
Neville Marten
In the late '70s and early '80s Neville worked for Selmer/Norlin as one of Gibson's UK guitar repairers, before joining CBS/Fender in the same role. He then moved to the fledgling Guitarist magazine as staff writer, rising to editor in 1986. He remained editor for 14 years before launching and editing Guitar Techniques magazine. Although now semi-retired he still works for both magazines. Neville has been a member of Marty Wilde's 'Wildcats' since 1983, and recorded his own album, The Blues Headlines, in 2019.
Latest articles by Neville Marten

Fender Highway Series Parlor and Dreadnought review – Fender reinvents the acoustic once again… and the results took us by surprise
By Neville Marten published
Following the success of Fender’s Acoustasonic series come two somewhat more traditional-looking electros. Packed with Fender/Fishman innovation, could they be even cooler?

“As soon as I pick up the guitar and play that riff, it’s one of the best feelings in the world. You just jump on the riff and it plays you”: The Rolling Stones’ 10 best guitar riffs
By Neville Marten published
As the Stones return with Hackney Diamonds, we asked you for your favorite riffs from Keith Richards and friends. Here they are – plus the story of how they were created

Fender Vintera II ‘60s Stratocaster and ‘50s Nocaster review: keenly priced Strat and Tele models that evoke the golden age of guitar building
By Neville Marten published
The original 2019 Fender Vintera models offered a fine and affordable snapshot of Fenders from a particular ‘vintage era’. So, what do the Mk II class of 2023 Vinteras bring to the table?

Epiphone 150th Anniversary Zephyr Deluxe Regent, Sheraton, Crestwood Custom and Wilshire review – original guitar designs that hold their own against Gibson
By Neville Marten published
A century and a half after the seeds of Epiphone were sown, we’re looking at four milestone reissues from the company’s heyday. And, best of all, they won’t break the bank

“On a quick trip to interview Paul Reed Smith I was told we were going to the White House so I’d better pack a suit”: Celebrating 500 issues of Guitarist, one of the world’s greatest guitar magazines
By Jamie Dickson published
From playing Eric Clapton’s Strats to narrowly avoiding knocking out Slash, Guitarist editors past and present share their favourite – and sometimes most embarrassing – memories of working for the esteemed UK publication

Fender American Vintage II 1972 Telecaster Thinline and 1975 Telecaster Deluxe review
By Neville Marten published
Time has mellowed the wrath of the detractors and reinforced the joy of the believers in a range that divided opinion when first released in the early ’70s – and now it’s back with authentic CuNiFe humbuckers

Taylor 412ce and 417e review
By Neville Marten published
Taylor revamps its ‘workhorse’ rosewood and spruce 400 Series with sunburst tops and new inlays – then there’s the innovative V-Class bracing, not to mention the ES2 electronics. A match made in heaven?

Epiphone 1958 Korina Explorer and Flying V review
By Neville Marten published
This intriguing collaboration between Epiphone and Gibson’s fabled Custom Shop has produced faithful reproductions of two of the most brilliantly radical guitars ever devised

Faith PJE Legacy Twenty Series Mars, Earth and Neptune review
By Neville Marten published
Three special instruments to celebrate 20 years of Faith acoustics. Designed by Patrick James Eggle with bespoke abalone inlays, they really are something to behold

David Crosby: “I’m usually trying to tell a story. Musically, I think it has to do with the fact that I like more complex chord structures and progressions”
By Neville Marten published
In one of his final guitar interviews, the free-thinking founder of The Byrds and CSNY reflected on his storied career and discussed the making of his final, Joni Mitchell-inspired album, For Free

Hank Marvin: “When I got the first Strat we’d ordered with a ‘tremolo arm’, I was intrigued. None of us had seen one before or really knew what it did”
By Neville Marten published
Cited by Clapton, May, Page and more, Marvin is the first true legend of instrumental guitar. Here, he talks gypsy jazz, his favorite Shadows tunes, and the genius of Jeff Beck

Taylor 514ce review
By Neville Marten published
Another new wood joins the Taylor stable: let’s introduce red ironbark to the world of guitar tone! But what does it bring to the table?

Fender American Vintage II ’61 Stratocaster and ’51 Telecaster review
By Neville Marten last updated
Fender has been making Vintage Reissues since the AVR models of the early ’80s, but this new American Vintage II range? It looks set to challenge even the mighty Custom Shop

Eastman Juliet P-90-VR and PB review
By Neville Marten last updated
Romeo signalled a change of direction for Eastman, moving away from recreations of well-known shapes and styles to crafting new and exciting originals. Juliet continues that theme

Behold Rickenbacker’s new Midnight Purple 330
By Neville Marten published
As limited-edition Rickenbackers go, they don't get much cooler than this...

Patrick James Eggle Macon SC Goldtop review
By Neville Marten last updated
Another single-cut from one of the UK’s finest luthiers, but are dramatic timbers, classy hardware and thoughtful electrics enough to convince us there’s gold in them there hills?

Taylor 724ce Koa review
By Neville Marten last updated
The premium Californian acoustic brand's massive revamp of its 700 Series witnessed the launch of two new Koa models, and this exquisite Grand Auditorium 724ce is one of them

10 essential Elvis Presley guitar tracks
By Neville Marten, Jamie Hunt published
Plus! Learn how to play three classic Elvis riffs with video lessons on Jailhouse Rock, Mystery Train and Suspicious Minds

Fender JV Modified ’50s Telecaster and ’60s Stratocaster review
By Neville Marten last updated
Forty years on from the launch of the Japanese-made JV series Strat and Tele, Fender revisits the range with ‘modified’ versions that claim to offer the best of the old and the new

Why Gibson’s Elvis SJ-200 has us all shook up
By Neville Marten published
The King of the Flat-Tops does not get any more regal than this

Atkin The Fifty-Two and The Fifty-Four review
By Neville Marten published
A new range of electric guitars from a builder of renowned British acoustics? Indeed… but if anyone can cross the hollow-to-solidbody divide it’s Alister Atkin

Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard review
By Neville Marten published
Another new Epiphone model enters the fray, promising the looks, sound and playability of its USA Gibson cousin at a fraction of the price

ABBA guitarist Lasse Wellander shares his story of playing for the Swedish pop institution
By Neville Marten published
As ABBA’s Voyage tops the charts the world over, we meet the man whose guitar has graced records and stages alongside Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid since the mid-'70s
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