Frank Zappa Dweezil Zappa reveals the ins and outs of Frank Zappa's futuristic setup Though guitar gear, of course, has advanced in leaps and bounds since Frank Zappa's heyday, the elder Zappa enthusiastically pushed its technological limits "I showed Eddie Van Halen some of what I had to learn in order to pull off Frank’s music... Eddie said, 'Who would've thought that you'd be giving me a guitar lesson!': How Dweezil Zappa took EVH inside his father's playing, and left him in awe In this vintage GP interview, Dweezil also reflected on the idiosyncratic nature of his father's soloing, and how the elder Zappa worked around his technical limitations Adrian Belew recounts his audition with Frank Zappa: "We sat on his purple couch. I placed my Pignose amplifier face down on it so I could get a little bit of sustain... At the end of it, he reached out his hand and said, ‘You got the job’" Belew got the gig in the end, but his audition was anything but smooth sailing... Latest Frank Zappa Frank Zappa's Favorite Guitars and Amps By Darrin Fox published 22 December 22 “Frank rarely used anything stock": Dweezil Zappa reveals the custom gear behind some of his late father's greatest recordings in this essential read from the 'GP' vault Watch Captain Beefheart Guitarist Jeff Cotton’s New “Does It Work for You?” Music Video By Rod Brakes published 28 July 22 Video “Magic Band fans will like the song,” says the guitarist fka Antennae Jimmy Semens. Video Captain Beefheart Guitarist Jeff Cotton Shares 5 Insightful Tips for Guitar Players By Rod Brakes published 13 July 22 The artist FKA Antennae Jimmy Semens offers some sage advice. “It All Starts In the Mind”: Steve Vai Shares Some Words of Wisdom for Guitarists By Rod Brakes, Matt Blackett published 18 May 22 We get in the zone with Vai in this interview excerpt from the GP archives. Three of Frank Zappa's Timeless Guitar Playing Tips By Rod Brakes, Guitar Player Staff published 11 May 22 Cop some straight up wisdom from the late, great guitar genius. The Mysterious History of George Harrison’s “Mad” Bartell Fretless By Christopher Scapelliti published 5 May 22 'Finding Fretless' Author Paul Brett reveals how his relentless sleuthing uncovered a most unusual Beatles guitar. TWA Mk. III Triskelion Harmonic Energizer Review By Art Thompson published 5 April 22 Evolving from the Systech Harmonic Energizer as used by Frank Zappa, this parametric midrange filter boasts adjustable peak control and obscene amounts of gain. GP Presents Oz Noy this Thursday, March 24, in Oakland – Win Tickets! By Jimmy Leslie published 21 March 22 Guitar Player welcomes the fusion master to the East Bay for a Thursday night throwdown with his trio featuring Dennis Chambers and Jimmy Haslip. Steel Panther’s Satchel Names His Top Five Guitar Solos By Guitar Player Staff published 4 January 22 The glam metal merchant reveals his lesser-known personal favorites. Watch Frank Zappa Play One of His Greatest Solos On His Final Tour By Rod Brakes published 3 December 21 Video Dweezil Zappa deemed this brilliant and emotive solo to be his father’s finest. Video 123Archives 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 MOST READ1David Gilmour explains his preference for vintage guitars, and demos his 1945 Martin D-182Tributes pour in for “champion of the blues” John Mayall3British blues pioneer John Mayall dies at 90 4Moby Grape co-founder and guitarist Jerry Miller dies at 81 5Epiphone and Yungblud team up for a rare signature SG Junior
Frank Zappa's Favorite Guitars and Amps By Darrin Fox published 22 December 22 “Frank rarely used anything stock": Dweezil Zappa reveals the custom gear behind some of his late father's greatest recordings in this essential read from the 'GP' vault
Watch Captain Beefheart Guitarist Jeff Cotton’s New “Does It Work for You?” Music Video By Rod Brakes published 28 July 22 Video “Magic Band fans will like the song,” says the guitarist fka Antennae Jimmy Semens.
Captain Beefheart Guitarist Jeff Cotton Shares 5 Insightful Tips for Guitar Players By Rod Brakes published 13 July 22 The artist FKA Antennae Jimmy Semens offers some sage advice.
“It All Starts In the Mind”: Steve Vai Shares Some Words of Wisdom for Guitarists By Rod Brakes, Matt Blackett published 18 May 22 We get in the zone with Vai in this interview excerpt from the GP archives.
Three of Frank Zappa's Timeless Guitar Playing Tips By Rod Brakes, Guitar Player Staff published 11 May 22 Cop some straight up wisdom from the late, great guitar genius.
The Mysterious History of George Harrison’s “Mad” Bartell Fretless By Christopher Scapelliti published 5 May 22 'Finding Fretless' Author Paul Brett reveals how his relentless sleuthing uncovered a most unusual Beatles guitar.
TWA Mk. III Triskelion Harmonic Energizer Review By Art Thompson published 5 April 22 Evolving from the Systech Harmonic Energizer as used by Frank Zappa, this parametric midrange filter boasts adjustable peak control and obscene amounts of gain.
GP Presents Oz Noy this Thursday, March 24, in Oakland – Win Tickets! By Jimmy Leslie published 21 March 22 Guitar Player welcomes the fusion master to the East Bay for a Thursday night throwdown with his trio featuring Dennis Chambers and Jimmy Haslip.
Steel Panther’s Satchel Names His Top Five Guitar Solos By Guitar Player Staff published 4 January 22 The glam metal merchant reveals his lesser-known personal favorites.
Watch Frank Zappa Play One of His Greatest Solos On His Final Tour By Rod Brakes published 3 December 21 Video Dweezil Zappa deemed this brilliant and emotive solo to be his father’s finest.