Features

Steve Rothery on the guitars that changed his life – and why you don't have to spend big to find the guitar of your dreams

By Andrew Daly published 14 April 26

The longtime Marillion guitarist on why his Squier Strat might be the bargain of all-time, and the unique custom builds behind his prog sound

The mistake that led Robben Ford to buy his first great instrument – and how Miles Davis and Jeff Beck took him to the Strat

By David Mead published 14 April 26

As Ford returns with Two Shades of Blue, the Californian guitar legend drops by for a video lesson and to talk all things guitar, from his adventures with big-box jazz models to Strats

Joe Perry on how the most romantic thing he has ever done involved a custom-painted guitar

By Andrew Daly published 13 April 26

The Aerosmith icon tells GW about the time he surprised his wife, Billie, with a Lucille inspired by WWII fighter pilots

Masca’s Tina Maynard on how three months in IDLES reinvented her playing – and why Teles are underrated grunge tools

By Matt Parker published 13 April 26

On Love Letters, the Bristol, UK-based guitarist and frontwoman of ‘heavy pop’ trio Masca showcases a hard-won confidence as a guitarist and tonesmith

“An unabashed element was the constant ferociousness of the guitar tone coming from Pearly Gates”: Billy Gibbons on the making of ZZ Top’s El Loco

By Andrew Daly published 13 April 26

How Billy Gibbons unleashed the power of his holy grail '59 Les Paul Standard for the Texan blues-rock legend's “in-between” classic, El Loco – and set the stage for ZZ Top's domination of the decade

The story of the Prince’s underrated 1986 classic – and the lip-smacking hit single that scared his record label

By Henry Yates published 13 April 26

Parade is the Prince and the Revolution album that time forgot – and the critics panned. But it’s time for a reappraisal...

A guide to the oft-overlooked shredders who anchored Dio

By Rich Davenport published 12 April 26

From a 17-year-old prodigy to a future stadium-conquering guitar superstar, Ronnie James Dio had a dream team of six-string sidekicks over the course of his solo career – and their contributions to his catalog should be essential listening for any aspiring metal guitarist

Warren Haynes on the mid ‘90s SG behind his early Gov’t Mule tone

By Andrew Daly published 12 April 26

It was July 1994, and Haynes was on the cover of GW with Dickey Betts and an early '90s '61 SG Reissue. He explains what happened to the guitar – and why he had it in the first place

Paul Gilbert on how the original POTUS's words opened new frontiers for his guitar

By Joe Bosso published 11 April 26

The shred titan's new LP, WROC, combines words from George Washington with incendiary rock and super-sized melodies. Oh, and he had weird AI experiences along the way. We'll let Gilbert explain all...

How fretless bass master Steve DiGiorgio embraced frets on Testament’s 2016 metal masterstroke

By Freddy Villano published 11 April 26

For Brotherhood of the Snake, DiGiorgio wielded little more than a stock 1978 Rickenbacker 4001