Latest articles by Matt Owen
“As a compact amp modeler/cab simulator/Capture device, this is perhaps the best option out there, screen or no screen”: Neural DSP Nano Cortex review
Review update: includes NanOS 2.2.0 firmware update and long-term live testing
Rob Reiner and wife found dead at their LA home
Authorities have opened a homicide investigation after the couple were found dead in their home on Sunday
All the guitar gear that has caught my eye this week – including a follow-up to the internet-breaking Bad Monkey story
It's pedal mania this week, with new drops from Strymon, JHS Pedals, and DigiTech – but a long-awaited replica of Tom Morello's legendary Rage Against the Machine guitar steals the spotlight
Gretsch Streamliner Jet 1 Pickup
An affordable, uber-cool workhorse guitar that packs a lot of punch despite its streamlined spec sheet
Raul Malo – genre-blending frontman for The Mavericks – dies aged 60
The history-making Malo – who merged together a huge body of influences to produce a truly singular sound – leaves behind a formidable legacy
This late rock guitar legend doesn’t get the credit he fully deserves, according to Paul Rodgers
The two guitar greats shared stages and studios, but Rodgers believes his former bandmate’s multi-faceted guitar chops are oft-overlooked
A forgotten design for the Big Muff 2 spent 50 years buried in dust – JHS Pedals and Electro-Harmonix unearthed it and turned it into a reality
During a research trip for his new book, Josh Scott stumbled upon a never-before-seen circuit drawing that offered an alternate take on the Op-Amp Big Muff concept
Modelers out-sold traditional amps and combos in 2025 – but the war between the two might not be over just yet
Reverb's end-of-year sales stats make for interesting reading with regard to the current state of the amp modeler vs. tube amp debate
The DigiTech Bad Monkey broke the internet with its Klon-aping antics – now it’s back and badder than ever before
The unassuming budget overdrive sent the gear world into a frenzy when JHS Pedals' Josh Scott pitted it against a Klon Centaur – and the differences were borderline indistinguishable
John Mayer names his favorite solo with Dead & Company – and plays it live on air
Mayer was asked the question during his Life with John Mayer SiriusXM show, and he just so happened to have a Silver Sky in hand to answer it
All the guitar gear that has caught my eye this week – including the onset of a new digital era for EVH
A landmark update for the Tone Master Pro, a new digital 5150III combo, and a signature capsule for Iron Maiden all landed this week
Guns N’ Roses share 2 new singles ahead of 2026 world tour – could the long-awaited studio album be next?
Atlas and Nothin’ mark the band’s first new material since 2023
Steve Cropper, 1941-2025 – the guitar world pays tribute
The influential soul guitar legend has passed away at the age of 84, with Joe Bonamassa, Tyler Bryant, Dave Mason, Mick Fleetwood and more sharing tributes
EVH signals the start of a brave new era with its first digital combo – which promises authentic Eddie Van Halen tube amp tones
The three channel amp is a lightweight reinvention of Eddie Van Halen's iconic 5150III in a digital combo form
Jeff Beck secretly played a PRS at home – and the company is trying to get it back
Beck played Fenders, Gibsons, even Jacksons onstage – but he reportedly kept a PRS handy at home for recording
Fender honors Iron Maiden’s 50th Anniversary with a stable of limited signatures for each of the band’s legendary players
The UK metal titans’ triple guitar team and bassist have all been honored with a range of specially tailored signatures
Joe Perry used a $219 pedal amp to record most of the guitars on Aerosmith’s new EP with Yungblud
Perry, Yungblud and Aerosmith first collab'd during a headline-grabbing performance at the VMAs – then took their partnership into the studio for One More Time
John Mayer says this Dumble-inspired pedal amp is a smart investment – and you can still save $50 before Guitar Center's Cyber Monday sale ends
Mayer gave the Universal Audio UAFX Engimatic '82 Overdrive Special a shout-out when we interviewed him earlier this year. Now it's available for another 24hours at a discount
Sweetwater Cyber Monday deals 2025: bag up to 50% off guitar gear
Cyber Monday is over, but Sweetwater just launched a fresh sale for Cyber Week
Cyber Monday Fender deals 2025: Last chance to save on a Fender
Cyber Monday is over, but you can save on iconic Fender gear
Musician's Friend Cyber Monday deals 2025: You can still score up to 65% off music gear - but be quick!
Our pick of the epic deals you need to check out in the Musician's Friend Cyber Monday sale
Guitar Center Cyber Monday deals 2025: there's not much time left to save up to 40%
Cyber Monday is over but there's still a last chance to save – here's how to secure today's best guitar gear discounts while you still can
Cyber Monday guitar deals 2025: all the biggest savings that are still live at Sweetwater, Guitar Center, and more
Find out where and how to still grab the biggest savings on guitar gear this Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday guitar deals 2025 LIVE: all of today's biggest savings at Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Fender, Amazon and more
I'm rounding up all the hottest guitar, amp, pedal and accessory deals in the Cyber Monday sales. Stick with me for all of the biggest news, savings, tips and tricks for getting more for less
