
Jackson Maxwell
Jackson is an Associate Editor at GuitarWorld.com. He’s been writing and editing stories about new gear, technique and guitar-driven music both old and new since 2014, and has also written extensively on the same topics for Guitar Player. Elsewhere, his album reviews and essays have appeared in Louder and Unrecorded. Though open to music of all kinds, his greatest love has always been indie, and everything that falls under its massive umbrella. To that end, you can find him on Twitter crowing about whatever great new guitar band you need to drop everything to hear right now.
Latest articles by Jackson Maxwell

Black Friday guitar deals 2025 LIVE: all the biggest savings at Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Fender, Amazon and more that are still live
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
I'm rounding up all the hottest, still-live guitar, amp, pedal and accessory deals in the Black Friday sales. Stick with me for all of the biggest news, deals, tips and tricks for saving money

The cheapest bass Fender makes isn't just useful for beginners – save a huge 20% on it this Black Friday
By Jackson Maxwell published
At just $131 this Black Friday at Amazon, this is a great deal for those who want their first four-string, a bass to quickly pick up for recording, or even a modding project to have fun with

The Yamaha F335 is a perfect beginner acoustic – get it for more than 40% off with this killer Black Friday deal
By Jackson Maxwell published
Whether it's you or someone you love getting started on the guitar – or even if you're a more seasoned player looking for something simple and affordable to strum during a free moment at the desk, say – the F335 is a worthwhile investment. At 41% off this Black Friday, it's never been more affordable

Sweetwater Black Friday deals 2025: the big sale has officially started – with up to 80% off guitar gear
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Cyber Weekend is nearly over, so it's your last chance to save big on gear at Sweetwater

Musician's Friend Black Friday deals 2025: Last chance to score massive discounts of up to 60% off guitar gear
By Chris Barnes last updated
Day three of the Black Friday sale is here. Save big on guitar gear and more for a limited time

Guitar Center Black Friday deals 2025: The official Black Friday Sale is here!
By Chris Barnes last updated
Guitar Center has gone early with its Black Friday sale, which sees up to 40% off from now until December 3rd

Black Friday Fender deals 2025: last chance to save big on Fender and Squier guitars
By Daryl Robertson last updated
This Cyber Weekend, we're seeing some fantastic Fender deals crop up across the web, including discounted Player II guitars

Black Friday guitar deals 2025: Don't miss out on the greatest savings for guitar players
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Here are the best savings still live this Black Friday, from Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Positive Grid, and more

This 20% Black Friday discount on the PRS SE Custom 24 has me considering taking the PRS plunge
By Jackson Maxwell published
I've never quite clicked with the look of PRS guitars, but this discount puts the SE Custom 24 in exactly my current price range – and my co-workers' praise of the model is starting to make me reconsider my views...

Get $200 off the best acoustic guitar you can buy this Black Friday
By Jackson Maxwell published
Built with impeccable precision, adaptable to virtually any genre, and loaded with more history than just about any other acoustic guitar model, the D-28 remains the acoustic king. Save big on one this Black Friday

Buy a Friedman amp for $99 in this bonkers Black Friday deal
By Jackson Maxwell published
Dave Friedman’s amp sorcery was long a closely guarded secret for many of the world’s top players, but the BE-Mini Head brings it to the masses – and at $99 this Black Friday, those mythical tones have never been cheaper

“The perfect marriage of Aerosmith and the Cult. An Aerocult, if you will”: November 2025 Guitar World Editors’ Picks
By Michael Astley-Brown, Jackson Maxwell, Matt Owen, Matt Parker, Janelle Borg published
The new guitar music that GW editors have been obsessed with this month: fresh names, old hands and trailblazing players

The nylon-string guitar riff that has taken TikTok by storm – and been covered by John Mayer
By Jackson Maxwell published
Filmed in a field in Southern Indiana, a video of singer/songwriter Hudson Freeman's off-the-cuff performance of his song, If You Know Me, has racked up 1.5 million views, and caught the attention of one of guitar's biggest names

Who's the greatest guitar hero to emerge in the 21st century so far?
By Jackson Maxwell published
As the first quarter of the 21st century enters its final days, we ask you – who do you think has re-defined the guitar since 2000? Whether it's their technical skill, showmanship, or songwriting that moves you – let us know

Paul McCartney was meant to be the Beatles’ lead guitarist – then stage fright led him to George Harrison
By The Beatles published
McCartney explains how Harrison became the band’s primary soloist in this exclusive extract from The Beatles Anthology

The difficult Radiohead song that reduced Thom Yorke to tears – and went on to be a viral smash
By Jackson Maxwell published
Inspired by seeing Jeff Buckley in concert, Thom Yorke wrote this stunning power ballad of sorts while under pressure to produce a follow-up to the band's breakthrough hit, Creep. In the end, it was a huge mixing mistake that helped make it a classic, and a hit – 30 years later

Far Caspian made one of this year's best indie records, and he did it by paring down guitar layers and embracing dirt
By Jackson Maxwell published
Joel Johnston channels R.E.M. and shoegaze on his latest indie-rock opus. He tells us why he’s a Japanese-built Fender offset loyalist through and through

How Jack White came upon the castaway guitar he'd use to play Seven Nation Army at the Grammys
By Jackson Maxwell published
The story tracks with someone who has made not one, but two, special cameo appearances on a popular reality TV show about sifting for valuable artifacts in yard sales and antique shops

Tom Petty wanted to turn a catchy riff into a much-needed hit. He didn't stop playing it until he did
By Jackson Maxwell published
Under pressure to follow up his multi-platinum breakthrough, Damn the Torpedoes, with another best-selling album, Petty wanted a lead single “that had a little lick from the beginning”. That lick proved to be a stubborn one

October 2025 Guitar World Editors' Picks
By Michael Astley-Brown, Jackson Maxwell, Matt Owen, Matt Parker published
Liven up your Halloween with six-string (and five-string) sorcery from Alter Bridge, Mei Semones, Whitney, Karma Sheen, Jacob Collier, Unprocessed, and many more

Stray Cats cancel fall tour as Brian Setzer battles “serious illness”
By Jackson Maxwell published
Just days ago, the beloved rockabilly trio were forced to cancel the opening show of their tour due to Setzer's ongoing health issues

Eddie Van Halen’s Kramer Ad guitar sells for $2,734,000 at auction
By Matt Owen published
The eye-watering price tag makes it the sixth most expensive guitar ever sold publicly

Test your knowledge of guitar and rock history with the Guitar World quiz
By Jackson Maxwell published
Why was that guitar instrumental banned from radio? Those two were in a band together? See if you know the answers to these questions and more – without the drink minimum

Ace Frehley, larger-than-life Kiss guitarist, dies at 74
By Jackson Maxwell published
Though, his playing was, in his own words, “always old school,” Frehley set a new bar for guitar showmanship

The day the Beatles visited New York’s most legendary guitar store
By Jackson Maxwell published
The salesmen at Manny's Music were happy to give the Fab Four a free guitar, but needed permission from its manufacturer. No freebies, they were told – not even for the biggest band in history
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