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 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

Review: NU-X B-2 Wireless System
By Paul Riario last updated
The B-2 delivers a crystal-clear guitar response that sounds as good as a high-quality instrument cable.

SviSound CockedZoid review
By Paul Riario published
A handwritten manual from Tracii Guns? Well, the CockedZoid is his signature boost/preamp/distortion pedal after all, and it is pretty darn awesome

Line 6 DL4 MkII Delay Modeler review
By Paul Riario published
The groundbreaking delay pedal gets an awe-inspiring revamp for a new generation

Martin SC-10E review
By Paul Riario published
Martin's groundbreaking hybrid acoustic electric offers unparalleled playability at Road Series prices

Fender Acoustic Junior Go review
By Paul Riario published
This portable acoustic amp combo has your guitar and vocals covered and it's battery-operated for a take-anywhere performance

Fender Custom Shop Dealer Select Stratocaster HST Journeyman review
By Paul Riario published
A dream machine spec'd up by Guitar Center and the Fender Custom Shop, this HST Strat is a premium electric for all styles and players – so long as your budget will stretch to it

LD Systems Maui 5 Go 100 review
By Paul Riario published
A compact, take-anywhere PA system that could be a godsend for those needing high-fidelity audio for audiences of up to 100 people

Positive Grid Experience Jimi Hendrix for Spark review
By Paul Riario published
Positive Grid and Authentic Hendrix LLC's collaboration puts Hendrix's tones into a digital format for Spark and BIAS FX 2 users, and it's magnificent

Fender Dual Marine Layer Reverb and Duel Pugilist Distortion review
By Paul Riario published
Fender scales up two of its pedalboard favorites and presents players with some seriously tweakable stompbox essentials

Electro-Harmonix Dirt Road Special review
By Paul Riario published
EHX reimagines the late-'70s “Mike Matthews Dirt Road Special” with this solid-state combo, offering more power and four types of reverb from its Holy Grail Max pedal

Boss SY-200 Synthesizer review
By Paul Riario published
A whopping 171 sounds and a compact 200 Series enclosure makes this Boss unit a guitar synth to be reckoned with

BecosFX Ziffer Overdrive review
By Paul Riario published
Jordan Ziff’s signature overdrive is a TS-style unit with a couple of juicy twists...

Dean MD24 Floyd Roasted Maple review
By Paul Riario published
With Seymour Duncan humbuckers and a Floyd Rose 1000, does this head-turning S-style have the tones and performance to go with that hot Vintage Orange finish?

Taylor Guitars TaylorSense Guitar Health Monitoring System review
By Paul Riario published
Like a Fitbit for your beloved acoustic guitar, this clever device from Taylor checks in on on its vital signs to alert you to temperature, humidity and physical impact incidents

Roadie 3 Automatic Guitar Tuner review
By Paul Riario published
It's super-quick, super-accurate, and the size of a bar of soap... Oh, and you can wind your strings with it, too

PRS SE Tonare Parlor P20E review
By Paul Riario published
A budget and couch-friendly small-bodied acoustic with a classy finish and a serious voice

EVH 5150 Series Standard review
By Paul Riario published
A high-performance shreddable electric with killswitch, heaps of features and at a very attractive price, too

Dusky Electronics Augustus Octave Fuzz review
By Paul Riario published
Like an Octavia but different, this octave fuzz is one monster you'd want on your side
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