Latest Updates

Randy Bachman on the time he would share amps with Neil Young
By Phil Weller published
Bachman’s combo amp caught Young’s eye, and he would take every chance he could to get his hands on it

Joe Satriani on why he’s “disillusioned” by vintage guitars
By Phil Weller published
After spending “hours” playing vintage axes, Satch now relies on modern builds – here’s why

Yngwie Malmsteen launches signature protein powder as he expands his empire of gear to make you shred better
By Phil Weller published
The neo-classical shred machine also launched multivitamin gummies last year

Mesa/Boogie’s Mark IIC++ was used by Metallica to shape the sound of 1980s metal – and now it’s been released for the first time ever
By Matt Owen published
Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield's Crunch Berries amp, which was only ever made as an unofficial mod exclusive only to artists, gets its first-ever wide release

Fender’s limited-edition Ariel Posen signature is a conceptual hybrid that blends two of the slide master’s favorite guitars together
By Matt Owen published
The Jazzmaster/Stratocaster mash-up debuts custom pickups designed by Tim Shaw and a spec sheet that blurs the boundaries between the two classic Fender designs

Why Slash worked with Magnatone on a signature amp after 30 years of playing Marshall stacks
By Matt Owen published
The Guns N' Roses guitar hero made headlines back in 2023 when he announced he'd be partnering with Magnatone on a signature guitar amp

Mk.gee was named Eric Clapton’s favorite new guitarist – now he’s making waves with a guest spot on Justin Bieber’s new album
By Matt Owen published
Daisies, from Bieber’s surprise new album, Swag, features Mk.gee’s unmistakable playing

Remembering Mike Peters, the late frontman of the Alarm
By Bob Hewitt published
Following 30 years of living with blood cancer, Peters passed away at the age of 66

The moment Olivia Rodrigo guitarist Arianna Powell found out she’d be playing with a Cure legend
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Smith had some words of wisdom for Rodrigo’s band ahead of his surprise guest spot at one of the most star-studded music festivals in the world

Steve Vai considers this solo to be his “ultimate achievement” – and one fan’s cover has left him in awe
By Phil Weller published
Vai has singled out an aspiring player on Instagram for their flawless cover

Marcus King takes Rory Gallagher’s legendary Isle of Wight Fender Telecaster for a spin on stage
By Matt Owen published
King previously played Jeff Beck’s iconic YardBurst Les Paul thanks to French vintage guitar dealer, Matt’s Guitar Shop

A stolen Rolling Stones ’59 Les Paul that has been missing since 1972 has surfaced – in a museum
By Phil Weller published
The guitar, also played by Keith Richards on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 before it was stolen by drug dealers, has been identified by its fingerprint-like flame top

That time a 14-year-old Eric Gales won a battle of the bands competition that got him signed
By Phil Weller published
It was a gig that changed Gales’ life forever

Tim Henson addresses Kirk Hammett’s mixed response to his ‘boomer bends’ comments
By Matt Owen published
Hammett recently had his own say on the boomer bends controversy, questioning how accessible the Polyphia virtuoso’s style is for casual listeners

The playing advice Joe Bonamassa got from Leslie West – and why it’s finally paying off
By Phil Weller published
Three decades later, Bonamassa is taking West’s pointers on board – and they’re making a difference

Mark Knopfler on the treasured Gibson he received as a gift from a rock hero – which became his studio go-to
By Janelle Borg published
Last year, Knopfler parted ways with 120 of his prized instruments for charity, including much of the Brothers in Arms gear

Metal guitars have officially gone mainstream – as pop star Kesha is the latest to don a Jackson Rhoads model
By Janelle Borg published
While Kesha has previously brandished Explorers, Les Pauls and Starcasters, she's ushering in a new era with the traditionally metal Jackson

Keith Urban offers first look at his Tele-inspired PRS signature model
By Jonathan Horsley published
Urban saw John Mayer with his Dead Spec Silver Sky and set about designing a guitar that he too could use for a whole set – and it has an f-hole shaped after his tattoo

Have the origins of air guitar been found? Unearthed footage contests Joe Cocker at Woodstock theory
By Jonathan Horsley published
A 1968 promo clip of English psych-rockers Rupert’s People suggests Hampstead Heath in London – not Woodstock – was the birthplace of air guitar

This 1960 Gibson ES-335 proves that there’s always something to learn from vintage guitars
By Huw Price published
Can you teach an old guitar new tricks? The jury's out on that. But an old guitar can teach you, just like when Dave Davidson picked up this vintage semi-hollow with a secret