Features

The former Guns N’ Roses man discusses giving up constructing his own instruments, learning how to sing like a bassist while playing like a guitarist for Asia, and the upcoming Art of Anarchy record

Treat them right with our pick of the 46 must-have guitar items, essential accessories, clever gadgets and instruments for every budget

With great options from Boss, Keeley, MXR, and more, there has never been a better time to add a comp pedal to your 'board

Armed with a Fender John Mayer Strat and a host of diverse musical projects, Saran’s guitar approach draws from blink-182 and Allan Holdsworth in equal measure – and his unique solos have blown his shred peers’ minds

We have Gibson's Thaddeus "Ted" McHugh to thank for truss rods, and a lot to be thankful for. They made the instrument ready for the steel-string era, more playable and more durable – and adjusting them isn't as scary as you might think

Wata reveals what inspired the Japanese noise-rock icons to team up with NYC industrial metallers Uniform for an album rich in atmosphere and ambiguity – and how the three guitarists find their own space in the mix

This is the story of Akio Sakurai, aka Mr. Jimmy, and his lifelong quest to replicate Jimmy Page’s guitar style and tone, and perform Led Zeppelin just as Page did back in the day – and, eventually, in front of the man himself

Big shorts, seven-string guitars, hip-hop beats and a full workout of the quiet/loud dynamic guaranteed

He may have been schooled on AC/DC, Van Halen and classical guitar, but Al Barile attacked his instrument with a vicious physicality inspired by his love of hockey. He looks back on his love-hate relationship with music – and the ‘80s SG he snapped after performing a jump-kick at CBGB’s

Think shoegaze is all reverb, delay, fuzz? Well, there's another sonic path, and Hotline TNT are taking it with three guitarists. Will Anderson unpacks the approach behind their acclaimed noise-pop sound

The seasoned session guitarist has played with Rita Ora and Adam Lambert, and tackled an impossible number of songs for Australia’s premier primetime TV shows. Maher explains what it’s like to accompany an avocado, why playing AC/DC made him more nervous than anything else, and that time he got a FaceTime call in the middle of a live show… and couldn‘t read his charts

The best beginner acoustic guitars, featuring epic affordable six strings from Epiphone, Taylor, Fender, Yamaha and more

1973 was the year Paul McCartney’s ragtag group, Wings, first scored Beatles-sized success. As late guitarist Denny Laine recalled, they were no overnight success

The six-string wizard (and songwriter) behind Owner of a Lonely Heart shares the stories behind six classic Yes tracks and six tracks from his masterful new album, Rio

The rising Japanese virtuoso has an undying love for the shred heroics of Becker and Marty Friedman, but also uses his Ibanez, PRS and occasionally his $50 Legend Strat copy to traverse much wider melodic ground

The Velvet Underground co-founder returns with Mercy, a new solo album featuring Weyes Blood, Actress and Animal Collective – and Cale's typically restless search for new sounds

From the Beatles to the Bluesbreakers, we asked Ian Hill to name five albums that helped him along the righteous path to metal glory with Judas Priest

The British company has sought to give the humble capo a player-friendly future. As with many great ideas, it evolved from a simple question that designer Nick Campling asked himself while playing an acoustic guitar…

Top travel guitar choices and buying advice for musicians on the move

Justin Sandercoe is an old-school tube lover, but he's exploring both sides of the tone universe, analog and digital – and he's excited about whatever tonal evolution comes our way