Latest articles by Phil Weller
Paul Reed Smith on the near-fateful end of the PRS SE Line – and what eventually saved it from extinction
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
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
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
The pair’s process was a little more primitive than modern methods
Meshuggah's Mårten Hagström reflects on changing the face of metal guitar
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Wolfgang Van Halen reluctantly had to drop out of the historic concert due to scheduling conflicts
Nuno Bettencourt solos while ‘ice skating’ – as he shreds guitar and shaves ice in new Extreme music video
Is there anything the man can’t do?
George Harrison and Eric Clapton both married the same woman. Now the historic 1913 Gibson acoustic named after Pattie Boyd is headed to auction
The pair reportedly wrote some of their most iconic songs on the instrument
JHS Pedals retools one of its most underrated distortion pedals for its 10th anniversary
The JHS Kilt 10 arrives with an updated clipping circuit, higher headroom, and more nuance than ever before
Gojira name stand-in guitarist after Joe Duplantier undergoes hand surgery
The guitarist will still tour with the band, but they’ll have extra firepower to handle their riffs
Alissa White-Gluz leaves Arch Enemy – and launches her solo career with the help of Michael Amott’s signature guitar
The singer-guitarist will release a solo album in 2026, but there's no news on her Arch Enemy replacement yet
