Phil Weller
A freelance writer with a penchant for music that gets weird, Phil is a regular contributor to Prog, Guitar World, and Total Guitar magazines and is especially keen on shining a light on unknown artists. Outside of the journalism realm, you can find him writing angular riffs in progressive metal band, Prognosis, in which he slings an 8-string Strandberg Boden Original, churning that low string through a variety of tunings. He's also a published author and is currently penning his debut novel which chucks fantasy, mythology and humanity into a great big melting pot.
Latest articles by Phil Weller

How vintage gear is fuelling Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt in the studio and on the road
By Phil Weller last updated
From a ‘90s Telecaster to Hank William’s 1940s Martin D-18, it’s been an interesting year of gear for the Swedish guitarist

Ritchie Blackmore tells how amp-maker Jim Marshall sold him the guitar he used to launch Deep Purple
By Phil Weller published
He also talks of buying his first Strat from Eric Clapton

Les Paul’s former guitar tech completes Klunker guitar replica to shine a light on the Les Paul guitar’s heritage
By Phil Weller published
Paul's former tech put 60 years of experience into his re-creation to underline its cultural significance

Her Gibson Les Paul was worth four times what she thought
By Phil Weller published
The one-of-a-kind custom guitar mysteriously disappeared years ago and resurfaced only recently

Mark Tremonti reveals how Dumble, Fender and Mesa amps factor into his Creed tour rig
By Phil Weller published
The guitarist says, “I’m all about the big, straight-ahead meat-and-potatoes sound"

D’Addario unveils commemorative John Lennon’s collection – including a replica of his 1972 Madison Square Garden solo show strap
By Phil Weller published
Replica straps from key moments in his career and picks celebrate the Beatles guitarist’s legacy

"You can't just 'be' a guy that can play Yngwie Malmsteen stuff. You have to do that for, like, 15 years just to play one of his songs.” Dweezil Zappa explains what most guitarists don't understand about shredding
By Phil Weller published
The guitarist virtuoso adds that it's vital not to worry about how you're perceived if you really want to achieve shred-level talent

“The structural integrity is pretty amazing for cardboard. You can totally rock it.” Robby Krieger plays slide guitar on the world’s first cardboard Telecaster
By Phil Weller published
Made by Fender’s Custom Shop in collaboration with snowboard and packaging firms, the oddball six-string is a faithful take on an old blues classic

The world’s first seven-string Fender Stratocaster is here
By Phil Weller published
Chris Garza shows off the history-making extended-range Strat and says there may be more to come

Rory Gallagher’s Strat sells for $1.16 million at auction before being donated to the National Museum of Ireland
By Phil Weller published
The iconic six-string was purchased by Live Nation Gaiety with the intent of keeping the guitar in Ireland

Ozzy bassist Bob Daisley on his first memories of Randy Rhoads and how he knew he was special
By Phil Weller published
With one rehearsal, the guitarist shattered fears that he was too young and inexperienced to be Ozzy's guitar star

Joe Bonamassa explains why he sold all his Dumble amps – and why he’s now got more than ever
By Phil Weller published
After making some big changes to his live rig in 2014, the guitarist now owns eight Dumbles and isn’t looking back

Myles Kennedy says an onstage disaster forced him to buy a PRS guitar he couldn't afford
By Phil Weller published
The guitarist felt obliged to write a check for the borrowed guitar, having previously been priced out of owning a PRS

“When you start with a crappy guitar, it begins the cycle of gear addiction.” Kenny Wayne Shepherd explains why every player should start out with a cheap guitar
By Phil Weller published
Shepherd also says Jimi Hendrix's gear reveals how he was ahead of his time

PreSonus launches Studio One Pro 7 – the latest generation of its DAW featuring AI tools, improved workflow and more accessible pricing
By Phil Weller published
New features include AI-powered stem separation, Global Transpose and tempo detection features, as well as integration with the Splice sound library

Hear the final track the Van Halen brothers worked on before Eddie’s passing
By Phil Weller published
"Unfinished" is anything but, and showcases a softer side of Eddie’s playing alongside his fretboard-burning feats

Fender's new American Ultra II series boasts faster necks, advanced pickups and fresh contours to modernize its recipes
By Phil Weller published
Strats, Teles, Meteoras and a trio of bass guitars all get the “sports car” treatment as Fender looks to its sister firms to refine the speed and comfort of its instruments

“An addictively responsive gem of a humbucker.” Bare Knuckle releases a PAF-style humbucker set in collaboration with producer Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood
By Phil Weller published
Inspired by classic PAF pickups but refined with a modern edge, the Alnico 5 pickups are made with 100% vintage correct parts

"I'm gonna live this for the next year." Jerry Cantrell on the future of Alice in Chains and his heavy new solo album
By Richard Bienstock published
Cantrell, who teamed up with Duff McKagan and other pals for his new record, tells Guitar Player, "It’s no secret where my loyalty lies"

Steve Cropper says his guitar playing “sucks” — but he knows what sells
By Phil Weller published
Steve Cropper has worked with some of the world’s top musicians but believes it’s more important to be versatile than virtuosic

"it was stolen right off the stage while the lights were down. Somebody walked right out the door with it." Nuno Bettencourt reveals the mysterious journey of his lost Washburn double-neck guitar
By Phil Weller published
The Extreme guitarist’s beloved showpiece was the victim of an elaborate theft that took place while the band was onstage

Alex Van Halen talks his and Ed's secret jams with Chris Cornell, the Ozzy-fronted Van Halen album and why the David Lee Roth EVH tribute shows fell apart
By Phil Weller published
The Van Halen drummer unveils fascinating details about three failed Van Halen projects

Martin Barre talks about sharing stages with Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck after Jethro Tull took a "big risk" hiring him in 1968
By Phil Weller published
Barre explains how performing concerts with Hendrix, Beck and Jimmy Page made him a better guitar player
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