Latest articles by Dave Hunter
We review the Benson Tallbird + tube-driven reverb and harmonic optical tremolo
An update of Benson's Tall Bird external reverb unit, the Tall Bird + adds tube-driven optical tremolo in two modes: Classic and Harmonic
Dave Davies on the speaker-slashing skills that turned on Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck
The guitarist blamed boring guitar sounds and his own love of imperfection for his actions, saying, "That sound was born out of total frustration"
"It's a notch more hot-rodded to squeeze maximum versatility from the classic Strat format." We review the Fender Player II Modified Stratocaster
The model packs a trio of Player II Noiseless pickups in place of the Alnico V single-coils for hum-free performance
The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour and White Album guitar tones live again in Aclam's Go Rocky Go pedal
The pedal derives its tone and features from the transistor-driven amplifier, including the Mid Range Boost circuit's characterful EQ settings
We review the Fender Stories Collection Mike Campbell Red Dog Telecaster
Boasting a Bigsby, two humbuckers and a boost circuit, it's a faithful re-creation of the guitar behind Tom Petty the the Heartbreakers' "Refugee"
"I heard a livelier overall sound, with a more multidimensional voice that enhances a chewy texture to the harmonics." We asked an avowed string snob to try Cleartone Treated Strings on his guitars. Here's what he told us
The innovative guitar string maker got its start using technology developed by none other than Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers
“I had him mix some paint there on the spot, and finally we came up with Fiesta Red!” With one decision, Fender increased the desirability — and future value — of a select few guitars
Fender custom colors were offered for a small upcharge after a handful of customers requested their guitars in special finishes
Leo Fender got it right in 1948 with an amp he created for lap-steel guitar players
Making its debut as part of a Hawaiian lap-steel beginner set, the Champ has become a studio workhorse for blues and rock guitarists
Gibson's ES-345 struck a middle ground between the 335 and 355. It remains an underrated gem worth your time
Our reviewer hijacked an Abernethy Sonic Empress THC on its way to Wilco's Jeff Tweedy. He found it hard to let go
Inspired by 1960s budget axes, Justin Abernethy’s Sonic Empress THC combines vintage and modern in an offset design that’s built for these times
Mitch Colby resurrects the amp that gave Paul McCartney his start and put the Kinks on the hit parade
The Colby Elpico AC55 1x12 combo is a modern take on the 1950s/'60s Elpico AC55 that launched young British guitarists into the world of rock and roll
Seth Lover helped create a Telecaster range that remains one of the decade's shining moments
With its Wide Range humbuckers, the revised Fender Telecaster Thinline gets higher marks than most of its contemporaries.
"A fun and unique guitar that’s nevertheless a sleek beast of a performer." Meet the Frank Brothers Sonar
The Toronto guitar maker changes up its formula considerably, while retaining its touchstones for style and build quality
"One cool guitar from one of the hippest builders." The Rivolta Quadrata is a stylishly original take on a famous retro rock axe
Lightweight Simarouba wood for the body and glued-in neck keep this beauty at a respectable weight
Fuchs' ODH hybrid tube/solid-state amp is a gig-worthy tone machine at an approachable price
Designed by Andy Fuchs to suit his own needs, the new head looks primed for broad acceptance
Vox’s four new Valvenergy pedals aim to put tubey richness and compression in guitarists’ sight
The quartet of overdrive, booster, compress and graphic EQ pedals make use of Nutube technology
Fractal's VP4 delivers much of what's in its big-brother powerhouse, the Axe-FX III, in a compact and price-friendly unit
The VP4’s size and demands of its features call for minor connectivity shortcuts,
David Kowalski’s Rare Earth Germanium Device is one of the most innovative fuzzboxes we’ve seen
We put the Rare Earth Germanium Device to the test and discovered an inspiring variation on the iconic germanium fuzz
“Within an iota of perfection”: Any way you choose to look at it, the Florentine Empirial is a stunner
This creation from the Fender Custom Shop’s former principal master builder looks fantastic, and utterly refuses to put any limits on whatever you intend to do with it
Offered by Silvertone and Harmony, the H63 Espanada was the poor man’s Gibson ES-175
Like many of its Silvertone/Harmony siblings, the H63 Espanada makes up for its more corner-cutting features with a sound, vibe, and look all its own
“A sky’s-the-limit modeling environment”: Two Notes Genome review
Meet the impressive new DAW software plugin from digital guitar speaker cab and amp manufacturers Two Notes
“An enjoyable blend of the classic and the hot rod it’s intended to be”: RS Guitarworks Slab Lowboy review
How RS Guitarworks tapped into the Tele aesthetic and emerged with its own distinct P-90-loaded take on the classic formula
Overshadowed by the Les Paul, the Gibson ES-295 brought rock to concert stages in the hands of Scotty Moore
As played by Danny Gatton, Geordie Walker and Johnny Marr, the ES-295 was Gibson’s 'other' gold-finished electric guitar
Silktone Overdrive+ review
The Overdrive+ is a characterful, original, and extremely versatile design that stands out in a sea of overdrives
“The absence of tradition invites players to pick up a Novo without any preconceptions of what the guitar is or what it does”: Novo's Miris J has the feel and vibe of a rediscovered make from the golden age of the electric guitar
Boasting a bespoke Mastery trem, this stylish, beautifully-playing guitar is another winner from Dennis Fano and the Novo stable
