Latest Updates

Ernie Ball redesigns its Earthwood Bell Bronze acoustic strings with John Mayer for its “most sonically complex” set yet
By Phil Weller published
With a little inspiration from drum cymbals, the revamped Earthwood Bell Bronze strings boasts a richer low-end that promises not to get too dark

Fender drops Fender Studio – a free DAW for mobile, desktop, and tablet devices
By Phil Weller published
With authentic amp sims, pedals, and a suite of editing controls, Fender Studio injects some fresh competition into the DAW market

PRS doubles down on its next-gen Narrowfield innovations
By Phil Weller published
The versatile Maryland and Indonesia-built guitars continue PRS’ 40th anniversary celebrations

Ohio-based EarthQuaker Devices CEO reveals the business is at risk of going bankrupt amidst tariff uncertainty
By Janelle Borg published
The boutique pedal company has forecasted that, should the trade war persist, the cost per pedal would increase from 2 cents in April to $12.80 in December

Former Oasis bassist reportedly confirms his involvement in the band's reunion tour
By Janelle Borg published
Other Oasis alumni rumored to be joining the spectacle include Gem Archer and Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs

Boss has brought 8 iconic effects pedals to the digital realm for the first time
By Phil Weller published
It’s the firm’s first foray into virtual effects – but paywall complications might deter some potential users

Kramer draws inspiration from its 1980s shredder heydays for the Volante
By Phil Weller published
Kramer hopes its newly devised shred machines will help reposition the firm as “the progressive choice for high-performance guitarists”

One of the world’s finest guitar collections has been kept under wraps for decades – now it's been donated in full to the Met
By Phil Weller published
The collection has been in the works since 1987 and is now set to be displayed in a permanent gallery that charts the instrument’s influence on American culture

Bootsy Collins’ Space Bass design was turned down everywhere he went – his ‘last straw’ proved the winner
By Janelle Borg published
Back in 1975, the funkateer had a larger-than-life vision for his dream bass – one which would see him knock on the door of many a luthier and music store before it became a reality

Electro-Harmonix launches the Oceans Abyss – taking on the likes of Strymon and Meris
By Phil Weller published
With two independently programmable reverb engines, 10 voices, and a bevy of effects, the Oceans Abyss is throwing its hat in the ring for 2025’s best one-stop ambience machine

Thomann has acquired Hughes & Kettner – and is promising a bright future for the German amp giant championed by Alex Lifeson and Tommy Thayer
By Janelle Borg published
The mega retailer has added the innovative amp company to its evolving roster of brands – but what's next for the beloved firm?

Tim Pierce opened for The Eagles at one of the biggest gigs in history – and was banned halfway through
By Phil Weller published
During one of the biggest nights of his career, Pierce went to crafty measures to stay in a venue everyone else was getting kicked out of

Dave Navarro says there’s “no chance” that Jane’s Addiction will ever play again
By Phil Weller published
The band suffered an unceremonious end after vocalist Perry Farrell punched Navarro on stage – and the guitarist has confirmed that show will go down as their last

The bizarre vintage guitar used in Italy's Eurovision entry has caught eyes all over the world
By Janelle Borg published
’70s-flavored singer-songwriter and guitarist Lucio Corsi opted for a rare guitar made by off-kilter Italian guitar manufacturer Antonio Vandrè Pioli – better known as Wandrè

Josh Freese reveals he’s been let go from the Foo Fighters
By Phil Weller published
The move ends Freese’s two-year tenure with the group, after he was drafted in to replace the late Taylor Hawkins

Ed Sheeran forms an unlikely hard rock power trio with John Mayer and Dave Grohl
By Phil Weller published
Drive will feature in this summer’s high-speed blockbuster, F1

Nancy Wilson says she felt pressured to ditch the acoustics as Heart went for the mainstream in 1985
By Phil Weller published
The band’s self-titled eighth record saw them evolving into a mainstream superpower, but Wilson would clash with producer Ron Nevison over the use of acoustic guitars

Ryan Hedgecock on Lone Justice's brief but fierce ’80s run – and how Tom Petty and Mike Campbell ended up penning a song on their debut
By Janelle Borg published
The promising young band were the subject of a flurry of publicity after they were signed to Geffen, but a behind-the-scenes mismatch in vision led to the outfit's premature demise

Remembering when Josh Homme played George Harrison’s Rosewood Tele – and lost the ability to speak
By Jonathan Horsley published
We've all been there, one of the most legendary techs in guitar history hands you a Beatle's guitar and it is all too much

The Last of Us composer Gustavo Santaolalla shows off his “Guitarocko” Strat – a 1-of-1 Fender designed to mimic the ronroco
By Phil Weller published
The traditional South American instrument plays a key role in the game/TV show's award-winning soundtrack, with Fender now helping marry it with a Strat