Best in-ear monitors for guitar players 2024: stay in tune and on time By Chris Corfield published 10 July 24 Whether you're taking to the stage or hitting the studio, in-ears help you take control of your sound and improve your performance
Elwood Francis replaced Dusty Hill in ZZ Top – but he still feels uncomfortable about it By Matt Owen published 10 July 24 Francis originally served as ZZ Top's longtime guitar tech, but took on a completely new role at the behest of Hill's wishes after the bassist passed away
Slash explains why Eddie Van Halen was really a blues player at heart By Matt Owen published 9 July 24 Van Halen's boundary-pushing rock guitar style was defined by unprecedented fretboard acrobatics – but underneath all that was a humble bluesman, according to the GNR guitarist
Stevie Ray Vaughan stuns David Letterman in newly uploaded footage of his Late Night show debut By Matt Parker published 9 July 24 The recently unearthed clip catches the guitar hero in the form of his life, three years sober and following the recording of his Grammy-winning album, In Step
Queens of the Stone Age cancel tour dates as Josh Homme is rushed to emergency surgery By Matt Owen published 9 July 24 The band had been scheduled to perform a number of headline and festival shows across July
Bruce Kulick was never invited to rejoin Kiss – he reveals why he's OK with that By Matt Owen published 9 July 24 Kulick was around for Kiss' under-appreciated no-makeup era, but when the band's first reunion fell through, he was never invited back
Here’s how to sound like Joe Perry, by our man on the inside, guitar tech Darren Hurst By Jenna Scaramanga published 9 July 24 54 guitars. 8-gauge strings. A semi full of amps. Joe Perry's live rig is a changeable, often untameable beast, and Hurst has been in charge of it since 2019. With the Aerosmith juggernaut ready to pull in for good, he spills all of its secrets, from string gauge and intonation to a heck of a lot of gain stacking...
Best pedal amps 2024: big sounds in a small package By Chris Schwarten last updated 9 July 24 Here are the best small-yet-mighty pedal amp options from top brands such as Blackstar, Strymon, Universal Audio and more - including our pick of amp simulator pedals
Fender has overhauled its most popular range in response to requests from guitarists – meet the Player II Series By Matt Owen published 9 July 24 The Player range is Fender's best-selling collection of all time. Now, it's been refreshed with previously unreleased finishes from the archives and some highly sought-after updates
Best Martin guitars 2024: we rank the legendary acoustics of an industry icon By Matt McCracken last updated 9 July 24 Our expert pick of the best Martin acoustics from one of the oldest instrument makers on the planet
Gibson’s ES Supreme adds full-body Burst finishes and flexible switching to the firm’s classic semi-hollow By Matt Parker published 9 July 24 Gibson’s much-loved ES-335 has been given a fancy new outfit
Best pedalboards 2024: budget-spanning picks to help organize your guitar effects By Jonathan Horsley last updated 9 July 24 Get the best from your effects with expert-recommended 'boards from Pedaltrain, Voodoo Labs, Boss, and more
“The most powerful amp modeler for its size, bar none”: IK Multimedia TONEX ONE review By Alex Lynham published 9 July 24 IK Multimedia shrinks its AI-powered modeling tech into a micro pedal – and it sounds as awesome as anything in the TONEX family
Blackstar’s cream-of-the-crop ID:Core 10 V4 practice amp has just been given a fitting finish update By Phil Weller published 8 July 24 The Double Cream edition of Blackstar's hugely popular combo is ideal for those looking for a fresh aesthetic
Cage the Elephant's Nick Bockrath got his lap steel from Bob Dylan guitarist Bucky Baxter By Janelle Borg published 8 July 24 Bucky Baxter also served as a sounding board for Bockrath when it came to guitar-buying advice
Ricky Medlocke defends Lynyrd Skynyrd’s decision to continue with no original members By Phil Weller published 8 July 24 Medlocke says he and vocalist Johnny Van Zant are continuing with the blessing of the late Gary Rossington – and they’re not just a cover band
Joe Satriani fears Eddie Van Halen will haunt him for what he’s done to his Frankenstein design By Phil Weller published 8 July 24 Satch has shown off the heavily modded EVH Frankenstein he’ll be using to tackle Eddie's guitar parts on the Best Of All Worlds tour later this month
Esteemed bassist Tom Fowler, best known for his work with Frank Zappa, has died aged 73 By Janelle Borg published 8 July 24 In addition to his stint with Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention, Fowler played with Ray Charles, Jean-Luc Ponty, Steve Hackett, George Duke and It's a Beautiful Day
How to test out a beginner acoustic guitar in a guitar store By Daryl Robertson published 8 July 24 A former guitar salesman gives you valuable advice for buying your first guitar
Eddie Van Halen’s long-lost Canada flag Music Man is going up for auction By Phil Weller published 8 July 24 The guitar was custom-painted for a special Canada Day concert in 1993, and its whereabouts for the past three decades remain a mystery