Latest articles by Matt Parker
H.E.R. performs national anthem – and solos as Tom Cruise abseils into the stadium – at the Olympics closing ceremony
The Strat-wielding superstar’s performance of the Star Spangled Banner marked the start of the official countdown to LA28
Tracking the phenomenal guitar lineage of John Mayall in 12 essential releases
We trace the evolution of the six-string linchpin behind the British blues rock boom of the 1960s
“I was determined to avoid hailing him as the future of shred, but I simply cannot do it”: July 2024 Guitar World editor's picks
From an eight-string chug-a-thon with blues licks to make Eric Johnson blush, to a baritone turn from the hottest guitar player on the planet right now, this month was soundtracked by some top-tier guitar action
“It's meant to be a noise gate... It actually makes it noisier when it shuts off”: That time Steve Albini listed all of his worst pedals and why he hated them
The influential guitarist and engineer had a few recommendations for your ‘don’t buy’ list
Jackson debuts a brand-new baritone body design in its road-warrior signature model for Roman Ibramkhalilov
It’s heavy bevels for heavy metals as Jackson breaks cover with a signature guitar that’s been four years in the making
Positive Grid has unveiled the Spark 2 – here’s how it plans change the amp game... again
The year’s most anticipated amp launch is here – and we’ve got the full details
Positive Grid confirms the Spark 2 will arrive within weeks – and, yes, it has a looper
The most-requested missing feature of the original amp has now been addressed – and it will be here sooner than you think
PRS has dropped its objection to Gibson’s Theodore trademark – but the dispute continues outside of the courts
The McCarty-era sketch that Gibson recently brought to life has caused ruptures with the McCarty estate
British builder Blackstar turns the dial towards vintage Fender tone with the TV-10A
The new 1x12” Class A combo draws inspiration from early Fender circuits, but adds in modern conveniences
John Lennon’s lost Vox amp – used on the Beatles’ first recordings and Cavern gigs – may have been found
Heard on Please Please Me and Love Me Do, this unassuming 1962 Vox AC15 Twin may have just become the most valuable amp on the planet – and we’ve had the exclusive first look
Dean Guitars maker has won the right to a retrial in Gibson trademark dispute
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Armadillo Enterprises is entitled to a retrial that will include previously excluded evidence
Stevie Ray Vaughan stuns David Letterman in newly uploaded footage of his Late Night show debut
The recently unearthed clip catches the guitar hero in the form of his life, three years sober and following the recording of his Grammy-winning album, In Step
Gibson’s ES Supreme adds full-body Burst finishes and flexible switching to the firm’s classic semi-hollow
Gibson’s much-loved ES-335 has been given a fancy new outfit
Squier’s affordable Affinity series just a got a major new expansion
The five new budget-friendly builds mean there’s now more variety to the Affinity series than we’ve ever seen before
“Big riff energy is in this kid’s blood – and he might even solo better than his dad…” June 2024 Guitar World editor’s picks
From all-star offspring to returning noise-rock icons, a punk trailblazer’s first album in 53 years and the future of blues, this month had it all
Harley Benton already has the best-value electric guitar of 2024. Now it’s done the same for amp modelers
It’s only $170, but the new DNAfx GiT Advanced offers serious multi-FX spec for the price
Junior Marvin saw Jimi Hendrix blow away the Beatles – but says the guitar hero was too shy to speak to him
The Bob Marley and The Wailers guitarist says Hendrix was “like two different people” on and offstage
JHS unveils its first ever original distortion pedal, the Hard Drive
The new unit is not a clone of any previous pedal, but offers a huge variety of recognizable modern distortion tones
Marshall is celebrating 100 years of Celestion with this stunning, limited-edition hand-built head and cab
The UK amp maker has teamed-up with its collaborators at Celestion for a special run of handmade Studio JTMs
George Benson is leading a four-day concert and workshop event featuring the biggest names in session guitar
Breezin’ with the Stars combines workshops, gigs and a luxury hotel resort
Yamaha’s top-tier FS9 acoustics combine detailed Japanese Kumiki woodworking and high-end appointments
The luxurious new concert model looks to be taking on the US acoustic stalwarts’ modern ranges, but still sets out its Japanese heritage
Meet LA Priest, the inventor-guitarist questioning everything you know about tone
UK musician and tonal pioneer Sam Eastgate is using a pile of self-built pedals, an obscure guitar and an amp he literally found in a dumpster to create a sound unlike anything else
Squier’s new Limited Edition Classic Vibe models are so desirable, I broke my decade-long guitar buying ban. So how did they get me hooked?
I usually stand strong in the face of guitar-makers’ marketing tricks, but firms are finding new ways of making affordable lines tempting
