Latest Guitar News
Fresh updates from trusted gear and music news sources.
Beyond Emulation: Amp Sims, AI, and the Coming Saturation Point
🗓️ December 07, 2025 | Source: Premier Guitar
I’ve always been the kind of player who avoided going direct to the mixing board or FOH whenever I could. But lately, the stage reality has forced me to make peace with the direct setup. Seeing a real guitar amp onstage now feels like stumbling across a rare oasis. I often end up borrowing a friend’s Boss IR-200 just to blend in with this new stage normal. Not because it’s the ultimate box, but because it’s what I can get my hands on. If all I could find was a cheap Sonicake IR loader, I’d still...
NIMB: The No-Input Mixing Board Technique
🗓️ December 07, 2025 | Source: Gear News
Although we generally use mixers as signal routing systems, NIMB techniques show us how they can become creative tools for sound creation. The post NIMB: The No-Input Mixing Board Technique appeared first on gearnews.com.
“He said, ‘I canceled a gig to come watch you play, could I steal some licks from you?’ That’s when we got to know each other”: Buddy Guy recalls the first time he met Jimi Hendrix
🗓️ December 07, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
The blues veteran reflects on having Hendrix in his audience, way back in the late ’60s
“Getting a Germanium Boy into Brian May’s hands pronto is a top priority”: Dirty Boy’s pedals are loved by the likes of John Frusciante and Neal Schon – is the Queen guitarist next?
🗓️ December 07, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
The future’s bright for the boutique guitar and pedal brand. Its CEO tells us its story so far and why he believes he has just what Brian May needs for his tone
FB-02, ZL Equalizer 2, FerricTDS mkIII: Free Plugins of the Week
🗓️ December 07, 2025 | Source: Gear News
This week, Full Bucket Music serves up ‘80s nostalgia with FB-02, an emulation of the classic Yamaha FB-01 FM sound module. Free plugins of the week! The post FB-02, ZL Equalizer 2, FerricTDS mkIII: Free Plugins of the Week appeared first on gearnews.com.
The Most Versatile Picking Technique?
🗓️ December 06, 2025 | Source: Premier Guitar
Hybrid picking is a technique used by many players that combines regular flatpicking with fingerpicking. It’s not all arpeggio and patterns though. Caitlin Caggiano guides us through a lesson using this picking technique for chords, melodic lines, and lead lines, and she shows us how the Beatles, Heart, and others have applied hybrid picking to create classic parts. In this video, you’ll learn what hybrid picking is, why we use it, how to implement good technique, and how to practice and apply t...
“I’d met Elvis Presley’s guitar player, who told me James Burton used banjo strings...” How Ritchie Blackmore came across an obscure string mod that introduced him to a whole new sound – and why it didn’t work for him
🗓️ December 06, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
Burton proved it was possible to use banjo strings on guitar, but Blackmore’s early adventures with the hack got mixed results
The Strangest—and Biggest—Gibson Ever Built
🗓️ December 06, 2025 | Source: Premier Guitar
There’s a fairly popular reality-television show that focuses on a pawn shop in Las Vegas where, in the opening credits, the proprietor says, “You never know what is gonna come through that door.” I imagine that to be true of most pawn shops, and I also know it to be true at guitar shops. In fact, it’s been true of every one I’ve ever worked in, especially applicable at my store, Relic Music. Maybe it’s because of the left-of-center stuff we typically specialize in; maybe it’s our geographic loc...
“A warning shot to the competition and a reminder that Fender is still very much a force in the amp modeler market”: All the guitar gear that has caught my eye this week – including a new digital era for EVH
🗓️ December 06, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
A landmark update for the Tone Master Pro, a new digital 5150III combo, and a signature capsule for Iron Maiden all landed this week
“A tighter, louder and gutsier tone from an already stellar-sounding amp”: Bad Cat Mod Shop Black Cat 30 review
🗓️ December 06, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
Remixed and refreshed by the late, great amp-guru Mark Sampson, thisBlack Cat has two more tubes, 10 more watts and a whole new voice
“He was completely ignored by the guitar press of that time period”: Vernon Reid on the guitarist he believes is massively underrated – even though he kept “the Hendrix voice” alive
🗓️ December 06, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
In a chat with Guitar World last year, Reid even insisted that this guitarist's “continued non-acknowledgment as a near direct tonal descendant of Jimi Hendrix continues to this day”
5 of the Best Bandcamp Alternatives for 2026
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Gear News
Bandcamp isn’t the only music distribution game in town. Here are some possible Bandcamp alternatives to consider. The post 5 of the Best Bandcamp Alternatives for 2026 appeared first on gearnews.com.
