CATEGORIES

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Is the concept of British versus American speaker voicings out of date?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…

RIVAL SONS

As the Californian rockers release their “cinematic” seventh album, Scott Holiday invites us into his jaw-dropping guitar room to talk mad-scientist fuzz pedals, the merits of musical brainwashing, and why he’s no longer a modder

Supreme Team

Blackstar’s latest Amped product adds built-in effects to its 100-watt head – which is small enough to sit on a pedalboard or studio desktop. And it’s set to be another game-changer

Grand Designs

Taylor has revamped its 'workhorse' rosewood and spruce 400 Series for this year to feature sunburst tops and new inlays. Then we have the innovative V-Class bracing, not to mention the ES2 electronics. A match made in heaven?

GRAHAM NASH

As the CSNY legend releases the \"most personal record\" of his half-century career, he tells us about speaking truth to power, selling his Woodstock D-45, and making up with David Crosby in his final days

GIMME SHELTER

Many British guitar heroes of the 60s started out on budget archtops, and models associated with the early careers of stars retain nostalgia-value today. But what if you thought you had found Keef's actual guitar?

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA

The duo that proved it's possible to rock out on nylonstring guitars returns with a new concept album, inspired by immersing themselves in the spiritual discipline of non-dualism

STRETCHING TIME

Some might say a new guitar needs a few weeks to settle in and that there’s no point in thinking about mods or the like until it has. Dave Burrluck doesn’t quite agree…

Longtermers

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

Passion Project

With small ’shop boutique makers popping up on a seemingly daily basis, what’s different about Paoletti Guitars? We ask the company’s MD, Filippo Martini

Roll Out The Barrels

Let Paoletti transport you to the rolling hills, history and culture of Tuscany with a direct link to a classic wine or two. Oh, and the company makes rather fine guitars! Time for a taste…

True Colours

Three Grand Auditorium models from the Czech Republic manufacturer's catalogue, with price points varying from entry level to top end. What's the difference? Let's find out...

MARTY STUART

As he readies his first studio album in six years, the country legend reflects on being a road dog, surviving Covid, his favourite memories of Johnny Cash and why heartbreak will never go out of fashion

UNEARTHED 'BURST

This undocumented one-owner vintage Les Paul recently arrived at Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars from South Africa. We take 'Sunny' for a spin...

Super 70s

Compared to the hallowed 50s or the swingin’ 60s, when it comes to guitars, the 1970s has long suffered from an image problem.

SAMANTHA FISH

Death Wish Blues is a brand-new collaborative album from Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton and will see the pair touring the UK later this year. We invited Samantha to our studios to hear the story behind the release