Features

Plini answers the call of the wild in search of instrumental guitar’s new frontier

By Gregory Adams published 21 May 26

The Australian virtuoso on dream collabs with John Mayer, high-BPM workouts, and what happened when he imagined “a cello player in a huge, empty concert hall playing this difficult arpeggio”

The Doobie Brothers on their many imitators, their many hits, and what keeps them going

By Joe Bosso published 21 May 26

Ahead of their tour with Carlos Santana, Doobie Brothers guitarists Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, and John McFee revisit their classic tracks and how they came together

“I got the phone call – I was out”: Bob Daisley recalls his rollercoaster years with Ozzy Osbourne

By Andrew Daly published 21 May 26

The Blizzard of Ozz bassist and co-writer on the time he was dismissed only to be re-hired days later – and his thoughts on Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee and Zakk Wylde

George Lynch on his custom ESP that’s too valuable to leave the house

By Andrew Daly published 20 May 26

Mr Scary on how his heart melts for the 1990 ESP Custom Haji/Wicked Sensation from the cover of Guitar World's November 1990 issue

Berton Averre on writing My Sharona – and why the Knack were never the next Beatles

By Joe Bosso published 19 May 26

My Sharona was the perfect pop-rock anthem, and as Averre reflects on the life and times of the Knack he admits he knew he had something special back then

Charles Spearin on how Broken Social Scene embrace “the ridiculousness” of everyone playing guitar

By Gregory Adams published 19 May 26

The multi-instrumentalist and indie lynchpin recalls his early gear, how BSS make sure every guitarist gets their say, and explains why Remember the Humans is deliberately difficult to work out

14 ways to improve your Telecaster: tried and tested methods to get more out of Fender’s original mod platform

By Huw Price published 19 May 26

Players were already modifying their Telecasters in the 1950s, and a thriving aftermarket parts industry provides countless ways to enhance playability, reliability and tone

Suzi Quatro on the spirit that’s driven her, and the moment of fate that made her a bassist

By Andrew Daly published 18 May 26

She reflects on never having learned to play with a pick, using her late drummer’s kit to keep his vibe, her son’s influence as a bandmate, and the three quotes she’s given about retirement

Backed by Fugazi’s rhythm section, even guitarist Anthony Pirog can’t signpost the turns in The Messthetics’ avant-jazz sound

By Jim Beaugez published 18 May 26

On The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis’ latest collab, all bets are off on where Pirog will take his guitar next

Joe Perry on the weirder guitars in his collection

By Andrew Daly published 18 May 26

The Aerosmith guitarist shares the story behind his custom-made Dazzle guitars and his greatest gear modding mistakes