The Allman Brothers Band’s Dickey Betts has died at 80 Janelle Borg published 18 April 24 The Allman Brothers Band’s Dickey Betts has died at 80
“Joe Walsh insisted that I buy it”: Jimmy Page on his “Number 1” 1959 Gibson Les Paul Christopher Scapelliti published 18 April 24 In this vintage chat with Gibson, Page talks about his most famous Les Paul and some of its unique aspects, such as its sealed Grover tuners and bridge humbucker-splitting push-pull knob
“‘Those old Beatle bashers?’”: Paul McCartney talks Vox amps, and his love of dirty tones Jackson Maxwell published 15 April 24 In a 1990 GP interview, McCartney – typically pigeonholed as the Beatle most inclined to buttoned-up, old-school pop – expressed his personal preference for getting gnarlier rock tones out of his Vox amps, despite his reputation
“I was 17 years old and found it in this local paper. It said, ‘Gretsch guitar, 100 bucks.’ I called the guy up and asked, ‘Is it like Eddie Cochran’s?’ He was like, ‘Who?’”: How Brian Setzer forged his trademark twanging tone Jackson Maxwell published 12 April 24 The rockabilly legend attributes landing on his guitar and amp of choice at a young age mainly to “destiny”
Positive Grid just launched a huge guitar month sale with 10% off Spark and free shipping on everything throughout April Matt McCracken published 10 April 24 Get yourself an excellent discount on the Spark 40 as well as free shipping on everything over at Positive Grid
“Young kids that buy their first really good guitar end up in a love relationship with it – I've never had that”: Why Pete Townshend won't apologize for his '60s-era guitar-smashing antics Jackson Maxwell published 4 April 24 Rock's most famous guitar-smasher (mostly) abandoned that particular act over 50 years ago, but that doesn't mean he's wracked with guilt over his innumerable six-string beatings
“We’re the birthplace of blues, country and rock and roll music, and the guitar is at the core of all of it”: The America at the Crossroads exhibit charts the guitar’s history with instruments owned by Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and more By Jim Beaugez published 11 April 24 A new exhibit at The MAX museum explores the guitar’s cultural impact through dozens of significant instruments – from a stunning custom Martin D-28 built for Elvis Presley's estate to a rickety Soviet-era Tonika model
“A lot of guitarists don’t consider themselves part of the rhythm section. I could always count on Randy to come up with great rhythm guitar parts”: Rudy Sarzo on the magic of Randy Rhoads' rhythm work, and the tonal quirks that set him apart By Matt Blackett published 10 April 24 Rhoads' former bandmate details how the late guitar legend's rig changed over time, and what about his playing often gets overlooked
“The music I might hear, I can’t get on the guitar. It’s a thing of laying around daydreaming... If you pick up your guitar and just try to play, it spoils the whole thing”: Jimi Hendrix on translating his ideas to the guitar, and the joys of club gigs By John Burks published 8 April 24 In 1970, at the peak of his stardom, Hendrix sat down with GP for a chat about songwriting, informal jams, and some of his favorite guitar players
“The best solos have soul, feeling and chops. Players concerned with only playing fast are missing the point...”: With heavy themes and cameos from Alex Skolnick and Vernon Reid, Jane Getter's new album features her most inspired playing to date By Andrew Daly published 5 April 24 Channeling a multitude of influences, Getter has delivered a spunky record that transcends genre and easy categorization
“My 1939 Martin was in a garbage bag for 15 years prior to me getting it in pieces. The neck was off and the body was crushed”: How unplugging reshaped Julian Lage's electric approach By Jimmy Leslie published 3 April 24 The jazz guitar virtuoso reveals how his Collings OM1 JL signature model came to be, and why a solo acoustic show can actually be more “raucous” than an electric-driven affair
Follow the lead of players like Mark Knopfler, Albert Collins, and Lindsey Buckingham, and open the door to new techniques and textures, with this primer in fingerstyle rock guitar By Jeff Jacobson published 28 March 24 Eddie Van Halen also incorporated fingerstyle to add another dimension to his playing, and so have modern virtuosos like Tim Henson, Lari Basilio, and Mateus Asato – learn how you can do the same
Best Travel Guitars 2024: Top Portable Instruments From Lowden, Furch, Martin and more By Richard Blenkinsop published 16 April 24 From short scale acoustics to carry-on electrics, we look at the best travel guitars available right now
Best Acoustic Guitars 2024: Our Pick Of The Very Best Beginner, Intermediate And Top-End Acoustics By James Farmer last updated 15 April 24 From high quality entry-level models, to top-of-the-range collector’s pieces, we look at the best acoustic guitars available today
“The Opus might not displace your Helix, Fractal, Kemper or Quad Cortex, but it offers a lot of good-sounding emulation in a compact and usable package at a fraction of the price”: Two Notes Opus Amp Sim and IR Loader Unit review By Dave Hunter published 10 April 24 There’s a lot of sound and even more flexibility in this little box, and it should prove to be exactly what many guitarists are looking for
“The Brown setting is the closest you’ll get to playing one of Eddie Van Halen’s Super Leads – at least in a pedal”: UAFX Lion ’68 Super Lead Amp review By Art Thompson published 2 April 24 The Lion’s ability to replicate the attitude, pureness of tone and touch responsiveness of vintage Marshalls, and then combine it all with emulations of the right speakers and cabs, makes it one impressive package
“If a modern shred axe with a bayonet-sharp headstock and a floating Floyd suits your musical vibe, you’ll be thrilled with how useful this new guitar is”: Jackson American Series Virtuoso review By Jude Gold published 27 March 24 The Virtuoso is a welcome addition to the Jackson American Series family – a small, two-guitar family, yes, but a family nonetheless
Best Guitar Amps 2024: 15 Supreme Tube And Solid-State Amps For Home, Studio And Stage By Daryl Robertson last updated 25 March 24 Our pick of the best amplifiers for all budgets from Fender, Vox, Blackstar, Tone King and more