CATEGORIES

Crystal Gazing

A reader wants to know whether it’s worth modding his Strat. Now, there’s a question…

Bare Knuckle ‘T-Top' Humbucker

Continuing this issue’s customisation theme, deputy editor David Mead heads off to Bare Knuckle Pickups in Cornwall to try his hand at the deceptively difficult art of winding pickups, embarking on his very own PAF to enlightenment…

Raising The Tone - Pain In The Neck

In His Second Article On Frets, Editor Jamie Dickson Finds Out What To Do When Your Frets Get Damaged Or Worn Out.

What Is TCI?

Paul Reed Smith admits that part of his latest pickup and the concepts behind it came from an illustrious artist: “John Mayer came after my ass…” We find out more

Tal Wilkenfeld

Top bassist on the reviving qualities of tea and a ghastly experience at 35,000ft

SE: The Affordable PRS

It’s been 18 years since the first ‘offshore’ SE was introduced to the PRS range. Making guitars in Asia, however, hasn’t always been as straightforward as it might seem…

Longtermers

A few months’ gigging, recording and everything that goes with it – welcome to Guitarist’s longterm test report

Purple Reign

In spring 2019, anticipation of a new Royal baby reached fever pitch. And here it is: the majestic new collaboration between Dream Theater’s John Petrucci and Music Man. Awwww…

Labour Of Lovetone

25 years after Lovetone’s first pedals launched, designer Dan Coggins explains how this tiny British brand’s effects ended up on U2 and Radiohead hits and acquired legendary status among tone heads...

Guitar Man

On the eve of JJ Cale’s first posthumous album, his widow and former bandmate, Christine Lakeland, gave us a tour of his guitar collection. This is the truth behind the legend’s one-off models, his refusal to release a signature guitar – and the gig that meant he never trusted a tech again…

King Of The Mods

With the release of PRS’s Paul’s Guitar, evaluated elsewhere in this issue, Dave Burrluck wonders if Paul Reed Smith is actually the ultimate modder…

ESP USA

What happens when you take exacting Japanese guitar design and craft it in California, the spiritual home of the electric guitar? We meet the elite luthiers of the ESP USA workshop to find out…

Ariel Posen

With his long-awaited debut album, How Long, now out in the wild, the Canadian songwriter joins us for his second Guitarist masterclass, sharing the tricks of his well-stocked pedalboard and his go-to guitar tunings

Sink Or Swim?

Scott Sasser, head of Martin’s Custom Shop, explains why sinker mahogany is taking its place alongside some of the world’s premium tonewoods

One For All

These three all-new pure class A combos from Blackstar put the output valve centre stage. Take your pick…

Session Diary Bittersweet Symphony

Session players should recognise their limitations, says Adam Goldsmith, and the karma will take care of itself

Raising The Tone Don't Fret

Frets have a huge influence on the feel of your guitar – but also its tone. Jamie Dickson finds out why...

Robin Trower

The guitar legend tells tales of scary snowfall and unexpected pyrotechnics on the road…

Family Affair

Another bolt-on PRS guitar joins the ranks, but is it the bolt-on we really want? Oh, yes…

Neville's Advocate

Nev ponders an upcoming rock ’n’ roll tour and what he needs to do to prepare. And realises he’s (sort of) in the charts

Lightning Strikes

Seldom given to false modesty, the Swedish shred maestro talks blues (kind of ) and gear (that he designed), and almost unleashes the fury on us. Twice…

High Flyer

This US boutique builder presents an offset beauty that makes us dizzy in more ways than one…

Blow Wind Blow

Rory Gallagher Was the Original Irish Guitar Hero – but His Playing Was Deeply Rooted in the Rich Soil of American Blues, Which He Studied From Boyhood. Now, on the 50th Anniversary of His Recording Debut, a Treasure Trove of Previously Unheard Tracks Sheds Light on His Rare Gifts as a Player and Lifelong Disciple of the Blues. We Lift Open the Cases of Some of Rory’s Best-loved Guitars to Learn How They Helped Him Transport Listeners a Million Miles Away…

07 Ways To Play Better Gigs

From prep to performance, there’s simple ways to step up live

True Colours

From the whites of early prototypes and 50s hot-rod colours, through the many shades of Fiesta Red and beyond, we take a look at Fender’s colourful history with David Davidson of Songbirds Guitar Museum

The Darkness

15 years ago, Justin and Dan Hawkins of The Darkness swept the board at the BRIT awards. Catapulted onto the world stage, they arced high then crashed back to earth in flames when the band split in 2006. With the band now firmly back together and making joyous, hard-edged rock once again, we join the brothers to hear their advice on how to squeeze top performance from Marshall amps – and learn why they “didn’t come here to ride the teacups…”

Telebration!

Dave Burrluck celebrates the first, and still the best, modding platform: the Fender telecaster

Tailoring Your Tone

In the fourth part of our PAF focus, Mark Stow of OX4 Pickups explains how customised PAF repros can help you achieve the ultimate tone

Remembering Renbourn

John Renbourn’s death sent shock waves throughout the acoustic guitar world when he passed away in 2015. We asked Clive Carroll, who toured with John extensively, for his reminiscences about the man and his music

Longtermers - Fender American Professional Deluxe Shawbucker

A few months’ gigging, recording and everything that goes with it – welcome to Guitarist ’s longterm test report