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David Gilmour’s Black Strat could be about to break records all over again
By Jamie Dickson published
It was the world's most expensive guitar when sold at auction in 2019, but as it goes under the hammer in the Jim Irsay Collection, there are a number of reasons to think it will claim another record

“He felt a responsibility to look after these things”: Inside the greatest guitar auction of all time
By Jamie Dickson published
With Jim Irsay’s epic collection of iconic guitars about to go under the hammer at Christie’s, we find out how this unique treasury of tone was prepared for auction

Why Myles Kennedy felt uneasy using Jeff Buckley’s Telecaster to play Hallelujah
By Phil Weller published
Kennedy played Buckley’s iconic 'Grace' Tele for a special tribute performance of Hallelujah in 2019

How Eric Gales enlisted Buddy Guy, Kingfish, Joe Bonamassa (and his guitar collection) to pay tribute to his brother
By Amit Sharma published
With a little help from Bonamassa and Josh Smith, Eric Gales put together one of the great 21st-century blues albums to honor his brother Little Jimmy King

Why Kim Gordon has stopped playing the bass – despite being an icon of the instrument
By Matt Owen published
Gordon's work with Sonic Youth cemented her reputation as a modern pioneer of the bass guitar – but she hasn't picked one up in over 10 years

Remembering the late Mick Abrahams, co-founder of Jethro Tull, purveyor of “good, honest music”
By Henry Yates published
A powerful, lyrical bluesman, the founding Jethro Tull and Blodwyn Pig guitarist always played music his way – even when it hurt his career
![Joanne Shaw Taylor pictured with a Les Paul [left] and B.B. King, taking solo on Lucille at the Chicago Theater in 1991](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xcyUro4TZ38XsPtW6NxmwJ-320-80.jpg)
Joanne Shaw Taylor on her life-changing first meeting with the great B.B. King
By Henry Yates published
Joanne Shaw Taylor was just a young kid when she met B.B. King. Now she is paying tribute to the King of the Blues on Joe Bonamassa’s all-star album
![Joe Bonamassa [left] wears shades takes a solo on vintage Gibson Les Paul; B.B. King [right] wears a cream suit and takes a solo on a red Gibson ES-355 at the 1969 Newport Jazz Festival](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fcHMzdytCgLhP6ivPZHUih-320-80.jpg)
Joe Bonamassa on his friendship with the ultimate bluesman, B.B. King – and paying the ultimate tribute
By David Mead published
B.B. King would have celebrated his 100th birthday in September last year. But when Joe Bonamassa discovered that the centenary was going almost unnoticed, he swung into action

What really happened with Cream behind the scenes? Ginger Baker’s daughter reveals all
By David Mead published
Nettie Baker’s new book Cream Chronicled debunks a few myths about one of rock’s most influential power trios

Why Leo Fender’s favorite custom color finish still drives guitarists wild
By Huw Price published
As this small selection from a very large vintage collection proves, Candy Apple Red looks fantastic on any Fender guitar – but the process of applying it changed over the years

The life and legacy of the Grateful Dead icon Bob Weir
By Andrew Daly published
Remembering the Grateful Dead co-founder, songwriter and rhythm guitarist, and legend of the San Franciscan psychedelic scene

The history and mysteries of Eric Clapton’s Cream guitars
By Neville Marten published
The history of Eric Clapton’s guitars during Cream’s brief but influential existence – from Fresh Cream to Goodbye – reveals an intriguing mix of instruments but also offers up a mystery or two
![Five contemporary blues heroes [l-r]: Marcus King, Samantha Fish, Zach Person, Philip Sayce, Jared James Nichols.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eB6QVhAGnzFKyhwBXCfJfW-320-80.jpg)
5 modern blues guitar heroes on the impossible task of imitating the blues greats
By Charlie Wilkins published
Blues and rock is still being shaped by the British blues boom of the ’60s – and the O.G. bluesmen who influenced them. But how can today’s players nail their tone and sound? Marcus King, Samantha Fish, Zach Persons, Philip Sayce and Jared James Nichols have their say

Swannell Guitars makes an electric like an acoustic with tones that will blow your mind
By Dave Burrluck published
Jamie Swannell makes some seriously high-end acoustics and has applied that knowhow to the IA, a super-versatile, vibey electric that might just be the boutique slide machine of your dreams

“It just floored me”: Inside Fender’s mission to bring the ’62 Super Amp back from the dead
By Charlie Wilkins published
Long hidden in the shadows of Fender history, the early ’60s brown-panel Super Amp has reemerged. Senior product manager, Rick Heins, talks us through its rebirth

How Pavey Ark are reinventing acoustic guitar with pedals, fake nails and a $60 nylon-string that holds its own in any company
By Amit Sharma published
Neil Thomas’ adventurous playing and ear for unorthodox tuning finds the English collective exist between two worlds of traditional and neo-folk

From sleeping in tents to Woodstock, rock ’n’ roll's ‘Forrest Gump’ Leo Lyons shares the story of Ten Years After
By Henry Yates published
The Ten Years After bassist survived Hamburg’s Star-Club, sparked the blues boom, achieved immortality at Woodstock – and is still going strong at 82. “Music,” he says, “it’s a drug…”

Mike Vennart on the Squier Strats that are simply unbeatable – and why he hates acoustics
By Andrew Daly published
The former Oceansize and long-time Biffy Clyro touring guitarist on his love of off-the-beaten-path six-strings and why you've got to try before you buy

The Newman Torn and Frayed Edition might be the Rolling Stones-inspired T-type we’ve been dreaming of
By Jonathan Horsley published
With vibe and mojo off the charts, this UK boutique build is a stunning example of what a little imagination can do with when applied to Blackguard inspiration
![Rick Parfitt [left] and Francis Rossi give their Telecasters a good thrashing during a 2010 live performance in Perth, Australia.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kUajqnE4SGm6cLFQRTgaEi-320-80.jpg)