Best MIDI controllers for guitar 2024: goodbye to frantic pedal tapping and hello to seamless transitions By Joe Dean published 2 May 24 Our favorite MIDI controllers for all levels and budgets, with models from Gig Rig, Fender, Boss, Electro-Harmonix and more
Duane Eddy reflects on his signature sound, hanging with Elvis and the story behind his go-to Gretsch By Matt Parker published 2 May 24 In this 2018 interview, available online for the first time, Eddy discusses the lessons learned as one of the founders of rock ‘n’ roll guitar
Best bass amps for practice 2024: top combos for working on your chops at home By Chris Schwarten last updated 2 May 24 Get the most out of your playing at home with one of these great bass practice amps
How to sound like IV from Sleep Token: "He likes long necks and heavy gauge strings, with 084-010s his set of choice to provide a thick, rounded tone" By Phil Weller published 2 May 24 IV's rig secrets revealed, from guitars and effects, to tones and tuning – plus, our pick of budget alternatives to his go-to gear
Yngwie Malmsteen on Rising Force and the spectacular introduction of a neoclassical shred icon By Amit Sharma published 1 May 24 Breaking out of Alcatrazz and releasing Rising Force in 1984, a young Yngwie Malmsteen took us all through a supernova of virtuosity that changed guitar forever
Dweezil Zappa on selling his out-there guitar collection, mixing Hendrix and building an immersive rig By Jonathan Horsley published 1 May 24 The Zappa Plays Zappa tour is heading out this summer and Dweezil has funded it with an immense gear auction – the steep price, he says, is worth it
Best guitar amp headphones 2024: 10 options for when the neighbors need a break By Amit Sharma last updated 30 April 24 From studio stalwarts, to fully fledged amps you wear on your head, these are the best headphones for guitar amps, from Boss, Audio-Technica and more
Meet Pedal Steel Noah, the teenager going viral with country-fied covers of Judas Priest, Nirvana and My Bloody Valentine By Gregory Adams published 30 April 24 With help from his dad, brother and the family pet, Instagram hit musician Noah Faulkner is reshaping classic grunge, metal, synth pop and more with his 10-string pedal steel
Best bass amps 2024: killer low-end amplification options for bassists By Jonathan Horsley last updated 30 April 24 Give yourself the gift of thunder with the best bass guitar amps money can buy – featuring Trace Elliot, Hartke, Ampeg and more
Isaiah Mitchell of Earthless reveals what’s on his pedalboard By Andrew Daly published 30 April 24 The former Black Crowes guitarist wants his pedalboard “warm and usable” and psychedelic… and yes, there is a Klon on it
Best guitar straps 2024: play in comfort and secure your guitar in style By Chris Corfield last updated 30 April 24 Our expert pick of straps for electric, acoustic and bass, covering all budgets and materials
Mike Ness on fighting cancer and the roots influences behind Social Distortion’s 1990 LP By Mark McStea published 29 April 24 Ness and co hit us all with a curve ball as the ’90s dawned, covering Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire and bringing blues into punk, but as Ness explains here, it's all related – it’s all punk
Adrian Smith on Iron Maiden’s pyramid schemes to go beyond epic with Powerslave By Andrew Daly published 29 April 24 With Powerslave, Iron Maiden took their sound and supersized it – and Adrian Smith took a hungover guitar solo in front of Robert Palmer, and somehow totally nailed it
20 of the greatest guitar moments in video games By James Bentley published 29 April 24 Essential item. Soundtrack weapon. Physical controller. The guitar has played a surprisingly important role in a wide range of video games – and here are some of the best six-string video game crossovers
George Murray on his bittersweet ride with David Bowie By Andrew Daly published 29 April 24 The D.A.M. Trio bassist performed on a run of classic Bowie albums including Station to Station, Low and “Heroes”. He recalls nearly missing the call-up to catch a bus, meeting his replacement Carmine Rojas in an elevator (and what he nearly said), and the studio sessions that made music history
How Jerry Jemmott stayed on top of Aretha Franklin’s Respect, recorded live at Fillmore West in 1971 By Chris Jisi published 29 April 24 Jerry Jemmott plucked his sunburst ’65 Jazz Bass in front of his Acoustic 360 rig
“I didn’t see myself as a professional instrumental guitarist”: Steve Vai on game-changing debut Flex-Able By Mark McStea published 28 April 24 Flex-Able was the sound of a young Steve Vai following his musical obsessions. That it changed everything for guitar – and Vai's career – was just a happy accident
Joe Perry reveals all about the Gretsch Duo Jet from his ’87 GW cover story By Andrew Daly published 28 April 24 On Guitar World’s December 1987 cover, Joe Perry – tagline “the Bad Boy who's badder than ever” – was rocking a ’57 Duo Jet. This is the story behind the guitar
Shrapnel veteran Michael Lee Firkins reflects on the final days of shred By Andrew Daly published 27 April 24 The former Shrapnel star discusses bringing bluesgrass to shred, working with the great Jason Becker and his pivotal role in establishing the Yamaha Pacifica
Europe’s John Norum on sacred Strats and what he learned from Don Dokken By Joe Matera published 27 April 24 As Norum gets ready to work on a new Europe album, the Swedish six-string maverick pops by to share his most embarrassing moment onstage and famous firsts