Taylor Guitars just made one major change to its entire acoustic line By Matt Owen published 24 May 23 The storied acoustic brand has teamed up with a new string partner for all its models moving forward
What if Dimebag Darrell played the solo in Megadeth’s Symphony of Destruction? Kayla Kent makes it a reality – and the results are scary accurate By Matt Owen published 24 May 23 Can anyone channel the spirit of Dimebag better than Kent? We don’t think so – and after watching this, you might agree
Tom Morello’s guitar rig is now a Neural DSP plugin – watch the Rage Against the Machine firebrand demo his signature software… with a wrench By Michael Astley-Brown published 24 May 23 Archetype: Tom Morello crams the iconic pedalboard and long-serving Marshall JCM amp into your computer – but does it nail those trademark Whammy tones?
The Beatles’ “first left-handed bassist”, Chas Newby, dies aged 81 By Matt Parker published 24 May 23 The bass player and former math teacher was subbed into the Liverpool legend’s early lineup in December 1960 and played one of the most formative shows of the era
Epiphone reboots its Broadway, Sheraton and Casino collections with some of its most luxurious finishes yet By Matt Owen published 24 May 23 Wine Red, Natural and Vintage Sunburst colorways head up the drop, which also contains left-handed options
Mooer’s new smart practice amp wants to take on the Positive Grid Spark at its own game – but is it smart enough? By Matt Parker published 24 May 23 The Chinese brand specializes in high-function, low-budget builds. How will its new SD30i measure up to an already-affordable market leader?
Blackstar and Toby Lee aim to cover everything “from Buddy Holly to Metallica” with new St. James signature guitar amp By Matt Owen published 23 May 23 Built for the teen blues guitar sensation, the TL50 6L6 is a cosmetically revamped take on the brand’s existing St. James 50 6L6 – and, yes, it’s ridiculously lightweight
Fender finally releases John 5’s Ghost signature model – and it's one of the most striking Telecasters ever made By Matt Owen published 23 May 23 The long-awaited, high-spec Ghost is surely the most eye-popping Telecaster of 2023
Algy Ward, bassist with The Saints and The Damned and founder of Tank, dies aged 63 By Matt Parker published 23 May 23 The UK bass player played a role in several acclaimed punk and metal bands, yet refused to be pigeonholed by either camp
Does John Frusciante have a signature Fender Stratocaster in the works? Here’s the truth By Michael Astley-Brown published 23 May 23 After sightings of a replica ’62 Strat prototype and some special deliveries from Fender, the Red Hot Chili Peppers rumor mill has gone into overdrive – we got the real story from Frusciante’s guitar tech
Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Kirk Hammett and more close out first Jeff Beck tribute concert with star-studded rendition of Going Down By Matt Owen published 23 May 23 Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, John McLaughlin, Johnny Depp, Gary Clark Jr. and many more all squeezed onstage to pay tribute to the late guitar great
Nick Jonas says his “guitar solo debacle” with Kelsea Ballerini at the ACM Awards led him to seek therapy By Matt Parker published 23 May 23 Jonas lived every musician’s nightmare during the infamous 2016 guest spot. In a new interview, he says that despite repeated rehearsals, he “just went completely blank” during the traumatic performance
Justin Hawkins explains why he thinks John Frusciante is overrated By Matt Owen published 22 May 23 In his podcast, The Darkness guitarist discussed why he gets “nothing from John Frusciante’s guitar playing” – and why he thinks no good rock 'n' roll has ever been played on a PRS
Duane Betts shares new single featuring Derek Trucks – and it’s a tribute to his dad, Allman Brothers founder Dickey Betts By Matt Parker published 22 May 23 Stare at the Sun is a “swampy” guitar-heavy tune inspired by a comment Trucks made about Betts Sr.’s playing style
Abasi Concepts finally launches the Emi 6 – an ergonomic reinvention of the classic Stratocaster design By Matt Owen published 22 May 23 The futuristic model made its debut at NAMM 2022. Now, almost a year later, it’s received its long-awaited official release
That time Little Richard reprimanded Jimi Hendrix for his guitar showmanship: “Don’t you ever play your f**king guitar behind your head again!” By Matt Parker published 22 May 23 Graham Nash recalls seeing the rock ‘n’ roll icon dress down the guitarist post-show
Zakk Wylde reveals why he and Dimebag Darrell never jammed together By Matt Owen published 22 May 23 It turns out the two heavy metal titans prioritized other activities in the spare time they shared – ones that involved lots of alcohol and “tons of silliness and stupidity”
Meet ambient shredder Jakub Zytecki – the trailblazing virtuoso who picks plugins over pedals and plays a Kurt Cobain-inspired 8-string By Ellie Rogers published 22 May 23 The Polish wunderkind explains why Polyphia and Plini have reignited his guitar fire and how he channeled John Petrucci on his stellar new album, Remind Me
Is this the most expensive smashed guitar ever sold? Kurt Cobain’s stage-smashed Fender Stratocaster sells at auction for $600,000 – 10 times its initial estimate By Matt Parker published 22 May 23 The instrument, signed by all three members of Nirvana, er, smashed expectations in the recent sale
Foo Fighters officially name Josh Freese as their new drummer By Matt Owen published 22 May 23 With the help of Chad Smith, Tommy Lee and Danny Carey, Dave Grohl and co confirmed Freese would be joining the band full-time for their upcoming tour