Christopher Scapelliti
Christopher Scapelliti is editor-in-chief of GuitarPlayer.com and the former editor of Guitar Player, the world’s longest-running guitar magazine, founded in 1967. In his extensive career, he has authored in-depth interviews with such guitarists as Pete Townshend, Slash, Billy Corgan, Jack White, Elvis Costello and Todd Rundgren, and audio professionals including Beatles engineers Geoff Emerick and Ken Scott. He is the co-author of Guitar Aficionado: The Collections: The Most Famous, Rare, and Valuable Guitars in the World, a founding editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine, and a former editor with Guitar World, Guitar for the Practicing Musician and Maximum Guitar. Apart from guitars, he maintains a collection of more than 30 vintage analog synthesizers.
Latest articles by Christopher Scapelliti

Watch Indie-Rock Legends the Olivia Tremor Control Perform Their Infectious Signature Song, “Jumping Fences”
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video Short and sweet, this gorgeously saccharine number is a lesson in songwriting

Watch Mazzy Star’s Spellbinding “Fade Into You” Live Performance
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video This timeless rendition of the band’s ‘90s dream pop classic is a great example of influential guitarist David Roback’s neo-psychedelic approach

Merging Late ‘60s Jangle Rock With Punk, the Paisley Underground Signaled a Psychedelic Rock Revival
By Christopher Scapelliti published
This musical movement inspired countless artists including Prince, the Teardrop Explodes and Echo and the Bunnymen

Here's Why Jimmy Page Is a Missing Link Between ‘60s Psychedelia and ‘70s Hard Rock
By Rod Brakes, Ian Fortnam, Christopher Scapelliti published
The guitarist was on the path of the exotic long before he bridged the gap with Led Zeppelin

“It Was a Huge Loss. And I Did Love Him”: Roger Waters Tells the Tragic Tale of Syd Barrett
By Rod Brakes, Christopher Scapelliti published
Video The Pink Floyd co-founder recounts the inside story of one of psychedelic rock’s greatest in this unmissable ‘Joe Rogan Experience’ clip

Watch the Byrds’ Epic Instrumental Rendition of Their Breakthrough Psychedelic Masterpiece, "Eight Miles High"
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video Roger McGuinn channels the spirit of John Coltrane in this expansive 1970 performance at the legendary Fillmore East venue

Listen to the Soft Boys’ “Queen of Eyes” – a Track That Helped Launch the Neo-Psychedelic Revolution
By Christopher Scapelliti published
The group are credited for paving the way for Britain’s shoegaze and dream pop bands

“That’s the Guy I Just Played With in New York! His Name’s Not Jimi Hendrix”: Randy California Talks Playing With the Artist FKA Jimmy James in This Classic Interview
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video Spirit's legendary guitarist recounts Hendrix’s epochal Cafe Wha? gigs

“I Get Down on My Knees and Pray Before Every Show”: Watch My Morning Jacket’s Otherworldly “Circuital” Performance
By Rod Brakes, Christopher Scapelliti published
Video Gibson signature artist Jim James and Co deliver a stirring rendition of this epic track live at Red Rocks

Get 22% Off the Beatles’ New ‘Revolver’ Special Edition 5CD Box Set
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Remixed in stereo, this expanded version of the psychedelic rock masterpiece is available now at a special introductory price

“They Started out Unbelievable and They Ended That Way Too”: Roky Erickson Recalls the 13th Floor Elevators’ Rise From Obscurity to Psychedelic Rock Heroes in This Vintage Interview
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video Here’s how the pioneering band elevated the genre to the record charts

“The Whole Musical World Went on a Trip”: Listen to Keith Richards Recollect His Memories From the Summer of Love and ‘Their Satanic Majesties Request’
By Christopher Scapelliti published
The Rolling Stones took the full plunge into psychedelic rock on this classic 1967 album

Here’s Why Bob Dylan Was Essential to the Birth of Psychedelic Rock
By Christopher Scapelliti published
From the Beatles and the Byrds to Jimi Hendrix and Jefferson Airplane, the folk legend laid the groundwork for all

“I Think It Comes From Their Fingers and the Guitars”: Listen to Tracks From the Beatles’ New ‘Revolver’ Releases and Read Giles Martin’s Unmissable Interview on Re-Mixing (and De-Mixing!) the Landmark Album
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Wielding a sonic scalpel, the producer presents the Beatles’ 1966 milestone recording as you’ve never heard it

Watch Jeff Beck Playing a ‘Burst in This Far-Out Film of the Yardbirds’ Genre-Defining Track "Shapes of Things"
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video The pioneering band’s 1966 single is widely considered the first psychedelic rock release

Walrus Audio Mira Compressor Review
By Christopher Scapelliti last updated
Like the souls rising skyward on its painted chassis, Mira will take your guitar’s sound to a more perfect place

Boss RE-2 and RE-202 Space Echo Reviews
By Christopher Scapelliti last updated
Roland's iconic RE-201 tape delay/spring reverb sound is recreated by Boss with unparalleled depth and realism

Positive Grid Spark Mini Smart Guitar Amp & Bluetooth Speaker Review
By Christopher Scapelliti last updated
The Spark Mini is small and versatile, and delivers loads of great tones and musical joy.

Positive Grid Spark Review
By Christopher Scapelliti last updated
Has Positive Grid just designed the ultimate amp for the home?

Phil Jones Bass Nanobass X4 Digital Amp Review
By Christopher Scapelliti last updated
Don't let the name fool you, this super-compact portable combo is a full-range amplifier that makes a superb practice platform for your electric guitar.

Positive Grid RIFF Guitar Interface and App Review
By Christopher Scapelliti last updated
As a recording tool, RIFF is a no-nonsense, easy-to-use interface that should be a welcome addition to any guitarist’s DAW setup.

"Just Like You Would Think, it Had a More Metallic Sound": Inside Robbie Robertson's Bronzed ‘Last Waltz’ Strat
By Jackson Maxwell published
Purchased from Norman’s Rare Guitars in 1973, the one-of-a-kind Strat found its way onto multiple albums by Bob Dylan and, most famously, the Band's star-studded farewell concert.

See Rory Gallagher’s Famous Strat and Other Guitars Up Close
By Christopher Scapelliti last updated
The sunburst Stratocaster – Gallagher's workhorse guitar throughout his career – was reportedly the first Stratocaster in Ireland.
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