News Mark Knopfler on why he’s ditched the pick in favor of fingerpicking Self-effacing as ever, the Dire Straits man gave multiple reasons – serious and humorous – for moving away from the plectrum, while still citing the pick as “a superior thing” Eddie Van Halen on Frankenstein, and why he never apologized for modding Always keen to take his sound into new territory, the late guitar hero never viewed any guitar – even the none-more-iconic Frankenstein – as a great treasure, never to be altered or touched Vince Gill on his role in the Eagles, and the wonders of playing with Joe Walsh Gill had already played with the best of the best before joining one of the biggest rock bands of all time – and he's more than happy to play a supporting role Latest news Dweezil Zappa reveals the ins and outs of Frank Zappa's futuristic setup By Jackson Maxwell published 7 May 24 Though guitar gear, of course, has advanced in leaps and bounds since Frank Zappa's heyday, the elder Zappa enthusiastically pushed its technological limits Instrumental guitar legend Duane Eddy has died at 86 By Jackson Maxwell published 1 May 24 Through twanging, Gretsch-powered hits like Rebel Rouser, Eddy helped define the guitar sound of early rock 'n' roll Why Eddie Van Halen stopped throwing guitar picks into the crowd By Jackson Maxwell published 1 May 24 People, it turns out, often went to extreme lengths to get their hands on one... Mark Knopfler says he had begun planning to record an album with Jeff Beck shortly before Beck's death By Jackson Maxwell published 30 April 24 Saluting the late guitar hero's “beautiful” contribution to his all-star 2024 re-recording of Going Home (Theme From Local Hero), the Dire Straits man expressed regret that the plan never came to fruition Jimmy Page reflects on the Yardbirds, and his short-lived two-guitar tandem with Jeff Beck By Jackson Maxwell published 26 April 24 Though the two budding virtuosos had plenty of respect for one another, it perhaps isn't a huge surprise that their respective styles occasionally clashed in the Yardbirds Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp, Mavis Staples honored by Bruce Springsteen at second annual American Music Honors By Robert Dye published 25 April 24 Presented by The Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music, the star-studded event featured show-stopping performances from giants of soul, folk, rock, and R&B Positive Grid's huge guitar month sale continues - buy BIAS FX 2 Elite with $120 off and get a RIFF audio interface completely free By Matt McCracken last updated 25 April 24 With loads of excellent discounts and free shipping on absolutely everything, it's a great time to bag a saving on smart amps and software How a deeply personal twist of events brought a beloved 'Burst into Vince Gill's life By Jackson Maxwell published 24 April 24 In a 2017 interview with Guitar Aficionado, the country-rock six-string ace revealed how a sad and deeply personal twist of events brought a prized '59 Les Paul into his life All-star tribute to David Lindley, one of the greatest sidemen of all time, announced By Jimmy Leslie published 19 April 24 Guitar Player Presents an all-star cast at Papa Mali’s New Orleans birthday bash on May 5 during Jazz Fest – and you can win tickets The Allman Brothers Band’s Dickey Betts has died at 80 By Janelle Borg published 18 April 24 The Allman Brothers Band’s Dickey Betts has died at 80 123456789Archives 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 READ1“Lack of use, plus three bouts of COVID, probably phased out the plectrum for me”: Mark Knopfler on why he’s ditched the pick in favor of fingerpicking 2“A three-in-one tribute to the best of British tone”: Carr Amplifiers' Bel-Ray excels at just about any vintage-voiced intentions a guitarist might have for a compact tube combo in 20243“When I told my father I wanted an acoustic guitar, he was thrilled about getting me an instrument that wouldn’t deafen the family, like my Les Paul and Twin Reverb”: With a spunky vintage National resonator, Tinsley Ellis has finally gone acoustic4“That guitar went through a lot of different phases and changes... I kept changing it because I was tired of people copying my guitar”: Eddie Van Halen on Frankenstein, and why he never apologized for modding 5“The only way I could afford my ’66 Strat was to take the ‘66 neck off and sell it to a guy across the street, then go back to Manny’s and buy an ESP neck”: Marshall Crenshaw looks back on the making of his unsung, under-appreciated masterpiece, Field Day
Dweezil Zappa reveals the ins and outs of Frank Zappa's futuristic setup By Jackson Maxwell published 7 May 24 Though guitar gear, of course, has advanced in leaps and bounds since Frank Zappa's heyday, the elder Zappa enthusiastically pushed its technological limits
Instrumental guitar legend Duane Eddy has died at 86 By Jackson Maxwell published 1 May 24 Through twanging, Gretsch-powered hits like Rebel Rouser, Eddy helped define the guitar sound of early rock 'n' roll
Why Eddie Van Halen stopped throwing guitar picks into the crowd By Jackson Maxwell published 1 May 24 People, it turns out, often went to extreme lengths to get their hands on one...
Mark Knopfler says he had begun planning to record an album with Jeff Beck shortly before Beck's death By Jackson Maxwell published 30 April 24 Saluting the late guitar hero's “beautiful” contribution to his all-star 2024 re-recording of Going Home (Theme From Local Hero), the Dire Straits man expressed regret that the plan never came to fruition
Jimmy Page reflects on the Yardbirds, and his short-lived two-guitar tandem with Jeff Beck By Jackson Maxwell published 26 April 24 Though the two budding virtuosos had plenty of respect for one another, it perhaps isn't a huge surprise that their respective styles occasionally clashed in the Yardbirds
Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp, Mavis Staples honored by Bruce Springsteen at second annual American Music Honors By Robert Dye published 25 April 24 Presented by The Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music, the star-studded event featured show-stopping performances from giants of soul, folk, rock, and R&B
Positive Grid's huge guitar month sale continues - buy BIAS FX 2 Elite with $120 off and get a RIFF audio interface completely free By Matt McCracken last updated 25 April 24 With loads of excellent discounts and free shipping on absolutely everything, it's a great time to bag a saving on smart amps and software
How a deeply personal twist of events brought a beloved 'Burst into Vince Gill's life By Jackson Maxwell published 24 April 24 In a 2017 interview with Guitar Aficionado, the country-rock six-string ace revealed how a sad and deeply personal twist of events brought a prized '59 Les Paul into his life
All-star tribute to David Lindley, one of the greatest sidemen of all time, announced By Jimmy Leslie published 19 April 24 Guitar Player Presents an all-star cast at Papa Mali’s New Orleans birthday bash on May 5 during Jazz Fest – and you can win tickets
The Allman Brothers Band’s Dickey Betts has died at 80 By Janelle Borg published 18 April 24 The Allman Brothers Band’s Dickey Betts has died at 80