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
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
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa ‘Lazarus’ 1959 Les Paul Standard and BB King Lucille review
By Neville Marten published
These signature Epiphones for two of Gibson’s most famous endorsers look so good as to challenge the legendary guitar maker at its own game. Let’s see if they can do it…
Fender Noventa Telecaster and Stratocaster review
By Neville Marten published
Fender has treated some of its most iconic guitar models to a new, stripped-down P-90 format that turns them into lean, mean rocking machines
Epiphone USA Collection Frontier and Casino review
By Neville Marten published
Some of Epiphone’s most iconic electrics and acoustics are being built again in the USA. We examine a legendary electric and a show-stopping acoustic
Gibson Murphy Lab review
By Dave Burrluck, Neville Marten published
We’ve heard the buzz and seen the online ads, but is Gibson's time machine worth all the hype? We put a Les Paul Standard, a Junior, and an ES-335 through their paces
Fender 75th Anniversary Telecaster review
By Neville Marten published
An anniversary model celebrating 75 years since Clarence Leonidas Fender launched the company that would change popular music forever
Rickenbacker 330 Limited Edition review
By Neville Marten published
A limited-edition model from a leading brand in popular music since the '60s. But is Rickenbacker’s 330 still relevant today?
Epiphone Coronet, Wilshire and Crestwood Custom review
By Neville Marten published
This trio of ‘Junior’ style reissues look fantastic. But at entry-level prices, can they impress a gnarled old Guitarist reviewer?
Timothy B. Schmit: “I didn’t peak in my 20s or 30s, like a lot of songwriters do. I’m starting to get it now, which keeps me feeling hopeful“
By Neville Marten published
The bass great looks back at his favorite sessions, and being asked to join the Eagles in 1977, just as they hit the big time...
Fender Vintera Road Worn ’70s Telecaster Deluxe review
By Neville Marten published
The latest version of Fender’s indie favourite comes as a limited-edition relic'd model
Taylor American Dream AD27 & AD17 Blacktop review
By Neville Marten published
If you love Taylor guitars but hanker for something more organic and vintage in look and sound, read on…
Atkin The Forty Three review
By Neville Marten published
Alister Atkin makes superlative guitars inspired by classic heritage models. Here’s his 1940s ‘workman’ acoustic
Martin D-X2E & 0-X1E review
By Neville Marten published
For 2020, Martin brings sharper looks, improved playability, superior tone and a welcome slice of charm to its affordable X Series guitars
James Taylor: "American Standard is a guitar album - I’ve had some of these arrangements since I started playing"
By Neville Marten published
We get the lowdown on the arrangement, composition and recording of the original singer-songwriter's new covers album American Standard, including a full track breakdown
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