Guitarist Features

Matt Berry: “I’m more interested in the songwriter-guitarists than the gymnasts. If you're sensitive enough as a guitarist then you'll be into songwriting“

By Jamie Dickson

The latest LP from the famed comedic TV actor and multi-instrumentalist is a complex Rickenbacker-infused affair in psychedelic color

Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr on his greatest gear buys, regrets and why he's an enabler of impulse purchases

By David Mead

Bought & Sold: the classic rock-loving frontman details why Esquires have more fire than Telecasters, and how he was once gifted a ’58 Gibson Les Paul Custom

Alex Winter takes us behind the scenes of his extensive Frank Zappa documentary, Zappa

By Guitarist editors

Wading through Zappa's exhaustive audio/video archive, Winter puts together a portrait of a visionary guitarist and artist at work

Guitar Acquisition Syndrome: what it is, how you already have it, and why that’s no bad thing

By Jonathan Horsley

We speak to music scholar, musicologist and author of a new book on the phenomenon Dr. Jan Herbst about all things G.A.S., and uncover why gear mania is an essential part of our development as guitarists

The best travel guitars 2021: top acoustic and electric travel guitars for portability and performance

By Rob Laing, Daryl Robertson

9 of the best travel guitar choices for musicians on the move

Paul McCartney: “I figured out my own way of doing fingerstyle – that’s really how I learned every instrument I play”

By Harold Steinblatt

In this classic 2007 interview, Macca discusses his greatest acoustic songs, his unique fingerpicking style and the musical influences that shaped his playing with The Beatles and beyond

Best blues amps 2021: electric guitar amplification for when the thrill is gone

By Jonathan Horsley

Guitar World picks out 12 of the best blues amps from Fender, MESA/Boogie, Marshall and more

The history of Fender tweed amps

By Rod Brakes

Terry Foster, co-author of Fender: The Golden Age 1946-1970, imparts his expert knowledge on Fender’s earliest amps

9 best guitar straps 2021: play in comfort and secure your guitar in style

By Chris Corfield

The best guitar straps for acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, no matter your budget

Marty Friedman: “Much of the Japanese music that is currently very popular has a melodic structure that echoes a lot of '70s Western rock and pop“

By Milton Mermikides

The shred legend spills the beans on the third album in his Tokyo Jukebox series, which celebrates his love for Japan

The secrets behind Billy Zoom's guitar tone on X's Los Angeles

By Chris Gill

A braniac amp genius, Zoom got a powerful tone – full of punch and bite – out of a minimalist setup

Best lunchbox amps 2021: 8 great portable amps for gigging

By Chris Schwarten

Offering big sound in a portable package, these compact amplifiers are perfect for the live circuit

Best Epiphone Les Pauls 2021: 10 budget-friendly versions of Gibson’s iconic single-cut

By Jonathan Horsley

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned guitarist, our list of the best Epiphone Les Pauls is sure to inspire you

11 best guitar cables 2021: recommended instrument cables for electric, acoustic and bass guitar

By Guitar World

Plug in with confidence using our guide to the best guitar cables from Planet Waves, Mogami, Ernie Ball, George L’s and more

The 10 best guitar wireless systems 2021: set your playing free, from the rehearsal room to the stage

By Jonathan Horsley

Fed up with cumbersome cables? These are the best wireless guitar systems for every budget

Classic gear: Gibson ES-175

By Rod Brakes

With its Florentine cutaway, this hollowbody electric archtop was a Gibson first

18 of the best Father's Day gifts for guitar players: the ultimate guide to Father's Day gifts for guitarists

By Amit Sharma, Chris Corfield, James Farmer

Surprise the guitarist in your life this Father’s Day with the best guitars, accessories, and gadgets for every budget

John Smith: ”The only way to cope with life is to write songs, for me. As soon as I picked up the pen, the songs started falling out”

By David Mead

Recorded at Real World studios last September, The Fray finds the acoustic ace exorcising personal turmoil in song – and leaning heavily into electric guitars

How much difference does your guitar string choice make?

By Jonathan Horsley

Simply put, string choice is a fundamental element in finding your tone and playing style, and here’s why…

Best online guitar lessons 2021: our pick of the 9 best remote learning platforms for guitar players

By Chris Corfield, Chris Schwarten

Develop your guitar skills from the comfort of your home, with the help of these online lessons services