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

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

‘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

“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

“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”

Taylor 514ce Urban Ironbark Grand Auditorium Review
By Jimmy Leslie published
A bold re-imagining of a modern classic in the 500 Series

'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

Get a Close Look at Jerry Garcia's Iconic "Alligator" Strat in this Encyclopedic Grateful Dead Guitar Collection
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
Grateful Guitars Foundation's arsenal includes Garcia’s 1955 “Alligator” Fender Stratocaster and 1943 “Jerry’s Herringbone” Martin D-28

Three Ways to Play the Grateful Dead Classic “Friend of the Devil”
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
Video Have fun learning one of the greatest acoustic tunes ever penned by psychedelic songster Jerry Garcia

Here's the Truth About Jerry Garcia’s Misidentified 1943 Martin D-28
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
Why the Grateful Dead frontman’s highly collectible and historic Dreadnought is not a pre-war D-18

“I Love Guitars and the Music Industry, but I See a Lack of Innovation”: Lava Music Visionary Lu Zitian On Bringing Smart Guitars to the Masses
By Jimmy Leslie published
The guitar devotee is on a mission to inspire everyone to create

CloudVocal iSolo GT-10 Wireless Microphone Pickup Review
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
Any and all acoustic guitars from classical to vintage become unleashed with this thrilling electronic innovation.

Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone Review
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
An impressive jack of all trades mic for vocals or guitar.

Acoustic Recording Made Easy: How to Choose and Use the Best Mics
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
Producer Mikel Ross schools us on how to get the best results in the studio.

Taylor 724ce Koa Grand Auditorium Review
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
For the everyday player who appreciates a lighter, freer, more touch-sensitive tone

GP Presents Joe Satriani on Sunday, October 2 in Oakland, CA – Win Tickets!
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
Guitar Player welcomes the icon’s Earth Tour to the fabulous Fox Theatre

Acoustic Tips for Electric Players
By Jimmy Leslie published
How to maximize that big hollow box

“I Loved That Feeling of Trying to Improve as a Player”: Jack Johnson Dives Deep Into His Enchanting New Record, ‘Meet the Moonlight’
By Jimmy Leslie published
The oft-imitated Hawaiian with the hallmark rhythm hand talks signature style

“The Guitar Is an Endless Exploration”: Acoustic Legend Peter Rowan Looks Back on a Lifetime in Music
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
The Americana treasure connects bluegrass luminaries from Bill Monroe, Jerry Garcia and Tony Rice to Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle, both of whom join him on his new album, ‘Calling You From My Mountain’

“It Was Like Coming Full Circle to Honor Libba Cotten”: Peter Rowan Reveals the Origin of “Panama Red”
By Jimmy Leslie published
The Americana legend tells the story of his signature song and explains how to play it

Fender Paramount Bluegrass Collection PM-180E Mandolin Review
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
A down-home handsome instrument with a modern classic sensibility that plays well right out of the box

Fender Paramount Bluegrass Collection PR-180E Resonator Review
By Jimmy Leslie published
This all-mahogany acoustic-electric round-neck resonator has a full and organic amplified sound

Is NAMM History?
By Jimmy Leslie published
Find out how this year's Anaheim event gave insights to the future of acoustic gear – and of the show itself

Three Strap-Button Strategies to Change the Way You Play
By Jimmy Leslie last updated
Buttonless like Cash? Treble-side? How you wear your guitar can make all the difference in how you play.
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