Latest articles by Matt Parker
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
Don’t paws for thought: there’s a massive $180 off Squier’s Hello Kitty Strat at Sweetwater
Cat got your tone? Get your claws into a cult classic with a massive 31% off the iconic Hello Kitty Strat – provided it stays in stock
Guitar Center is looking different this Black Friday with exclusive new finishes on Fender, Gibson, Martin and Schecter models
Fancy an Aurora finish on your Fender, or a taking a Bat to your Les Paul? Guitar Center has you covered...
“The perfect marriage of Aerosmith and the Cult. An Aerocult, if you will”: November 2025 Guitar World Editors’ Picks
The new guitar music that GW editors have been obsessed with this month: fresh names, old hands and trailblazing players
Boss’ Katana:Go Mini is the headphone amp to beat – and now it’s the best value, too – undercutting Fender, Blackstar and IK at just $99
Boss’ headphone amp has got me playing so much more at home – and now it’s cheaper than all of its rivals
50 years ago, Electro-Harmonix set the template for the future of guitar stores – then it disappeared without a trace
Mike Matthews, Josh Scott and key EHX staff reflect on the firm’s boldest idea, which came at the height of its late-’70s powers – and went way beyond pedals
Sub Pop-backed alt-rockers SPRINTS on guitar trolls, nylon-string fuzz wars – and the tonal benefits of olive oil
Second record All That Is Over sees the Irish group adding new sounds, avoiding scales, and continuing to confuse sound techs with their eccentric approach to gear
October 2025 Guitar World Editors' Picks
Liven up your Halloween with six-string (and five-string) sorcery from Alter Bridge, Mei Semones, Whitney, Karma Sheen, Jacob Collier, Unprocessed, and many more
My pedalboard is so huge it’s got wheels. But switching to modelers costs guitarists their identity
Tom Peters, guitarist for UK math-rock heroes Alpha Male Tea Party, reckons that while we’re losing back pain in reducing the physical weight of our rigs, we’re causing ourselves creative self-harm
