Latest articles by Paul Riario
"Any aspiring dirt purveyor worth their salt will naturally gravitate toward the HalfLife’s crushing wall of sound" EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) HalfLife Octave Distortion & Booster review
EQD’s HalfLife pedal delivers the droned, bottom-heavy fury inspired by Sunn O))) with uncompromising force
The pedal that changed me – I asked the Guitar World staff to name the stompboxes that actually made a difference to their playing
Whether it was fun, frustrating, or forced us to think differently, these are the 12 pedals that GW staffers say have actually changed the way they play
Guitar Center CEO on why Stairway to Heaven was banned in guitar stores
All roads – or stairways – lead to a scene from a certain 1990s comedy classic
“A no-nonsense digital amplifier”: Kustom Amplification Carbon 100 review
Is this simpler approach to modeling amps a breath of fresh air?
Why Nels Cline fell in love with Jazzmasters
The Wilco guitarist explains the enduring appeal – and remarkable endurance – of his Jazzmaster, a guitar for all seasons
“This is the one processor that brings me significantly closer to joining the virtual amp modeling dark side”: Nux MG-50Li review
It’s glaringly apparent that the new comparitvely affordable multi-effects and amp modeler pedal is a significant leap forward for Nux
Nels Cline was about to get a day job before Jeff Tweedy changed his life and asked him to join Wilco
Cline was about to look at alternative income streams before Tweedy came out of the blue and asked him to join Wilco
“Is it worth the higher price tag? For some, it won’t matter, but for others, it is something to weigh on heavily”: Act Entertainment Sterling Vermin RAT Distortion Pedal review
The Sterling Vermin impressively presents itself as an evolved and cultivated RAT pedal dressed in shining armor
"It’s fast-feeling, streamlined, and distressed already, so go ahead and beat it up - this under $700 guitar is geared for many road miles and serious shredding": Fame Custom ST RW review
Fame delivers an absolute burner of a guitar that exceeds expectations.
Kiki Wong on how a cheap Yamaha and a Metallica classic changed her musical trajectory
Wong went from playing piano and classical music – to shredding, metal and Metallica
NAMM 2026 live! The biggest guitar news as it happened
All the hottest news and biggest surprises from the world’s premier guitar gear trade show
The Guitar World reviews team's gear of the year 2025
Platinum Award-winners, forward-thinkers and new classics from our favourite guitars, amps, effects, plugins, bass gear and more
“Could arguably be the new gold standard in Tube Screamers”: TWA Source Code review
Is this the Screamer Killer we’ve heard about?
How Mike Keneally landed the Frank Zappa gig – after cold-calling his guitar hero
Keneally said he had a “Zappa jukebox” in his brain. The man himself wanted to test it out
"I’m just gonna warn you – these are the LOUDEST pickups I’ve ever heard in a guitar": Bare Knuckle Halcyon humbucker pickup review
Could the Halcyon humbucker be the forceful sonic voice you've been seeking?
Do you put your capo on 'incorrectly'? Tommy Emmanuel says this is the correct way to do it - and it could save your tuning
Do it the wrong way and your tuning will suffer, Emmanuel warns
"Will it knock your socks off? For some, absolutely, but for me, I find it works admirably in a cranked rig and stacks nicely with other gain pedals": Warm Audio Tube Squealer overdrive pedal review
Warm Audio’s latest overdrive machine serves up the three greatest hits of the 'Green Screamer' overdrive in one stompbox
Guitar Center CEO reveals his favorite guitars he owns
Gabe Dalporto is a keen collector and player, as well as the CEO of the retail giant – and he’s got quite the collection
How Frank Hannon accidentally wrote one of Tesla's most iconic guitar solos
Wielding a Gibson EDS-1275, Hannon helped define this quintessentially ’80s power ballad with a very last-minute solo
"A Bluesbreaker and a King of Tone walk into a bar… and I went home with both of them": Warm Audio Throne of Tone pedal review
Could this be the finest drive and boost pedal of the year?
“Nearly impossible to produce a bad tone”: Xotic AC Booster V2 review
Xotic revamps its classic boost pedal after 23 years – and it’s all but guaranteed to improve the relationship between your guitar and amp
“A knockout instrument imbued with modern performance enhancements”: John Page Signature The DL review
He has made top-tier electrics for Eric Clapton, David Gilmour and Pete Townshend, and now John Page will make one for you, too
“It might be the smallest of the small, but it’s a Goliath in sound”: On-Stage Travel Guitar Amplifier review
It's the size of a Boss pedal and you could stick it in your pocket, but this little travel amp might be your best friend on vacation
