Latest articles by Matt Parker
Rolling Stone has revealed its Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time – and its number one pick corrects a previous injustice
The latest guitar roundup from Rolling Stone will raise some eyebrows, but it’s got a few things right, too…
Blackstar just dropped a mini amp that could change the market forever
The BEAM Mini could offer big competition to the Spark Go, with “component-level” models, cutting-edge AI practice tools and support for NAM open source captures
April 2026 Guitar World Editors’ Picks
Fresh new cuts from all corners of the guitar world courtesy of Muse, Arlo Parks, Jack White, Ed O'Brien, Weezer, Periphery, and more...
White Denim’s James Petralli has learned to roll with rock’s punches
The sonic architect has been the one constant of White Denim’s 13-album rollercoaster – he tells us how he’s lasted the ride, and how it’s changed him as a player
Masca’s Tina Maynard on how three months in IDLES reinvented her playing – and why Teles are underrated grunge tools
On Love Letters, the Bristol, UK-based guitarist and frontwoman of ‘heavy pop’ trio Masca showcases a hard-won confidence as a guitarist and tonesmith
March 2026 Guitar World Editors’ Picks
Collaborative instrumental greatness from six-string aces new and old (SatchVai), bossa nova guitar bliss, sublime slide work, swashbuckling 12-bar blues... we've had it all this month
February 2026 Guitar World Editors’ Picks
Two generations of virtuosos – Steve Vai and Matteo Mancuso – join forces, Midwest Emo GOATs American Football return, Anna Calvi works wonders with her Telecaster, Mateus Asato gives us long-awaited instrumental bliss, and Angine de Poitrine deliver, uh, “Dada-Pythago-Cubist Mantra-rock” – all this and much, much more
January 2026 Guitar World Editors’ Picks
Featuring an onslaught of leviathan power chords from Sunn O))), a bruiser of a blues rock romp from Jared James Nichols, a beautiful, heartfelt piece of desert blues from Imarhan, a genre-obliterating piece of twisty guitar genius from Tim Henson, and a whole lot more
“A brand-new guitar shape from one of the world’s oldest guitar companies. Will wonders never cease?” 10 things we learned at NAMM 2026
We scoured every corner of the Anaheim Convention Center to scope out the latest and greatest gear – and there were some telling signs about the current state of the guitar world
NAMM 2026: rumors, predictions and breaking news from the world's biggest guitar gear show
All the latest and greatest gear drops coming out of the largest music trade show in the world – with new launches from Ibanez, Taylor, EVH, Marshall and more
The Cribs on swapping guitars, tracking a stolen guitar and why it’s not their fault that you can’t get their signature Squiers
Ryan and Gary Jarman remember Steve Albini as much nicer than you’d think, share the crazy story of a missing Mustang, and tell us how a Tube Screamer can make a guitar sound like a synth
The Cribs' Ryan Jarman explains why a guitar swap with Johnny Marr didn't work out
When Marr briefly joined the band, the two guitarists jokingly agreed to a guitar swap – only for Jarman to realize he would have gotten the short end of the stick
The story of the stolen Fender offset that unites three iconic indie rock bands
The story of the stolen Fender offset that unites three indie icons The Cribs' Ryan Jarman bought a ’78 Sunburst Mustang that helped shape the band's early sound – only for it to mysteriously end up in the hands of The 1975's Matty Healy and Beabadoobee nearly two decades later
Bob Weir, Grateful Dead guitarist, vocalist and founding member, dies aged 78
The counterculture guitar icon never stopped evolving as a player and performer
25 reasons why 2025 was a great year for guitar
Historic shows, a once-in-a-lifetime reunion, generational guitar talents, tonal revolutions, watershed gear drops… we won’t spoil it at all here, but a lot has happened
From Plini to Polyphia to onstage shoutouts from Nuno, how Rick Graham quietly became one of progressive guitar’s most influential names
From Guthrie Govan, through to Jason Richardson and Andy James, Rick Graham has garnered friends, fans and guest-spots with guitar’s most technical talents – and helped a huge chunk of players to hone their craft along the way
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
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
This is the biggest guitar bargain we’ve spotted all year – get a $900 D’Angelico for just $399
This solid body build from D'Angelico is well worth your time – and never more so at this price
Black Friday guitar deals 2025 LIVE: all the biggest savings at Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Fender, Amazon and more that are still live
I'm rounding up all the hottest, still-live guitar, amp, pedal and accessory deals in the Black Friday sales. Stick with me for all of the biggest news, deals, tips and tricks for saving money
Deal alert! These are the cheapest Fender Player IIs on the internet right now
Some big deals have now sold-out but there are still some major discounts on these beautiful limited edition Racing Green models
Guitar Center Black Friday deals 2025: The official Black Friday Sale is here!
Guitar Center has gone early with its Black Friday sale, which sees up to 40% off from now until December 3rd
Black Friday guitar deals 2025: Don't miss out on the greatest savings for guitar players
Here are the best savings still live this Black Friday, from Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Positive Grid, and more
