Gear Fractal’s new VP4 virtual pedalboard puts hundreds of classic stompbox and studio effect models at guitarists' feet The floor-based processor features effects based on the award-winning Axe-Fx III Former Beatle John Lennon's weirdest guitar is one of the last he played It's John Lennon's birthday. We take a look at a rare guitar that was one of just two he used on his final album Yngwie Malmsteen reveals the 60-year history behind his new MXR signature overdrive As the Swedish virtuoso tells Guitar Player, “I wanted a Marshall. But it wasn’t enough to create the sound in my head.” Latest gear Best beginner acoustic guitars 2024: Start as you mean to go on By Richard Blenkinsop published 20 June 24 Our pick of tried-and-tested beginner acoustics from trusted brands including Taylor, Fender, Sigma and more Best bass guitars 2024: Four- and five-string options for every style and budget By Matt McCracken last updated 20 June 24 From top-end Rickenbackers to budget-friendly squiers, the best basses take many forms – these are the ones to consider right now Best beginner electric guitars 2024: Empower your guitar journey with our pick of guitars for fresh-faced rookies By Ross Holder published 4 June 24 From Squier to Ibanez, here's our expert selection of the best electric guitars for beginners Best beginner bass guitars 2024: Starting you off on your low-end journey By Chris Corfield published 4 June 24 Great models for budding bass stars from Squier, Ibanez, Gretsch, Sterling by Music Man and more From single-cut stunners to busking Swiss army knifes, a round-up of 2024's hottest acoustic gear By Jimmy Leslie published 24 May 24 GP gathers a selected swath of shining stars on the acoustic gear horizon, with a primary lens concentrated on guitar The PRS Custom 24 “Bonni Pink” guitar is a stunning example of Paul Reed Smith's cornerstone model By Dave Hunter published 23 May 24 Dedicated to a longtime PRS employee, the extremely flamey maple top, distinctive finish, and Paul Reed Smith autograph mark this guitar as a rare – and highly alluring – early PRS by any measure “A three-in-one tribute to the best of British tone”: Carr Amplifiers Bel-Ray review By Dave Hunter published 16 May 24 Steve Carr's latest creation packs the essence of classic British amp tone together with a tremolo that’s out of this world Santa Cruz Guitars' Richard Hoover explains the science of vintage wood and guitar tone By Jimmy Leslie published 13 May 24 Having tracked down some of the most prized ancient wood on the planet, and worked with an “artisanal lumberjack,” Hoover knows a thing or two about vintage wood, and its relationship with tone Best guitars for kids 2024: Acoustic and electric models for your budding guitar hero By Richard Blenkinsop published 8 May 24 Our pick of the best guitars for kids; electrics and acoustics from the likes of Yamaha, Squier, Taylor and more Stedman PureConnect GP-2 and PK-3 cleaning kits review By Dave Hunter published 7 May 24 The GP-2 and PK-3 provide a very functional means of performing necessary cleaning duties, and their mere presence in your gig bag offers a handy reminder to use them now and then 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives Get The Pick NewsletterAll the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors LATEST ARTICLES1“Slamming away with Joe and Eric on this track creates a rich atmosphere of crushing guitar delight.” Watch Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson shred “Crossroads” onstage in this exclusive new video 2“Designed to push boundaries for traditionalists and those exploring more intricate playing styles.” Fender's new American Ultra II series boasts faster necks, advanced pickups and fresh contours to modernize its recipes 3“An addictively responsive gem of a humbucker.” Bare Knuckle releases a PAF-style humbucker set in collaboration with producer Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood 4“Eddie Van Halen had me play his 5150 guitar, and then he asked me to show the solo to him, because he’d forgotten it.” Jennifer Batten recalls re-teaching EVH his "Beat It" solo 5“Eddie Van Halen had me play his 5150 guitar, and then he asked me to show the solo to him, because he’d forgotten it.” Jennifer Batten recalls re-teaching EVH his "Beat It" solo
Best beginner acoustic guitars 2024: Start as you mean to go on By Richard Blenkinsop published 20 June 24 Our pick of tried-and-tested beginner acoustics from trusted brands including Taylor, Fender, Sigma and more
Best bass guitars 2024: Four- and five-string options for every style and budget By Matt McCracken last updated 20 June 24 From top-end Rickenbackers to budget-friendly squiers, the best basses take many forms – these are the ones to consider right now
Best beginner electric guitars 2024: Empower your guitar journey with our pick of guitars for fresh-faced rookies By Ross Holder published 4 June 24 From Squier to Ibanez, here's our expert selection of the best electric guitars for beginners
Best beginner bass guitars 2024: Starting you off on your low-end journey By Chris Corfield published 4 June 24 Great models for budding bass stars from Squier, Ibanez, Gretsch, Sterling by Music Man and more
From single-cut stunners to busking Swiss army knifes, a round-up of 2024's hottest acoustic gear By Jimmy Leslie published 24 May 24 GP gathers a selected swath of shining stars on the acoustic gear horizon, with a primary lens concentrated on guitar
The PRS Custom 24 “Bonni Pink” guitar is a stunning example of Paul Reed Smith's cornerstone model By Dave Hunter published 23 May 24 Dedicated to a longtime PRS employee, the extremely flamey maple top, distinctive finish, and Paul Reed Smith autograph mark this guitar as a rare – and highly alluring – early PRS by any measure
“A three-in-one tribute to the best of British tone”: Carr Amplifiers Bel-Ray review By Dave Hunter published 16 May 24 Steve Carr's latest creation packs the essence of classic British amp tone together with a tremolo that’s out of this world
Santa Cruz Guitars' Richard Hoover explains the science of vintage wood and guitar tone By Jimmy Leslie published 13 May 24 Having tracked down some of the most prized ancient wood on the planet, and worked with an “artisanal lumberjack,” Hoover knows a thing or two about vintage wood, and its relationship with tone
Best guitars for kids 2024: Acoustic and electric models for your budding guitar hero By Richard Blenkinsop published 8 May 24 Our pick of the best guitars for kids; electrics and acoustics from the likes of Yamaha, Squier, Taylor and more
Stedman PureConnect GP-2 and PK-3 cleaning kits review By Dave Hunter published 7 May 24 The GP-2 and PK-3 provide a very functional means of performing necessary cleaning duties, and their mere presence in your gig bag offers a handy reminder to use them now and then