Christopher Scapelliti

GuitarPlayer.com editor-in-chief

Christopher Scapelliti is editor-in-chief of GuitarPlayer.com and the former editor of Guitar Player, the world’s longest-running guitar magazine, founded in 1967. In his extensive career, he has authored in-depth interviews with such guitarists as Pete Townshend, Slash, Billy Corgan, Jack White, Elvis Costello and Todd Rundgren, and audio professionals including Beatles engineers Geoff Emerick and Ken Scott. He is the co-author of Guitar Aficionado: The Collections: The Most Famous, Rare, and Valuable Guitars in the World, a founding editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine, and a former editor with Guitar World, Guitar for the Practicing Musician and Maximum Guitar. Apart from guitars, he maintains a collection of more than 30 vintage analog synthesizers.

Latest articles by Christopher Scapelliti

EarthQuaker Devices Ledges

EarthQuaker Devices Ledges Tri-Dimensional Reverberation Machine Review

By Christopher Scapelliti published

The sounds on tap here have realism, depth and plenty of liveliness that lend guitar tones a three-dimensional quality

Magic fusion shape

Add This “Magic Shape” to Your Musical Vocabulary for an Instant Fusion Sound

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video This simple trick adds left-field fusion color to guitar riffs and solos

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MIke Oldfield 'Tubular Bells' (Virgin); Led Zeppelin 'Houses of the Holy' (Atlantic); Roxy Music 'For Your Pleasure' Warner Bros./Island; Pink Floyd 'The Dark Side of the Moon' (Harvest/Capitol); Lou Reed 'Berlin' (RCA); New York Dolls 'New York Dolls' (Mercury); David Bowie 'Aladdin Sane' (RCA); Stevie Wonder 'Innervisions' (Tamla)

50 Years Ago, Rock and Roll Experienced One of Its Greatest Years: Here’s Why

By Christopher Scapelliti published

With debut albums from Queen and Aerosmith, epic masterpieces by Mike Oldfield and Elton John, plus Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ and Led Zeppelin’s ‘Houses of the Holy,’ 1973 was a multi-genre, stylistically freewheeling musical jamboree

American guitarist, composer and arranger Bill Frisell poses for a portrait circa October, 1995 in New York, New York.

Here’s Why Bill Frisell and Elvis Costello’s ‘Deep Dead Blue’ Collaboration Is Essential Listening for Every Guitarist

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Featuring just two instruments – voice and guitar – this incredible live album shows jazz maestro Bill Frisell has no rival when it comes to stylistic fluidity

John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers performs during their Unlimited Love Tour at Marvel Stadium on February 7, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. He is playing a Fender Telecaster Custom electic guitar.

“I Didn’t Have to Worry About Trying to Prove Myself”: John Frusciante Retraces His Path to Musical Excellence on Fellow Red Hot Chili Pepper Flea’s ‘This Little Light’ Podcast

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Hosted by Flea, this fascinating podcast episode reveals how John Frusciante “really found his voice as a musician”

The Rolling Stones pose for a portrait in 1967 (L-R): singer Mick Jagger, bassist Bill Wyman, drummer Charlie Watts, guitairst Keith Richards, and guitarist Brian Jones.

One of the Most Reviled Albums in the Rolling Stones’ Catalog, Is It Time We Took Another Listen to ‘Their Satanic Majesties Request’?

By Christopher Scapelliti published

This 1967 psychedelic departure could be the Stones’ most underrated album

Guitarist Derek Trucks of Tedeschi Trucks Band performs at PNC Music Pavilion on July 23, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Watch Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Spine-Tingling “I Am the Moon” Red Rocks Performance

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video With tone, technique and passion in abundance, Derek Trucks’ slide guitar solo is breathtaking to behold

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Yes 'Close to the Edge' album artwork

John Frusciante Called This Album “Beautiful” While John Petrucci Played It “Over and Over and Over”: Here’s Why Yes’s ‘Close to the Edge’ Remains a Prog Rock Masterpiece

By Christopher Scapelliti published

“It’s astounding. Even I can see that,” said Steve Howe

David Bowie (1947-2016) and guitarist Mick Ronson (1945-1993) perform during Bowie's last appearance as Ziggy Stardust at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, on July 3, 1973.

Watch the Remastered 4K Version of David Bowie’s Monumental “Ziggy Stardust” Hammersmith Odeon Performance

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video This newly upgraded film celebrating the concert’s 50th anniversary captures guitarist Mick Ronson’s anthemic riff-mastery at its finest in the heyday of glam rock

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(L-R) Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai perform at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on October 25, 1996.

