Geezer Butler feared his parents' disapproval when Black Sabbath released their debut album
It was a record that changed the course of heavy music forever, but it would also wreak hellfire and brimstone in the Butler household
Guitarists
Ian Anderson says he wanted to utilize the soloing talents of new guitarist Jack Clark – so long as he obeyed one golden rule
Jack Clark learned Anderson is a strict bandleader while recording 2025's ‘Curious Ruminant’
How Steve Lillywhite made a Platinum album with the Rolling Stones in the midst of Keith Richards and Mick Jagger’s darkest moment
He’d scored hits for U2, Peter Gabriel and the Psychedelic Furs, but Lillywhite had never encountered sessions like those with the Stones
Slash, Andrew Watt, Duff McKagan, Chad Smith and Post Malone honor Ozzy Osbourne with a show-stopping all-star performance of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” at the Grammys
Yungblud and Nuno Bettencourt were among those honored earlier in the night for their Back to the Beginning performance
Gear
Best amp modelers 2026: get all your dream guitar tones in one
Amp models so good, you’ll think they’re the real thing
Best practice amps 2026: practice your guitar at home with top tier tone
Keep your chops in tip-top shape with the best practice amps from Fender, Marshall, Boss, and more
Best acoustic guitar mics 2026: my pick of the best mics for recording acoustic guitar
Capture every nuance of your playing with these microphones for recording acoustic guitar from Shure, AKG, Neumann, Fishman, and more
We review the Fishman AirLock Wireless GT wireless guitar system and find cordless heaven
The plug-and-play wireless system delivers cable-like tone with adjustable voicing and interference settings
Guitars
Best bass guitars under $500 in 2026: brilliant budget basses for every kind of player
Get low with our picks of the best bass guitars under £500/$500 from Squier, Epiphone, Yamaha, and more
This classic from Japan got a cold reception in the U.S. Here’s why it’s hot on today’s vintage market
Designed for the Japanese surf group the Sharp Five, the LG 350-T sounds as unique as it looks
Ukrainian guitarist completely restores a Les Paul heavily damaged by a Russian drone strike
Luthier Tanya Shpachuk says the guitar is symbolic of her nation‘s defiance in the face of Russian aggression
Best guitars for kids 2026: acoustic and electric models for your budding guitar hero
Our pick of the best guitars for kids; electrics and acoustics from the likes of Yamaha, Squier, Taylor and more
We review the Gretsch Electromatic CVT Double-Cut with Wraparound Tailpiece
It’s a hip, affordable choice for players seeking classic Gretsch vibes with a modern edge
From Cinderella’s Tom Keifer to Keith Urban — how a vintage Fender “Nocaster” made a cross-genre commute
The 1950s guitar was perhaps regretfully sold, with one Tele obsessive the beneficiary of a bad decision
“Christmas came early!” Brian May gifted Tony Iommi a left-handed Red Special. But what's this special modification?
The Queen and Black Sabbath guitar gods have been close for decades, with May calling Iommi his "dearest friend in the business"
Makers
Studio legend Glyn Johns on Paul McCartney's shocking request to work on what became the Beatles' final album
The album’s roots live on as 'Let It Be,' but Johns says the rest of the band didn’t get McCartney’s “really interesting” idea
From Taylor Swift to Phoebe Bridgers and Wilco's Jeff Tweedy — how indie rockers came to adopt a guitar bridge born from parts in Home Depot's toilet aisle
Rubber-bridge guitars have changed the sound of acoustic guitar over the past 10 years. And it's all down to one man's invention
Recording engineer Glyn Johns on why he never used click tracks when working with the Stones, Beatles, and Led Zeppelin
He’s recorded and mixed seminal records by some of rock’s biggest artists, and click tracks were always left out in the cold
Tommy Emmanuel reveals everything you need to know about his upcoming Guitar Camp U.S.A.
Presented by Dreamcatcher Events this October, the camp is a hands-on learning experience unlike any other, featuring the acoustic virtuoso and other noted guitarists
New tariffs are having a negative impact on Fender’s credit rating
The taxes affect production at Fender’s facilities where guitars, amps, pedals and other electronics are made
Ciari Guitars is rising high as the industry’s premier travel guitar maker
Ciari founder Jonathan Spangler tells the story behind his company's innovative folding guitar design and technology
Lessons
Session guitar ace Shane Theriot shows how to elevate your rhythm and lead chops with bluesy licks, soul grooves and jazzy chromaticism
Inspired by Joe Walsh and bebop, these examples are perfect for a range of genres, including rock, blues and jazz
Fake nails improved my fingerstyle guitar game. Should you do it too? Here’s everything you need to know
James Taylor wears them. So does Sonny Landreth and Kaki King.
We review the Gibson: Learn to Play Guitar app
Gibson heritage meets the modern, gamified guitar learning experience in an immersive method that keeps you moving forward
Music
Keith Richards on forcing out his and Mick Jagger’s first hit
The result was a song entirely unlike anything the Rolling Stones would have recorded
How Alice Cooper spun a 1960s ballad into his own glam-rock anthem
As the lead track to 1973‘s ‘Billion Dollar Babies,‘ it served double duty as a dramatic opening number on the album‘s tour
Brian May on Freddie Mercury and the mega-hit that changed Queen’s relationship with their audience
The tune was a highlight of ‘News of the World,’ the album on which Queen brought their fans into the act
How a Kiss guitar legend decided to charge fans more than $4,000 to buy his new record
Titled ‘Guitarmageddon,’ the 18-track album is his first new music in 20 years. But you'll have to shell out $200 per track — plus shipping — to hear it
Win tickets to see Matteo Mancuso perform at Guitar Player Presents in Southern California after NAMM 2026
The Italian guitar phenom makes a rare trip stateside and performs at stunning Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara on Tuesday, January 27
The secret sound that has David Bowie’s “‘Heroes’” surging on the charts following its ‘Stranger Things’ appearance
Producer Tony Visconti reveals how Robert Fripp’s guitar work made the 1977 song a timeless anthem
Rita Coolidge says Eric Clapton owes her a writing credit for one of the most celebrated songs in rock
Read one of Guitar Player's top stories of 2025
