“A punky-edged rock ’n’ roll machine that’s light on your shoulder but far from lacking in heft”: Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite review By Dave Burrluck published 23 February 24 This is the lightest solidbody LP we’ve ever encountered, and comes in snappy colors with classic rock tones
“There’s more grunge and garage attitude here. Things can get quite nasty – in a very good way”: Guild Surfliner Deluxe review By Dave Burrluck published 17 January 24 This new Deluxe version of Guild’s uber-cool offset format has been a long time coming. Worth the wait or has it gone off the boil? Let’s take a look…
“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
“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
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?
Neet the boutique guitar built out of old floor joists, reclaimed Fender parts… and a Squier Affinity neck: Maybury Upscaler Fish Hook S review By Dave Burrluck published 28 November 23 British builder Jason Snelling aims to turn reclaimed wood, parts and pickups into viable and vibey Strat-style guitars
Joe Doe by Vintage Gas Jockey review – a madcap pairing of the Stratocaster and Firebird designed by a UK screenwriter By Dave Burrluck published 22 November 23 The new 2023 Joe Doe by Vintage range boasts a totally fictitious history but some refreshingly different takes on the classics
Squier Sonic Stratocaster HT H review – single-humbucker Tom DeLonge vibe for under $200 By Matt Owen published 9 November 23 Fender's new entry-level Squiers have been rebranded and refreshed as the Sonic Series, but is this hardtail humbucker-equipped Strat still the go-to electric for beginners?
Haynes Demeanour review – the golden age for UK guitar making continues with this rock-ready offset By Dave Burrluck published 6 November 23 This fresh take on the classic offset outline teams humbucker and P-90 pickups with top-name hardware and stunning looks
Cream T Aurora Custom V2 review – a stunning Tele-meets-Gibson design with easy pickup swapping: is this the future of electric guitars? By Dave Burrluck published 2 November 23 Cream T’s fledging guitar line-up was upended earlier this year, but now its core model, the Aurora, is back, and with it, its radical pickup swapping feature
Fender Vintera II ‘60s Stratocaster and ‘50s Nocaster review: keenly priced Strat and Tele models that evoke the golden age of guitar building By Neville Marten published 19 October 23 The original 2019 Fender Vintera models offered a fine and affordable snapshot of Fenders from a particular ‘vintage era’. So, what do the Mk II class of 2023 Vinteras bring to the table?
Fret-King Eclat Custom Paul Rose Signature review: A single-cut with a difference – and we’re not just talking about that dramatic forearm scoop By Dave Burrluck published 3 October 23 Originally designed by Trev Wilkinson, the Eclat single-cut gets a makeover for 2023, and a signature tie-up with Brit guitarist Paul Rose
Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR E review – still the king in a world of Superstrats By Paul Riario published 21 September 23 A classy hot-rod from Charvel that offers high performance with a debonaire, classy look
Gibson SG Standard ’61 Ebony review – an all-time classic, back in black By Jonathan Horsley published 8 September 23 A truly quintessential version of the guitar beloved by Angus Young, Tony Iommi and Derek Trucks
PRS Modern Eagle V review – 17 pickup options and a jaw-dropping guitar build that’s impossible to fault By Dave Burrluck published 24 August 23 While PRS has been making its mark on the bolt-on market, we finally get a new Core model, the shape-shifting modern Eagle V. But is it really new?
Fender Gold Foil Telecaster review By Dave Burrluck published 26 July 23 When is a Telecaster not a Telecaster? When it comes with a pair of mini-humbuckers, a mahogany body and ebony fingerboard like this one…
Gibson Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Junior review By Dave Burrluck published 26 June 23 The Green Day leader gets a new signature in typical showman style, with a fresh pickup design that dates back to the late ’50s
PRS Myles Kennedy Signature and NF 53 review By Dave Burrluck published 23 June 23 After a year of speculation, PRS launches not one but two new bolt-on solidbodies inspired – it would seem – by the first-production electric guitar. Just don’t mention the T word!
Fender American Vintage II 1972 Telecaster Thinline and 1975 Telecaster Deluxe review By Neville Marten published 7 June 23 Time has mellowed the wrath of the detractors and reinforced the joy of the believers in a range that divided opinion when first released in the early ’70s – and now it’s back with authentic CuNiFe humbuckers
Gibson Kirk Hammett ‘Greeny’ Les Paul Standard review By Dave Burrluck published 5 June 23 Following a pair of five-figure Custom versions, here’s the everyman Greeny. But is it a valid introduction or simply a slightly pimped version of an existing Les Paul?