The Beatles John Lennon’s 1971 secret letter to Eric Clapton asking him to start a “ballsy” new rock band is headed for auction Lennon's letter, now headed to auction, was in part an attempt to help Clapton out of his heroin addiction Why did the Beatles play Epiphone Casinos? It all comes back to one man John Mayall brought some famous guitarists to the fore. He also turned the Beatles on to one of their defining guitar models An unusual guitar is at the center of a mystery about the Beatles' White Album The rare fretless guitar appears to have been used on "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" and "Helter Skelter" Latest The Beatles 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. George Harrison and the History of the Fender Rosewood Telecaster By Rod Brakes published 5 May 22 We retrace the fascinating story of this iconic model with Fender historian Martin Kelly and a gorgeous 1969 original from its first, all-too-brief run. “It Was Really My First Voyage Into Feedback”: Paul McCartney on His “Taxman” Beatles Guitar Solo By Rod Brakes, Tom Mulhern published 3 May 22 Macca reveals his inspiration behind the Beatles' riotous ‘Revolver’ opener. Flat-Top Revelations from ‘The Beatles: Get Back,’ Part 2 By Jimmy Leslie last updated 15 April 22 More acoustic guitar insights from the ‘Let It Be’ studio session footage. Putting the Macca in Maccaferri – this $5 Toy Guitar from the 1960s is Now Priced in the Thousands! By Terry Carleton published 14 April 22 The Selcol Beatles New Sound Guitar is a Maccaferri Marvel by another name. “You Pick Up a Les Paul and It's Heavy and It Really Means Something – It Means Business”: Jeff Beck on His Les Paul Love Affair By Guitar Player Staff published 12 April 22 Video Watch His Matchless Technique Up Close in this Jaw-Dropping Performance of the Beatles’ “She’s a Woman.” Video Flat-Top Revelations from ‘The Beatles: Get Back’ By Jimmy Leslie published 23 March 22 Some acoustic guitar insights from the ‘Let It Be’ studio session footage. Hendrix, Van Halen Lead List of Gear Innovators Inside the New Issue of Guitar Player By Guitar Player Staff published 11 March 22 PLUS Skip James’ Bentonia blues legacy, John McLaughlin, Steve Morse, Jake Shimabukuro, Mike McCready, and Sonny Landreth on the late Howard Alexander Dumble. Plus – 2 unique covers! Five Times Famous Musicians Stole from Chuck Berry By Christopher Scapelliti, Denny Ilett last updated 2 March 22 The Beatles, Jeff Beck and the Beach Boys were all guilty of thieving from the Berry patch. Don’t Miss this Incendiary Podcast Interview with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones Studio Guru Glyn Johns By Rod Brakes published 15 February 22 Listen in on musician Leo Sidran’s unmissable conversation with the veteran recording studio engineer and producer. 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"He'd been given the guitar for his 16th birthday and obviously didn't want it. I took one look and said, ‘Thanks, I'll have it!’ " Phil Manzanera on his Roxy Music Firebird, "Love Is the Drug" 1951 Tele and other favorite guitars2“We’ve been writing new music and we want to go back out on tour together." Joe Satriani and Steve Vai announce the new SatchVai Band and Surfing With the Hydra tour3“They were yelling, 'You’ve gotta turn your guitar down, Mick! It’s leaking into our vocals.’ ” Mick Mars on how his Mötley Crüe ‘Dr. Feelgood’ tracks ended up on another great album from the 1980s 4"A fun and unique guitar that’s nevertheless a sleek beast of a performer." The Frank Brothers Sonar electric merges vintage styling with diverse tones, making it a perfect all-rounder5“Eddie told us that he copied that style from listening to us. He was a big fan of the band and came to see us play regularly.” Rick Derringer recalls a young Eddie Van Halen and performing with Johnny Winter
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.
George Harrison and the History of the Fender Rosewood Telecaster By Rod Brakes published 5 May 22 We retrace the fascinating story of this iconic model with Fender historian Martin Kelly and a gorgeous 1969 original from its first, all-too-brief run.
“It Was Really My First Voyage Into Feedback”: Paul McCartney on His “Taxman” Beatles Guitar Solo By Rod Brakes, Tom Mulhern published 3 May 22 Macca reveals his inspiration behind the Beatles' riotous ‘Revolver’ opener.
Flat-Top Revelations from ‘The Beatles: Get Back,’ Part 2 By Jimmy Leslie last updated 15 April 22 More acoustic guitar insights from the ‘Let It Be’ studio session footage.
Putting the Macca in Maccaferri – this $5 Toy Guitar from the 1960s is Now Priced in the Thousands! By Terry Carleton published 14 April 22 The Selcol Beatles New Sound Guitar is a Maccaferri Marvel by another name.
“You Pick Up a Les Paul and It's Heavy and It Really Means Something – It Means Business”: Jeff Beck on His Les Paul Love Affair By Guitar Player Staff published 12 April 22 Video Watch His Matchless Technique Up Close in this Jaw-Dropping Performance of the Beatles’ “She’s a Woman.”
Flat-Top Revelations from ‘The Beatles: Get Back’ By Jimmy Leslie published 23 March 22 Some acoustic guitar insights from the ‘Let It Be’ studio session footage.
Hendrix, Van Halen Lead List of Gear Innovators Inside the New Issue of Guitar Player By Guitar Player Staff published 11 March 22 PLUS Skip James’ Bentonia blues legacy, John McLaughlin, Steve Morse, Jake Shimabukuro, Mike McCready, and Sonny Landreth on the late Howard Alexander Dumble. Plus – 2 unique covers!
Five Times Famous Musicians Stole from Chuck Berry By Christopher Scapelliti, Denny Ilett last updated 2 March 22 The Beatles, Jeff Beck and the Beach Boys were all guilty of thieving from the Berry patch.
Don’t Miss this Incendiary Podcast Interview with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones Studio Guru Glyn Johns By Rod Brakes published 15 February 22 Listen in on musician Leo Sidran’s unmissable conversation with the veteran recording studio engineer and producer.
