Latest articles by Matt Owen
JHS Pedals launches Lari Basilio’s first-ever signature stompbox – and it offers “a new take on distortion and overdrive”
Basilio has been using a prototype of The Violet on almost everything she's played since mid-2022 – and now the core of her celebrated guitar tone has been given a signature release
“Gretsch’s most exciting release of the year. A genuine joy to play”: Gretsch Electromatic Jack Antonoff Signature "Princess Antonoff" CVT review
Gretsch's collaboration with the Bleachers mainman and Taylor Swift collaborator is a versatile surprise
Ibanez reimagines its beloved Tube Screamer into its most high-end format yet – with a $300 hand-wired TS808
New components and a fresh lick of paint have helped Ibanez reboot the flagship TS808, but it comes at a hefty price
Martyn LeNoble was once in desperate need of bass gear – and The Who’s low-end legend came to his rescue
When he first moved to the US, LeNoble was unable to ship has trusty Trace Elliott over with him. When a local bass store couldn't provide a replacement in time, Entwistle stepped in…
How Kirk Hammett ended up in possession of the legendary ‘Greeny’ Les Paul – and why he had no interest in it at first
The Metallica guitarist never intended to buy Peter Green and Gary Moore's iconic single-cut – but changed his mind once he finally got his hands on it
Tony Iommi tried to reclaim his iconic Gibson ‘Monkey’ SG but wasn’t allowed
After retiring the Monkey SG, the Black Sabbath legend sold it to the Hard Rock Cafe – but ran into a spot of bother when he tried to get it back
“The sonic equivalent of a fist-fight between James Hetfield and Alex Lifeson”: October 2024 Guitar World editors’ picks
The hot new tracks and deep cuts GW editors have been listening to this month
John Frusciante’s first-ever Fender signature guitar is here
Fender Master Builder Paul Waller has painstakingly recreated the Red Hot Chili Peppers icon’s legendary sunburst Strat, which features all the relic’d cosmetics and electronics upgrades of the original
How a 9-year-old Julian Lage ended up playing with Carlos Santana in front of 20,000 people
While Santana was touring the US with Jeff Beck, Lage turned up unannounced to meet his hero – and was invited onstage for a jam
John Mayer busts out his Charvel and an ultra-rare ESP as he breaks new ground during A-list R&B guest solo
Mayer has shared behind-the-scenes snippets as he composed his latest collaborative lead effort, which takes his solo chops to new experimental heights
Johnny Marr’s Martin M-7 is a seven-string bottles his studio sound into one acoustic
Marr's latest signature model, the M-7 – also available as a regular six-string – features an extra string to provide his trademark jangle
Fender has rebooted its top-selling Champion modeling amp family – and prices start at $129
The ultra-affordable amps offer onboard effects and a suite of amp voices for added versatility
Billy Corgan on why he thinks he’s still under-appreciated as a guitarist
The creative force behind Smashing Pumpkins is often overlooked in the 'greatest guitarists of all time' conversation
Tony Iommi was a Fender Stratocaster player before fate intervened – and he had to reach for his Gibson SG
Iommi went to the studio intent on recording Black Sabbath's debut album with his heavily modded Strat. Things didn't quite go according to plan...
Iced Earth’s Jon Schaffer shares statement following sentencing for US Capitol riot involvement
Schaffer has been sentenced following his involvement in the January 2021 US Capitol riots in Washington DC – and says he “profoundly” regrets his actions
Keeley’s new Zoma is a luxurious-sounding reverb/tremolo stompbox that serves as one of the brand’s “crowning achievements”
The spiritual successor to Keeley's Hydra reverb/tremolo debuts a new pedal design, and is said to represent a step forward in the company's sound quality
Dumble is under new ownership – and it will begin making amps again using the elusive amp builder’s “trade secrets”
A newly established Dumble website has confirmed new amps – and other product lines – are on the cards, as well as a complete database of every Dumble ever made
Stevie Nicks pinpoints the moment she knew Lindsey Buckingham had to be axed from Fleetwood Mac
Buckingham's departure in 2018 was initially reported as being due to “a disagreement over the band’s upcoming tour”
Gretsch gives three hollowbody designs a Professional Collection reboot
A range of high-end appointments and Gretsch's newly engineered Arc-Tone Bracing system head up the new crop of elegant single-cuts
Fender Japan doubles down on its newfound affinity for sandblasting by putting an irresistible spin on its black-out Hybrid II models
Fender's experimental branch introduced some sandblasted Hybrid II instruments earlier this year – but they've been trumped by these stealthy designs, which all flaunt that unusual finishing technique
Kenny Wayne Shepherd on why starting out with a budget guitar is the best way to go
Shepherd now plays some of the most desirable boutique gear money can buy, but his own personal guitar journey started with a cheap Yamaha
Martyn LeNoble on how his ill-fated stint with Jane’s Addiction came to a close after a clash with Perry Farrell
The Porno for Pyros co-founder was brought onboard to record bass for Jane's Addiction's third studio album, but was replaced at the last minute
Fender’s first-ever official 7-string Stratocaster has become a reality
Chris Garza of Suicide Silence has just received the first-ever hardtail seven-string Fender Strat – it’s taken almost seven years to make, and he has big plans for the design
