Nuno Bettencourt
Latest about Nuno Bettencourt

“That was my favorite Eddie guitar. It was always the most magical one”: Nuno Bettencourt has had a custom ‘Bumblebee’ Washburn N4 made as a tribute to Eddie Van Halen
By Matt Owen published
The replica will see action during Extreme's tour, and is reportedly set to feature in an upcoming music video

”A jaw-droppingly Shredrageous performance”: Joe Satriani, Richie Kotzen and Nuno Bettencourt showcase their most outrageous licks for a standout rendition of Jeff Beck favorite, Going Down
By Matt Owen published
The three virtuosos were onboard this year's Monsters of Rock Cruise, which played host to the all-star jam

“Once they started doing paint on my guitars, I hated the way they sounded”: Nuno Bettencourt explains why he has always preferred his Washburn N4 guitars to be unfinished
By Matt Owen published
It turns out the decision to leave each N4 model unpainted is more than just a cosmetic choice...

“The Rise solo was anointed by whatever DNA I grabbed from Edward that day. Whatever kiss he gave me on the lips, I went back into the studio and brought it with me”: Nuno Bettencourt unpicks the guitar solo that kept Van Halen’s fire burning
By Amit Sharma published
In his “most detailed analysis yet”, Bettencourt shares the story behind the most incendiary guitar solo of 2023, and explains why, these days, he’s “more excited about the accidents” than perfect takes

News of the (guitar) world: the biggest, baddest, weirdest and saddest guitar news of 2023
By Amit Sharma published
We track the year’s biggest six-string stories – from landmark gear developments to devastating departures and 2023’s most headline-grabbing players

“The whole idea of being a great guitar player is nobody can do you like you… Mean Street is the perfect storm of why people don't f**k with Edward Van Halen”: Nuno Bettencourt explains why you’ve gotta give Joe Satriani “a pass”
By Matt Parker published
The Extreme guitarist explains the key to nailing EVH’s tricky intro and says its time to cut Satch some slack

“Steve Vai tried to school me on string bending, but you just don't do that on bass!” Pete Griffin reflects on his time with Steve Vai, and his latest solo EP
By Nick Wells published
The seasoned sideman compares notes on Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt, Zakk Wylde and Dweezil Zappa

“They have one of the best guitar players in the world”: Watch Nuno Bettencourt inject virtuosic two-hand tapping flair into AC/DC’s Highway to Hell during Extreme and Godsmack’s joint cover
By Matt Owen published
The two rock outfits shared the stage for a set-closing cover – and gave the Washburn wielder free rein to solo as he saw fit

“We know amps and guitars are important, but your own DNA is bigger than that”: Nuno Bettencourt on why, when it comes to tone, your personality always comes first
By Amit Sharma published
The Extreme guitarist drops some tone wisdom and explains why you should be looking for a rig that gets out of your way and lets you be you

“It felt like I had been training my whole life for that gig”: How Nuno Bettencourt ended up playing with Rihanna
By Richard Bienstock published
Rihanna x Nuno is one of the great pop/rock collaborations of our time, and it pushed the Extreme guitarist to his limits. Here’s how it all went down – and why the duo never did perform More Than Words…
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