Art Thompson
Art Thompson is senior editor of Guitar Player magazine and he has authored stories with numerous guitar greats, including B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Billy Gibbons, Steve Miller, Prince, Reeves Gabrels, Joe Perry, Robben Ford, Brian Setzer, Sonny Landreth, Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson, Robin Trower,
Scotty Moore, James Burton, Merle Haggard, Roy Nichols, Jimmie Vaughan and many others.
He has interviewed gear innovators such as Paul Reed Smith, Randall Smith, Mark Sampson and Gary Kramer, and he wrote the 1998 GP cover story/review of 150 vintage stomp boxes – an article that helped spark renewed interest in pedals from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. He also wrote the first book on the subject, Stompbox.
As a guitarist, he has shared stages with Gregg Allman, Stray Cats, Joe Ely, Dick Dale, Robben Ford, Lonnie Brooks, Kansas, Marshall Tucker, Foghat, Little Charlie and the Nitecats, Kenny Vaughan and Clarence Clemons, and he maintains a busy performing schedule with three stylistically diverse groups, all of which provide ample opportunity to test-drive new guitars, amps and effects, many of which are featured in the pages of GP.
Latest articles by Art Thompson
“It’s Like This Six-String Swiss Army Knife”: Myles Kennedy Tells ‘Guitar Player’ How PRS Rose to His Challenges With His Signature Model
By Art Thompson published
“The most important thing was for it to be vocal and have that midrange that would cut in a mix,” highlights the Alter Bridge frontman
PRS Myles Kennedy Signature Review
By Art Thompson published
"The more I played the Myles Kennedy signature and experienced what it can do, the more I liked it"
KRK GoAux 3 Personal Monitors Review
By Art Thompson published
These compact monitors have a well-balanced soundstage and aren’t fatiguing to the ears when listening at high levels
Jeff Beck: "I’ve Done a Whole Tour with a Fender Twin When Stevie Ray Vaughan Was Going Through About Four Billion Watts... He Asked Me, ‘What the Hell Are You Using? Are Your Amps Under the Stage?’”
By Art Thompson published
The late Strat-master discusses his thoughts on volume (and when loud becomes too loud), playing classical melodies on the electric guitar, and why he favored a trusty Fender amp onstage and in the studio.
Peavey 6505 1992 Original Review
By Art Thompson published
This stripped-down metal machine provides all the essentials needed for maximum heaviness at high volume
DOD Overdrive Preamp 250, Envelope Filter 440 and Meatbox Subsynth Reviews
By Art Thompson published
DOD and its high-tech offshoot DigiTech are back in business under the ownership of Korea-based Cor-Tek
“A Lot of Cats Don’t Work on Their Rhythm Enough…The Next Thing Is Pitch”: Prince Shares Some Guitar-Playing Wisdom in This Awesome Interview From the ‘GP’ Vault
By Art Thompson published
“When you get these things down, then you can learn how to solo,” said the purple one
“I Didn’t Want That Kind of Dead Studio Perfection”: Steve Miller Reveals the Recording Secrets Behind His '70s Smash "Fly Like an Eagle"
By Art Thompson published
Born out of lengthy jams, this psychedelic funk tune was recorded and mixed several times over
Universal Audio Max Preamp/Dual Compressor Review
By Art Thompson published
Features two identical and stackable sets of classic compressors: the MXR Dyna Comp, Teletronix Opto LA-2A and Universal Audio UA 1176, plus an emulation of UA’s 610 tube preamp/EQ
Universal Audio Galaxy ’74 Tape Echo & Reverb Review
By Art Thompson published
UAFX’s alternative option in the delay/reverb category is based on a mid-1970s Roland Space Echo
Universal Audio Del-Verb Ambience Companion Review
By Art Thompson published
Delivers emulations of classic delay and reverb effects lifted from the UAFX Starlight and Golden Reverberator
Ellis Guitars X Series Pickup Blending System Review
By Art Thompson published
If you’re seeking to enhance the tonal capabilities of a guitar or bass, this system is definitely worth considering
“The Song Was Literally Done in Two Hours”: Steve Miller Reveals How He Made His Unexpected 1973 Smash “The Joker”
By Art Thompson published
Fifty years on, we take a look back at the chart-topping hit Steve Miller described as an “odd tune”
“I Did Not Dream That the 808 Would Become so Famous”: Tube Screamer Inventor Susumu Tamura Tells the Definitive Story of This Iconic Stompbox
By Art Thompson published
“I never thought that a pedal would ever be considered vintage,” said the former Maxon electronics engineer
“There’s Guitar Madness All Over This”: Prince Talks Gear, Recording and His Creative Process in This Essential Interview From the ‘Guitar Player’ Vault
By Art Thompson published
The Artist spoke to ‘GP’ from Paisley Park’s Studio A at a milestone moment in his guitar playing career
Danelectro ’59 Triple Divine Review
By Art Thompson published
A fun guitar for gigs and especially for recording, where you can really appreciate the pickups’ textural coolness
Could This Be the Last Mark Amp Randall Smith Will Design? The Mesa/Boogie Mark VII Is a Stunning Tribute to His Five Decades of Developing Ultimate Tone Tools for Guitarists
By Art Thompson published
The new Mesa/Boogie Mark VII 1x12 combo is an impressive feat of engineering that puts the long-running amp maker’s best-loved circuits in one compact rig
EHX Lizard Queen Octave/Distortion Review
By Art Thompson published
This unique pedal is a blast to play, and for the admission price of $99 you’re essentially getting a boutique pedal for a pittance
BOSS Katana-50 MkII EX Review
By Art Thompson published
Loaded with effects, this 1x12 combo provides realistic emulations of tube amps
“He Holds Everything Together”: Neil Young Reveals Why Nils Lofgren Is the Ideal Bandmate
By Art Thompson published
Video A brief history of the timeless partnership between Neil and Nils
PRS SE McCarty 594 Singlecut Review
By Art Thompson published
A classic in its own right, the SE McCarty 594 follows a traditional template, but is completely PRS
“I Don’t Always Select Things Based on My Comfort Zone”: Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and Nels Cline Talk Guitar Tone and Songwriting
By Art Thompson published
The alt-rock luminaries discuss the impact of guitar tone and alternate tunings on the creative process
“It Startled Me, and I Thought, Did I Just Write 13 Songs With Lou Reed?” Nils Lofgren Reflects on His "Magical" Collaboration With the Velvet Underground Legend
By Art Thompson published
“He’d been up three nights straight and had finished 13 sets of lyrics,” says the Crazy Horse maestro and Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band Rock and Roll Hall of Famer
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