Total Guitar

February 2026 Guitar World Editors’ Picks

By Michael Astley-Brown, Janelle Borg, Jackson Maxwell, Matt Owen, Matt Parker published 28 February 26

Two generations of virtuosos – Steve Vai and Matteo Mancuso – join forces, Midwest Emo GOATs American Football return, Anna Calvi works wonders with her Telecaster, Mateus Asato gives us long-awaited instrumental bliss, and Angine de Poitrine deliver, uh, “Dada-Pythago-Cubist Mantra-rock” – all this and much, much more

All the guitar gear that has caught my eye this week – including a firm-first from my favorite pedal brand

By Matt Owen published 28 February 26

New drops from Gibson, Ernie Ball Music Man, JHS Pedals and more

Buddy Guy and his Sinners co-star play Tiny Desk concert

By Phil Weller published 27 February 26

Merging classics with cuts from the record-breaking film, Guy and Miles Caton deliver a supremely soulful set

Guitar Hero producers have announced a new game – and it’s got the backing of Gibson

By Phil Weller published 27 February 26

Stage Tour has been tipped as the spiritual successor to Guitar Hero

JHS Pedals’ first-ever octaver is imperfect and unpredictable – and that’s the whole point

By Phil Weller published 27 February 26

The all-analog stompbox draws from octaves of old for a purposefully imperfect pedal that puts up a fight

The tuning change that lead to Warren Haynes retiring his Gibson SG

By Phil Weller published 26 February 26

The SG was one of Haynes' go-to Gov’t Mule guitar until it was forced into an early retirement

Michael Anthony on how the new Van Halen album should be finished

By Matt Owen published 26 February 26

The former VH bassist has had his say on the upcoming record, which is being worked on by Alex Van Halen and Steve Lukather

Iron Maiden, Oasis, Jeff Buckley and Melissa Etheridge lead Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2026 nominations

By Matt Owen published 26 February 26

Billy Idol, INXS, Joy Division and Shakira are also up for induction

The realization that ended Jason Richardson’s obsession with music theory

By Michael Astley-Brown published 26 February 26

The ex-All That Remains shredder shares his journey from marking his music theory classmates’ papers to realizing that sometimes you just need to play what sounds good

Metallica announces Sphere residency – and they’ll be spared from the issues all other guitar bands have faced so far

By Matt Owen published 26 February 26

John Mayer, Bob Weir, Trey Anastasio and The Edge have all been confronted the same issue when playing at the Sphere – but it should be a smoother ride for Metallica