The guitarists who recorded with Pink Floyd (whose names aren't David Gilmour, Syd Barrett or Roger Waters) By Jackson Maxwell published 1 October 23 A number of session kings – and a one-time member of Thin Lizzy – all made six-string contributions to the band's catalog
“If this doesn't clear the house...” Watch U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cover Muddy Waters on his Fender Strat – at a state dinner By Jackson Maxwell published 29 September 23 Now that's how you incorporate your artistic passion into your day job...
“I’m going after the Klon”: Mark Tremonti is starting his own pedal company – and he’s already road-testing prototypes By Matt Owen published 29 September 23 The Alter Bridge guitarist, who plans to launch his own affordable brand with three new pedals, recently demoed his first unit – and it sounds pretty darn good
Al Di Meola in stable condition after suffering heart attack on stage By Matt Owen published 29 September 23 The virtuoso has since posted a statement on social media, reassuring fans he's “receiving the best care possible”
An astonishingly rare Blue Silverburst Explorer, dot-neck 1959 ES-335 and short-lived ultra-luxe Casino alternative: Gibson’s latest Certified Vintage drop has our attention By Matt Parker published 28 September 23 The new five-guitar release in the firm’s approved vintage program is full of beautiful obscurities
“Knowing Bernie's eagerness to get the album out there, we want to follow his wishes and release it as planned”: Posthumous Bernie Marsden album set for release in November By Jackson Maxwell published 28 September 23 The late Whitesnake alum was able to finish recording the album, and oversee and approve its sequencing, mastering, and artwork, before his death in late August
“Bob Ezrin has lied through his teeth about it for years”: Roger Waters rejects claims that David Gilmour’s iconic guitar solo in Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb was his first take By Matt Owen published 28 September 23 Waters' comments come after The Wall producer told Total Guitar that “the second solo in Comfortably Numb, which may be the best solo of all time, is actually a first take”
After three years of waiting, Neural DSP reveals Quad Cortex plugin compatibility is finally on the cards By Michael Astley-Brown published 28 September 23 Archetype: Plini will be the first plugin to be compatible with the all-powerful amp modeler, starting next month – well, sort of…
“I think a bass solo can be as exciting as a guitar solo – if not more”: Listen to John Entwistle’s live bass solo on The Who’s 5:15 By Nick Wells published 28 September 23 John Entwistle proves why bass solos aren't always a bad idea
Is Gibson about to bring back its Victory Superstrat-style guitar from the ’80s, or did Cesar Gueikian just tease an entirely new model? By Matt Owen published 28 September 23 The quirky offset double-cut looks poised to make a return – but its comeback might not be so straightforward
Bare Knuckle Triptych review: the most versatile Stratocaster pickup set on the market? By Dave Burrluck published 28 September 23 One of the most talked-about pickups of 2023, Rabea Massaad’s new signature set could be just what you need to cover all bases without losing those quintessential Strat sounds
Charvel has released some stunning guitars this year – but these two limited-edition Pro-Mod models might be its best-looking offerings yet By Matt Owen published 28 September 23 Green Glow and Aqua Flake are the order of business for Charvel, which has seemingly set its sights on ending 2023 on a high
“IR-X isn't simulating a Friedman tube preamp. It is one”: This new pedal amp puts boutique tube tone on your ’board – for under $500 By Matt Parker published 28 September 23 Want a tube-driven Friedman rig that doesn’t break the bank? With impulse responses thrown into the bargain? Meet the Friedman IR-X
Brian May Guitars unveils the Vision, a mash-up of the Red Special, a ’90s Guild and the Les Paul double-cut By Matt Owen published 27 September 23 The Queen icon’s legendary signature model has filtered down into a dual-humbucker, hardtail-equipped build
“This situation is unacceptable”: Vernon Reid has launched a campaign to give under-appreciated guitar geniuses more recognition – and it’s working wonders By Matt Owen published 27 September 23 Five influential players have been highlighted by the Living Colour guitarist – and now their online profiles have exploded
Yamaha, Korg and Roland named among five instrument firms facing UK class action lawsuit for fixing prices By Matt Parker published 27 September 23 The move follows similar action taken against Fender in 2022, with UK customers potentially due compensation
“Years in the making and the first of its kind”: Pigtronix reveals the Cosmosis, an ambient reverb with groundbreaking tones you won’t hear from any other pedal By Michael Astley-Brown published 27 September 23 The radical new stereo reverb features an innovative Morph footswitch, which not only sets it apart from any other ’verb on the market but also promises limitless potential for otherworldly soundscapes
“The perfect companion for any amp modeler”: Universal Audio packages its OX cab, mic, and room emulation into a pedal – and it promises the most authentic tones “ever emulated in a stompbox” By Matt Owen published 27 September 23 As per player requests, the effects specialist doubles down on its OX tones, delivering an expansive pedal for a third of the price of its award-winning amp top box
“It can do so much more than the originals could”: Strymon gives the iconic Uni-Vibe a 21st century twist with the compact and affordable UltraViolet Vintage Vibe By Matt Owen published 26 September 23 The pedal popularized by Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower and David Gilmour gets the Strymon treatment, with the brand continuing its small form factor renaissance
“The doctor's in the house”: Watch Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton tip their caps to Peter Green with searing Black Magic Woman at the 2023 Crossroads Festival By Jackson Maxwell published 26 September 23 Guitar legends who had passed on since the last Crossroads gathering in 2019 were on the minds of audience members and performers alike at this year's festival
