Best Precision Bass 2024: P-Basses from Fender and beyond By Chris Corfield last updated 23 July 24 Our top picks of the most recognizable bass in history, including models from Fender, Sire, Sterling by Music Man and more
Eric Gales shares his stompbox philosophy and reveals how Eric Johnson inspired his pedalboard By Andrew Daly published 23 July 24 The blues-rock great lets you in on the mini pedals, funky boxes and signature wah pedal that add the finishing touches to his tone
Best high-end electric guitars 2024: the finest guitars money can buy By Simon Fellows last updated 22 July 24 If money were no object, this is the all-star list of high-end axes from Gibson, PRS, Fender, and more that you’ll want in your collection
Wailers icon Junior Marvin on joining Bob Marley – and the night Hendrix shook his hand By Andrew Daly published 22 July 24 Marvin had been offered a 10 year contract from Stevie Wonder on the day he joined Bob Marley and the Wailers. But he never looked back
Brant Bjork made his name as Kyuss’ drummer – but he found his voice on guitar By Andrew Daly published 22 July 24 The drummer turned guitarist says starting in cover bands can improve your writing skills – and explains why he learned more from the Byrds and the Beatles than playing with Josh Homme in Kyuss
Best Strat-style guitars 2024: Our choice of the finest S-style guitars for all budgets and players By James Farmer last updated 22 July 24 Don’t want a Fender? Here’s our expert pick of the top Strat-style electric guitars from the likes of Ibanez, Yamaha, G&L, PRS and more
Tele loyalist Joanne Shaw Taylor on rewiring her playing with Les Pauls and conquering ADHD in the studio By David Mead published 22 July 24 New album Heavy Soul finds JST pushing her vocals to new limits and pushing tube amps beyond their limits, and it cements her rep as one of the great blues players of our time
Robert Cray on why he fell in love with the Fender Stratocaster – and how Buddy Guy’s younger brother started it all By Andrew Daly published 22 July 24 We get the lowdown on Robert Cray’s 15-strong Strat collection, and why one guitar was never the same after he lent it to Sonny Landreth
How Peter Green changed the course of British blues-rock guitar playing By Andy G Jones published 22 July 24 Peter Green was one of the all-time greats, and influenced everyone from Gary Moore to Joe Bonamassa and Kirk Hammett. This soloing masterclass unpacks his peerless phrasing, rhythmic approach and string bending
How Jack Bruce tapped into his jazz roots with fusion supergroup Spectrum Road By Nick Wells published 21 July 24 Jack Bruce launched Spectrum Road in 2012, featuring drummer Cindy Blackman-Santana, and Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid
How Bob Babbitt laid down an epic first-take solo on this under-appreciated Motown classic By Chris Jisi published 20 July 24 Every bassist needs to familiarize themselves with Bob Babbitt’s knockout solo
Should you buy new or second-hand for your first acoustic guitar? By Ross Holder published 19 July 24 We weigh up the pros and cons of new vs second-hand acoustic guitars and what first-time buyers should consider
Scott Gorham on his Thin Lizzy audition – and the moment The Boys Are Back in Town “exploded” By Henry Yates published 19 July 24 Brian Robertson might have given Gorham the coldest of welcomes at his audition but the pair soon formed one of rock's most iconic guitar partnerships. Here, Gorham looks back on their chemistry and the Les Pauls behind his Lizzy sound
Darrel Higham on Gretsch, gear regrets, and what a 21st century rockabilly ace needs in their rig By David Mead published 19 July 24 A stolen treasured Gretsch and an unexpected love/hate relationship with White Falcons are all part of this rock ’n’ roller’s life in gear
Mark Tremonti on what his PRS MT100 amp has in common with his Dumbles – and why its cleans rule too By Amit Sharma published 19 July 24 One of the best metal amps on the market? Sure. One of the most versatile? Most def. The Alter Bridge and Creed guitarist's signature head has three independent channels and they're all their own thing
The innovative tech that brought Yamaha’s groundbreaking 2024 Pacificas to life By Dave Burrluck published 18 July 24 Yamaha’s new Pacifica Professional and Standard Plus have a familiar shape, but deliver a revolutionary take on the much-loved S-style, drawing on a collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs and what the brand learned from the Revstar
“I still don’t know how they make it at that price point”: Nick Johnston on how his signature Schecter conquered the world By Amit Sharma published 18 July 24 The Canadian instrumental mastermind continues the quest for tension on his latest album, Child of Bliss, and proves once again that he is totally the sort of player to torch the rulebook
“They all went to buy Strats after they saw me”: Buddy Guy on why the Strat is a blues guitar By Andrew Daly published 18 July 24 Buddy was the first great blues player to bend the Strat to his will. He explains what makes it great, and shares the story behind his Strat from the cover of the July '91 issue of GW
The Albert Brothers on recording Hendrix, Clapton, the Allman Brothers – and that Layla session By Andrew Daly published 17 July 24 Ron and Howard’s innovative recording techniques became synonymous with the ’70s – but the humble siblings say they were just lucky to get to work with the best
5 things people with organized pedalboards always do – and what they buy from Amazon By Daryl Robertson last updated 17 July 24 With Prime Day in full swing, we’ve searched the site for the pedalboard essentials to keep your rig neat and tidy