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
NAMM 2024: all the latest guitar news, rumors and predictions from the greatest gear show on Earth
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
The guitar, amp and pedal news you need to know about, all in one place
NAMM 2024: “Pairing technology with timeless style and tone”: Martin expands its revolutionary SC acoustic-electric line with new, top-of-the-line models
By Jackson Maxwell published
The new SC-18E and SC-28E feature some serious tonewood and electronics upgrades
“A stylish and functional way to proudly display gear”: Fender seeks to elevate the humble guitar and amp stand with new line of “gear furniture”
By Jackson Maxwell published
No, you didn't accidentally click on IKEA's website – Fender's latest batch of accessories aims to check both the style and substance boxes
“Engineered for blazing guitar work”: Jackson brings its Randy Rhoads model to the mid-priced Pro Plus series, with some electrifying finishes
By Jackson Maxwell published
The Pro Plus Series Rhoads RR24 is a head-turner that comes in a pair of loud looks, and is outfitted with two Seymour Duncan Distortion 'buckers – but how do its other features stack up to the rest of Jackson's Rhoads lineup?
“I’m a sloppy guitar player! I’ll be the first to admit that… In retrospect, I should have practiced more”: Ace Frehley isn't going to apologize for his loose playing style – but he also doesn't recommend that players follow in his footsteps
By Jackson Maxwell published
The former Kiss guitarist has often been accused of sloppiness, a label he says he doesn't mind at all
Black Keys, Black Crowes and the next in line for Mastodon’s mind-expanding metal crown: this week’s essential guitar tracks
By Michael Astley-Brown, Jackson Maxwell, Matt Owen, Matt Parker published
The must-hear licks, riffs, solos and six-string moments from BIG|BRAVE, Bring Me The Horizon, Dead Poet Society, Bodega, Slift, Waxahatchee, and more
“He was a superb craftsman who loved what he did”: Tony Iommi pays tribute to ‘Old Boy’ SG luthier John Diggins, who has died
By Jackson Maxwell published
Diggins began his career working for John Birch – the Birmingham, UK-based luthier who partnered with Iommi early in the Black Sabbath legend's career – and later struck out on his own, founding Jaydee Custom Guitars
“Django Reinhardt was our god – I played a Selmer Maccaferri-style guitar, grew a mustache, wore a suit... the whole thing”: Big Thief’s Buck Meek names 10 guitarists who shaped his sound
By Jackson Maxwell published
The understated indie guitar hero is well-versed in blues and jazz tradition, but also takes inspiration from Marc Ribot, Connie Converse... and The Shaggs’ Dorothy “Dot” Wiggin
Remembering the guitarists we lost in 2023
By Jackson Maxwell published
We had to say goodbye to a staggering number of guitar geniuses this year. We salute those players and their contributions to the instrument
Alien rhythms, god-level chops and samurai guitar duels: these are the best guitar albums of 2023
By Jonathan Horsley published
Guitar World staff and readers reflect on the finest fretwork captured on record this year
“At its best, the solo can tell a story, give us a sense of spectacle, and even offer a window into a player’s soul”: These are the best guitar solos of 2023
By Jonathan Horsley published
Guitar World staff and readers choose the outstanding lead efforts of the year – including “this decades's Eruption”
“A rhythmic motif so simple that even the most basic living organisms on this great planet can get down to it”: These are the best guitar riffs of 2023
By Jonathan Horsley published
Guitar World staff and readers name the finest riffs of the year – a list that unites the worlds of metal, rock, indie and more…
Devastating displays of double-neck tapping and Joe Bonamassa’s Christmas single: here are this week’s essential guitar tracks
By Matt Owen published
Catch up with the best guitar tracks from the past 7 days with fresh cuts from Joe Bonamassa, Joanne Shaw Taylor, J Mascis, Felix Martin and more
Three “God-like guitarists” join forces and stadium-conquering rockers channel their inner spy: This week's essential guitar tracks
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Must-listen-to tunes from Guns N' Roses, Architects, IDLES, The Libertines, Devon Ross, Ryujin and many more
Denny Laine, Paul McCartney & Wings, Moody Blues guitarist, dies at 79
By Jackson Maxwell published
Aside from Paul and Linda McCartney, Laine was Wings' only constant member
10,000 volt lead licks and the bluesier side of Peaky Blinders: This week's essential guitar tracks
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Killer new cuts from Ace Frehley, Judas Priest, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Anna Calvi, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Alkaline Trio, and many more
“A brazen new model designed for the progressive guitarist seeking a spectrum of sound beyond the norm”: Charvel gets in on the made-in-Japan hype with new Superstrat-inspired MJ San Dimas models
By Jackson Maxwell published
The speed-friendly HSH six-strings showcase the Fender Corporation's recent focus on Japan
Neil Young showcases his savage overdriven tones and channels Hendrix in the most menacing solo rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner you’ve ever heard
By Jackson Maxwell published
Wielding his legendary 1953 Gibson Les Paul, Old Black, Young put his own spin on the US national anthem, nodding to a certain Woodstock performance along the way
Fender has discounted tons of accessories and apparel by up to 70% this Cyber Monday – with t-shirts and guitar straps starting from just $10
By Jackson Maxwell last updated
Whether you want to liven up your wardrobe, or invest in a high-quality strap, cable, or tuner, the Big F's got an insane price-drop you'll want to see
The Kemper Profiler PowerHead is one of the most powerful music-making tools on the planet – save $150 on this Swiss Army knife amp in this killer Guitar Center Cyber Monday deal
By Jackson Maxwell published
Coupling Kemper's legendary profiling technology with a 600-watt solid-state power amp, the Profiler PowerHead will cover all your amplification needs both onstage and in the studio. Grab one at a discount today
If you've always wanted to own a high-end amp but could never afford it, these staggering Black Friday discounts of up to $1,000 off could put one within reach
By Jackson Maxwell published
From the Tosin Abasi-favored Bad Cat Jet Black to the ever-impressive Kemper Profiler PowerHead, some of the best top-of-the-line amps out there have had their prices temporarily slashed. Now's the time to buy
The Edge ditched his tube amps for Universal Audio’s UAFX pedals – now you can save 20% on some of the best amp-modeling pedals in this Sphere-sized Black Friday deal
By Jackson Maxwell published
Now just $319 this Black Friday, the UAFX pedals offer pristine quality, handy portability, and incredible bang for your buck
Black metal has gone orchestral and nu-disco shred is back, baby: This week’s essential guitar tracks
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Unmissable tunes from John Mayer, Dre DiMura, Heriot, Ihsahn, Julian Lage, Porno for Pyros and so many more…
“He’s real tough, and when he’s liquored up, he can really play!” Pat Hare influenced Stevie Ray Vaughan, beat Cream and Led Zeppelin to the blues-rock punch, and recorded an eerily prescient guitar knockout called I’m Gonna Murder My Baby
By Jackson Maxwell published
A remarkably gifted, but equally volcanic, guitarist who played with Howlin’ Wolf, James Cotton, Muddy Waters, and Bobby Bland, Hare made a seismic (and largely forgotten) impact on the development of blues-rock, before receiving a life sentence in prison
“The music we created is going to outlive us all. It’s time we go out and serve the fans that music, while we still can”: Joe Satriani, Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony announce The Best of All Worlds – the next best thing to a Van Halen tribute tour
By Jackson Maxwell published
Though not explicitly a tribute, Hagar promises that the summer 2024 trek will feature a very Van Halen-heavy setlist
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