Guitarist

The history and preservation of Eric Clapton’s The Fool SG

By Jamie Dickson published 12 March 26

With its psychedelic paint job, Clapton’s iconic Cream-era Gibson SG is a guitar like no other. As it goes under the hammer as part of the Jim Irsay Collection, we take a closer look at The Fool SG

David Gilmour’s Black Strat could be about to break records all over again

By Jamie Dickson published 11 March 26

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 10 March 26

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

How Eric Gales enlisted Buddy Guy, Kingfish, Joe Bonamassa (and his guitar collection) to pay tribute to his brother

By Amit Sharma published 9 March 26

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

Remembering the late Mick Abrahams, co-founder of Jethro Tull, purveyor of “good, honest music”

By Henry Yates published 6 March 26

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 on her life-changing first meeting with the great B.B. King

By Henry Yates published 6 March 26

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 on his friendship with the ultimate bluesman, B.B. King – and paying the ultimate tribute

By David Mead published 4 March 26

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 27 February 26

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 25 February 26

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 23 February 26

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 22 February 26

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

5 modern blues guitar heroes on the impossible task of imitating the blues greats

By Charlie Wilkins published 22 February 26

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 19 February 26

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 18 February 26

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 18 February 26

Neil Thomas’ adventurous playing and ear for unorthodox tuning finds the English collective exist between two worlds of traditional and neo-folk