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
When to Change Your Guitar Strings
By Paul Riario published
Do you know the only time most guitarists change all their strings is when they break one? I know because I’m often guilty of that.
Review: Guitar Tone Company Bloody Finger Distortion Pedal
By Paul Riario published
Considering Halloween is swiftly approaching as I write this, it seems fittingly creepy that a boutique pedal named the “Bloody Finger” has arrived on my desk.
Review: Fulltone OCD V2 Overdrive Pedal
By Paul Riario published
The Fulltone OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Drive), has been kicking around for more than a decade.
Review: Xotic California Classic XSC-2 Guitar
By Paul Riario published
For a long time I only knew Xotic to be an effects company that specializes in wickedly great preamp and boost pedals.
Review: KHDK Electronics Abyss Pedal
By Paul Riario published
The KHDK Electronics Abyss is a brand-new bass overdrive that provides warm, tube-like boost and a subtle crunchy overdrive.
Review: Martin Guitar D-15M Streetmaster and 000-15M Streetmaster
By Paul Riario published
Made for working musicians, Martin Guitar introduces two new models in their solid mahogany 15 Series line with the D-15M StreetMaster and 000-15M StreetMaster.
Boss Katana-Mini Amp review
By Paul Riario published
I used to have a girlfriend who carried her small dog everywhere in her purse. And man, that dog had a bark that would make larger dogs scatter.
Review: Gretsch Guitars G6128T-53 Vintage Select '53 Duo Jet
By Paul Riario published
Some of the most highly regarded Gretsch guitar models were the ones released during the Fifties and Sixties, a time many guitar aficionados consider the company’s golden age.
Review: Prestige Guitars Todd “Dammit” Kerns Anti-Star VI Signature Model
By Paul Riario published
Review: Mono M80 Vertigo Gig Bag and Guitar Tick
By Paul Riario published
It’s been over 20years since I actually used a guitar case to transport my electric guitar to a performance. I’ve always used gig bags.
Review: MXR Double-Double Overdrive Pedal
By Paul Riario published
Overdrive is the one effect that guitarists feel very passionate about.
Review: Breedlove USA Concert Moon Light Sitka-Mahogany
By Paul Riario published
I recently visited the Breedlove factory in Bend, Oregon, and from what I witnessed, I can tell you this:2017 promises to be a big year for Breedlove.
Review: Wampler Pedals Tumnus Overdrive
By Paul Riario published
If you’re familiar with C.S. Lewis’s fictional series, The Chronicles of Narnia, then you’ll know that Tumnus is the diminutive, faun-like character that’s a clever adaptation of the mighty centaur.
Review: Prestige Guitars Legacy Spruce/Mahogany
By Paul Riario published
Vancouver’s Prestige Guitars have firmly established themselves as one of Canada’s premier electric guitar builders.
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