Jason Becker | Guitar World

Marty Friedman on the challenge of relearning his solos for the recent Megadeth reunion, his guitar legacy, and pushing the studio limits with Jason Becker

By Andrew Daly published 6 March 23

As he sets out on his first US tour since the pandemic, the veteran shredder reflects on what he'd change about his early Shrapnel records and why he "borrowed" the Les Paul's shape for his Jackson signature model

Marty Friedman recalls covering Jeff Beck for Jason Becker – in front of Eddie Van Halen

By Matt Owen published 1 March 23

The former Megadeth man bravely took on Beck's instrumental masterclass Cause We've Ended as Lovers and aimed to emulate his unique feel – all in front of a star-studded audience

Jason Becker performs at Kennedy High School's talent show in 1986

Watch a 16-year-old Jason Becker blow the roof off his high school talent show with a flawless cover of Yngwie Malmsteen's Black Star

By Jackson Maxwell published 23 September 22

Even when he was barely old enough to drive a car, Becker was clearly ready for far bigger stages

5 ways to up your shred game in the style of Jason Becker

By Charlie Griffiths published 19 August 22

These five examples will help you set the fretboard alight with the pyrotechnic style of the legendary Jason Becker – bonus points for anyone who masters them while playing a yo-yo

Steve Stevens teams up with Herman Li for Jason Becker fundraiser jam

By Matt Owen published 9 November 21

The pair pulled out all the stops during a virtual jam session, before partaking in the customary blindfold shred challenge

How Nita Strauss ended up playing Jason Becker’s prototype Peavey 'Numbers' guitar live

By Matt Owen last updated 27 September 21

The iconic guitar was lent to Strauss by Benny Goodman of The Neurotic Guitarist, who has started the #ALSAWARENESS4JASON hashtag in order to raise awareness for Becker and ALS

Watch Nita Strauss shred onstage using Jason Becker’s original prototype Peavey Numbers guitar

By Jackson Maxwell published 22 September 21

"This guitar truly has Jason’s magic in it – I felt like I couldn’t miss a note if I tried," Strauss said of the experience

Three of Jason Becker's most prized guitars

Three of Jason Becker’s prized guitars sell at auction for $230,000

By Matt Owen published 19 July 21

Herman Li and Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal were on hand to witness the online auction, which also included a stage-used Eddie Van Halen Kramer guitar that sold for $120,000

Paul Gilbert holding an Ibanez electric guitar

Paul Gilbert to sell signed, super-rare Ibanez PGM90HAM signature guitar for Jason Becker fundraiser

By Matt Owen published 14 July 21

The axe, which was made in 1998 and wielded by Gilbert at the Hoshino 90th Anniversary Concert, will be sold with a signed TC Electronic PG signature MojoMojo overdrive pedal

Watch ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Broderick nail Perpetual Burn on Jason Becker's original Hurricane guitar

By Sam Roche published 5 July 21

The Moridira axe – which was used during the recording of Becker's debut solo album – is currently up for auction

Three of Jason Becker's prized guitars go up for auction

By Jackson Maxwell published 1 July 21

His prototype Peavey "Numbers" guitar and two Moridira Hurricanes – seen on the covers of Perpetual Burn and Cacophony's Speed Metal Symphony, respectively – are going under the hammer

Tim Henson playing Jason Becker's Peavey JB24 Numbers electric guitar

Watch Tim Henson improvise with Herman Li using Jason Becker’s original prototype Peavey Numbers guitar

By Matt Owen published 17 June 21

The pair teamed up to trade licks in the latest installment of the Jason Becker fundraiser livestream event, which has raised nearly $250,000 so far

Jason Becker says he thought he was on his “way out” following recent health issues

By Sam Roche published 25 May 21

“I'm finally starting to feel like myself again, after many months of scary health issues,” the guitarist writes

Guitars signed by Metallica, Mark Tremonti, Joe Satriani and Nili Brosh go up for sale on Reverb.com to raise funds for Jason Becker

By Matt Owen published 20 May 21

Steve Vai, Sammy Hagar, Steve Lukather, Tosin Abasi, Herman Li and more have donated and autographed guitars, which will be sold on The Official Jason Becker Reverb Store

Jason Becker returns home from hospital after being treated for bacterial infection

By Matt Owen published 12 April 21

The legendary guitarist and composer received treatment over the weekend for the infection, which caused his "persistent shortness of breath and rapid heart rate"

Jason Becker hospitalized after experiencing continued shortness of breath and rapid heart rate

By Matt Owen last updated 8 April 21

Becker's mother says the guitar icon was "feeling better for while", but the persistent symptoms "kept coming and going"

Jason Becker is experiencing “shortness of breath and a rapid heart rate”, according to his mother

By Sam Roche published 6 April 21

Kiss's Paul Stanley urges people to “send good thoughts and use the power of prayer”

World's greatest guitar heroes assemble for mammoth virtual Jason Becker fundraiser

By Matt Owen published 23 March 21

The two-month-long fundraising marathon will see Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Marty Friedman, Nita Strauss and many, many more appear on Herman Li's Twitch channel to raise money for Becker

Kiesel joins forces with Jason Becker to create his "dream guitar", the Yin Yang signature model

By Matt Owen published 25 February 21

Paying homage to both the Chinese philosophy of balance and Clapton's 'Blackie' Strat, the new model boasts a series of exclusive appointments offered on no other Kiesel guitar

Jason Becker shares never-before-seen footage of his visit from Eddie Van Halen

By Sam Roche last updated 14 December 20

“Eddie was such a beautiful person. He honestly saved my life”