The Man Who Fixed Guitar Tone
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Premier Guitar
You might know Tim Shaw, but you've heard his work. He's a lifelong guitar nut that's shaped the sound of your heroes. He's learned from Bill Lawrence, resuscitated the vintage-spec PAF for Gibson, and currently has developed dozens of new and updated pickups for Fender, including the popular Shawbucker and revived the heralded CuNiFe Wide Range humbuckers. But that's just the start of his story, enjoy the hour-long chat host by John Bohlinger. Sponsored by StewMac: https://stewmac.sjv.io/APO2ED
The Man Who Fixed Guitar Tone
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Premier Guitar
You might know Tim Shaw, but you've heard his work. He's a lifelong guitar nut that's shaped the sound of your heroes. He's learned from Bill Lawrence, resuscitated the vintage-spec PAF for Gibson, and currently has developed dozens of new and updated pickups for Fender, including the popular Shawbucker and revived the heralded CuNiFe Wide Range humbuckers. But that's just the start of his story, enjoy the hour-long chat host by John Bohlinger. Sponsored by StewMac: https://stewmac.sjv.io/APO2ED
“They’ve raised the bar, stretched the boundaries and won the ears and hearts of the young generation”: Tommy Emmanuel names the emerging players who are flying the flag for a new era of Americana and bluegrass
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
Asked for his guitarist of the year, the Aussie maestro replied with the names of four players who are lifting us all out of our "comfort zones"
Accessories for Guitarists: 5 Perfect Stocking Fillers?
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Gear News
These accessories for guitarists will make your Christmas shopping easier. Know a guitarist in your life? Then they'll probably appreciate some of these. The post Accessories for Guitarists: 5 Perfect Stocking Fillers? appeared first on gearnews.com.
“There was a certain amount of desperation in Frank returning my call and saying, ‘I don't believe you, but get over here and prove it'”: How Mike Keneally landed the Frank Zappa gig – after cold-calling his guitar hero
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
Keneally said he had a “Zappa jukebox” in his brain. The man himself wanted to test it out
“Every time I watch videos of her playing guitar I melt on the floor”: Danielle Haim reveals her biggest guitar influences – and who she believes is one “of the most genius guitar players” of all time
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
The multi-instrumentalist sister trio have just been nominated in the Best Rock Album category at the upcoming Grammys for their latest album, I Quit
“This amp has taken me about 10 years to nail down”: A long-lost Beach Boys Dumble that has spent the past 35 years in Hawaii has surfaced – and Jason Momoa is using it on his new album
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
This early 1980s holy grail took a decade to hunt down – and there's another one out there in the wild
Jackson Unleash Pro Plus Series Chris Broderick 6 & 7 Soloist Signatures
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Gear News
Jackson launches the Pro Plus Series Chris Broderick Soloist with DiMarzio, Gotoh trems, coil-splitting, and killswitch The post Jackson Unleash Pro Plus Series Chris Broderick 6 & 7 Soloist Signatures appeared first on gearnews.com.
“He was going to record it, so they put it on hold so nobody else could. But he didn’t actually record it”: Sheryl Crow says Don Henley told her to stop giving her songs away after she wrote a song for Eric Clapton that never got released
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
Will Slowhand ever release this song? It has been sitting "on hold" for him since the ’90s
“The SEs were going to go away. We were having trouble with sales”: Paul Reed Smith on the near-fateful end of the PRS SE Series – and what saved it from extinction
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
Smith reflects on the time the plug was almost pulled on the affordable branch of PRS guitars
“When I heard his stuff I was like, ‘This guy’s got the pipes.’ I watched his live stuff and I thought, ‘He’s got it, man!’” Joe Perry on Aerosmith’s surprise Yungblud collab and paying tribute to late Bad Company legend Mick Ralphs
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
Fresh from his latest solo band tour, the guitar legend insists there’s plenty more juice in the tank and hints at what might be ahead, while breaking down his recent rig choices
“You can get some very mournful sounds out of it as well as in‑your-face. It’s a real old battle-axe”: Gary Moore’s 1963 Telecaster is modded and thrashed to death – and it’s got a tone pot that behaves like a wah
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
Before it was auctioned for just under $69,000, we take a closer look at one of the lesser-spotted electrics in Moore’s collection, with Bonham’s Steve Clarke sharing its story
“I never heard from John. He sold the guitar once he got out of rehab. And that was that – I never saw it again”: The incredible story of the Les Paul that Dave Navarro bought for his Guns N’ Roses audition – and ended up giving to John Frusciante
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
We ask Navarro about the Gibson that featured on the cover of GW's March ’96 issue, and it opens up a whole lot of memories for the former Jane’s Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist
Stylophone CPM DF-8: Ridiculously Fun Filter – Review
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Gear News
Stylophone’s CPM DF-8 is a standalone and Eurorack-ready dual filter unit. It’s flexible, affordable, and extremely fun. The post Stylophone CPM DF-8: Ridiculously Fun Filter – Review appeared first on gearnews.com.