Watch Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson’s Knockout “Going Down” Performance

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video This incredible clip featuring the classic G3 lineup is a lesson in electric guitar virtuosity

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Keith Richards and Chuck Berry, still from the film 'Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll'

“You Wanna Get It Right, Let’s Get It Right!” Watch Chuck Berry Schooling Keith Richards in This Tense Scene

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video The Father of Rock and Roll pulls no punches in this memorable moment from ‘Hail! Hail! Rock ’n’ Roll’

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Pink Floyd 'The Dark Side of the Moon' vinyl

Rediscover Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ With Our Insightful Listening Guide

By Christopher Scapelliti published

‘Guitar Player’ editor-in-chief Christopher Scapelliti takes us on a track-by-track tour of the landmark album on its 50th anniversary

Brian May of Queen performs on stage at Palau Sant Jordi on May 22, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain

Half a Century of Killer Guitar Tone and Now More Popular Than the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones on Spotify, Queen Are Still Delivering their Unique Kind of Magic

By Christopher Scapelliti last updated

50 years on from the release of Queen’s self-titled debut album, Brian May remains an inspiration to guitarists of all ages

R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck plays a Rickenbacker 360 (left) and The Smiths guitarist Johnny Matt play a Rickenbacker 370

How the Smiths and R.E.M. Gave Rickenbacker Guitars Renewed Appeal in the Early ‘80s

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Johnny Marr and Peter Buck’s standout tones heralded the arrival of alternative rock

Steve Howe - guitarist of prog rock band Yes in the studio with his 1955 Fender Telecaster

Steve Howe Reveals the Awesome Guitars Used on Yes’s Expansive New Album, ‘Mirror to the Sky’

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video The prog rock guitar doyen gives the low-down on some of his most prized instruments

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The Beatles, from left George Harrison, Ringo Starr (behind), Paul McCartney and John Lennon, perform 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' and 'This Boy' on Granada Television's Late Scene Extra programme at Granada television studios in Manchester, England on November 25th 1963. John Lennon is playing his Gibson J-160E guitar.

The Incredible Story of How a Guitar Magazine Helped Find John Lennon’s Long-Lost Gibson J-160E

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Missing since 1963, this iconic Beatles guitar was found over half a century later and sold at auction for $2.4 million

Ritchie Blackmore of the rock group Rainbow in 1977.

Watch Ritchie Blackmore Savagely Obliterate His Fender Stratocaster

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video The infamous guitarist’s methodical menace is on full show in this classic ‘70s clip

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George Harrison and Bob Dylan perform onstage at the Concert for Bangladesh which was held at Madison Square Garden on August 1, 1971 in New York City, New York.

Watch George Harrison and Bob Dylan's “If Not for You” Acoustic Rehearsal at the Legendary Concert for Bangladesh

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video The warmth and friendship shared by the iconic songsters is evident in this intimate rendition

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Stray Cats, Brian Setzer, Slim Jim Phantom, Zaal Lux, Herenthout, Belgium, 18th April 1981.

Watch Stray Cats Reignite ‘50s Rock and Roll at the 1981 Montreux Jazz Festival With Their Classic Hit “Stray Cat Strut”

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video Brian Setzer reinvigorated the art of virtuoso rock and roll guitar playing and raised the bar for every guitarist who dug a plectrum into rock and roll’s classic catalog

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Samantha Fish performs with a white Gibson SG guitar in the documentary film 'Love Letters: Samantha Fish Live from New Orleans'

Watch the Essential ‘Love Letters: Samantha Fish Live from New Orleans’ Documentary Concert Special

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video This unmissable film offers an intimate look into the life and career of one of today’s most vital blues artists

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Les Claypool and Sean Lennon of The Claypool Lennon Delirium leave James McCartney's performance in the Yellow Submarine bus at The Foundry on June 6, 2016 in Athens, Georgia.

Watch the Claypool Lennon Delirium’s Cosmic “Blood and Rockets” Performance

By Christopher Scapelliti published

VIDEO This outstanding live studio rendition showcases a unique meeting of musical minds

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Erica Synths Zen Delay Virtual

Erica Synths Zen Delay Virtual Review

By Christopher Scapelliti published

This plug-in brings its unique characteristics to the digital realm, with valuable additions for recording

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble 'Texas Flood' album artwork

“It Has the Best Guitar Tone Stevie Ever Got on Record”: Watch Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Showstopping “Love Struck Baby” Music Video

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video Relive the magic of this MTV staple as we approach the 40th anniversary of ‘Texas Flood’

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AC/DC 'Back in Black' album artwork

Watch AC/DC’s Stunning ‘Back in Black’ Tour Footage

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video This unmissable concert film captures the band’s raw energy at a pivotal moment in rock and roll history

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Eric Clapton performs at the "Live Aid Concert" on July 13, 1985 at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Watch Eric Clapton’s Epic “Layla” Live Aid Performance

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video Slowhand gives his “Blackie” Fender Stratocaster one of its final outings in this landmark rendition of the Derek and the Dominos classic

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