“The most unique finish Fender makes”: Fender’s new Waste Bucket Sparkle guitars turn trash into treasure By Matt Parker published 4 October 23 These jaw-dropping new CME-exclusive Custom Shop builds will teach you to love your leftovers
Gibson releases two new 1970s Flying V and Explorer models – paying homage to the players who made them “an enduring symbol of the era’s rock ‘n’ roll rebellion” By Matt Owen published 4 October 23 With '50s and '80s versions of both builds already on its books, Gibson bridges the gap with two more models that celebrate a pivotal era for the Flying V and Explorer templates
The guitar cab your amp modeler has been waiting for? Fender’s first FRFR Tone Master cabinets are here – and they look stunning By Matt Owen published 3 October 23 Whether you use the Helix, Quad Cortex or Fender’s newly launched Tone Master Pro, these flagship cabs promise classic amp looks and tones that “perfectly replicate every detail” of any modeler
Neural DSP has reduced the price of the Quad Cortex – it’s now the same as Fender’s new Tone Master Pro (but that’s probably just a coincidence) By Matt Parker published 3 October 23 The firm’s leading modeling unit now costs $150 less than it did a few days ago
Forget Black Friday - Guitar Center just slashed $700 off a Gibson Les Paul in its huge Guitar-A-Thon sale! By Daryl Robertson published 3 October 23 Guitar Center's epic Guitar-A-Thon sale has landed and you can score up to 35% off big-name brands such as Gibson, Fender, Yamaha, Boss, Line 6 and more
“Eddie turned guitar on its ear... I remember saying, ‘We’re not ready for the ’80s’”: Joe Perry says after hearing Van Halen’s first record he knew it was time to take a break from Aerosmith By Matt Parker published 3 October 23 It wasn’t just personal struggles that led Perry and the band to part ways in 1979, but a need for new ideas
“The ultimate guitar processor in terms of tone, dynamics, power, and user-friendliness”: Fender goes toe-to-toe with Neural DSP, Line 6 and Boss with its first-ever amp modeling multi-effects, the Tone Master Pro By Matt Owen published 3 October 23 In one of the most significant gear releases in recent years, Fender has set its sights on conquering the floor-based modeling market – and its ultra-powerful Tone Master Pro looks up for the challenge
“I get a text from Nuno: ‘They made $9m on this video and they couldn’t even give us a guitar!’”: Fender’s viral Game of Thrones clip has 41m views – but its stars didn’t get to keep the instruments By Matt Parker published 3 October 23 Thrash icon Scott Ian says he wishes he got to keep hold of the House Stark Telecaster he helped to promote
Was David Gilmour’s Comfortably Numb solo really a first take? Total Guitar sets the record straight By Paul Elliott published 2 October 23 In light of Roger Waters’ recent comments regarding Pink Floyd producer Bob Ezrin, the UK guitar magazine has clarified the situation
“All the ingredients I needed to make the soup”: MXR celebrates 20 years of partnership with Zakk Wylde with 5 pedals that promise his Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society and Pantera tones By Matt Owen published 2 October 23 Three pedals have been unveiled to launch the lineup, and two more are in the works. As Wylde says, these are the pedals that have been on his pedalboard “forever”
“Hopefully the neck isn’t… warped”: Kauer has made a Star Trek guitar that we actually want to play By Matt Parker published 2 October 23 Kauer’s latest custom build deserves to live long and prosper
“Santana, right? I love your choice of notes”: Carlos Santana recalls the time he met Jimi Hendrix By Matt Owen published 2 October 23 The PRS signature artist was certainly no stranger to praise as an emerging musician, but his meeting with Hendrix proved to be particularly influential
Watch Jimmy Franklin unbox and review the LAVA ME 4 Carbon and Spruce – two new models that take LAVA Music’s innovative design to all new heights By Guitar World Staff published 29 September 23 The new innovative instruments get a significant upgrade, complete with updated operating systems, improved builds and more, which all improve the guitars’ creativity, versatility and durability
B.C. Rich adds Five Finger Death Punch's Andy James to its artist roster – and his first signature guitar is one seriously dangerous metal machine By Matt Owen published 29 September 23 Lord have mercy on anyone who crosses the path of Andy James and the Pitchfork headstock of his Assassin signature guitar
“If this doesn't clear the house...” Watch U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cover Muddy Waters on his Fender Strat – at a state dinner By Jackson Maxwell published 29 September 23 Now that's how you incorporate your artistic passion into your day job...
A Young Guitarist of the Year returns and Toto’s Africa meets extreme metal: This week’s essential guitar tracks By Matt Owen published 29 September 23 Fresh new tunes you need to check out this week, from Juho Ranta-Maunus and Marnie Stern to U2 and Bernie Marsden
Guitar World deals of the week: celebrate 40 years of Musician's Friend with up to 40% off a huge range of guitar gear By Chris Barnes published 29 September 23 We've been scouring the 'net for deals this week and found big savings on gear from Fender, Ibanez, Epiphone, Focusrite, and loads more
“I’m going after the Klon”: Mark Tremonti is starting his own pedal company – and he’s already road-testing prototypes By Matt Owen published 29 September 23 The Alter Bridge guitarist, who plans to launch his own affordable brand with three new pedals, recently demoed his first unit – and it sounds pretty darn good
Al Di Meola in stable condition after suffering heart attack on stage By Matt Owen published 29 September 23 The virtuoso has since posted a statement on social media, reassuring fans he's “receiving the best care possible”
Line 6 at Guitar Showcase 2023: How to sound like Chris Buck By Guitar World Staff published 29 September 23 Chris Buck shows you how to achieve his sound with Line 6 Helix