How a battered Jimi Hendrix Strat helped inspire My Chemical Romance’s change in direction
The Les Paul fanatic soon saw axes from the Big F sneak into his collection
Guitarists
“Joe took it really badly.” Aerosmith producer Jack Douglas, who died May 11, on the time Steve Hunter replaced Joe Perry on “Train Kept A Rollin’”
Douglas made the tough call to bring in outside guitarists for two songs — a moment that stung Perry but helped launch the band’s ’70s run
“It was such great stuff.” Steve Vai says he’s heard Eddie Van Halen’s unreleased recordings
Vai recalls sitting in Eddie’s studio surrounded by unheard music — and explains why the guitarist believed Van Halen already was his solo career.
“‘Do you remember that guitar that went missing?’” Ronnie Wood says he took a bass guitar from a store to play with Jeff Beck
The Rolling Stones guitarist also revealed that he recorded a nine-minute guitar solo for the group’s new album in memory of Brian Wilson and Sly Stone
“We’re two random dudes.” The story behind Angine de Poitrine, the viral masked microtonal duo
The Quebec musicians explain the homemade guitar, polka-dot masks and basement jams behind their unlikely rise.
“I was like, ‘Ed, you better stop smoking.’” Valerie Bertinelli recalls the night she met Eddie Van Halen — and the “tragic, scary” years that followed
The actress says their whirlwind romance quickly collided with addiction, fame and the habits that ultimately damaged the guitarist’s health
Gear
"If you want classic Fender tube tones, the Blues Junior IV remains among the cheapest ways of achieving them." We review the Fender Blues Junior IV tube amp
Does one of Fender's best-selling amps remain the gold standard for portable, all-tube tone? We find out
Best multi-effects pedals 2026: do-it-all multi-FX for all styles and budgets
Expand your guitar-playing horizons with these multi-fx options from Line 6, Kemper, Neural DSP and more
We review the LiquiSlide Jules Leyhe Signature glass slide
Filled with a proprietary liquid and golden shimmering flakes, it looks and feels fabulous while delivering smooth, balanced and refined tone
The mystery fuzz pedal that Jake E. Lee got from Paul Gilbert
The unbranded pedal is strange and unpredictable, and Lee likes it that way
Guitars
How many pickups is too many? This guitar has 64
Engineer David Wieland’s PolyMap system captures each string at eight points, letting players create “virtual pickups” anywhere along the string
Best wireless guitar systems 2026: unshackle yourself from cables, it’s time to go wireless
Unlock the freedom of the stage with our pick of the best wireless guitar systems from Boss, Line 6, AKG, Behringer, Sennheiser, NUX, and more
The clock is ticking on the Guitar Center Guitar-A-Thon so act fast to bag one of these 11 incredible final deals – including a massive $700 off a Gibson Les Paul
The sale officially ends on April 29th, so move quickly if you want to cash in on some great guitar gear deals
“Something for Gretsch-ogling rockers — as well as budget-conscious players.” We review the Gretsch Electromatic Premier Jet
A reimagined Duo Jet for the modern era, it pairs chambered construction and new humbuckers with classic Gretsch snap, jangle, and attitude.
Best guitar cases and gig bags 2026: the ultimate guide to protecting your instrument
From Mono’s legendary hybrid bags to Gator’s military-grade hard shells, this is the top gear to keep your investment safe on the road or at home
How Larry Carlton got the ES-335 behind countless hits
As the session ace’s career took off, he needed an upgrade, and the guitar has been by his side ever since
Luthier immortalizes his late wife in a guitar that features her ashes and wedding ring
The tear-jerking build features some incredible detailing as he ensures his wife remains with him forevermore
Makers
Studio legend Glyn Johns on Paul McCartney's shocking request to work on what became the Beatles' final album
The album’s roots live on as 'Let It Be,' but Johns says the rest of the band didn’t get McCartney’s “really interesting” idea
From Taylor Swift to Phoebe Bridgers and Wilco's Jeff Tweedy — how indie rockers came to adopt a guitar bridge born from parts in Home Depot's toilet aisle
Rubber-bridge guitars have changed the sound of acoustic guitar over the past 10 years. And it's all down to one man's invention
Recording engineer Glyn Johns on why he never used click tracks when working with the Stones, Beatles, and Led Zeppelin
He’s recorded and mixed seminal records by some of rock’s biggest artists, and click tracks were always left out in the cold
Tommy Emmanuel reveals everything you need to know about his upcoming Guitar Camp U.S.A.
Presented by Dreamcatcher Events this October, the camp is a hands-on learning experience unlike any other, featuring the acoustic virtuoso and other noted guitarists
New tariffs are having a negative impact on Fender’s credit rating
The taxes affect production at Fender’s facilities where guitars, amps, pedals and other electronics are made
Ciari Guitars is rising high as the industry’s premier travel guitar maker
Ciari founder Jonathan Spangler tells the story behind his company's innovative folding guitar design and technology
Lessons
Allen Hinds: Master the art of sophisticated guitar harmony
While Allen can play stunning solos, his colorful chords hold equal weight, a fact proven across these 28 illuminating examples
Erlend Krauser shows how to perform expressive hammer-ons, pull-offs, whammy-bar scoops and two-hand tapping
Jeff Beck’s soaring licks meet Stanley Jordan’s fretting fluidity in Krauser’s tapping and whammy-bar techniques
Giant’s Jimmy Westerlund shows you licks and techniques that channel the glory days of AOR rock guitar
Learn the virtuosic, expressive and sophisticated style played by guitarists like Steve Lukather, Neal Schon and Dan Huff
Music
The last music Steve Cropper heard before he died was his own new album
The Stax guitar icon gave his blessing to ‘Watching the Tide’ hours before his passing, leaving behind one last statement from the soul-music pioneer.
Guitar Center reveals the riffs customers play most — and “Stairway to Heaven” isn’t No. 1
CEO Gabe Dalporto says the retailer surveyed store staff nationwide about the songs they hear constantly from customers trying out guitars.
Paul McCartney and RIngo Starr reveal the big mix-up behind their first-ever duet
The Beatles legends finally record together on “Home to Us,” a Liverpool-inspired song on McCartney’s upcoming album
Jim Peterik reveals the surprising story behind “Vehicle,” the Ides of March hit that broke records on its way to the top
Written by the future “Eye of the Tiger” composer, the 1970 smash became the fastest-breaking single in Warner Bros. history — even though the band thought it was a throwaway.
Donovan on his psychedelic breakthrough aided by heartbreak, LSD and Jimmy Page
The folk troubadour explains how a pair of London session pros and a white Telecaster helped create one of rock’s earliest psychedelic albums
Win tickets to an all-star tribute to David Lindley led by Papa Mali and Wally Ingram in New Orleans
Guitar Player Presents an all-star cast at Papa Mali’s New Orleans birthday bash. It’s a special Jazz Fest after party at Chickie Wah Wah on Sunday, May 3
Bruce Springsteen celebrates the Doors, the E Street Band, Patti Smith and others at the American Music Honors
Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt and Doors drummer John Densmore perform “Light My Fire” as others are honored at the Springsteen Center’s annual event
