Art Thompson

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Latest articles by Art Thompson

Blackstar St. James 50 6L6 Combo Review

By Art Thompson published 22 September 22

A tube amp that won’t break your back or your wallet

James Burton performs live on stage with the Emmylou Harris Hot Band in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1975

Living Legend James Burton Talks Playing With Elvis, Emmylou Harris, Glen Campbell and Tom Jones

By Art Thompson published 10 August 22

An inspiration to Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck, the rock ‘n’ roll veteran has seen it all.

How PRS Channeled Jimi Hendrix’s Woodstock Tone to Create the Fire-Breathing HDRX 100 Amp

By Art Thompson published 9 August 22

This formidable amp is a beast unto itself, and a thrilling ride back to an era of guitar amplification when it was all about going big.

Line 6 Catalyst 100 1x12 Combo Review

By Art Thompson published 19 July 22

This affordable, super-flexible, and user-friendly amp packs a huge variety of realistic-feeling tones and killer effects.

Fender 60th Anniversary Jaguar Review

By Art Thompson published 5 July 22

This heavy but versatile guitar will give you the thrill of what it must have been like to open a case and revel at this radical model 60 years ago.

B.B. King (1925-2015), Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954-1990) and Albert Collins (1932-1993) perform together on stage on the riverboat SS President in New Orleans during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on 22 April 1988.

Here’s How to Replicate the Magic of the Blues Greats

By Art Thompson published 30 June 22

Get in the tone zone of Eric Clapton, Albert Collins, Albert King, B.B. King, T-Bone Walker and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Guitar Amps of the 1970s

By Rod Brakes, Chris Gill, Art Thompson published 14 June 22

Take a trip down memory lane with the decade’s brightest (and dullest) hopefuls.

“I Only Play One Guitar”: Nile Rodgers Riffs On His Famed Hitmaker

By Art Thompson published 7 June 22

As Fender releases a limited-edition replica, we talk to the man himself about the axe that defines his career.

From the Studio to the Stage: Sublime Effects for the Discerning Guitarist

By Art Thompson published 30 May 22

How Universal Audio crafted the ultimate vintage tones for its UAFX pedals.

Squier 40th Anniversary Telecaster Gold Edition Review

By Art Thompson published 27 May 22

This guitar looks sharp as hell, plays well, and sounds good for anything you’d want to aim a Tele at.

Six Pioneering Effects Builders of the 1970s

By Rod Brakes, Chris Gill, Art Thompson published 26 May 22

From Screaming Birds to Purple Peakers, we take a look at some of the eras grooviest stompboxes.

Jimmie Vaughan performs at the Blues Music Festival 1998 at Shoreline Amphitheatre on August 14, 1998 in Mountain View California.

Jimmie Vaughan Reveals His Guitar Tone Secrets

By Art Thompson published 26 May 22

From pickups to mics, the Texas blues legend shares some priceless pointers in this classic interview from the GP archive.

Actors Cheech Marin (L) and Tommy Chong attend a signing of a Gibson Art Guitar for GuitarTown Sunset Strip at The Roxy Theatre on November 16, 2010 in West Hollywood, California.

Trash & Treasure: a Guide to the Far-Out Guitars of the 1970s

By Chris Gill, Art Thompson published 25 May 22

Shameless ‘modernistic’ rip-offs, hippie-wood finishes and more brass than a marching band – welcome to our fabulous six-string freakshow!

Watch Kirk Fletcher Demonstrate His Favorite Blues Shuffles and Gospel Licks

By Rod Brakes, Jude Gold, Art Thompson published 13 May 22

Video Take away some knowhow from one of the greatest blues guitarists around.

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How to EBow Like a Pro

By Rod Brakes, Christopher Scapelliti, Art Thompson published 29 April 22

Video Watch guitarists Phil Keaggy and Big Country’s Stuart Adamson demonstrate their mastery of this oft-misunderstood guitar gadget.

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Prince (1958-2016) performs onstage during the 1984 Purple Rain Tour on November 4, 1984, at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

“The Best Plan Was to Make a Guitar I Would Enjoy Playing”: Dave Rusan Reveals the Magic Behind Prince’s Iconic Solidbody

By Art Thompson published 27 April 22

Nearly 40 years on, the Cloud electric guitar is a lasting presence in the gear world firmament.

PRS S2 Custom 24-08 Review

By Art Thompson published 21 April 22

A U.S.-made guitar at a price that puts it within reach of those who play for a living.

Eric Johnson Digs Deep Into His Vault and Comes Up with a Winning Pair of New Albums

By Art Thompson published 14 April 22

Set for release this Summer, EJ fans can look forward to ‘The Book of Making’ and ‘Yesterday Meets Today’ with more to follow.

“I Have a Problem. I’ve Got to Make My Guitar Louder”: Les Paul on His Eureka Moment

By Art Thompson published 7 April 22

Video Learn the truth about Les’s fledgling idea in this Musicians Hall of Fame interview and discover how his tenacity and vision became Gibson’s greatest success story.

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