
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

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.

Review: Fender Pro Junior IV LTD
By Paul Riario published
This is one of today’s best tube amp bargains for beginners and experienced players alike.

Review: D'Addario's Chromatic Pedal Tuner
By Paul Riario published
It may not tune your guitar any better than your current tuner, but we still absolutely love this thing.

Review: Epiphone Les Paul SL
By Paul Riario published
The Epiphone Les Paul SL is an affordable, solid guitar with playability and pickups that give it larger-than-life swagger.

Review: Dream Studio Guitars Venus
By Paul Riario published
The Venus is an attractive guitar with a fast feel.

Review: MXR EVH 5150 Chorus Pedal
By Paul Riario published
The MXR EVH 5150 Chorus is a pristine sounding chorus optimized for high-gain rigs.

Review: EarthQuaker Devices Aqueduct Vibrato Pedal
By Paul Riario published
The Aqueduct is a real head-turner, not to mention one of the most fun pedals EarthQuaker Devices has ever produced.
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