pick of the finest fasteners from Schaller, Loxx, Jim Dunlop and more
“An exceptional platform for novices, intermediates and advanced guitarists alike”: Guitar Tricks review 2025
A behemoth of a guitar tutorial site that’s evolved over decades into one of the very best online learning experiences around
“An accessible, contemporary tuition platform that screams quality”: Fender Play review 2025
A beautifully executed, modern take on traditional guitar, bass and ukulele tuition
Best pedal amps 2025: big sounds in a small package
Here are the best small-yet-mighty pedal amp options from top brands such as Blackstar, Strymon, Universal Audio and more - including our pick of amp simulator pedals
Best bass amps for practice 2025: top combos for working on your chops at home
Get the most out of your playing at home with one of these great bass practice amps
Best lunchbox amps 2025: killer portable amps for gigging
Offering big sound in a portable package, these compact amplifiers are perfect for the live circuit
Phil Sgrosso: "When you listen to enough Pantera, it's hard to not want to just have fun dive-bombing here and there"
The As I Lay Dying guitarist reveals how Iron Maiden, and his use of the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster during a brief tenure in Slipknot, led to his own shred-friendly signature Charvel
Imperial Triumphant’s Zachary Ezrin on his wild approach to guitar: “There’s tons of cool stuff you can do when you stop caring about hitting the note perfectly”
The jazz-inspired black metal maestro talks influences, techniques, and surprise guest appearances on the NYC trio’s terrifying new album, The Spirit of Ecstasy
6 reasons you should consider upgrading to a wireless guitar system
Let’s not tiptoe around anymore, when it comes to playing live it could be time to cut the cord
King Garbage's Zach Cooper details his tricked-out Coopercaster hybrid guitar setup: “The potential for the hybrid rig is such a deep well”
The alt-soul guitarist talks building an instrument that organically covers the frequency spectrum, and the Mike Patton-backed band's carefully crafted sophomore album, Heavy Metal Greasy Love
Zach Myers on Shinedown's new album, Planet Zero: “It's the sound of a band in a room playing rock 'n' roll – I think a lot of our fans missed that”
The guitarist talks using “milk crates” full of pedals on the Florida hard-rockers' forthcoming concept album, why they steered clear of reverb, and how a stock Kemper preset crept onto the final recording
Des Rocs: “A whole generation of people are concerned about recording guitars properly – and that's something that needs to go immediately!”
The New York songwriter blends classic rock 'n' roll showmanship with uber modern electronic stylings on his fierce debut LP, A Real Good Person in a Real Bad Place
Deafheaven's Shiv Mehra and Kerry McCoy on embracing new gear and sonic approaches for Infinite Granite: “We replaced heaviness with intensity”
The post-metal five-piece dial back the gain and explore a brave new world of shimmery sounds for their fifth studio effort
Wavves' Nathan Williams on why he took a stylistic left turn on diverse new album, Hideaway
From country licks to doo-wop rhythms, the LA trio have made some bold moves on their new Dave Sitek-produced record
6 ways you can streamline your live guitar rig
With gigs finally back on the cards, now is the perfect time to lighten your load
Beartooth's Caleb Shomo: "With this album, it was about working the choruses into all of the riffs. The riffs were always the priority in the writing process"
The mastermind behind the melodic hardcore punk outfit discusses his love of Gretsch, writing on the road, and changing his approach to riffs on new album, Below
How TikTok is changing the face of guitar music
Short songs, new structures, and an emphasis on ‘vibes’ have all played a part in reshaping the role of the six-string
Jaguar Jonze: "For me, guitars input imperfections, and that’s what adds to the storytelling"
The Aussie songwriter discusses how the guitar shapes her writing process, her COVID recovery, and the influence of spaghetti westerns on her music
![[L-R] Emma Ruth Rundle and Andy Gibbs of Thou](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sRwrkPW3h5JyN26MC9ggb8-840-80.jpg.webp)
Emma Ruth Rundle and Thou detail the "arduous and long process" that led to their dark collaborative masterpieces
How the ethereal singer-songwriter and NOLA sludge merchants found space for four guitar players on May Our Chambers Be Full and The Helm of Sorrow
![[L-R] Heather Baron-Gracie and Hugo Silvani of Pale Waves](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A5nbM9wfF437jDq8jZkfU8-840-80.jpg.webp)
Pale Waves: “We wanted to make a more honest record, and that meant bringing guitar to the forefront”
The UK indie-pop outfit reflect on an eventful few years with their six-string-stacked follow-up album, Who Am I?
