
Matt Owen
Matt is the GuitarWorld.com News Editor, and has been writing and editing for the site for almost five years. He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 19 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. During his GW career, he’s interviewed Peter Frampton, Zakk Wylde, Tosin Abasi, Matteo Mancuso and more, and has profiled the CEOs of Guitar Center and Fender.
When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt performs with indie rock duo Esme Emerson, and has previously opened for the likes of Ed Sheeran, Keane, Japanese House and Good Neighbours.
Latest articles by Matt Owen

Guitar Center introduces Rig Advisor, the guitar world’s first-ever AI shopping assistant
By Matt Owen published
Rig Advisor leverages artificial intelligence in a bid to enhance the in-store shopping experience

Tommy Emmanuel knocked on the door of his biggest guitar hero – and ended up jamming with him
By Matt Owen published
The acoustic virtuoso took a pilgrimage to Nashville and swung by the house of his hero, and came away having learned a lesson he still holds close to this day

PRS turned unwanted wood into some of its best guitar finishes – including the one found on Paul Reed Smith’s go-to guitar
By Matt Owen published
Emerald Green and Charcoal – two of the firm’s most eye-popping offerings – were stumbled upon by accident

This is all the new guitar gear that has caught my eye this week – and there’s a dreamy Stratocaster/Jazzmaster hybrid
By Matt Owen published
An Ariel Posen signature Strat, Jimmy Page’s latest Sundragon amp and a reissue of Metallica's hallowed IIC++ all dropped during a busy week for guitar gear

Mark Knopfler looks back on his jams with fellow fingerstyle legend Chet Atkins
By Matt Owen published
The pair traded licks after the release of Brothers in Arms, and went on to release an album together

Mesa/Boogie’s Mark IIC++ was used by Metallica to shape the sound of 1980s metal – and now it’s been released for the first time ever
By Matt Owen published
Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield's Crunch Berries amp, which was only ever made as an unofficial mod exclusive only to artists, gets its first-ever wide release

Fender’s limited-edition Ariel Posen signature is a conceptual hybrid that blends two of the slide master’s favorite guitars together
By Matt Owen published
The Jazzmaster/Stratocaster mash-up debuts custom pickups designed by Tim Shaw and a spec sheet that blurs the boundaries between the two classic Fender designs

Why Slash worked with Magnatone on a signature amp after 30 years of playing Marshall stacks
By Matt Owen published
The Guns N' Roses guitar hero made headlines back in 2023 when he announced he'd be partnering with Magnatone on a signature guitar amp

Mk.gee was named Eric Clapton’s favorite new guitarist – now he’s making waves with a guest spot on Justin Bieber’s new album
By Matt Owen published
Daisies, from Bieber’s surprise new album, Swag, features Mk.gee’s unmistakable playing

Marcus King takes Rory Gallagher’s legendary Isle of Wight Fender Telecaster for a spin on stage
By Matt Owen published
King previously played Jeff Beck’s iconic YardBurst Les Paul thanks to French vintage guitar dealer, Matt’s Guitar Shop

Tim Henson addresses Kirk Hammett’s mixed response to his ‘boomer bends’ comments
By Matt Owen published
Hammett recently had his own say on the boomer bends controversy, questioning how accessible the Polyphia virtuoso’s style is for casual listeners

“The age of touchscreen guitar amps is here”: All the new guitar gear that has caught my eye this week
By Matt Owen published
From next-gen desktop amps to a signature bass that celebrates a low-end legend, here are the essential gear launches you might have missed

How Chris Turpin found the perfect foil for Jake Kiszka’s Number One Gibson SG
By Matt Owen published
The Ida Mae and Greta Van Fleet guitarists came together and bonded over a shared love of the blues to form their new band, Mirador

Forget Amazon for guitar deals - Sweetwater has an irresistible $200 off Epiphone’s 1964 SG Reissue for all Iommi and Angus fans
By Matt Owen published
Genuine Gibson USA pickups and era-accurate specs highlight this high-end Epi SG

“I said to my tour manager, ‘I need 350 bucks,’ which he wasn’t happy about. That bass changed my career”: In 1981, Pino Palladino bought a fretless StingRay that altered the course of his musical life – now it’s been recreated as a signature model
By Matt Owen published
In 1981, Pino Palladino bought a fretless StingRay that altered the course of his musical life – now it’s been recreated as a signature model

This 16-year-old has been called the next Stevie Ray Vaughan – and he’s finally been given the keys to “the real SRV tone” after years of experimenting
By Matt Owen published
Rhys John Stygal has partnered with Pedal Pawn to put on an SRV clinic, complete with an obsessively assembled guitar rig and pointers on how to harness the blues great’s tone

A guitar amp with a touchscreen? Mooer’s $190 F15i looks to set a new benchmark for desktop modeling amps
By Matt Owen published
Could the Positive Grid Spark have competition?

Vivian Campbell sets the record straight on his infamous departure from Ronnie James Dio’s band
By Matt Owen published
The guitar icon joined and departed Dio in the space of a few years owing to disagreements over the financial running of the band, Campbell says

“I miss being at the end of the stage and turning up my amp as loud as possible”: Oasis have performed their first live shows in 16 years – and Noel Gallagher re-embracing guitar solos after all this time is set to be a highlight of the entire reunion
By Matt Owen published
After largely spending years as the rhythm guitarist for his High Flying Birds project, Gallagher is finally letting loose on the fretboard once again

Gibson (sort of) revives the cult Marauder model beloved by Adam Jones and Paul Stanley
By Matt Owen published
A Marauder in all but name, the celebratory offering marks 50 years of Gibson handcrafting guitars in Nashville

“A bold step forward in modern amp design”: Blackstar goes up against Boss and Positive Grid with the ID:X – a next-gen modeling amp with newly developed tech that isn’t afraid of the competition
By Matt Owen published
Blackstar goes up against Boss and Positive Grid with the ID:X – a next-gen modeling amp with newly developed tech that isn’t afraid of the competition

Steven Tyler makes triumphant return to the stage with Back to Beginning set
By Matt Owen published
Two Aerosmith members have already voiced their desire to do one more Aerosmith show, and Tyler – who nailed his Back to the Beginning set – sounds in killer form

Ola Strandberg ushered in a new era of headless guitars – but no one is doing it like his own company
By Matt Owen published
Ibanez, Kiesel, Schecter and more have all upped their headless guitar game in recent years, but Strandberg’s approach is unique
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