Jimmy Leslie

Jimmy Leslie has been Frets editor since 2016. See many Guitar Player- and Frets-related videos on his YouTube channel, and learn about his acoustic/electric rock group at spirithustler.com.

Latest articles by Jimmy Leslie

Martin Custom Shop SC-2022

Martin’s SC Line Reaches Its Zenith With the Limited-Edition Custom Shop SC-2022

By Jimmy Leslie published

A masterful combination of form and function, this limited run of 300 will surely sell fast to well-heeled pros and collectors

GP Presents Bill Frisell

‘GP’ Presents Bill Frisell May 4-7 in San Francisco, CA – Win Tickets!

By Jimmy Leslie published

Jazz great holds residency at Great American Music Hall, special Grace Cathedral show on Friday, May 5

Furch Blue Deluxe Gc-CM

Furch Blue Deluxe Gc-CM Review

By Jimmy Leslie published

Boasting superior tone and feel, this acoustic sounds practically like a dreadnought, with the playability of a grand auditorium and the comfort of dual beveling

metronome

Improve Your Groove in Three Simple Steps

By Jimmy Leslie published

Priceless pointers for enhancing your timekeeping

'GP' Presents Krasno/Moore Project at The Chapel on April 7 2023

‘GP’ Presents Krasno/Moore Project on Friday, April 7, in San Francisco, CA – Win Tickets!

By Jimmy Leslie published

‘Guitar Player’ welcomes the soul jazz stars to The Chapel on Good Friday

Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck performing in 1983

Work Some Spanish Magic in This Acoustic Lesson on the Jeff Beck Classic “Beck’s Bolero”

By Jimmy Leslie published

Explore this acoustic take on one of rock’s most iconic instrumentals

Taylor American Dream Grand Theater AD11E-SB

Taylor American Dream Grand Theater AD11E-SB Review

By Jimmy Leslie published

One of three eye-catching Sunburst additions to the American Dream Series, the AD11e-SB offers extra-easy playability

Performing at the Sweetheart of the Rodeo Reunion, Mountain Winery, Saratoga, California, July 29, 2018

“I Put the Electric Guitar off to the Side for a While and Fell in Love With Bluegrass”: Marty Stuart Reflects on His Deep Connection to Country Music’s History

By Jimmy Leslie published

The Martin acoustic guitar stalwart is connected to practically everyone that matters in country music, going all the way back to his original hero, bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe

Country Music

"The First Lead Guitar Player in Country Music Was a Woman": Country Star Vince Gill and Documentarist Ken Burns Talk American Music History

By Jimmy Leslie published

The acoustic aficionados “walk the line” through the endlessly interesting trail of ‘Country Music’

Oz Noy, Darren Stanley, Rai Thistlethwayte and Sara Niemietz

'GP’ Presents Oz Noy & Ozone Squeeze on March 20 in Oakland – Win Tickets!

By Jimmy Leslie published

‘Guitar Player’ welcomes the New York jazz cat back to the East Bay with Ozone Squeeze

Gibson J-45 ’50s Faded

Gibson J-45 ’50s Faded Review

By Jimmy Leslie published

Featuring ’50s specs, this vintage-style instrument offers modern dependability at an affordable price

Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar

‘GP’ Presents Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar on Thursday, March 2, in Berkeley, CA – Win Tickets!

By Jimmy Leslie published

'Guitar Player' welcomes slide luminaries to the Freight & Salvage

Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale (right) of The Milk Carton Kids perform at the 12th Annual Americana Music Honors And Awards Ceremony in 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee.

“My Martin and Joey’s Gibson Are on All of Our Records. We Consider Them Members of the Band”: Kenneth Pattengale on the Milk Carton Kids’ Key Acoustics

By Jimmy Leslie published

The Martin signature artist reveals the inspirations and inner workings of his Grammy-nominated folk guitar duo

Molly Tuttle

Molly Tuttle Wins Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album With ‘Crooked Tree’

By Jimmy Leslie published

The bluegrass star’s deluxe edition of ‘Crooked Tree’ drops with Grateful Dead-centric bonus cuts

Piano and acoustic guitar

Grab Your Acoustic, Sit Down at the Piano, and Advance Your Fretboard Logic

By Jimmy Leslie published

Here’s how to use the fretboard and keyboard for a deeper understanding of both

A selection of career-defining albums featuring David Crosby albums (clockwise from top left): The Byrds 'Mr. Tambourine Man,' 'Crosby, Stills & Nash' eponymous, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young 'Déjà Vu', David Crosby 'If I Could Only Remember My Name,' 'Graham Nash David Crosby' eponymous, Graham Nash & David Crosby 'Wind On the Water', 'CPR' eponymous and David Crosby 'For Free.'

"Albums Are Still Our Art Form... They Are What We Are Going to Leave Behind”: David Crosby on His Epic Recording Legacy

By Jimmy Leslie published

The acoustic legend delivers guitar insights into his classic period and final album, 'For Free'

Freight & Salvage

‘GP’ Presents Django Reinhardt Birthday Celebration on Saturday, January 21, in Berkeley, CA – Win Tickets!

By Jimmy Leslie published

'Guitar Player' welcomes a gang of Django-style virtuosos including Stephane Wrembel and Mimi Fox to the historic Freight & Salvage for a full weekend of shows and clinics

Steve Dawson

“After Years of Experimentation, I’ve Boiled It Down to the Simplest Format”: Steve Dawson Shares Some Expert Advice on Recording Acoustic

By Jimmy Leslie published

The acoustic virtuoso reveals his favorite way to mic a guitar, how to achieve a clean slide sound and more

The New Breed of Blues logo

21 Top New Blues Guitarists As Chosen By You

By Mark McStea, Jimmy Leslie, Joe Bosso, Matt Thayer published

Meet the young guitarists who are shaping the blues for a new generation of players

Hand drums being played

Rory Block and Eric Johanson Talk Recording Organic-Sounding Rhythm Tracks

By Jimmy Leslie published

Get some pro tips on how to make your grooves sound more lively and less metronomic

The Last Walt Tour

‘GP’ Presents Warren Haynes & the Last Waltz on Friday, December 2 in Oakland, CA – Win Tickets!

By Jimmy Leslie last updated

‘Guitar Player’ welcomes a killer cast including special guest Taj Mahal to the fantastic Fox Theater

Blues artist Rory Block

“Keep Going Until Everybody Knows Who You Are”: Rory Block Talks the Blues

By Jimmy Leslie published

Koko Taylor's “Little Miss Dynamite” gives blues women their due on new album ‘Ain’t Nobody Worried,’ with acoustic covers of Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Chapman, Elizabeth Cotten and more

Martin Rich Robinson Custom Signature Edition D-28

“It’s Hard to Tell the Difference": Get a Close Look at Rich Robinson’s Intricately Aged Signature Martin D-28

By Jimmy Leslie published

Video Mirroring the Black Crowes guitarist’s treasured 1954 Dreadnought, this heavenly re-creation is “the first model that Martin has ever made as a visual and sonic representation of an artist’s personal instrument”

Video
Taylor 514ce Urban Ironbark Grand Auditorium

Taylor 514ce Urban Ironbark Grand Auditorium Review

By Jimmy Leslie published

A bold re-imagining of a modern classic in the 500 Series

John Petrucci

'GP' Presents John Petrucci on Monday, November 7 in San Francisco, CA – Win Tickets!

By Jimmy Leslie last updated

'Guitar Player' welcomes the Dream Theater guitarist to the City by the Bay

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