
Phil Weller
A freelance writer with a penchant for music that gets weird, Phil is a regular contributor to Prog, Guitar World, and Total Guitar magazines and is especially keen on shining a light on unknown artists. Outside of the journalism realm, you can find him writing angular riffs in progressive metal band, Prognosis, in which he slings an 8-string Strandberg Boden Original, churning that low string through a variety of tunings. He's also a published author and is currently penning his debut novel which chucks fantasy, mythology and humanity into a great big melting pot.
Latest articles by Phil Weller

Joe Walsh walks you through the guitars he’s selling at auction – including one with a Morse code fretboard
By Phil Weller published
All proceeds will go to his charity, Vets Aid

Electro-Harmonix wants to harness the magnetosphere’s energy to solve the AI power crisis
By Phil Weller published
Brand founder Mike Matthews has teamed up with a former Bell Labs scientist to shape his plans

Jared James Nichols spotted a pedal builder in the audience at one of his gigs – then handed him his guitar mid-solo
By Phil Weller published
The impromptu guest spot was full of high notes

A B.B. King biopic is on the way – and it will chronicle the blues legend's life, legacy and Lucille
By Phil Weller published
The film will chart B.B. King’s rise from extreme poverty to global stardom – and his life-long partnership with his iconic ES-355 will be at the heart of it all

How Mike Keneally landed the Frank Zappa gig – after cold-calling his guitar hero
By Phil Weller published
Keneally said he had a “Zappa jukebox” in his brain. The man himself wanted to test it out

Paul Reed Smith on the near-fateful end of the PRS SE Line – and what eventually saved it from extinction
By Phil Weller published
Smith reflects on the time the plug was almost pulled on the affordable branch of PRS guitars

Fender keeps up with Neural DSP in the amp modeler race by giving the Tone Master Pro its first polyphonic synths – included in major free firmware update
By Phil Weller published
New amps, cabs, a raft of effects, and some big quality of life updates keep the modeler’s talons sharp

D’Addario’s new Comfort strap could be the solution to your back problems – and could have you playing for longer
By Phil Weller published
Offering superior weight distribution and a design that molds “seamlessly to the player's body”, could this be the strap your back has been calling for?

Adrian Belew shares unseen photos of “the first relic’d guitar” – which he created with Seymour Duncan
By Phil Weller published
The pair’s process was a little more primitive than modern methods

Meshuggah's Mårten Hagström reflects on changing the face of metal guitar
By Phil Weller published
The success of their two bands has resulted in some key industry changes

Steve Cropper on writing Green Onions, stressing out Brian May and the secret of Billy Gibbons’ guitar style
By Phil Weller published
The co-writer of classics including Green Onions and (Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay proved you don’t need technical wizardry to make a mark. In 2024, he walked us through a career marked by hits, groove and soul

Ola Englund on why he decided to set up his own guitar company
By Phil Weller published
The demand for his signature gear was there, but the industry framework was letting Englund and his fans down

Marcin on why he will never use a guitar pick
By Phil Weller published
The humble pick is seen as a key tool for many guitarists, but this virtuoso is strictly anti-plectrum

Ross Electronics returns under new family stewardship – a year after JHS Pedals’ ill-fated revival
By Phil Weller published
Josh Scott’s company had tried to bring Bud Ross’ beloved pedals back for a new era – but now the firm is going in a new direction

Why Nuno Bettencourt said no when Jake E. Lee asked him to play one of his iconic solos at Back to the Beginning
By Phil Weller published
The Extreme virtuoso played plenty of guitar during Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell show, but he drew the line at this solo

Universal Audio’s amp-emulating pedals have been a huge success – now they’ve arrived in plugin form via the all-inclusive Paradise Guitar Studio
By Phil Weller published
Offering six amps, cab sims, and studio-quality pre- and post-effects, it aims to be a one-stop shop for vintage tone enthusiasts embracing the modern age

Snow Patrol auctions off life-changing Telecaster for children’s charity
By Phil Weller published
The guitar was used to write and record the UK band's biggest hit, and starred during some historic performances

Six former Cradle of Filth members file lawsuit against Dani Filth and the band’s management
By Phil Weller published
The lawsuit comes after two members quit the band in August amid allegations of poor pay and “psychopathic” contracts

“Even we don’t fully know what it is yet”: Gamechanger Audio has reimagined the loop pedal with the Recorder
By Phil Weller published
Take a recorded phrase, and send it into spectral realms with an array of oddball controls

Former Gamechanger Audio employees have launched a new firm – and their first pedal is inspired by the human voice
By Phil Weller published
Mentha Works' Monk Echo is inspired by Baltic choirs and mystical spaces, and it makes for a highly bespoke ambient machine

YouTuber gets the chance to try Gary Rossington’s legendary Free Bird Gibson Les Paul/SG – so he plays Free Bird
By Phil Weller published
Tyler Larson of Music Is Win was brave enough to try some Free Bird licks on the actual Free Bird guitar

Steve Morse on the challenges of putting his own stamp on Deep Purple’s material
By Phil Weller published
Ritchie Blackmore's legacy loomed large when Morse first stepped up to fill his shoes

Why Nuno Bettencourt says Wolfgang Van Halen was “smart” to drop out of Back to the Beginning
By Phil Weller published
Wolfgang Van Halen reluctantly had to drop out of the historic concert due to scheduling conflicts
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!


