
Janelle Borg
Janelle is a staff writer at GuitarWorld.com. After a long stint in classical music, Janelle discovered the joys of playing guitar in dingy venues at the age of 13 and has never looked back. Janelle has written extensively about the intersection of music and technology, and how this is shaping the future of the music industry. She also had the pleasure of interviewing Dream Wife, K.Flay, Yīn Yīn, and Black Honey, among others. When she's not writing, you'll find her creating layers of delicious audio lasagna with her art-rock/psych-punk band ĠENN.
Latest articles by Janelle Borg

How the then 18-year-old Steppenwolf guitarist recorded the solo that came to define the band's career and Easy Rider
By Janelle Borg published
Michael Monarch recalls his start with The Sparrows – which eventually morphed into Steppenwolf – and how their signature song, Born to Be Wild, came to be

How super-producer Andrew Watt pivoted from Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes to The Rolling Stones, Ozzy Osbourne and Iggy Pop
By Janelle Borg published
Watt started his production career in the pop sphere, before the Prince of Darkness handpicked him to produce his record

Plectrums, move over – this inventor created a mini bow tailor-made for acoustic guitars and basses
By Janelle Borg published
The Pickaso Guitar Bow is the latest guitar accessory promising to expand sonic soundscapes by turning your acoustic into a violin

Peggy Seeger on the first time she unknowingly met a future folk icon
By Janelle Borg published
Seeger recalls meeting Robert Zimmerman – better known as Bob Dylan – back when he was a student

Ohio-based EarthQuaker Devices CEO reveals the business is at risk of going bankrupt amidst tariff uncertainty
By Janelle Borg published
The boutique pedal company has forecasted that, should the trade war persist, the cost per pedal would increase from 2 cents in April to $12.80 in December

Former Oasis bassist reportedly confirms his involvement in the band's reunion tour
By Janelle Borg published
Other Oasis alumni rumored to be joining the spectacle include Gem Archer and Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs

Bootsy Collins’ Space Bass design was turned down everywhere he went – his ‘last straw’ proved the winner
By Janelle Borg published
Back in 1975, the funkateer had a larger-than-life vision for his dream bass – one which would see him knock on the door of many a luthier and music store before it became a reality

Thomann has acquired Hughes & Kettner – and is promising a bright future for the German amp giant championed by Alex Lifeson and Tommy Thayer
By Janelle Borg published
The mega retailer has added the innovative amp company to its evolving roster of brands – but what's next for the beloved firm?

The bizarre vintage guitar used in Italy's Eurovision entry has caught eyes all over the world
By Janelle Borg published
’70s-flavored singer-songwriter and guitarist Lucio Corsi opted for a rare guitar made by off-kilter Italian guitar manufacturer Antonio Vandrè Pioli – better known as Wandrè

Ryan Hedgecock on Lone Justice's brief but fierce ’80s run – and how Tom Petty and Mike Campbell ended up penning a song on their debut
By Janelle Borg published
The promising young band were the subject of a flurry of publicity after they were signed to Geffen, but a behind-the-scenes mismatch in vision led to the outfit's premature demise

Session guitar great Dann Huff recalls his first time recording with the King of Pop
By Janelle Borg published
The Bad sessions featured a host of high-profile personnel and musicians – including bassist extraordinaire Nathan East

NAMM President reacts to the de-escalation of tariffs on products imported from China – and details its impact on the musical instrument sector
By Janelle Borg published
Trump has recently announced a “total reset” of U.S.-China relations and updates on tariffs which will undeniably also impact the guitar and gear market

Jason Richardson gives his take on the timeless ‘music theory versus ear training’ debate
By Janelle Borg published
Is music theory necessary to write guitar solos that stand the test of time? All That Remains' lead guitarist weighs in...

Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo is selling his first-ever electric guitar on the band's relaunched Reverb store
By Janelle Borg published
This is the third time the iconic experimental rockers have linked up with the online gear marketplace to sell a collection of their own gear to fans

An affordable signature version of Alex Lifeson's ‘Whitey’ Gibson ES-355 could be in the works
By Janelle Borg published
Alex Lifeson's iconic “Whitey” ES-355 featured on almost every Rush album – and an affordable signature version could be in the works

Gary Holt's favorite pedal emulates Eddie Van Halen's iconic “Brown Sound” – and it retails for less than a $100
By Janelle Borg published
Holt reveals his new go-to budget-friendly brand – and offers some of his mini-pedal recommendations

Todd Rundgren reveals the real reason why he decided to produce Meat Loaf's off-kilter debut Bat Out of Hell
By Janelle Borg published
The Wagnerian rock record was initially rejected by many a record label – but would go on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time

Marcus King follows in Craig Ross’ footsteps to wield Jeff Beck’s iconic Yardbirds-era Les Paul on stage
By Janelle Borg published
KALEO's JJ Julius Son and Marcus King Band's Drew Smithers also played the legendary LP, which fetched over $490,000 at auction earlier this year

Knox Chandler on the recording session that flourished into a decade-long working relationship with Cyndi Lauper
By Janelle Borg published
Chandler's list of collaborators includes the Psychedelic Furs, R.E.M., Siouxsie and the Banshees and Depeche Mode

Kurt Cobain's 1989 Takamine expected to fetch up to $500,000 at auction
By Janelle Borg published
This year's Music Icons sale – organized by Julien's Auctions – includes over 700 collectible items from some of the world's biggest guitar stars

NAMM CEO John Mlynczak on the impact of Trump’s tariffs in the guitar industry
By Janelle Borg last updated
This week, representatives from some of the States' biggest guitar brands have come together in D.C. for the first time in 17 years to continue advocating for the musical instrument market

Kim Thayil gives an update on whether unreleased band material featuring Chris Cornell will see the light of day
By Janelle Borg published
The recordings were previously the subject of a protracted legal battl between the remaining band members and Cornell's widow, Vicky Cornell

Suzanne Vega on the time Prince sent her a handwritten letter to praise one of her most iconic tracks
By Janelle Borg published
Luka, one of Vega's most enduring songs, was an unlikely mainstream hit back in 1987, despite the fact that it deals with a very sensitive topic

Steven Wilson reveals his go-to guitar plugin – and why digital can successfully coexist with analog
By Janelle Borg published
The highly-coveted plugin prides itself in emulating the full range of cheap tape sounds

Fender teams up with country superstar Brad Paisley on a signature Telecaster that brings back a cult classic finish from the 1960s
By Janelle Borg published
The Limited Edition “Lost Paisley” Telecaster revives the short-lived Summer of Love and psychedelia-inspired Paisley finish that Fender first launched in 1968
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