Black Friday Positive Grid deals 2023: Time is running out on huge Spark and BIAS savings By Chris Barnes last updated 25 November 23 There's less than 48 hours left to shop Positive Grid's official Black Friday sale! Here's our pick of savings on smart amps, software and accessories
These discounted online guitar lessons subscription prove Black Friday is the ideal time to invest in your playing By Chris Barnes published 24 November 23 Six of our recommended online learning platforms have seriously great value offers for Black Friday only
We challenge you to find a cheaper ’59 Les Paul this Black Friday – as Guitar Center drops its biggest Epiphone deals of the year By Stuart Williams published 24 November 23 From Silverburst Customs, to a golden ES-335 and the holy grail of Gibson designs, there are some treasures to be found in this year’s sale
With 25% off JHS pedals at Sweetwater you can create a ‘board that covers all bases – here’s the 5 stompboxes we’d choose By Matt McCracken published 24 November 23 We’ve put together a do-it-all, discounted pedalboard from the JHS sale at Sweetwater
Fender Tone Master Pro review – Fender takes the amp modeler and multi-effects crown By Nick Guppy published 24 November 23 Fender jumps into the lead of the modeling preamp race with a floor unit that's steeped in the brand's DNA and presents heaps of amp sounds and effects in an easy-to-use package
“As soon as I pick up the guitar and play that riff, it’s one of the best feelings in the world. You just jump on the riff and it plays you”: The Rolling Stones’ 10 best guitar riffs By Neville Marten published 24 November 23 As the Stones return with Hackney Diamonds, we asked you for your favorite riffs from Keith Richards and friends. Here they are – plus the story of how they were created
“It’s one thing to listen, but when you play these songs, you go, ‘It’s no wonder Eddie had so much fun playing this’”: Tackling Van Halen, reforming G3, recording with Steve Vai – Joe Satriani is gearing up for his biggest year yet By Andrew Daly published 24 November 23 He’s the godfather of shred, but over four decades into his career, Joe Satriani is busier than ever. He explains why he’s playing catch-up after avoiding Van Halen songs in the ‘80s, what his “intentionally excessive” collaborations with Vai have in store, and the biggest struggles he’s facing in covering “the greatest guitar player of all time”
“That is a ’54 reissue. This is the real ’54. It’s number 588”: Måneskin’s Thomas Raggi drops by Norman’s Rare Guitars – and ends up playing one of the first Fender Strats ever produced By Matt Parker published 23 November 23 The Italian guitarist headed to the store following his LA Forum performance – and found time for a killer jam of Jimi Hendrix’s version of All Along the Watchtower with Michael Lemmo
“Reverlong reunion!” Scott Ian’s 12-year-old son, Revel, reunites with Foo Fighters at Dave Grohl’s studio to jam Everlong – and nails it using Pat Smear’s Gibson Les Paul By Matt Owen published 23 November 23 Four years after he smashed the track as an 8-year-old during the band's Bourbon & Beyond Festival set, Revel returned to the Foo Fighters lineup during a wholesome jam session
You don't need to be a luthier to build a genuine Fender Stratocaster with this epic Black Friday Lego deal By Daryl Robertson published 23 November 23 Consisting of 1074 pieces this epic Fender-themed Lego set will most definitely amuse your guitar-playing loved one for a long time
“Tom Murphy’s magnum opus”: Gibson has handed the Murphy Lab man its stockpile of Brazilian rosewood for these ultra-exclusive, $20k Les Paul ’Burst reissues By Matt Parker published 23 November 23 The models promise the ultimate showcase of the firm’s craftsmanship in 2023 – and, in the process, pay tribute to Gibson’s prized luthier
“Now every day can be Y2K”: Chase Bliss’s Lossy makes your guitar sound like a broken cellphone – and it might just be the lo-fi stompbox of your dreams By Matt Owen published 23 November 23 The overhauled unit turns a popular plugin into a pedal, and lets guitarists conjure the digital dust-ridden tones of crappy MP3 players from the '90s and '00s
Discounts on Yamaha's excellent THRII desktop amps are super rare, but Amazon just started slashing prices across the range for Black Friday By Stuart Williams published 23 November 23 Looking for the ultimate practice companion? Well, Amazon has just slashed the price of the Yamaha THR10II, THR10II WL, and THR30II WL this Black Friday
Positive Grid just casually launched a new Spark Go colorway the day before Black Friday – and it's on sale! By Matt McCracken published 23 November 23 Our favorite mini amp just got that bit cooler with a brand-new color and a tasty Black Friday discount
6 essential Black Friday sales for guitar players that are already live By Matt McCracken published 23 November 23 If you’re on the hunt for a Black Friday deal then these sales from Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Fender, and more will scratch the itch
“So many people don't understand how, as a lead player, I could idolize someone like Kurt Cobain, but for me, it's also about the songwriting and passion”: Nikki Stringfield has more up her sleeve than glorious shredding with the Iron Maidens By Andrew Daly published 23 November 23 Fresh off the release of her solo debut, Apocrypha, the Schecter signature artist dishes on her love of the Kemper Profiler, the first Iron Maiden riff she learned, and the lasting impact of grunge on her guitar approach
Squier Sonic Stratocaster HT review – Fender's classic beginner electric guitar just got better By Matt Owen published 23 November 23 Squier's new entry-level Strat brings Leo Fender's most famous creation to the masses and begs the question: is there a better beginner electric guitar on the market?
Fender Japan does its best Gretsch impression with uber-sparkly, Filter’Tron-loaded limited-edition Telecaster By Matt Owen published 23 November 23 As the hype builds, surely it's only a matter of time before FJ instruments are made available outside of Asia?
“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 23 November 23 The Extreme guitarist explains the key to nailing EVH’s tricky intro and says its time to cut Satch some slack
“I just love the Stratocaster. The 2nd and 4th positions are part of what makes it the ultimate funk machine”: From bedroom lockdown playthroughs to Spotify stardom in just 3 years, Giacomo Turra is one of funk guitar's most exciting talents By Andrew Daly published 22 November 23 With the help of his beloved Mayones Aquila, the 26-year-old Italian six-stringer has steered clear of shred, instead focusing on tasty phrasing, an immaculate sense of groove and bringing guitar solos back into the mainstream