CATEGORIES

Preamp Glory

This classy tone-shaping boost and drive from Origin Effects is based on a vintage valve-powered preamp

Animal Instinct

The pedal that Electro-Harmonix could have made in the 1970s (but didn’t) is now here with some help from JHS Pedals

Royal Flash

A highly anticipated signature version of Vox’s unique Nutube micro head, approved by Brian May himself

Top Drawer Tone

Emprize combines two coveted vintage Fender voices, authentically capturing brown-panel lead tones and black-panel rhythm sounds in one amp

Go For Gold

When is a Telecaster not a Telecaster? When it comes with a pair of mini-humbuckers, a mahogany body and ebony fingerboard like this one!

Bare Necessities

Walrus Audio presents an accessible set of pedals that is designed to last the journey all the way from beginner to pro

PLAY TO WIN

Fender's acclaimed Player Series is celebrating its fifth anniversary and to mark the occasion it's receiving some brand-new colours. Allen Abbassi shares the history behind the best-selling range

STEVE LUKATHER

The top sessioneer and Toto stringsman recounts his early six-string experiences and an epic deal on a rare Vox 12-string

WIDENING THE RANGE

For the first time in its illustrious history, Fender has launched a range of new pickups can't buy on a guitar. Dave Burrluck asks, what's the deal? that you

ROCK of AGES

YouTube guitar maven Pete Thorn and racing driver James Cole have brought rock's greatest riffs to the stage in their stunning Classic Rock Show, powered by an enviable collection of vintage and custom guitars. We join them to find out how they've nailed the sound of legendary hits from the 70s and beyond - and are having a blast doing it

Messin WITH THE RIG

Three decades since his death, Rory Gallagher remains the ultimate road warrior. As we rebuild the exact rigs from the late Irishman's most famous live periods, using historic gear loaned by his estate, Daniel Gallagher looks back over his uncle's lifetime on the boards

CAROL KAYE

If you’ve ever wondered what connects Frank Zappa to Frank Sinatra, Burt Bacharach to The Beach Boys or Ray Charles to The Righteous Brothers, the answer is simple: Carol Kaye. We discover the story behind the legendary bassist’s iconic sound

Count Your Blessings

As Guitarist magazine celebrates its 500th issue, Alex Bishop approaches the completion of his 50th hand-built guitar

Tones Behind The Tracks

Nuno Bettencourt tells us about the \"torture\" of recording Six, the return of rock 'n' roll mythology, and the solo that set the guitar world ablaze

Fretbuzz

A monthly look at must-hear artists from all corners of the guitar world, from the roots of their sound to the tracks that matter most

the Wishlist

Dream gear to beg, borrow and steal for...

New Dimension

Beetronics takes the chorus effect and sweetens it with an extra layer of pitch shifting to offer an endlessly creative tool

Build It Yourself

You won't put assembly-line workers out of a job, but you will get some cool sounds from Korg’s Nutube-powered pedal kits

Boutique Beater

Harley Benton is celebrating its 25th with a slew of high-spec, lowly priced Anniversary models. We take one for a spin

First Rate

Blackstar takes a break from floorboard amps and effects and expands its affordable practice amp range for gigging guitarists

Working Class Hero

Flag-waving Les Paul Junior lover Billie Joe Armstrong gets a new signature in typical showman style and with a fresh pickup design that dates back to the late 50s. Let's plug in!

Diode Diversity

Not sure what diodes sound best in a Klon-style pedal? J Rockett’s latest has you covered with its seven options

Transatlantic Tastes

Is the concept of British versus American speaker voicings out of date? Or just plain confusing? Paul Gough of Zilla Cabs offers his view

ON GUARD

Say goodbye to taping up your fingerboard with a new full-face protector. A gizmo too far or a worthy addition to your tool kit?

TYLER BRYANT

The young bluesman tells tales of a brand-new signature guitar and an unbelievable deal on a 1960s Strat

TONE MAGNET

Jason Lollar is one of the most respected pickup makers in the world. He says his goal is not to ‘make them like they used to’ but instead to make pickups better than anything that’s gone before. We learn the secrets of his masterly approach to tone…

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

The evolutionary timeline of rock history includes iconic names such as T-Bone Walker, Chuck Berry, Elvis, Little Richard and many others – and yet it’s only in recent years that another name has started to get its due. The extraordinary Sister Rosetta Tharpe not only paved the way for rock ’n’ roll but also stands tall as an electric guitar pioneer

LOVE THAT BURNS

The late blues hero Peter Green was not only one of the most influential guitarists in history but he had a wide-ranging taste in instruments. With over 100 of his guitars coming up for auction, we examine some of the gems from his personal collection alongside restoration expert Steve Clarke – and discover some surprisingly affordable guitars going under the hammer, too

SHAKE YOUR MONEYMAKER

Following a pair of five-figure Custom versions, here’s the everyman Greeny. But is it a valid introduction or simply a slightly pimped version of an existing Les Paul?

DARK GREEN

Metallica’s new album, 72 Seasons, is as brutal as any the behemoth metal band has made to date. But listen closer and you might pick out a richly familiar voice among the guitar tones. We join Kirk Hammett to hear how Peter Green’s famous ‘Greeny’ ’59 Les Paul, and the new USA reissues of the guitar, have changed his viewpoint on high-gain playing since the guitar has been in his care. We also learn Kirk’s candid views on the “end of the age of active pickups”, as well as the apparent disclosure of an Epiphone replica of Greeny in the pipeline…