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
Dream Studio Guitars Baccara Alain Johannes Signature review
By Paul Riario published
An awesome signature model from the Queens of the Stone Age and Them Crooked Vultures guitarist
Review: The Blackstar amPlug2 FLY Guitar's tones are unrivaled in its category
By Paul Riario published
This tiny plastic wonder's tones and onboard effects will have you practicing and jamming all night
Review: Danelectro's 59X12 is an affordable and widely versatile electric 12-string
By Paul Riario published
The wealth of electrified 12-string tones on this instrument are staggering
Review: Fender's American Acoustasonic Telecaster is a new benchmark in acoustic-electric design
By Paul Riario published
This guitar's curated collection of acoustic and electric tones provide endless combinations, while its easy playability and light weight make it a rock-solid investment
Marshall's Studio Series review – packs classic, unmistakable tone into a downsized and manageable package
By Paul Riario published
For their size and mammoth tone, these Marshalls are pure magic
Review: Way Huge's Smalls Conspiracy Theory Professional Overdrive is a full-bodied and rich overdrive pedal
By Paul Riario published
This pedal's smooth, mid-harmonic complexity sets it apart from other K-clones
Review: MXR's Carbon Copy Mini is a sonic beast of an analog delay
By Paul Riario published
The CC Mini is unparalleled if you need to nail wide slapback echo or sail on cascading waves of wet delay that spills over on each note
Review: Fender's '62 Princeton Amp Chris Stapleton Edition is a stunning, no-nonsense reissue
By Paul Riario published
The country star has his way with this unsung classic combo
Review: Bare Knuckle's Boot Camp Brute Force humbuckers and True Grit Strat set deliver all the requisite and classic guitar tones without compromise
By Paul Riario published
The UK-based boutique company's latest pickup sets kick serious ass
Review: when these new Ernie Ball accessories show up on your doorstep, gray skies will turn blue
By Paul Riario published
This slick new capo, and these durable and high-performance guitar picks and custom-gauge string sets, all warrant your undivided attention
Review: Rode's RodeCaster Pro Podcast Production Studio is an essential standalone unit for professional podcast recording and live streaming
By Paul Riario published
This is a mixer and digital recorder rolled into a smart all-in-one unit that delivers superb audio quality
How to Get a Blazing Country Guitar Sound
By Paul Riario published
A tasty country guitar sound is unique, unmistakable and elusive to many players. Until now!
Review: GrooveTech Acoustic Guitar Kit
By Paul Riario published
This kit features every practical adjustment tool you’ll need to keep that acoustic motor running.
Review: Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Majesty Tiger Eye
By Paul Riario published
For its streamlined beauty and ergonomic design, the Ernie Ball Music Man Majesty Tiger Eye is an unrivaled instrument for dextrous playing and tonal possibilities.
Review: Yamaha FS-TA TransAcoustic
By Paul Riario published
The FS-TA features Yamaha's fantastic TransAcoustic technology, with all the top-notch craftsmanship the company is known for, at a price that won't break the bank.
Review: Eventide PowerMax
By Paul Riario published
The PowerMax is so reliable that, once you use it, there’s no going back to anything else.
Review: Fender Player Stratocaster HSH
By Paul Riario published
The Fender Player Series Stratocaster HSH is a bargain for an instrument that packs a wallop in tone and features.
Review: Way Huge Smalls Supa-Lead
By Paul Riario published
This is a muscular, full-sounding overdrive with less crunchiness and more liquid grind.
Review: Electro-Harmonix Flatiron Fuzz Pedal
By Paul Riario published
The Flatiron Fuzz is a crossroad of fuzz and distortion and combines both in a very natural and musical way.
Review: Charvel's New Pro-Mod DK24 HSH 2PT CM Guitar
By Paul Riario published
The Charvel Pro-Mod DK24 HSH 2PT CM puts the “super” in superstrat.
Review: Lunastone Blue Drive 1 and Distortion 1
By Paul Riario published
You won’t need a refined palate to fully enjoy these two new pedals from Lunastone.
Guitar World's Paul Riario Shows Some Cleavage Circa 1988
By Paul Riario published
GW's Paul Riario looks back on his own hair metal past.
Review: Jackson X Series Soloist SL4X
By Paul Riario published
The Jackson X Series Soloist SL4X is a premier superstrat that exceeds all expectations.
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