Elizabeth Swann

Elizabeth Swann is a devoted follower of prog-folk and has reported on the scene from far-flung places around the globe for The Evening Standard, Forbes, HuffPost, Prog, Wired, Popular Mechanics and The New Yorker. She treasures her collection of rare live Bert Jansch and John Renbourn reel-to-reel recordings and souvenir teaspoons collected from her travels through the Appalachians. When she’s not leaning over her Stella 12-string acoustic, she’s probably bent over her workbench with a soldering iron, modding some cheap synthesizer or effect pedal she pulled from a skip. Her favorite hobbies are making herbal wine and delivering sharp comebacks to men who ask if she’s the same Elizabeth Swann from Pirates of the Caribbean. (She is not.)

Latest articles by Elizabeth Swann

Jeff Beck performs during "Stars Align Tour" at Chastain Park Amphitheater on August 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Beck's right- and left-hand pitch bending, combined with his fingerstyle approach, allowed him the highest level of expressivity using just his hands.

Jeff Beck on his microtonal guitar approach and how he set up his Fender Stratocaster for precision pitch bending

By Lisa Sharken published

The late guitarist shared insights into his influences and techniques in an interviewer for our May 1999 issue

Guitarists
A top-down detail of the Martin D-3 Millionth, showing its shoulders, fretboard, top, rosette and pickguard

Martin celebrates its 3 millionth serialized instrument and announces new models

By Elizabeth Swann published

The diamond-encrusted masterpiece is a tribute to the company's 192-year history and the countless employees who have served it

Guitars
Guitarist Derek Trucks of Tedeschi Trucks Band performs at PNC Music Pavilion on July 07, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Derek Trucks explains why the Gibson SG is the best guitar for him

By Elizabeth Swann last updated

The Tedeschi Trucks guitarist says his main SG is one gifted to him by Duane Allman's daughter

Gear
Joe Satriani (left) and Steve Vai perform onstage together in 2024

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai are writing new music and will tour as the SatchVai Band

By Elizabeth Swann published

The news comes at the end of a busy year of touring for the two guitar virtuosos

Guitarists
Richie Blackmore of Rainbow performs at Madison Square Garden on March 19 1984 in New York City

Ritchie Blackmore on the time Ian Anderson pranked him at a Jethro Tull concert

By Elizabeth Swann published

The Blackmore's Night guitarist was no stranger to controversy when it came to talking about his fellow six-stringers

Guitarists
Boss's new Katana-Mini X amp sits on a table in a room as a guitarist plays through it

Boss announces the new portable battery-powered Katana-Mini X guitar amplifier

By Elizabeth Swann published

The latest Katana amp puts the features of its big brothers into a compact, battery-powered combo that goes where you go

Amps