Go For Gold

Stratospheric Success

Future Publishing Limited, QuayHouse,The Ambury, Bath, BA11UA Telephone01225442244

Top Drawer Tone

Emprize combines two coveted vintage Fender voices, authentically capturing brown-panel lead tones and black‐panel rhythm sounds in one amp

Royal Flash

A highly anticipated signature version of Vox’s unique Nutube micro head, approved by Brian May himself

Animal Instinct

The pedal that Electro-Harmonix could have made in the 1970s (but didn’t) is now here with some help from JHS Pedals

Preamp Glory

This classy tone-shaping boost and drive from Origin Effects is based on a vintage valve-powered preamp

the Wishlist

Dream gear to beg, borrow and steal for...

Gas Supply

Our pick of the month’s most delectable and wallet-bothering new gear

ALSO OUT NOW...

EMG JMASTER SYSTEM FROM £343 Nope, it’s not

Fretbuzz

A monthly look at must-hear artists from all corners of the guitar world, from the roots of their sound to the tracks that matter most

ON THE SAME PAGE

Carl found the ultimate inspiration in Zep’s guitarist

Back In Black

While PRS has been making its mark on the bolt-on market, we finally get a new Core model, the shapeshifting modern Eagle V. But is it really new?

Experience In Sound

The sonic adventures of Paul Reed Smith show no signs of slowing down. We drop in for a catch-up, but can we keep up?

Dual Identity

With tops made in Maine, USA, and bodies constructed in China, these guitars provide access to a revered builder’s brand at a fraction of the cost

Top Notch

We talk to Dana Bourgeois about the new Touchstone range, the importance of tuning in a guitar top, and what lies in the future for the series

Role Model

IK Multimedia’s Tonex tone-capturing ecosystem expands with a hardware box to take those sounds on stage

Albums

The month’s best guitar music – a hand-picked selection of the finest fretwork on wax

Tones Behind The Tracks

The latest album from jazz guitarist and composer Ralph Towner enchants with beautiful playing on new pieces and jazz standards

Blues For Greeny

Being invited to speak and play at the preview of Peter Green’s guitar sale at Bonhams was a huge privilege – and a worry, says Neville Marten

Under The Knife

As a last resort, Alex Bishop prepares to operate on a vintage Yamaha acoustic – but will it recover from the ordeal?

Chord Vocabulary (PART 2)

Richard Barrett delves into different voicings of the major 7th, helping you explore the fretboard via various chord shapes

Feedback

Your letters to the Guitarist editor. Drop us a line at guitarist@futurenet.com

TORA DAHLE AAGÅRD

The Norwegian rocker mourns the theft of her first guitar, while advising fellow players to keep an open mind when buying gear

RUBBER SOUL

Bucking every opinion on eking the last bit of sustain and tone from your guitar, the latest trend in guitar ‘design’ is the rubber bridge. The what? Dave Burrluck investigates…

Nitty Gritty

Relatively little is known about these popular pickups, and not all were created equal…

Classic Gear

A favourite of Jimmy Page, this double-neck eventually came into its own in the 70s

IN THE NAME OF LOVE

When it came to remaking 40 classic U2 tracks for Songs Of Surrender, The Edge was guided by his heart and one grand idea – “to make intimacy the new version of punk rock”

Ultimate STRATS

The Strat is the most famous electric of all time – the original guitar for all seasons. But which version represents the pinnacle of its evolution? We take a deep dive into Leo’s masterpiece, in the company of experts, to try to find an answer…

STRAT’S LIFE

With more than 80 current Stratocasters in the Fender line-up, there’s a genuine Strat for everyone – here are six that stand out

VINTAGE ICON

David Davidson of Well Strung Guitars talks us through an experimental 1967 Semi-Hollow Fender Stratocaster Prototype from Fender’s R&D department made with zebrawood

STRAT MODS

From subtle upgrades to SuperStrats and full-on Frankenstrats, Fender’s finest has always been the ideal candidate for guitar modding. Here, we offer up 15 tone and maintenance tips

HEAVY TRIP

Bare Knuckle MD Tim Mills on the breakthroughs and bumps in the road behind Rabea Massaad’s seismic new Triptych Strat single coils

MIXED DOUBLES

While it’s only a Strat if it bears the Fender/Squier family name, there are plenty of three-single-coil, double-cutaway guitars out there worthy of your attention

JIMMY PAGE NON-REVERSE c.1968 GIBSON FIREBIRD III

A ’Bird in the hand could be worth more than you think – especially if it has a colourful history involving a Led Zeppelin drinking game. We ask vintage specialist Mike Long of ATB Guitars about the provenance of this Page-owned beauty and the buoyant market for Gibson’s underloved cult hero

DUKE LEVINE

What makes a great professional guitarist? Excellent chops, world experience, all-round versatility, eclectic taste in music, superb tones and the ability to blend seamlessly into a new band – all talents of Duke Levine, who recently took over guitar duties in Bonnie Raitt’s band of premier musicians

DISTORTING HISTORY

These days, players can choose from hundreds of replacement pickups. But back in the early 70s Larry DiMarzio single-handedly kickstarted the entire industry with his hot-output Super Distortion humbucker. We met NYC’s king of tone to find out more

Blues Headlines

Richard Barrett is on a mission to make you a better blues player – with full audio examples and backing tracks

Hear It Here

JOHN MAYALL & THE BLUESBREAKERS BLUESBREAKERS WITH ERIC