
Jonathan Horsley
Jonathan Horsley has been writing about guitars since 2005, playing them since 1990, and regularly contributes to publications including Guitar World, MusicRadar and Total Guitar. He uses Jazz III nylon picks, 10s during the week, 9s at the weekend, and shamefully still struggles with rhythm figure one of Van Halen’s Panama.
Latest articles by Jonathan Horsley

Harmony brings the Stella brand back from the dead with a $349 solid-topped parlor
By Jonathan Horsley published
These small-bodied stunners have slotted headstocks, bone nuts, and a voice that loves a recording mic

Why telling your guitar’s backstory could help it sell for more money
By Jonathan Horsley published
Reverb's Cyril Nigg offers some sage advice for selling your guitar, and it's just like Joe Bonamassa says: "I don't buy guitars, I buy stories"

The Damned frontman Brian James’ ‘New Rose’ Gibson SG sells for over $95,000
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Gibson SG that put UK punk on the map smashed its pre-auction estimates – as did James’ hand-written lyrics

David Allan Coe, the outlaw country legend who played with Dimebag Darrell and gave Warren Haynes his break, has died, aged 86
By Jonathan Horsley published
Coe scored hits with You Never Even Called Me by My Name and The Ride, and stood alongside Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson in the outlaw wing of country music

Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood on why he was barred from having a ’board
By Jonathan Horsley published
And no, it's not because Ed O'Brien's took up all the available stage space...

Fender teams up with Brian Fallon for limited edition ’59 Tele Custom
By Jonathan Horsley published
It’ll cost you the best part of seven thousand bucks but this stunning Telecaster is the Fender Custom Shop doing Fender Custom Shop things again

Randy Bachman on the guitar builder who’s up there with the greats of the industry
By Jonathan Horsley published
And Bachman says this builder is working on an electric guitar that will weigh less than 4lbs.

Paul Gilbert is the latest big name to switch to Fender Tone Master digital amps
By Jonathan Horsley published
The shred pioneer is using one as a monitor, one to push air at the crowd, and he believes it is a top-tier pedal platform

Billy Strings forced to reschedule tour after breaking leg in skating accident
By Jonathan Horsley published
Bluegrass maestro black-and-blue and in plaster after quite horrific injury – but he was still game for heading on the road until wiser heads prevailed

Why Thin Lizzy’s Brian Robertson knew his stint in Motörhead was doomed
By Jonathan Horsley published
The flying Scotsman replaced Fast Eddie Clarke, and had a formidable rep as Thin Lizzy guitarist, but he soon found Motörhead were not quite his speed

How Pat Smear surprised Dave Grohl and joined the Foo Fighters
By Jonathan Horsley published
These songs were absolutely not In Utero part II as Dave Grohl gamed-out his post-Nirvana musical future

Ritchie Blackmore sets the record straight about his relationship with Jimmy Page
By Jonathan Horsley published
Blackmore says he has nothing but respect for the Led Zep guitarist

Noel Gallagher’s signed Wonderwall EJ-200 smashes pre-auction estimate
By Jonathan Horsley published
As seen in the video for Wonderwall, and signed by the Chief himself... but maybe the Inspired by Gibson Custom SJ-200 presents better value?

When Dave Mason met Jimi Hendrix and played on the greatest cover of all time
By Jonathan Horsley published
Hendrix had arrived in London, his greatness was about to come, and the late Traffic guitarist Dave Mason was there to witness it

“A small yet mighty gig bag hero”: Mesa/Boogie launches powerhouse preamp/DI with all the tone-shaping capabilities of its high-end Subway line
By Jonathan Horsley published
A blockbuster sequel to the original, the Subway+ Bass DI‑Preamp II offers bassists everything they need in one compact housing that's 40 per cent smaller than its predecessor

Best blues guitars 2026: these six-strings are ideal for all types of electric blues covering various price points
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Wondering what the best blues guitars are at the moment? Here we have 10 of the finest options from Gibson, Fender, Guild and more

Best 7-string guitars 2026: the ultimate guide to extended range instruments
By Matt McCracken last updated
Navigate scale lengths, active pickups, and multiscale fretboards with our expert-vetted selection of the best seven-string guitars

All the guitar gear that has caught my eye this week – including another potentially game-changing AI practice amp
By Matt Owen published
Featuring new drops from Jackson, PRS, Wylde Audio, Charvel, and more

Zakk Wylde’s signature Berzerker amp is here and it is a vicious 50-watter weighing under 5lbs
By Jonathan Horsley published
Designed with David Karon and his team, the Wylde Audio Berzerker is a mini head with a big voice – and there's a limited edition hand-signed purple one for collectors

Mooer takes on JBL with its own AI stem separation tech – and it could change the way you practice your favorite songs
By Jonathan Horsley published
StemLab allows players to de-mix audio files to isolate instruments and sharpen up practice sessions

Sadler Vaden’s new signature SG is a working players’ guitar – and it could be Gibson’s 2026 sleeper hit
By Jonathan Horsley published
The longstanding Jason Isbell collaborator teams up with Gibson for a sweet signature replica of his 2005 SG Standard

Best clip-on guitar tuners 2026: hit the right note with my top pick of cost-effective tuners
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
Whether you play acoustic, electric, or bass, these clip-on tuners offer a quick, easy, and affordable way to achieve concert pitch every time you pick up your instrument

Best compressor pedals 2026: control your tone with the must-have utility pedal
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
My pick of the best guitar compressor pedals will enhance your tone with options from Boss, Keeley, MXR, and more

“More aggressive, more physical, more raw and in tune with the animal kingdom”: Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi 2 Dual Op-Amp Fuzz review
By Jonathan Horsley published
A schematic, lost in the shuffle, resurfaces with the help of JHS Pedals supremo Josh Scott, and presents us with a fresh slice of Pi
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