Latest Updates

Fender eyes up the iRig with the Link I/O interface – a studio-grade audio interface that can fit in your pocket
By Phil Weller published
High-fidelity recording, streamlined controls, and a meager price tag finds Fender aiming to win the hearts of traveling riff writers

“Hands free hammer-ons”: DigiTech’s latest pedal is a 7-in-1 pitch-shifting monster that lets you play the impossible
By Janelle Borg published
This brand new offering from DigiTech is packed with expressive pitch-jumping potential – comprising trills, harmonies, and even an “automatic techno guitar sequencer”

Dunlop launches the Tortex Flex X Pick – its first-ever Tortex pick with a grip
By Janelle Borg published
Dunlop launches its first-ever Tortex pick with a grip – guaranteeing “ultimate playability”

NAMM 2025: rumors, predictions and breaking news from the world’s biggest gear show
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
With the likes of Fender, Gibson and Marshall returning to Anaheim at long last, this year’s event is set to be the biggest in five years – with secrets and surprises to match

DigiTech teams up with MonoNeon on a triple-octave Whammy for both guitar and bass – and it even comes with custom gaffer tape
By Janelle Borg published
The ultra-experimental MonoNeon Whammy – which comes in an eye-catching neon yellow and orange casing – takes the standard Whammy features up a few notches with a complete overhaul of the Detune settings and an onboard MIDI input

The Fart Pedal Number Two has dropped – and it’s promising “10 times the splooty blompers”
By Phil Weller published
Players can now turn their guitars into more tonally accurate farts, as the new pedal adds fan-requested features to the original’s steaming pile...

Veteran bassist Nathan East on recording one of Eric Clapton's most personal – and well-loved – songs
By Janelle Borg published
East reflects on the deeply emotional behind-the-scenes moments of the Tears in Heaven recording sessions

Sterling by Music Man brings six high-end builds to affordable price ranges – covering guitars and basses
By Phil Weller published
From the EVH-rooted Axis and the Cutlass, to a collaborative Darkglass bass, the Ernie Ball-owned firm is serving up cut-price versions of fan favorites

Magneto takes its Sonnet six-string to new heights and launches its first-ever bass
By Phil Weller published
The one-two release is set to be rolled out in May, with its upgraded Strat-a-like and short-scale bass set to be showcased at NAMM 2025

Nobels stuffs three chorus flavors into its tiny new pedal, the CHO-mini
By Phil Weller published
Skewed towards ’70s-style chorus effects, it comes with tap tempo functionality, space-saving housing, and an affordable price tag

Geddy Lee reflects on his 50 years atop the prog-rock heap
By Brian Fox published
The Rush frontman charts his experiments in bass tone, and why he'd sometimes tackle the instrument like a lead guitarist

How Marcus Miller found his voice – and became one of the most-imitated bassists in the biz
By Chris Jisi published
The bass icon breaks down his formative influences, and how he gave everyone from Prince to Beethoven a low-end makeover via his '77 Fender Jazz

Recorded for Metallica’s Master of Puppets, Cliff Burton’s bass masterpiece has earned its place in the pantheon of great rock solos
By Bill Leigh published
Recorded for Metallica’s genre-sparking Kill ’Em All, Burton’s complex snarl of notes has captivated bassists for years. Dial in your favorite fuzz-wah tone and let it rip

Ibanez and JTC claim to have created the world’s most advanced guitar cable
By Phil Weller published
The Glideline collaborative instrument cable delivers high-resolution signals that “eliminate any compromise” from guitar tones

John Mayer and Dave Matthews to perform as a duo for the first time at L.A. FireAid benefit concert, alongside Red Hot Chili Peppers, Joni Mitchell and Green Day
By Janelle Borg published
The mega-event will take place on January 30 at L.A.'s Intuit Dome and Kia Forum, and will be broadcast on multiple platforms

B.B. King had his breakthrough blues guitar moment with The Thrill Is Gone – but it was Jerry Jemmott’s bass that made it groove
By Chris Jisi published
For The Thrill Is Gone, Jemmott played his 1964 Jazz Bass – which would be stolen soon afterward

Boss has launched a range of guitar cables inspired by its classic pedals
By Janelle Borg published
New multi-FX carrying cases are also amongst the pedal giant's new accessory lineup

DiMarzio pulls out of NAMM 2025 in response to L.A. wildfires
By Janelle Borg published
The pickup firm has joined Maybach Guitars in publicly announcing they won't be attending the annual trade show