Stringed Victory

Lost and Found

FOR MORE THAN five decades, the whereabouts of

Lockdown Loaded

I’ve spent the past eight months playing more

We Are the Champions

They competed against hundreds of guitarists from around the world to claim top honors. Ladies and gentlemen, we present the 2020 Guitarists of the Year

Axes Bold as Love

The Jimi Hendrix 1967 SG Custom and 1969 Flying V are heartfelt tributes from the Gibson Custom Shop

Kramer Comeback

Gibson launches a revitalized Kramer lineup for 2021

By Her Lights

Britain’s Gwenifer Raymond puts her own spin on American primitive with Strange Lights Over Garth Mountain.

The Many Instruments of Sierra Hull

She made her name on mandolin in the bluegrass scene, but her six-string skills have been there the whole time

Cosmic Career

Daniel Donato combines spacey country guitar with a grounded business sense

My Career in Five Songs

“Oh, yeah, I played on that.” Larry Carlton recalls his favorite sessions with the Crusaders, Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan

Special Delivery

Rare and revered, this 1977 Overdrive Special 1x12 combo exemplifies the genius of Alexander Dumble

Out of the Darkness

Undeservedly obscure today, Johnny Smith shines on Moonlight in Vermont.

THE MISSING BEANO

The Strange Case of

‘WATCH ME’

With a new album and signature Fender Strat, Tash Sultana is poised to be guitar’s hottest breakout artist of 2021

SOLO FLIGHT

First came the house fire. Then heart surgery. Now Lee Ritenour bounces back with Dreamcatcher, the first solo guitar record of his long career

TREASURE TROVE

On Songs You Don’t Know by Heart, Jimmy Buffett returns to his folk roots to recut deep gems from his catalog

Pentatonic Substitutions, Part 1

Learn some new and musically colorful applications of a familiar scale

Open Country

Harness the tonal power and fretless convenience of open strings in the style of country guitar greats like Vince Gill, Brent Mason and Albert Lee

Pickup Pros and Cons

Understanding the two main types of acoustic pickups and how to amplify them

PAF Repro Roundup

We tested five modern takes on the Holy Grail of humbuckers.  Here’s how they stacked up

Electro-Harmonix

EDDY VIBRATO/CHORUS

Fender

AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL II STRATOCASTER AND AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL II TELECASTER DELUXE

Breedlove

JEFF BRIDGES AMAZON CONCERT SUNBURST CE

Soldano

SUPER LEAD OVERDRIVE 30

“Cliffs of Dover”

“It just came to me.” Eric Johnson receives his 1990 signature guitar instrumental