Latest articles by Matt Parker
“The higher end the guitar, the more robust the demand is”: Why are guitars getting more expensive? We spoke to the world’s biggest guitar companies to find out
From $50k acoustics to eye-watering ‘premium offshore’ prices, the cost of big-name new guitars has felt like it’s spiraling. So how did we get here? And how do we get out of it?
“I was forced to play fretless because it was the cheapest bass available”: Paul Simon’s Graceland bassist Bakithi Kumalo defined the 1980s fretless bass sound – but the session pro says he knew nothing about it before making the album
The South African bassist helped create one of the most distinctive tones and techniques of the era, but maintains the decision was a very happy accident
“One of my top favorite guitars of all time”: Epiphone debuts the Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom – and it's got a Gibson-style headstock
The Tool man’s signature model follows the Kirk Hammett Greeny Les Paul in featuring an ‘open book’ style headstock, plus a classy Custom Shop-tier neck pickup
“It’s probably the only time in my career I bowed out, because I knew it was going to be a fight… most of that heavy guitar was lost”: Brian May says David Bowie removed his electric guitar riffs on Under Pressure – and he never liked the results
The Queen guitar legend says the song originally sounded more like a Who-style rocker, but Bowie had other ideas…
“Can’t spell Usher without H.E.R.”: Armed with a newly-customised Fender signature Stratocaster, H.E.R. performs a scene-stealing guest guitar solo – amid a rollerskating Usher – at Super Bowl LVIII
The guitarist dropped in to offer the six-string centerpiece of this year’s Super Bowl halftime show
Two years on from their landmark battle over body shapes, Gibson and Armadillo are back in court as the Dean producer seeks to appeal 2022 jury decision
The initial decision ruled in Gibson’s favor and prevented Armadillo from producing any more V or Z-style builds based on the classic outlines
“This cherished model has now been refined”: Gibson’s sleek Les Paul Modern Studio brings the Modern line’s player-friendly features to a proper mahogany body and maple cap USA build – and all for under $2K
The latest take on the Les Paul Studio looks to offer some of the best bang for your buck of the whole USA-made line-up
NAMM 2024: the 10 biggest things we discovered at this year's show
From a new wave of star-studded semi-hollow signature guitars, to the AI invasion, these are the things we saw, heard, and thought at the music-making event of the year
“I had the cast on, my fingers were set about a centimeter apart... I got a plectrum and glued some thick rubber either side so I could hold it”: The Stone Roses’ reclusive guitar hero John Squire says he once feared he’d never play again
The guitarist is back with a new album with Oasis’ Liam Gallagher and has recalled the injury that a few years ago led to new ways of playing
“Staggering”: Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Collection has sold at auction for over $11 million – with a record-breaking ’59 Burst sale and 28 guitars fetching over $100k
The 122 lot sale included the Dire Straits man’s Money for Nothing Les Paul and Walk of Life Schecter, alongside his custom Suhr guitars
“This is affordable and accessible… and it gives you a beautiful playing experience”: The Gretsch boygenius Broadkaster Jr. is a 3 -in-1 Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus and Phoebe Bridgers supergroup signature guitar that costs less than $700
The limited edition player-friendly platform sees the trio prize accessibility and simplicity, albeit with considerable flair...
NAMM 2024: “It’ll raise the tonal game of guitarists the world over”: Palmer’s Supreme Soaker is an all-in-one loadbox, speaker simulator and connection hub that could solve all sorts of problems
Want an effects loop or headphone output for your old tube amp? Palmer’s got you covered...
NAMM 2024: “This pedal facilitates an alchemical dance”: Pigtronix’s Philosopher’s Tone 2 is the sequel that looks set to top the original – adding footswitchable grit to the world-class compressor pedal
A new Grit channel and a choice of Germanium or Silicone clipping add the magical final touch to the firm’s revamped compressor
NAMM 2024: Dean Guitars is preparing to come back fighting – and we got an exclusive preview of its killer 2024 line-up, including its new affordable Kerry King signature, Slime Green finishes, and serious mid-price metal guitar contenders
It's set to be a big year for Dean, and Guitar World has been given a sneak preview of the firm’s extensive new 2024 range from president Patrick Schuleit
NAMM 2024 live: this year’s biggest guitar news as it happens
Everything you need to know direct from the show floor at the world’s no. 1 guitar gear show
NAMM 2024: all the latest guitar news, rumors and predictions from the greatest gear show on Earth
The guitar, amp and pedal news you need to know about, all in one place
NAMM 2024: “The same design as the one Jimi Hendrix wore when he stole the show at a 1967 music festival”: Vintage reissue straps are now a thing: check-out this Dunlop x Authentic Hendrix reproduction of Jimi’s Monterey Pop strap
Get the strap that held the guitar that Hendrix set on fire...
NAMM 2024: “Some people were like, ‘That's the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen!’ It turns out it was the most successful instrument we ever could have imagined”: John Petrucci on the wild ride of his signature guitar, the Music Man Majesty
Like many game-changing ideas, the Majesty (which wasn't the guitar's original name...) was not immediately welcomed with open arms, the Dream Theater man says
NAMM 2024: “One of the most unique and spectacular LTD models that Takamine has ever created”: Takamine's master luthiers celebrate once more around the sun with this spectacular solar system-themed acoustic guitar build
Every year the firm builds a guitar to showcase the finest work of its Japanese luthiers and this year’s model really dazzles
NAMM 2024: “From classic 1970s to contemporary modern”: Following the success of its Kim Thayil signature model, Guild’s expanded range hopes to find a Polara for every player
The overhauled Polara solidbody has formed the basis for three new tiers of standard line Polara builds, including the Deluxe, Night Edition and standard lines
“The Gibson Garage has become this Mecca in Nashville for guitar players. Bringing the London store to life is going to be equally as as gratifying”: Gibson’s first-ever flagship store outside of the US has announced its grand opening date
The firm’s first-ever flagship store outside of the US is preparing to open its doors on February 24
NAMM 2024: “It’s not just a reissue of that very special instrument. This was an opportunity to showcase 40 years of evolution”: Alex Lifeson partners with Godin for the LERXST Limelight – a new take on his legendary Hentor Sportcaster
The Rush icon has teamed-up with another forward-thinking Canadian export for his new S-style signature guitar
A Slash Jessica Les Paul, new Epiphone Firebirds, a Dual Falcon 20 amp and the Theodore goes Standard: Gibson just surprised us with a massive preview of unannounced guitar gear for 2024
Take a look at some of the treats on display at Gibson’s pre-NAMM LA hangout
“One of the most requested models in Epiphone's history”: The Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 signature exists – and we’ve played it
The Foo Fighters man’s affordable signature broke cover at Gibson’s pre-NAMM preview event
NAMM 2024: With the $2,199 Pacifica Professional, Yamaha is hoping to prove the beginner workhorse has thoroughbred potential. Can it persuade players to pay a higher price for an entry-level name?
The firm's new Japanese-made Professional and Standard Plus models are challenging perceptions of the enduringly popular Pacifica
