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

Carr Super Bee Review
By Art Thompson published
A boutique tube combo that'll tickle the fancy of any vintage Fender enthusiast.

Ernie Ball Music Man Jason Richardson Signature Cutlass HH Review
By Art Thompson published
Richardson's vision, top-quality components, and EBMM's craft join forces on this exceptional, state-of-the-art electric.

Fender American Professional II Stratocaster and Telecaster Deluxe Review
By Art Thompson published
The spec updates on this series add both playability and tone to two classic models.

How Gibson Revitalized Heritage Shred Brand Kramer in 2021
By Art Thompson published
Loud finishes for even louder hard rock, the Kramer name is synonymous with hard rock and heavy metal stunt guitar.

Mesa/Boogie Badlander Review
By Art Thompson published
The Badlander moves the Rectifier series into the 21st century with CabClone IR tech and a huge array of incredible tones.

MXR Tremolo Review
By Art Thompson published
If there’s only room for one tremolo on your pedalboard, the MXR Tremolo is a strong contender.

Vahlbruch Kaluna High Voltage Tube Drive Review
By Art Thompson published
A top-quality overdrive that uses a 12AX7 to put some genuine tube heat and crunch into your tone.

Dweezil Zappa Deciphers the Secrets Behind His Friend Eddie Van Halen's Sound and Style
By Art Thompson published
From early inspirations to gear and phrasing choices, Zappa offers the inside track on EVH's playing.

Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro V & Pro V Satin Review
By Art Thompson published
Take a closer look at the Satin and gloss-finished LPs, designed in collaboration with and exclusively available at Guitar Center.

Fender MTG Tube Tremolo Review
By Art Thompson published
Can the Big F's stompbox hot streak continue with this contemporary twist on an old-school effect? We find out.

Gibson Lukas Nelson Signature Les Paul Junior Review
By Art Thompson published
A stripped-down but pitch-perfect replica of the Promise of the Real guitarist's '56 Junior.

Mesa/Boogie Cleo, Dynaplex and Gold Mine Review
By Art Thompson published
A trio of hand-built overdrives that cover a wide range of drive styles with an amp-like feel.

Ernie Ball Music Man Luke III HH Review
By Art Thompson published
Music Man's latest evolution of Steve Lukather's signature electric is spectacular.

Tech 21 SansAmp PSA 2.0 Review
By Art Thompson last updated
Analog tone magic that you can throw in your gigbag.

Treasures from the PRS Vault: Looking Back at Key Developments from 35 Years of Remarkable Guitar-Building
By Art Thompson published
As PRS Guitars celebrates its 35th Anniversary, Paul Reed Smith reflects on his most important designs.

Maxon Apex 808 Review
By Art Thompson published
After three years of intensive research into vintage units, has Susumu Tamura perfected the TS-style overdrive?

Joe Louis Walker on Following His Own Blues Path and Finding Joy in Letting His Collaborators Take the Spotlight
By Art Thompson published
Joe Louis Walker connects with a cast of great guest guitarists for 'Blues Comin’ On.'

PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo Review
By Art Thompson published
The sumptuous SE Hollowbody II line just got a lot more versatile with a piezo-equipped stoptail.

Danelectro 3699 Fuzz Review
By Art Thompson published
Dial 3-6-9-9 for that vintage FOXX fuzz tone, as Danelectro brings back a '70s pedalboard classic.

PRS Tonare Parlor SE P20E Review
By Art Thompson published
A small but perfectly formed acoustic with a very respectable Fishman GT1 preamp to ready it for the stage.

Fender 70th Anniversary Broadcaster Review
By Art Thompson published
Turn the clock back to 1950 with Fender's meticulous Broadcaster repro.

Go Behind the Scenes of Fender's Parallel Universe Volume II Series
By Art Thompson published
Embrace the weird as Fender's Joey Brasler walks us through the company's range of surreal hybrid electrics.

Asken Intercooler Droptop Review
By Art Thompson published
Clever switching and awesome pickups give this striking Asken single-cutaway a whole lotta range.
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