Dead Ringers

Universal Audio's UAFX range expands with these 'one amp per box' emulators that capture the sounds of the world's greatest vintage guitar amplifiers

Treading The Boards

Classed by Córdoba as its "first nylon-string electric", the Stage breaks all the rules but not your wallet. Does it sound as good as it looks?

Small Wonder

From the cult Foxgear pedal brand comes Baroni's latest innovation - a micro head that could just be the most portable amp out there

Start Me Up

Why don't more makers just focus on simplicity, playability and sound? Well, here's a boutique level Junior-style guitar that does exactly that. Fasten your seat belts, you're in for a ride!

METEORIC SUCCESS

When we tested Fender's radically offset Player Plus Meteora HH recently, we were impressed by its biting yet expressive Fireball humbuckers - an instant favourite at Guitarist. Intrigued, we caught up with Fender's Allen Abbassi to talk pickups...

SIMON NICOL

This year sees the 55th anniversary of Fairport Convention, prime architects of the UK's folk-rock movement and a band that has left an indelible mark on British music. Here, founder member and guitarist Simon Nicol traces the band's origins from the perspective of his own musical journey

HOLY GRAILS

In a low-key store on a quiet city street in Long Island, you will find some of the rarest custom-colour and prototype guitars from Fender and Gibson's storied past. And each one has a fascinating tale to tell about guitar history. We ventured inside Well Strung Guitars, in company with owners David and Paige Davidson, to take a forensic look at the golden-era instruments that gave birth to legends. Here's what we discovered there...

HALESTORM

As the Pennsylvania rockers return, Lzzy Hale tells us about cult guitars, her identity crisis, the darkness behind new album, Back From The Dead – and the drinking session that sparked her purist-baiting signature Gibson Explorerbird

Silent Service

Vox's noise-cancelling headphones have acoustic tricks up their sleeve for guitarists who want to shut it all out during practice

A Taste Of Honey

Andy Powers discusses the character, clarity and ‘chatoyance’ of koa, the world-class tonewood of the Taylor 724ce

ALL THE DIFFERENCE

British amp maker Laney has poured three eras of classic delay sounds into its new high-end pedal, The Difference Engine, which has attracted the interest of Brian May among many others

Tones Behind The Tracks

Al Di Meola on how a legendary live session with Paco de Lucía and John McLaughlin came to light after 40 years...

Surf’s Up

The latest range from Harley Benton is based on the rare Mosrite brand. A viable cheapie or a clone too far?

Light Fantastic

Blackstar claims its latest release is "the lightest 50-watt all-valve combo in the world". Is this really the future for valve amplification? Time to plug in

All Aboard

While Guild's Newark St Collection features numerous repros of past models, the latest bolt-on Surfliner is an all-new creation. What's going on?

EVOLUTION OF THE STRATOCASTER

It's often said that Leo Fender got it right the first time - but, actually, he got most of it right the first time and then figured out the rest as he went along. Join us as we examine how the Stratocaster evolved throughout the pre-CBS era

ROBERT FRIPP

WITH A 32-DISC BOXSET OF HIS SOLO WORK DURING THE LATE 1970s ALREADY RELEASED INTO THE WILD AND A GUITAR BOOK COMING OUT IN EARLY AUTUMN, ROBERT SITS DOWN WITH US AT FRIPP HQ IN THE MIDDLE ENGLAND COUNTRYSIDE TO TALK ALL THINGS KING CRIMSON, AS WE TAKE AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT THE INSTRUMENTS THAT HAVE GIVEN VOICE TO SOME OF PROG-ROCK'S FINEST MOMENTS

TOM BUKOVAC

With more than 700 albums to his credit – including his Dean DeLeo project, Trip The Witch – Nashville session ace Tom Bukovac is one of the world’s busiest guitarists. Here he shares some of the guitars behind Music Row’s biggest records

1967 Gibson ES-175D

This late-60s sparkle finish was highly irregular for Gibson's successful electric hollowbody

Junior High

Oh dear, cut up your credit cards. Patrick James Eggle has sent us his latest electric vision: a boutique Junior with not an ounce of flame maple or bling. Let’s rock!

Top Of The Class

Laney’s unique Class A tribute to vintage British tone blends classic styling with a wide range of tones. You need to hear this!

Digitally Controlled Expression - Get Expressive!

Stefan Fast of YouTube channel ThePedalZone goes on a trip to the creative playground that is expression. Modern technology is taking it to the next level…

Double Identity

Acoustic carbon-fibre guitar manufacturers Emerald take a bold step into the twin humbucker semi-acoustic market with one of the most versatile instruments we’ve encountered

THE FIRST Les Paul

The reason Gibson’s iconic Les Paul exists is because of its namesake. A star of the 1940s airwaves, Les Paul was also a gifted inventor who strived for 30 years to make his dream of a solidbody electric a reality. As his son Gene Paul says, “This is the reason music changed and rock ’n’ roll came to be… all because of this little guitar that sounded good.” Here is the story of how that very guitar – the first of the breed – was created

TOM WEIGHTS

Gigs are back! Are we ready? Er… no. Some peculiar things are going on and Dave Burrluck needs to fix ’em

P-90 Revival

Bare Knuckle Pickups founder Tim Mills explains why so many of us are turning to this classic single coil

Postcards From NOW HERE

Phil Manzanera gave Roxy Music the taut riffs that made the band’s hits irresistibly danceable – but his latest album, recorded with Tim Finn, is about traveling without moving. We joined him to discover why a Firebird and an Ox make a powerful combination in any home studio, and receive a masterclass in the recording techniques he’s honed over 50 years of hits

Lean & Mean

A weekly spot at Ronnie Scott’s provides Adam Goldsmith with the welcome challenge of a stripped-back setup

FRESH CREAM

Another UK-made guitar brand is always welcome, but rarely are they conceived by a meeting of great minds that includes a grizzled USA rock icon and a ‘mad scientist’ pickup maker from Norway…

Clockwork Echo

J Rockett reimagines the Deluxe Memory Man concept