Jonathan Horsley
Latest articles by Jonathan Horsley
Manson Takes the T-Style Back to the Future With Limited Edition DL-2 and MB-2 Matt Bellamy Signature Guitars
By Jonathan Horsley published
The DL-2 offers a more affordable version of the Muse guitarist’s DeLorean model, while the tricked-out MB-2 is equipped with X/Y MIDI screen controller, a Sustainiac Pro, and dual DB-90 pickups.
Catalinbread Launches the Soft Focus Reverb Pedal, an “Instant Shoegaze Button” for Dreamy Guitar Ambience
By Jonathan Horsley published
Inspired by the rack-mounted Yamaha FX500 unit, the Soft Focus takes reverb off-road for recreating the shoegaze sounds of Souvlaki-era Slowdive and more.
Fender Unveils MIJ Aerodyne Special Series, Offering All-New Finishes and Modern Updates to Its Strat, Tele, P and J Basses
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Aerodyne Special Series comes in hot with fresh color finishes, basswood bodies, custom-voiced pickups, Babicz Z-Series bridges and vibratos and 12" radius fingerboards.
Gibson Recruits Slash, Paul McCartney and More for Ukraine Relief Fundraiser With Custom Les Pauls to Be Auctioned
By Jonathan Horsley published
Finished in azure blue and gold, the Guitars For Peace custom Les Pauls have been stage-played by Macca, Slash, and more, and go under the hammer with commemorative autograph books.
Joanne Shaw Taylor Reunites With Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith for New Studio Album, Nobody’s Fool
By Jonathan Horsley published
Nobody’s Fool is out October 28 and features guest spots from Carmen Vandenberg, JoBo himself, and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics.
Ruokangas Launches the Valvebucker Mk2, a $2,000 Active Pickup Powered by Vacuum Tube
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Valvebucker Mk2 now brings its audiophile mojo to the Finnish custom guitar company’s seven-string and four and five-string bass guitar formats, and arrives with a redesigned floor unit.
Jackson Debuts New Made-in-Corona American Series With the Launch of the Soloist SL3
By Jonathan Horsley published
SoCal production line Jacksons are go! And the Soloist SL3 is up first, promising a speedy ride, whammy bar thrills, and versatility from its HSS configuration of Seymour Duncan pickups.
Watch Wolfgang Van Halen Play “On Fire” and “Hot for Teacher” With Dave Grohl Playing Bass at Taylor Hawkins Tribute
By Jonathan Horsley published
Wembley gathered to salute Hawkins but also paid tribute to Eddie Van Halen, as Wolfgang joined Grohl, Justin Hawkins and Josh Freese for a blistering rendition of two Van Halen classics.
Watch Dave Grohl, Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee Tear Through Classic Rush Tracks at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Show
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
London's Wembley Stadium witnessed the return of Dave Grohl to the drum stool as he joined the Rush legends for “2112 Part I: Overture” and “Working Man.”
Schecter Courts the Modern Prog Guitarist With AM-6 and AM-7 Aaron Marshall Signature Models
By Jonathan Horsley published
The six and seven-string electrics are high-performance workhorses for the jobbing progressive shredder, but as the Intervals guitarist reveals, more high-end models are coming.
Nail Vintage Silvertone Amp Tones With Jackson Audio’s Twin Twelve 1484 Preamp Pedal
By Jonathan Horsley published
Jackson Audio teams up with Silvertone to house the Twin Twelve’s preamp stage in a stompbox that can be used as a studio-grade preamp, boost, EQ or overdrive.
Watch Julian Lage Dial Up the Virtuosity in the Video for Playful New Single, “Chavez”
By Jonathan Horsley published
Taken from Lage’s forthcoming Blue Note album, View With a Room, “Chavez” finds drummer Dave King’s effervescent beat setting the tone for an audacious, life-affirming composition.
Gretsch Releases a Pair of Stunning Nigel Hendroff Signature Penguins Into the Wild
By Jonathan Horsley published
…And they really do look magnificent, with flame maple tops, jeweled Gretsch arrow knobs, and finish options comprising Dark Cherry Metallic Flame and Amber Flame.
EVH Updates Its Fashionably ‘80s 5150 Series with the Limited Edition Deluxe Ash Model
By Jonathan Horsley published
The EVH 5150 Series gets an all-natural, ash-bodied makeover that pairs Eddie Van Halen-style mods with a clean, playful look that calls to mind Jason Becker's “Numbers” guitar.
Charvel Launches Jim Root Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Slipknot guitarist's Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH FR E is a souped-up S-style with a clean aesthetic, and it might be built for metal but it should work a treat on all rock and shred styles.
Watch Tommy Emmanuel Take a Rare Solo on Electric Guitar as Steve Vai Plays Rhythm
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Australian acoustic guitar virtuoso was one of the guest tutors at Vai Academy 6.0 when he picked up an Ibanez JEM for a bluesy lead.
LPD Pedals Releases Expanded Seventy4 Deluxe – a Preamp Pedal Offering Two Channels of Vintage British Amp Drive
By Jonathan Horsley published
The amp-in-a-box specialist just doubled down on classic Plexi tones with an overdrive/distortion equipped with a versatile set of features.
Gibson and Epiphone Launch Noel Gallagher 1960 ES-355 and Riviera Signature Models
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Murphy Lab ES-355 is a meticulous recreation of the High Flying Birds guitarist's go-to live guitar, while the Riviera nails that Oasis vibe with its Dark Wine Red finish, and retails for $899.
Josh Klinghoffer Says Rick Rubin Was “Way More a Hindrance than a Help” When Recording With Red Hot Chili Peppers
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Pearl Jam touring guitarist argues that both his studio albums with RHCP were hampered by their producers.
Watch Robben Ford Debut His Signature PRS Electric Guitar in Pro-Shot Set From Koko Jazz Club in Helsinki, Finland
By Jonathan Horsley published
“How’s the guitar, too loud? Not loud enough? This is a brand new guitar for me,” said Ford, in a set of casual genius backed by an exceptional cast of backing players.
Fishman Launches Signature Fluence Custom Series Humbucker for Riffs, Beards & Gear YouTuber Ryan ‘Fluff’ Bruce
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Dragged Under guitarist's new signature bridge humbucker offers three voicings, with its active voice offering a high-output tone profile that pairs well with amp modelers.
Sammy Hagar Says He Has Written a Song Using a Lick Eddie Van Halen Showed Him in a Dream
By Jonathan Horsley published
In the dream, Eddie played Hagar a lick that he turned into a song as soon as he woke up, and he now plans on releasing it, giving his late bandmate a songwriting credit.
Boss Rolls Out Next-Generation Dual Cube LX Digital Guitar and Bass Amplifiers
By Jonathan Horsley published
A portable, rugged option for practice, performing and recording, the 10-watt stereo amps offer guitarists and bass players a comprehensive suite of 21st-century features.
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