Paul Riario
Paul Riario has been the tech/gear editor and online video presence for Guitar World for over 25 years. Paul is one of the few gear editors who has actually played and owned nearly all the original gear that most guitarists wax poetically about, and has survived this long by knowing every useless musical tidbit of classic rock, new wave, hair metal, grunge, and alternative genres. When Paul is not riding his road bike at any given moment, he remains a working musician, playing in two bands called SuperTrans Am and Radio Nashville.
Latest articles by Paul Riario
EarthQuaker Devices Aurelius Tri-Voice Chorus review – all the chorus you could ever need?
By Paul Riario published
Not just another modulation, Aurelius comes strapped with vibrato, chorus and rotary settings, plus presets to save your sounds
Shure GLXD16+ Dual Band Digital Wireless Guitar Pedal System review
By Paul Riario published
Ditching the cable has never been more attractive with this fuss-free pedalboard-friendly system
Bare Knuckle Pickups Peacemaker humbucker review
By Paul Riario published
Chris Robertson's signature humbucker could be the aftermarket PAF-alike you've been waiting for
Schecter Machine Gun Kelly PT review
By Paul Riario published
Machine Gun Kelly’s signature model is a Guitar Center exclusive that gives Schecter’s Tele-type a radical modern makeover
TWA SH9 Scott Henderson Signature Distortion review
By Paul Riario published
This co-creation between the jazz/blues fusion virtuoso and Tube Screamer designer Susumu Tamura is up there with the great distortion pedals of our time
PRS Sonzera 20 Combo review
By Paul Riario published
Reworked, redesigned, reinvigorated, PRS's versatile combo returns – and it's a bona-fide 20-watt powerhouse of tone
Browne Amplification The Fixer and The Carbon review
By Paul Riario published
Two pedals that exemplify Browne's excellence: The Carbon is a Bluesbreaker-inspired drive based on the Protein pedal's “Blue” channel, the Fixer a super-useful buffer/boost
Cort KX700 EverTune review
By Paul Riario published
“Siri, show me a modern S-style that is spec’d up for metal and has state-of-the-art hardware that keeps it in tune all of the time…”
EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3 review
By Paul Riario published
The third-gen signature pedal is a must-have for drone and doom freaks but proves itself a top choice for tone connoisseurs of all stripes, just so long as they like it loud
Steel Panther 1987 Pedal review
By Paul Riario published
Ah, 1987... the year Appetite for Destruction broke, when L.A. was the center of the rock and metal universe, and when guitar tones were all combined distortion and delay like this
D’Angelico Deluxe Brighton LE Sage review
By Paul Riario published
This limited-edition doozy from the resurrected heritage brand is steeped in old-school class
Fender American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster review
By Paul Riario published
One of the most underrated Stratocaster eras gets its time again – and this new period-correct American Vintage II example proves it’s worth another look
Warm Audio Warmdrive review
By Paul Riario published
Warmdrive by name, warm drive by nature, this new Dumble-voiced amp-in-a-box is a knockout
Martin D-28 Rich Robinson review
By Paul Riario published
The Black Crowes guitarist's signature dreadnought is a time-capsule piece that is steeped in Martin's storied history and pays tribute to Robinson's father – and it is a doozy
ESP LTD Deluxe SN-1000HT Fire Blast review
By Paul Riario last updated
Who needs a Floyd Rose when you have a turbo-charged S-style with no limits like this?
D'Addario XS strings review: bring tone, longevity and a smooth feel to the electric/acoustic coated string world
By Paul Riario last updated
For one GW editor, the stigma of coated strings is over
Fender Blues Junior IV review
By Paul Riario published
The Blues Junior IV is a markedly improved version of this classic grab-and-go guitar amp
Squier 40th Anniversary Telecaster Gold Edition review
By Paul Riario last updated
The Squier Tele gets all dressed up to celebrate a big year – and shows how far Fender's entry-level brand has come
EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker review
By Paul Riario last updated
An old EQD classic returns with switchable clipping options and a gentle reminder that you might not be getting the best out of your guitar amp... Not without this
Lava Music Blue Lava review
By Paul Riario published
A compact acoustic electric with onboard smart tech and smartphone user experience, the Blue Lava is a formidable practice and creative tool
Charvel Jake E Lee Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 and Satchel Signature Pro-Mod DK22 review
By Paul Riario last updated
This pair of signature hot-rodded S-styles were inspired by the '80s but are 100 per cent relevant today, offering a speedy ride and stunning tones at a sensible price
Utech Records Rat Licker Distortion review
By Paul Riario last updated
This limited-run collaboration is a one-dial, set-and-forget beast for lovers of heavy, RAT-style distortion
Gretsch G5422TG Electromatic review
By Paul Riario last updated
More robust, more player-friendly and more affordable, this big-bodied electric from the Electromatic series is a born crowd-pleaser
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