Party Setup For Small Parties, Events, and Gigs – Perfect Match
🗓️ December 05, 2025 | Source: Gear News
Are you looking for an easy-to-transport party setup: a sound system with enough power, a controller and more for a small party or gig? The post Party Setup For Small Parties, Events, and Gigs – Perfect Match appeared first on gearnews.com.
Guns N' Roses Debut Two Highly Anticipated New Songs "Nothin" and "Atlas"
🗓️ December 04, 2025 | Source: Premier Guitar
Powerhouse rock icons Guns N’ Roses have returned today with two brand new singles. Marking their first new music release since 2023, “Nothin’” and “Atlas” find the long-running band still at the height of their powers, showcasing two different sides of their personality. “Atlas” is GNR in full surging rock mode, while “Nothin’” grows more introspective over floaty keys and an emotive guitar.Both songs are available today via Interscope Records.LISTEN TO “NOTHIN’” HERELISTEN TO “ATLAS” HEREGuns ...
5 of the Best MIDI Controllers for DJs: Extra Control, Additional Power
🗓️ December 04, 2025 | Source: Gear News
Looking for extra control over effects and parameters? Augment your rig with the best MIDI controllers for DJs. The post 5 of the Best MIDI Controllers for DJs: Extra Control, Additional Power appeared first on gearnews.com.
Fender keeps up with Neural DSP in the amp modeler race by giving the Tone Master Pro its first polyphonic synths – included in major free firmware update
🗓️ December 04, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
New amps, cabs, a raft of effects, and some big quality of life updates keep the modeler’s talons sharp
Steve Cropper, legendary Booker T. and the M.G.'s and Stax Records guitarist, dies at 84
🗓️ December 04, 2025 | Source: Premier Guitar
On December 3, 2025, the night before we heard the news of Steve Cropper’s passing, my wife and I were jamming to a simple loop. Distracted, at one point I strayed into a noodle that wasn’t doing my wife or the song any favors. Then a voice spoke loudly in my head: “Booker T. and the M.G.’s, you idiot! Cropper! Now!” In a shot I was off the noodle bus and back on track.That voice, it seems, sat at the shoulder of many guitarists. Such was the reach and influence of a musician that could be hookm...
“My inspiration for this tune was Flight of the Bumblebee, but through a funky lens, as if Tower of Power had written and recorded the melody”: Cory Wong on how to arrange guitar and keyboards
🗓️ December 04, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
The funkmeister puts Direct Flyte under the microscope to deliver a masterclass in arrangement. It's funk, sure, but there's some operatic influence in there, too, because that's just how Wong rolls
Billy Reid’s Guitar-Obsessed Style
🗓️ December 04, 2025 | Source: Premier Guitar
Fashion designer, guitarist and Gibson collaborator Billy Reid joins Axe Lords to talk about Jimmy Page’s favorite jacket, his Gibson Hummingbird collab, the benefits of wearing spandex, and why your guitar has to look as cool as it sounds.esigner, guitarist and certified culture tinkerer Billy Reid drops by Axe Lords to talk about the overlap between great guitars and great clothes — and why both have to look cool.Tom, Dave and Cindy grill Billy on the leather jacket he made for Jimmy Page, the...
PRS SE Chleo Herman Li Signature Review
🗓️ December 04, 2025 | Source: Premier Guitar
In shape and sound, the Chleo Limited Edition is a very different PRS. It is, in part, a product of the vision of Herman Li, who is one half of the virtuoso lead guitar team behind DragonForce. With a total production of just 200 instruments, and a price tag just below $7,000 (and currently fetching upward of $12,500 on Reverb) the original Maryland-built version remains well out of reach for many of Li’s core fans (not to mention some wealthy landowners).PRS Chleo SE Herman Li Signature Guitar ...
The ultimate strap for heavy guitars? D’Addario’s new Comfort strap could be the solution to your back problems – and could have you playing for longer
🗓️ December 04, 2025 | Source: Guitar World
Offering superior weight distribution and a design that molds “seamlessly to the player's body”, could this be the strap your back has been calling for?
Supercritical Redshift 6: Firmware Update with 4 New FX Engines and a new VCF Engine!
🗓️ December 04, 2025 | Source: Gear News
It's onwards and upwards with the Supercritical Redshift 6 as it receives 4 new FX engines and a new VCF engine called Mirror Twins! The post Supercritical Redshift 6: Firmware Update with 4 New FX Engines and a new VCF Engine! appeared first on gearnews.com.