Latest articles by Jackson Maxwell
“An important piece of the low end theory”: T.M. Stevens, bass legend and session pro who performed and recorded with the likes of Steve Vai, James Brown, Bootsy Collins, and the Pretenders, dies at 72
Stevens manned the low-end on Vai's Sex & Religion album, and played on James Brown's latter-day hit, Living in America
“Let's do that again!” This compilation of fiery Sister Rosetta Tharpe guitar solos shows how her revolutionary playing inspired blues-rock greats like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck and the Rolling Stones
Though she passed away five decades ago, footage of Tharpe's aggressive, virtuosic and precise fretwork, thankfully, remains
“This song presents a kind of revisionist history where guitar solos were cool after all in the early noughties”: February 2024 Guitar World editors' picks
From neoclassical tapping clinics to cosmic, spaghetti western-esque guitar soundscapes, this month has provided an embarrassment of six-string riches
“The Bulls loved it immediately. Michael Jordan loved it”: He appeared on smash hits by Kate Bush and Paul McCartney, but this unsung session guitar hero's most popular solo can be heard in one of the most iconic sports anthems of all time
The late Ian Bairnson spent decades as a first-call session man, but his most famous turn came on the Alan Parsons Project tune Sirius
Wayne Kramer, influential MC5 guitarist, dies at 75
With his six-string brother-in-arms, the late Fred “Sonic” Smith, Kramer was the architect of the MC5's tough, years-ahead-of-its-time sound, best exemplified on their legendary 1969 debut album, Kick Out the Jams
NAMM 2024 live: this year’s biggest guitar news as it happens
Everything you need to know direct from the show floor at the world’s no. 1 guitar gear show
NAMM 2024: all the latest guitar news, rumors and predictions from the greatest gear show on Earth
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
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”
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
