Jimmy Leslie
Jimmy Leslie is the former editor of Gig magazine and has more than 20 years of experience writing stories and coordinating GP Presents events for Guitar Player including the past decade acting as Frets acoustic editor. He’s worked with myriad guitar greats spanning generations and styles including Carlos Santana, Jack White, Samantha Fish, Leo Kottke, Tommy Emmanuel, Kaki King and Julian Lage. Jimmy has a side hustle serving as soundtrack sensei at the cruising lifestyle publication Latitudes and Attitudes. See Leslie’s many Guitar Player- and Frets-related videos on his YouTube channel, dig his Allman Brothers tribute at allmondbrothers.com, and check out his acoustic/electric modern classic rock artistry at at spirithustler.com. Visit the hub of his many adventures at jimmyleslie.com
Latest articles by Jimmy Leslie

By Jimmy Leslie Published
The jazz guitar virtuoso reveals how his Collings OM1 JL signature model came to be, and why a solo acoustic show can actually be more “raucous” than an electric-driven affair

By Jimmy Leslie Published
This handsome, wood-crafted combo packs 150 watts into a 1x10 enclosure, and fits as easily into a home’s decor as it would a studio setting

By Jimmy Leslie Published
The legendary songwriter and producer will be joined onstage by, among other top musicians, guitar hero Jeff Kollman

By Jimmy Leslie Published
Making rock, pop, metal, and even hip-hop classics his own with his trademark triple-neck acoustic, Stricagnoli's extraordinary virtuosity stands out, but there's far more to his playing than percussive hits and tapping acrobatics

By Jimmy Leslie Published
Roots rock guitar captain Warren Haynes and his stalwart crew are bringing their ongoing 30th anniversary celebration to the Fox Theater

By Jimmy Leslie Published
Richard Hoover unravels the history and mystery of parlor guitars

By Jimmy Leslie Published
Santa Cruz captain Richard Hoover applied his ultimate artistic expression to his historic Vault Series that made its stunning debut at NAMM 2024 last week.

By Jimmy Leslie Published
Perfect for players with small hands or working out bass parts on the fly, the great-sounding, cute-looking and affordable Martin DFR-10E Bass packs a ton of fun into just 24 inches

By Jimmy Leslie Published
Discover why the Highway Series is an excellent crossover option for players who want a killer acoustic stage sound from an instrument with the playability of an electric guitar

By Jimmy Leslie Published
Musicologist and gear collector David Grisman talks through the historic mandolins, guitars and banjos he played on his Acoustic America album, but you can see them for yourself at Arizona’s Musical Instrument Museum

By Jimmy Leslie Published
The latest and greatest incarnation of Martin’s “openly vivacious” Grand Performance sets a new benchmark with its gorgeous design, honeycombed bracing and maple back and sides

By Jimmy Leslie Published
Lage epitomizes modern jazz guitar, and he’s going to be the Resident Artistic Director at SF Jazz over the third weekend of January, holding court at the Miner Auditorium

By Dave Hunter, Jimmy Leslie, Christopher Scapelliti, Art Thompson Published
Our guide to the greatest guitars, amps, pedals and accessories of 2023, handpicked by the Guitar Player team

By Jimmy Leslie Published
GP Presents has joined forces with Goldenvoice for a Talking Heads rave up to round out the year at the Warfield Theatre

By Jimmy Leslie Published
With performance budgets crunched to the max, life on the road these days is more challenging than ever. Here’s how to make the most of your opportunities

By Jimmy Leslie Published
Martin’s second über-environmental guitar: the OM Biosphere reviewed

By Jimmy Leslie Published
Find out how you can win tickets to an evening of fiery Southern rock and blues

By Jimmy Leslie Published
Belew got the gig in the end, but his audition was anything but smooth sailing...

By Jimmy Leslie Published
Outside of the box ideas for making string bending easier on an acoustic guitar

By Jimmy Leslie Published
As he reunites his Indo-jazz supergroup Shakti, John McLaughlin talks harmony, rhythm and good wood

By Jimmy Leslie Published
The jazz guitar legend is supporting his new solo guitar album, Dream Box, with solo shows in smaller venues, offering audiences an intimate look and listen to his signature style

By Jimmy Leslie Published
Get inspired and expand your technique using this short lesson

By Jimmy Leslie Published
Once your nails are ready to roll, the power and flexibility of full fingerstyle will be literally at your fingertips

By Jimmy Leslie Published
‘House of Axes’ is a straight-shooting showcase for Brewgrass’s rarest and most prized acoustics from a collection of more than 100 vintage Martins
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