CATEGORIES
‘MARK I' MESA/BOOGIE
Vintage amp restorer Fabio Cutolo of FM Amps explains how he resurrected a ‘Mark I’ Mesa/Boogie by transforming it back into the original giant killer it once was in its glory days of the 1970s
STEVE CRADOCK
The Ocean Colour Scene man reflects on the mystique of flat-wound strings and recounts a lucky strike with some JCM800s
STEVE LUKATHER
Growing up in Los Angeles with school friends Steve, Jeff and Mike Porcaro, Steve Lukather would play on thousands of records and become part of the legendary rock band Toto. We hook up with Luke to talk about how The Beatles sowed the musical seed, learn about his stellar career, and the stunning new solo album, I Found The Sun Again
TAPESTRY OF TONE
Dale Wilson is one of the most sought-after master builders in Fender’s Custom Shop. We join him to hear how art and resonator history collided to inspire a unique Telecaster
Radioshop Loaded Pickguards
This hassle-free upgrade from Radioshop Pickups can transform the look and sound of virtually any S-type guitar
PIERRE BENSUSAN
When the world turned upside down last year, the French-Algerian DADGAD maestro was forced to abandon a mammoth North American tour. And yet his feeling of connectedness has only grown since – and so maybe, he reflects, his latest album “could have not come at a better time…”
PERFECTLY FRANK ZAPPA
Towards the end of last year, a new documentary on the life and times of Frank Zappa was premiered in the United States and now, after a few months’ wait, Zappa is available for fans to stream in the UK. We go behind the scenes and speak about the man and his music with the film’s director, Alex Winter, and producer Ahmet Zappa, as well as former Zappa band guitarists Steve Vai and Mike Keneally
New Faithful
In among a range of copies is Maybach’s Little Wing – the company’s only original design and a rather fine slice of classic guitar craft from central Europe
NightSky
Venture to the outer reaches of reverb with this soundscape workstation
YUSUF/ CAT STEVENS
He’s one of the most influential singer-songwriters in the world but left fame behind to complete a journey of spiritual growth. Now he’s returned to music and joins us to talk guitars and songcraft – and explain why he decided to revisit his most famous album, Tea For The Tillerman, 50 years on
The Strange Case Of The THE MISSING BEANO
In the summer of 1966, as Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton hit the record shops and the guitarist himself began rehearsals with his new band Cream, Clapton’s beloved sunburst Les Paul was stolen from a church hall practice room. Gone but not forgotten, the guitar left behind a mystery that has never been solved. Here, we trace the lifetime of this legendary ’Burst and ponder the chances of it ever being discovered…
THE NEXT STAGE
Ciaran McNally learned his craft at Lowden and helped take Atkin to greater heights. Now building guitars under his own name, he explains how he used lockdown to design a touring acoustic for Irish virtuoso Shane Hennessy
Feelin' Good
If ruling the world’s stadiums isn’t enough, Muse’s main-man Matt Bellamy now has his sights set on dominating the guitar world
Fair Cop
Victory’s new preamp pedal adds a modern twist to vintage Brit tone with spec-beating valves onboard
PICK 'N' MIX
The matched pickup ‘set’ is so last year, reckons our reviews editor Dave Burrluck, who suggests a pickup mismatch is the new black…
Hit The Gym
Two recent releases from the Fender-owned Charvel and EVH brands remind us of the legacy and guitar design skills of Eddie Van Halen
EPIPHONE EPIPHANY
Gibson pumped new life into Epiphone while rescuing the brand from sinking in the late 50s. Head of product development, Mat Koehler, recounts the tale as Gibson returns to its source of inspiration with Epiphone once again…
Are You Britain's Best Amateur Guitar Builder?
Take a shot at winning our first national competition for home luthiers – as well as £370* of guitar-making supplies from StewMac!
Show Time
This month Adam Goldsmith’s nerves are put to the test with a live performance for Children In Need
NILE RODGERS
A Wes Montgomery die-hard in his formative years, Nile Rodgers reveals that being upstaged by a ‘kid’ was the reason he first picked up a Strat…
Inside The Fuzz Factory
Jamie Dickson talks to maverick pedal-maker Zachary Vex about his most famous creation, 25 years on
Tones Behind The Tracks
Barrie Cadogan talks us through how he captured the atmospheric sounds of his latest long-player, a vibey, Can-influenced collaboration
Once Upon A Guitar…
Why do some guitars sound special? Alex Bishop considers whether there may be more to it than meets the ears
JD SIMO
Vintage chic and a fondness for the Gibson ES-335 fuel JD’s unique brand of funky psycho blues…
FULLY LEDDED
Jimmy Page’s brand-new book, ‘Jimmy Page: The Anthology’, goes into exhaustive detail about the gear he used during his career. Here’s a brief glimpse between the pages of this massive tome, focusing on some of the instruments and amps that Jimmy used to forge Led Zep’s legendary sound with commentary from Jimmy himself
GEAR OF THE YEAR
Let’s be honest, 2020 hasn’t been anybody’s idea of a good year, though it has certainly been memorable.
Cheap Lunch
As one of a two-amp range from Harley Benton, this lunchbox-style amp offers boutique valve tone at a budget price. But can it really sound any good?
KURT VILE
From battered Martins and vintage Gibsons to pre-CBS Fender offsets – we find out why the Philadelphian songsmith can’t bring himself to sell any gear…
If It Ain't Broke…
We catch up with Fender’s Justin Norvell, executive vice president of Fender Products, who takes us through the thinking behind the American Professional II range’s primary new features
STEVE HACKETT
It’s a time of reflection for Steve Hackett. With his autobiography, A Genesis In My Bed, on the bookshelves and a new live album retelling his old band Genesis’s most powerful prog statement with a version of Selling England By The Pound, the time seems right to look back and trace his musical journey to its starting point…