Latest articles by Tony Bacon
From copies to innovations – the origin and rise of Japanese electric guitars (and the truth about ‘lawsuit’ guitars)
We dig into the Japanese guitar industry of the 1960s and ’70s and find notable brands, mischievous copies, diligent makers and original designs that led to the instrument’s renaissance in the 1980s and beyond
The history of Gibson guitars in 20 defining moments
From the bold introduction of the Flying V and Explorer, to the acquisition of Epiphone, we celebrate 130 years of Gibson with a recap of the most significant stages of its history
“Epiphone will always be Gibson’s older brother, and its history is perhaps the most interesting of any guitar brand”: Celebrating 150 years of Epiphone – from luxury archtop maker to budget builder and rock icon
As Epiphone commemorates a century-and-a-half in business, we enlist the help of vintage guitar experts and Gibson’s own archivists to tell its remarkable history
Why Jeff Beck switched from a Les Paul to a Strat
The late guitar hero first began transitioning to the model with which he would become synonymous during the recording of his 1969 album, Beck-Ola
What happened to Jimi Hendrix’s Stratocasters? Tracking down the guitars that made music history
Sold on to collectors or lovingly sacrificed to the music gods, Hendrix’s Strats are the stuff of Arthurian legend
40 Years of Squier: how Fender’s budget brand conquered the world
Four decades on, we look back at the birth of Squier and Fender JV, and why Fender decided to go big in Japan...
35 years of Fender Mexico: a timeline
How Fender's Mexican plant went from converted church with a handful of employees to the powerhouse facility behind some of its top-selling instruments
50 guitars that changed the world
A perfect union of form and function, guitars have the power to change the course of music and even history itself. Here, we present the most influential guitars of our time
The story of the Gibson SG: the first two decades of the Les Paul's double-cutaway successor
At the tail-end of the 1950s, Fender’s Stratocaster was reigning supreme over the electric-guitar market. Kalamazoo needed to fight back...
Paul McCartney: "Anything Wings did had to be viewed in the light of The Beatles. And the comparisons were always very harsh"
In this classic interview from 1994, McCartney looks back on the transition to Wings, its effect on his bass playing, and how he became an entertainer again
50 architects of the electric guitar
We celebrate the pioneers whose envelope-pushing ideas changed the face of the electric era of guitar playing
The strange case of the missing Beano: where is Eric Clapton’s stolen Les Paul?
Taken from a church hall practice room in '66, Slowhand’s legendary Beano ’Burst has not been seen since. Guitarist investigates...
