Features

Their tones are so revered, entire pedals are dedicated to replicating their 1994 opus, Souvlaki. Slowdive's soundscaping guitarist Christian Savill reveals how unwanted stompboxes from local metal bands developed the band's groundbreaking sound, and how they avoided “being too much like My Bloody Valentine”

The research proves that shredding can make your wrists and shoulders go ouchie, but is there anything we can do to prevent injury?

As the rock ’n’ roll legends gear up for their farewell tour, Perry names the trailblazers who inspired his trademark rock guitar swagger: “There are some wizards on YouTube that are incredible, but these guys are the ones that started it all”

30 years ago, the Breeders’ Last Splash would become a monster hit for former Pixies bassist Kim Deal and her sister Kelley. But at the outset of its recording, Kelley was still honing her guitar skills. She explains how Led Zeppelin set her on the six-string path and why she's no fan of the Fender Twin

Now onto his second signature Fender, grunge’s answer to Stevie Ray Vaughan reflects on his greatest Stratocaster moment, how Eddie Van Halen and Chris Cornell inspired his guitar playing, and why you should be excited for the next Pearl Jam album – oh, and his rock opera about the Seattle scene

Wolfe’s evocative music draws upon both Motown  and Zeppelin but has a taut and soulful contemporary edge. We joined the Texan on tour to learn all about it…

The ’80s shred icon explains what stood between him and the gig of a lifetime with Ozzy – and why he turned down Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley

Victor Wooten’s double thumb technique is unlike any other – and he has Larry Graham to thank

Need to tackle the low-end on a budget? Not to worry, our experts have run the rule over our favourite bass guitars that come in under $500/£500

The Sicilian virtuoso is at the forefront of technical guitar playing, but as he explains, “I’m not a shredder and I’m not a jazz player – I listen to a lot of different stuff and I wanted it all in my music… You need to be open-minded”

The Night Verses guitarist exploits open tunings, delays and a heck of a lot of Whammy pedal to devastating effect. He explains how he found himself in guitar solo rabbit holes, what it took to secure a guest spot from Tool’s Justin Chancellor, and why he uses harmonics as often as he possibly can

With a career heading back as far as the 70s, Tina Weymouth never strayed far from the cutting edge of cool – just don't ask her about Jaco Pastorius

The Primus frontman has employed a range of instruments during his career, including a Dobro bass and the famous one-string Whamola

The Mötley Crüe bassist offers his own insight into the “horrible situation” that faced the Los Angeles rock stalwarts upon Mars’ departure, and how they rebuilt the band with the help of their hot-shot new guitarist

The R&B guitarist and producer talks us through her new D’Angelico signature model, her unique approach to neo-soul guitar and how Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass inspired her love of semi-hollows

One of shred guitar's most inspirational figures shares his truth: how ALS prevented his Eruption moment with David Lee Roth, the challenges of writing songs using only his eyes, and what keeps him making music – despite the toll 2018 album Triumphant Hearts took on his health

For his first solo outing, the Allman Brothers-pedigreed guitarist welcomed Derek Trucks for a guest spot and emerged with a vision all his own, working mysterious energy whenever it presents itself

From electric to acoustic, modern to vintage, we take a look at the best fretless basses on offer

From classical, flamenco and crossover, to acoustic-electric models and beyond, these are the best nylon-string guitars around right now

When it launched in the early ’60s, Gibson’s double-neck was seen as a novelty and had limited success – that is, until, Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page came along…