Ernie Ball announces feature-rich John Myung Bongo 6 bass By Richard Bienstock Signature model from the Dream Theater bassist boasts streamlined body and string spacing, fast neck and simplified control layout
The Circle Guitar is a self-playing electric that can pick at unbelievable speeds By Richard Bienstock Motor-driven sequencer spins at up to 250 bpm to “push guitar playing into new, unexplored territories”
What makes a great metal guitar? By Jonathan Horsley High-output humbuckers, a speedy neck and a headstock that wouldn’t make it past airport security? Here’s what to look for in a metal guitar
Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith offers update on rumored collaboration with Richie Kotzen By Richard Bienstock “I'm very excited about it, but I'm sworn to secrecy at the moment,” he says
Joe Satriani shares advice for finding your voice on the guitar: "Always record yourself" By Michael Astley-Brown Satch also offers an update on the first of two new lockdown-recorded albums
Nik Huber Piet review By Dave Burrluck Nik Huber’s latest solidbody is inspired by the offset fashion and named after his youngest son. The result is very classy
Nuno Bettencourt, Nancy Wilson and Taylor Hawkins “blow the roof off their homes” with virtual cover of Heart’s Barracuda By Richard Bienstock “It's one of the greatest rock songs of all time as far as I’m concerned,” Nuno says
John Smith: “As soon as you take your bottom E string down to a D, you’ve got a different instrument” By David Mead One of the UK’s fastest-rising singer-songwriters on the magic of alternate tunings, his tonesome acoustic pedalboard, and not letting lockdown stop the music
Duane Allman’s last show unearthed and set for release as The Final Note By Michael Astley-Brown October 17, 1971 show took place just 12 days before the Allman Brothers Band guitarist was killed in a motorcycle incident
Is this the first taste of Mateus Asato’s solo album? By Richard Bienstock The rising guitar star teases some “studio time” shredding
A rare copy of Ed Sheeran’s first-ever demo, which “sounds like Eric Clapton at moments”, is headed for auction By Richard Bienstock Sheeran recorded the collection, Spinning Man, when he was just 13
The fretless fretboard: how to improvise using nothing but natural harmonics By George Howlett Mastering this technique will uncover a world of creative opportunities
Watch Slash, Gilby Clarke and Matt Sorum “Come Together” with Lzzy Hale to cover the Beatles classic By Richard Bienstock Hale also traded vocals with Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander on AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top during the (DE)TOUR Virtual Music Festival
Everything you need to know about Gibson Reverse Firebirds By Rod Brakes With eight designs, four models and two body shapes, Gibson’s Firebirds were anything but one and the same...
Founding UFO bassist Pete Way dies aged 69 By Michael Astley-Brown The UFO and Waysted bass player had sustained life-threatening injuries two months ago
Paul Gilbert reveals the “really dangerous” trend he sees among YouTube guitarists By Richard Bienstock The master shredder instructs the young’ uns on what you need to do “if you want to have strong '70s vibrato”
Is Fender about to revamp its American Professional Series? By Richard Bienstock Some models might be phased out, with future product launches expected
Weezer unveil new song The Beginning of the End, featuring a shreddy, tap-tastic solo from Rivers Cuomo By Richard Bienstock The cut will appear on the soundtrack to the forthcoming Bill & Ted Face the Music
Classical fingerstyle guitar master Julian Bream dies aged 87 By Richard Bienstock The British virtuoso was the 20th century’s greatest exponent of classical guitar and lute music, bringing the forms into the greater public consciousness
4 signs your guitar strings need replacing By Amit Sharma ...plus 5 ways to extend the life of your strings, and why boiling them should only be a last resort
