ESP officially unveils Gojira’s Joe Duplantier as a signature artist By Phil Weller published 16 August 24 After setting the world ablaze with a custom-made, chromed-out XJ-1, the metal hero has now joined the ESP ranks
Phil Collen's first Def Leppard solo is one of his most famous – and he did it in one take By Matt Owen published 16 August 24 Recruited by Def Leppard in 1982, Collen was put straight to work on Pyromania, and contributed a rather notable lead effort he nailed in one go
Quiet Riot’s Rudy Sarzo on why Ozzy Osbourne's words of wisdom to Randy Rhoads were crucial to his development as a guitarist By Janelle Borg published 15 August 24 The Prince of Darkness was key in igniting Randy Rhoads' passion for incorporating more classical-leaning flavors into his compositions
Marty Friedman's rare 1985 Jackson Kelly San Dimas has gone up for sale – and it could go for as much as $125,000 By Janelle Borg published 15 August 24 Friedman's Megadeth-era guitar is also reportedly one of the first 500 guitars Jackson ever built, and was used to record Rust in Peace
Ernie Ball Music Man gives Jason Richardson’s signature Cutlass a serious upgrade, with touch-sensitive pickups By Matt Owen published 15 August 24 The prog virtuoso's latest signatures make use of some newly innovated humbuckers that are said to be the result of “decades of guitar string research”
This study claims to have identified the lightest tonewood of them all – and it’s not one you’d expect By Matt Owen published 15 August 24 This new research piece compared the weight of 466 solidbody guitars to found out which tonewood makes the lightest instruments
Nancy Wilson on ignoring the people that tried to stop her becoming a guitarist By Janelle Borg published 15 August 24 Wilson talks about how crucial her parents' support was for her to make headway in her music career.
Jackson just made its genre-blurring American Series more accessible than ever with the Virtuoso HT By Matt Owen published 14 August 24 The latest addition to the firm's range of US-made workhorse electrics continues Jackson's quest to bring metal guitars to the mainstream
Fred Durst wanted to see if Corey Feldman’s viral guitar playing was real – so he went on stage to see for himself By Matt Owen published 14 August 24 Feldman is currently opening for Limp Bizkit on their Loserville tour, and caught some strays on TikTok after his guitar playing went viral
The Go-Go's Kathy Valentine recalls recruiting Ace Frehley and Gilby Clarke for her solo album By Janelle Borg published 14 August 24 Valentine approached Frehley to play on her record at her birthday party – not expecting him to actually show up at the studio
The Fender Duo-Sonic that helped launch Peter Green’s late-’70s comeback is going up for auction By Matt Owen published 14 August 24 The late Fleetwood Mac legend returned after nearly a decade away from the limelight to record In the Skies – and he did so with the help of this Duo-Sonic
Did Walrus Audio just drop the ultimate compact power supply for amp modelers and multi-FX rigs? By Michael Astley-Brown published 14 August 24 The Canvas Power HP is a small-footprint isolated supply designed for use with the Quad Cortex, HeadRush, HX Stomp and more
“I was as blindsided as everyone else”: Experimental rock darlings Black Midi announce “indefinite” hiatus By Janelle Borg published 14 August 24 Bassist Cameron Picton claims he was surprised by the sudden announcement made by guitarist Geordie Greep
Grace Bowers solos her way through her late-night TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! By Janelle Borg published 14 August 24 Bowers delivers a wah-heavy performance of her track Tell Me Why U Do That accompanied by her band the Hodge Podge
Seymour Duncan's new guitar strings could be the key to unlocking “true vintage tone” By Matt Owen published 14 August 24 The pickup specialist has expanded its Antiquity range with a six-string set that looks to help players harness “true vintage tones of the most infamous guitars ever produced”
Paul Gilbert has had guitars worth $12,000 stolen – now the shred icon needs your help to find them By Matt Parker published 14 August 24 The instruments, including three distinctive Ibanez signature models, were taken amid Mr. Big’s European tour dates
Fender’s Cobalt Chrome pickups will breathe new life into your Jazz or Precision bass – but developing an all-new bass pickup design wasn’t easy By Matt Owen published 13 August 24 Voiced by tone titan Tim Shaw, Fender's latest Jazz and Precision bass pickups look to help reduce noise and add extra flair to your low-end tone
Pixies’ new bass player on how she ended up joining the band – and why it forced her to change her approach to playing By Matt Owen published 13 August 24 Emma Richardson was recruited earlier this year to replace Paz Lenchantin in the alt-rock outfit – and that meant re-evaluating her playing
Blackstar’s Polar 4 pitches for the pro player by supersizing the guitar-focused audio interface By Matt Parker published 13 August 24 The amp firm’s latest guitarist-centric interface offers a wealth of connectivity while continuing to wage war on digital clipping
“We’d hit it against curbs”: Julian Lage radically DIY aged his father’s prized Telecaster By Matt Owen published 13 August 24 The jazz virtuoso has a close bond with the Telecaster, and one of his earliest experiences with the model involved some drastic relic'ing methods
