Best Gibson Les Paul 2024: The greatest Gibson singlecuts for every budget and style By Daryl Robertson last updated 13 March 24 We break down the latest offerings from Gibson to help you pick the right Les Paul for you
“A very endearing, characterful instrument… a guitar that looks and feels old, played-in and used but is perfectly fit for purpose”: Vintage Proshop V72 Custom Build review By Dave Burrluck published 10 March 24 With guitars seemingly getting more expensive by the day, is a bespoke build now just a thing for the very well-off? We go in search of a more affordable route from the UK…
“A must-try for fans of guitars that push the boundaries of instrument design”: Sterling by Music Man St. Vincent Goldie review By Matt Owen published 27 February 24 A streamlined – and more affordable – take on one of the most exciting guitar designs in recent memory
“The HSS super-S has always been a journeyman guitar and the Polaris certainly keeps that flag flying”: Cream T Polaris Custom review By Dave Burrluck published 21 February 24 Having relaunched its Aurora model in 2023, co-designed by Billy F Gibbons, the British luthier’s latest addition is the entirely new ‘super-S’ style Polaris Custom. But where’s the rockstar and the pickup swapping?
“Just the ticket for those aspiring to recreate the monstrous riffs from across Thayil’s remarkable discography”: Guild Polara Kim Thayil review By Daryl Robertson published 5 February 24 It took three decades, but the wait is finally over, the Soundgarden icon has got his name on a Polara. Was it worth it? You bet
“The sound is so good that I’m starting to question whether the expensive exotic tone woods that so many guitarists lust over really make much of a difference”: Donner Hush-X solidbody guitar review By Chris Gill published 29 January 24 The electric travel guitar that sounds so good you won't believe it isn't a regular solidbody
“We are greeted with a guitar that looks like it arrived here in a DeLorean”: Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang review By Daryl Robertson published 26 January 24 Fender rolls back the clock for a vintage-inspired take on the classic budget short-scale, which remains tonal nirvana for a certain breed of guitarists
“This is a Dinky that lives up to the legacy behind it”: Jackson Pro Plus Series Dinky DKAQ review By Amit Sharma published 22 January 24 This Seymour Duncan-equipped shredder might be too good to be true, applying top-quality pickups and hardware to Jackson's go-faster design DNA at a sensible price
“Grin-inducing playing feel and performance”: Charvel drops the Super-Stock DKA22, a limited-edition stealth bomber shred stunner By Phil Weller published 18 January 24 With a neck that’s built for speed, Seymour Duncan pickups and an old-school “toothpaste” headstock logo, the Super-Stock joins the ever-growing Charvel family in style
“An ultra-fast guitar that you’re going to want to burn many fretboard miles on”: Jackson American Series Virtuoso review By Paul Riario published 15 January 24 The new go-faster bolt-on Superstrat from the Jackson USA line is a speed machine with a build that justifies the price tag
“If we were told these two Les Pauls were made in completely different factories, we’d believe it”: Gibson Les Paul Modern Figured and Modern Lite review By Dave Burrluck published 12 January 24 Two new Les Pauls are added to the Modern strand of Gibson’s expanding USA guitar range with quite a specification and cost difference. Which one to go for?
“A great and affordable option for players seeking a stripped-down hot rod shred guitar”: EVH Frankenstein Relic Series review By Chris Gill published 10 January 24 Meet the new Frankenstein, same as the old one, just without the stripes, and with a lived-in feel that's as comfortable as well-worn denim
“[We want] to recover the guitars and sell them to people who actually want to play them”: $80,000 worth of vintage guitars have been stolen from Guitar House of Tulsa. Now the owner – and Joe Bonamassa – are appealing for your help By Matt Parker published 9 January 24 15 vintage guitars – including ’50s/’60s Gibsons, PRS Private Stock models, and a ’61 Rickenbacker – have been taken
“A stunning-looking guitar that covers pretty much any musical base”: Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom review By Neville Marten published 9 January 24 Epiphone’s collaboration with blues maestro Joe Bonamassa continues unabated, with this sexy take on one of JoBo’s own favourite axes. But is a grand and a half just too grand?
Ed Sheeran goes electric as he joins The Darkness on stage in London, and riffs on a Lowden model with a story to tell By Phil Weller published 18 December 23 The singer-songwriter ditched his acoustic to go full electric for Love Is Only a Feeling at London’s Roundhouse earlier this month
Patrick James Eggle 96 Contour Top review – astonishing craft married to stellar sounds with a feel that few can match By Dave Burrluck published 17 December 23 Named after a state route in Georgia, the 96 is Patrick James Eggle’s now quite long-running answer to the souped-up Stratocaster. How does it fit into the empire?
Seth Baccus Argonaut Classic and Argonaut Classic Baritone review – not another boutique Fender bender, but a fresh shot at an original offset design By Dave Burrluck published 1 December 23 It’s been a long time coming, but Seth Baccus’s Argonaut is finally here and sets a new level for offset design. Guitar‑making rarely gets better than this!
Shergold Telstar Standard ST14 review – don’t sleep on this new boutique-style solidbody, especially at this price By Dave Burrluck published 10 November 23 Styled somewhere between a Firebird and a Cabronita Telecaster, this is a mighty fine-looking new design from the ’70s Brit-brand – and at a very tempting price
Squier Sonic Telecaster review – the best-value Fender Tele you can buy? By Matt Owen published 5 November 23 Fender’s budget brand comes in strong with a convincing Telecaster that’s ideal for newcomers to the electric guitar, and a lot of fun for all players
D’Angelico Deluxe Eric Krasno Brighton review: it hits a magical “goldilocks” spot between a vintage Les Paul Special and Stratocaster – with even more sparkle and brilliance By Chris Gill published 23 October 23 Krasno's new signature model might be strictly limited edition but its unique voice and top-class build would have mass appeal among any player looking for something different