Latest articles by Jonathan Horsley
Best metal guitars 2025: hell-raising electrics for shredders on any budget
From extended-range guitars to Flying Vs, here's our pick of killer metal guitars from Jackson, ESP, Ibanez, and more
Carmen Vandenberg and Rosie Bones explain the joy and challenge of playing with the late, great Jeff Beck
In 2019, Jeff Beck broke with tradition and looked for a vocal record to complement his peerless playing, and he looked to Bones UK for collaborators. Here, Vandenberg and Bones look back on a life-changing collab
Kirk Hammett on why bad solos are dying – and dealing with armchair guitar critics
Towards the end of 2023, we caught up with Metallica's affable lead guitarist to take stock of one of the greatest years in the Bay Area metal behemoth's history, and to talk guitars, songwriting and gear
Michael Schenker reveals the story behind his longstanding love affair with Flying Vs
The UFO guitarist recently signed with Gibson and revealed that a Michael Schenker signature guitar is in the works
King Gizzard’s new album was recorded with $30 amps from pawnshop chain Cash Converters
King Gizzard's Stu Mackenzie reveals that they didn't use a single pedal on this guitar, relying instead on cranking up small practice amps
How Ibanez raised the bar for high-performance electric guitar with the RG
In partnership with Ibanez
With its quick Wizard neck and super-stable Edge tremolo, the RG arrived in '87 to deliver speed and the promise of the spectacular – and decades on, it remains the go-to electric for virtuosos and shred radicals
Joe Knaggs on the tonewoods, inspirations and story behind his high-end guitar craft
In partnership with Knaggs
For Joe Knaggs, making guitars was the opportunity to combine a love for art and music, and it is writ large in his designs. With Knaggs about to turn 15, he discusses the brand's evolution and explains the search for “the Knaggs ring”
How Laney brought volume and best-in-class tone for digital rigs with the world’s loudest active guitar cabinet
Sponsor Content Created With Laney Amplification
Developed with a little help from Devin Townsend and Guthrie Govan, the LFR-412 is the first active 4x12 for digital rigs, giving players old-school power and volume to make their amp modeler sing
“Anyone looking for a budget retro acoustic will be charmed”: Gretsch Jim Dandy Concert review
Vintage catalog chic for under $200. We’ve found the mojo, but have we found the tone?
Kirk Hammett doesn't pay attention to solo trolls – and thinks “bad” solos are a thing of the past
The Metallica guitarist's lead effort in Lux Æterna came under intense fire from online commenters upon its release, with some even recording their own 'improved' versions
“This super-playable, stage-ready electro is hard to put down”: Martin X Series GPC X2E review
A cutaway above the rest? This ‘Remastered’ crowd-pleaser presents high-end finesse at high street prices
“All the main food groups of electric guitar tone… The sounds are stellar”: Line 6 Catalyst CX 60 review
Get serious tonal DNA and features from this Helix-powered combo
10 songs you should never cover (or at least think twice before trying)
“Good evening, Long Island! Are we havin’ a good time? All right. Now we’re gonna do a song by the Killers. This is Mr. Brightside!” Not tonight, Satan…
Giacomo Turra’s energetic guitar skills evolved from his love of dance – and his self-taught style might just be the future of funk
That Turra is self-taught and oblivious to theory is one of the biggest guitar flexes in history – but as he explains, playing funk is all about connecting with an audience
Best 12-string guitars 2025: our pick of 12-string acoustic and electric guitars
Our expert guide to the best 12-string guitars from Taylor, Rickenbacker, Fender, and others
Best acoustic guitar pickups 2025: electrify your acoustic with our expert picks
Whether it be for performing live or recording at home, the best acoustic guitar pickups from LR Baggs, Fishman and others will help you enhance your tone
The 50 greatest acoustic guitar songs of all time
As voted for by you, this list spans some of the most significant acoustic moments ever committed to tape – and features a controversial winner…
Best distortion pedals 2025: the top 11 high-gain stompboxes for guitarists
Crunch, filth, mayhem! Dive into our expert round-up of the best distortion pedals available today
With Strats, Magnatones, and an all-star lineup of friends, Slash embraces the blues – with one of the last Dumbles ever built
Turning to spontaneity, and changing habits both gear and playing-wise, Slash's new record is a laid-back, charming tribute to an ever-lasting strain of guitar playing
Acoustic vs electric guitar: which is better for beginner guitarists?
For new guitarists this is one of the biggest questions. We’re here to help you choose the right path and find the right guitar for you
Slash reveals one of the biggest lessons he learned from his blues hero, B.B King
Slash was into B.B. King's music before he even thought about picking up the guitar – and the blues great would have a huge impact on the Guns N' Roses guitarist's mindset and style
How the Fender Stratocaster ushered in an evolution in guitar design – and a revolution in guitar music
The Strat’s radical design transformed electric guitar and reshaped culture, and continues to do so after 70 years of service – and it’s only just getting started
Slash explains why he used a Strat to cover a Peter Green track on his new blues album
The Les Paul loyalist dipped into his Fender collection for the new album, which was also recorded using a '50s Telecaster
