Latest articles by Phil Weller
Greg Chaisson on his gruelling Ozzy Osbourne audition
Chaisson didn’t get the gig, but he did strike up a friendship with Jake E. Lee – which would be rekindled a few years later with Badlands
The John Mayer song that features a cameo from Prince’s guitar
A chance encounter with one of Prince's guitars resulted in Mayer putting it to use on Sob Rock
Steve Vai has followed in the footsteps of many guitar greats – this was the hardest one to nail
He’s filled the shoes of Eddie Van Halen and Robert Fripp, but Vai says this particular gig was even harder
Joe Bonamassa names his go-to studio amp – which he bought from Steven Seagal
The 1950s combo “roars” in the studio despite its compact size
Josh Homme’s first guitar amp wasn’t even a guitar amp
It was a choice that set the tone for a career full of left-field gear picks
When a teenage Suzi Quatro laid down a marker by jamming with Jeff Beck and Cozy Powell
The bassist was determined to prove her worth, and the impromptu jam was the perfect platform to do it
How a new recruit turned Swedish adventure rockers Hällas into a band of gearheads
The latest addition to the ever-quirky prog outfit's lineup, guitarist Rickard Swahn made an impact at his first rehearsal among worn-out frets, weird pickup choices, and crumbling amps – and saved a song that was too Mark Knopfler for them
Viral duo Angine de Poitrine have become one of the most talked-about bands on the planet – with microtonal guitar
The guitar/bass double-neck had extra frets sawn into place, and it’s helped them take the internet by storm
“Out of an abundance of caution”: AC/DC’s Stevie Young admitted to hospital in Argentina
The band expects the rhythm guitarist to play at AC/DC’s Buenos Aires show on Monday night
Gary Moore's go-to Marshall head has been bought by another ’80s rock hero
It was Moore’s go-to amp for the best part of a decade, and it was a fair bargain, compared to some recent auction headlines
Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt names prog’s great unsung guitar hero
This 1970s player is an influence to many, he says, but doesn’t get the credit he deserves
This guitar has 64 pickups – and it could revolutionize guitar recording
The PolyMap system means each string benefits from eight dedicated polyphonic pickup capsules that track simultaneously, for a post-production playground
Brian May returns to the stage for a fiery three-song cameo with Benson Boone – then hands him the Red Special
The Queen guitarist received a hero’s welcome at the singer’s recent Birmingham show
Charvel launches the Standard Series with a $599 Tele that promises to play like a pro
All the playability of a San Dimas at a slice of the price is big news for the budget guitar market
Gretsch makes a play for the best bang-for-your-buck single-cut with the Premier Jet
Bolstered by new humbuckers, more refined playability and some serious electronic versatility, could this Electromatic be the new budget single-cut to beat?
Butch Walker turned down the opportunity to buy the Greeny Les Paul before Kirk Hammett bought it
The singer-songwriter has since come to regret the decision, even if his bank balance thanks him for it
Gibson Custom recreates Michael Schenker’s iconic 1971 ‘half-and-half’ Flying V
The German shredder’s instantly recognizable six-string has undergone 3D scans for this painstakingly accurate reissue – complete with war wounds and signature bite
Peter Frampton announces first album in 16 years – and it features an all-star cast
Carry the Light was co-written with Frampton’s son and features guest spots from Tom Morello, H.E.R. and Sheryl Crow
Fender celebrates 75 years of the Telecaster with 5 new models – including the return of a cult classic and some Tele firsts
From a 1951 Road Worn edition to the Big F’s first-ever dual rail humbucker, vintage and modern come together for a T-shaped birthday party
After years of searching, YouTuber finally uncovers the identity of Kurt Cobain’s mystery In Utero amp
Guitarist and YouTuber Aaron Rash has been documenting his tonal quest for four years – now he’s discovered the amp that’s been driving him crazy
Behringer sues Boss over “knock off” polyphonic tuner
Behringer’s parent company claims its patented polyphonic tuner, the TC Electronic PolyTune, has been wrongly copied by Boss for four of its flagship amp modeler pedals
Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac and ZZ Top basses top the biggest four-string sales at historic Jim Irsay auction
The late billionaire’s sensational instrument collection has gone under the hammer, including some very notable basses
Miles Caton, Buddy Guy, and Brittany Howard lead all-star Sinners performance at the Oscars
Göransson picked up the award for best score as the blues was thrust into the spotlight with a performance that also featured Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram and Eric Gales
