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

Ronson's 'Ziggy Stardust' guitar as photographed by Lisa S. Johnson and featured in her book '108 Rock Star Guitars.' The body still shows signs of Ronson's message and signature from when he gave it to the Hard Rock Cafe. Johnson's latest book is 'Immortal Axes: Guitars That Rock,' edited by Brad Tolinski.

The Incredible Story of Mick Ronson’s 'Ziggy Stardust'-Era 1968 Gibson Les Paul Custom

By Christopher Scapelliti published

How Rick Tedesco found and lost his dream guitar.

George Harrison's Bartell fretless

The Mysterious History of George Harrison’s “Mad” Bartell Fretless

By Christopher Scapelliti published

'Finding Fretless' Author Paul Brett reveals how his relentless sleuthing uncovered a most unusual Beatles guitar.

EBow

How to EBow Like a Pro

By Rod Brakes, Christopher Scapelliti, Art Thompson published

Video Watch guitarists Phil Keaggy and Big Country’s Stuart Adamson demonstrate their mastery of this oft-misunderstood guitar gadget.

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Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars in 1972 (l-r): guitarist Mick Ronson, bassist Trevor Bolder, David Bowie and drummer Mick Woodmansey

Watch David Bowie Guitar Genius Mick Ronson Perform His Epic “The Width of a Circle” Solo

By Rod Brakes, Christopher Scapelliti published

Video We examine the technique and tone of the late, great Spiders from Mars guitarist.

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Alvino Rey

How Alvino Rey Introduced the Guitar World to Effects in the 1930s by Making His Instrument Talk

By Christopher Scapelliti published

It started as a novelty effect for a WWII-era talking puppet and became the ear-grabbing sound behind some of the 1970s’ biggest rock hits.

Lol Creme (left) and Kevin Godley (centre) from 10CC with English comedian Peter Cook (1937-1995), 1977. Cook is holding a guitar fitted with a prototype Gizmotron, (aka The Gizmo), an effects device invented by Godley and Cream, which uses serrated wheels to produce a bowing effect on guitar strings. Cook contributed to Godley and Creme's concept album 'Consequences', which was intended to showcase the Gizmotron. The device was later marketed commercially, but proved unsuccessful.

“It Promises to Revolutionize the World of Music”: Watch this Rare Vintage News Report on the Gizmotron

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video The remarkable story of Kevin Godley & Lol Creme’s innovative device that trod a fine line between madness and genius.

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Tom Scholz in studio, '70s

“The Biggest Thrill Was When I Got Two Warranty Cards from Jeff Beck”: Watch Guitar Innovator Tom Scholz’s Intriguing Mini-Doc

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video The Boston founder’s Rockman invention was the precursor to amp sims and multi-effects.

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Jerry Garcia, 1978

Here’s Why Jerry Garcia Was an Electric Guitar Innovator

By Christopher Scapelliti published

The Grateful Dead legend was a pioneering pilgrim of custom guitars and rack amps and effects.

Steve Vai Hydra

Watch Steve Vai’s Insane “Teeth of the Hydra” Performance Video – You’ve Probably Never Seen Anything Like It

By Christopher Scapelliti, Rod Brakes published

Video Forever pushing guitar evolution forward, Vai remains at the forefront of technique and design.

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Tom Morello, 1993

“I Was Really Excited By the Prospect of Playing Hip-Hop Music Within the Context of a Punk Rock Band”: How Tom Morello Became the Whammy Pedal Wizard

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video Watch the Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave guitarist jam his unforgettable “Like a Stone” solo.

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B-Bender Tele

Watch Clarence White Demonstrate His Innovative B-Bender Telecaster in 1968

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video The newly recruited Byrds guitarist displays his virtuosity by successfully mimicking the sound a pedal steel.

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Eddie Van Halen, 1979

Here’s Why Eddie Van Halen was a Guitar Gear Pioneer

By Christopher Scapelliti published

A master of technique and tone, the six-string innovator turned us on to the Strat ‘bucker and Floyd Rose.

Robert Fripp, musician and guitarist for progressive rock band King Crimson, London 1981

Watch Looping Innovator Robert Fripp's 1979 Frippertronics TV Demonstration

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Video Here's how the King Crimson guitarist made tape loops a thing decades ago.

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Mick Jagger and Keith Richards perform on stage at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 1969 in New York City, New York. (Pho

Fans Demand Rolling Stones Release Entire ‘Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out’ Live Recordings

By Rod Brakes, Christopher Scapelliti last updated

An online petition calls for a box set of the band’s historic 1969 Madison Square Garden gigs in their entirety.

Chuck Berry poses for a portait at Leonard Chess's home in circa 1958 in Chicago, Illinois.

Watch Chuck Berry Perform His Breakthrough Hit, “Maybellene,” Live on TV

By Denny Ilett, Christopher Scapelliti published

Video Five years on from his passing, we share the fascinating story behind the Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s pioneering classic.

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Chuck Berry in the late '50s

10 Lesser-Known Chuck Berry Songs You Need to Hear

By Christopher Scapelliti published

You know the hits, but check out these often overlooked picks from Chuck’s deep catalog.

Chuck Berry, performing at the Lewisham Odeon, south London, 19th February 1975.

Five Times Famous Musicians Stole from Chuck Berry

By Christopher Scapelliti, Denny Ilett last updated

The Beatles, Jeff Beck and the Beach Boys were all guilty of thieving from the Berry patch.

Best Gear of 2021

The Best Gear of 2021: Our Roundup of the Year’s Top Guitars, Amps and Pedals

By Dave Hunter, Jimmy Leslie, James Volpe Rotondi, Christopher Scapelliti, Art Thompson last updated

What in the world of guitar gear got us excited in 2021? Guitar Player's editors and reviewers pick their favorites.

Dawner Prince Pulse

Dawner Prince Pulse Review

By Christopher Scapelliti last updated

Dawner cover even more rarified territory with this rotary-speaker effect based on the Gibson Maestro Rover RO-1.

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Watch As 12-Year-Old Joe Bonamassa Opens for B.B. King in 1989

By Christopher Scapelliti published

“He’s the nicest person I’ve ever met in the music business. He is the blues, the blues is him,” Bonamassa said.

Fender Telecaster Rosewood

The Gear Behind the Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’

By Christopher Scapelliti published

In the days before the release of the 'Get Back' documentary, we look back at the guitars and gear that defined the Fab Four's long, cold, lonely winter of 1969.

The cover of 'Who's Next'

Ethan Russell Unzips the Story Behind His Infamous 'Who’s Next' Cover Photo

By Christopher Scapelliti published

How a slag heap on the heartland of England's heavy industry framed one of the most iconic shots in rock history.

Pete Townshend

How a 1959 Gretsch 6120 Became Pete Townshend’s Steady

By Christopher Scapelliti published

A gift from Joe Walsh, the 6120 is described by the Who guitarist as the best guitar he has ever owned.

EarthQuaker Devices' Astral Density pedal

EarthQuaker Devices Astral Destiny Review

By Christopher Scapelliti last updated

Modulated octave reverbs are among the off-road ambient treats awaiting you in this latest pedalboard maverick from EQD.

Pete Townshend

How Pete Townshend Turned the Trauma of His Aborted Sci-fi Rock Opera into the Triumph of 'Who's Next'

By Christopher Scapelliti published

In 1971, the Who guitarist was taken to the brink trying to follow the success of 'Tommy.' He came out the other end with a masterpiece.

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