Latest articles by Jimmy Leslie
Klos Grand Cutaway Mini review
Though the carbon fiber look might turn some away, this is a road-ready, seaworthy instrument that delivers fuller sound and better playability than a typical travel guitar
Ben Harper borrowed back a Martin from his One Direction fan daughter to use on a Harry Styles album
“I had been playing Harry Styles when he was in One Direction and giving her tacks to put up their posters,” Harper explained to GP. “But I didn’t tell her why I wanted her guitar, because I didn’t know if I was going to make the track”
Santa Cruz Guitars' Richard Hoover explains the science of vintage wood and guitar tone
Having tracked down some of the most prized ancient wood on the planet, and worked with an “artisanal lumberjack,” Hoover knows a thing or two about vintage wood, and its relationship with tone
Ska, reggae guitar king Ernest Ranglin on the origins of the ‘skank’ style, and the early Jamaican scene
In a 2014 chat with GP, the pioneering six-stringer discussed his tonal preferences and guitar teaching philosophy, and the most beloved – and enigmatic – guitar in his collection
Dweezil Zappa reveals the ins and outs of Frank Zappa's futuristic setup
Though guitar gear, of course, has advanced in leaps and bounds since Frank Zappa's heyday, the elder Zappa enthusiastically pushed its technological limits
All-star tribute to David Lindley, one of the greatest sidemen of all time, announced
Guitar Player Presents an all-star cast at Papa Mali’s New Orleans birthday bash on May 5 during Jazz Fest – and you can win tickets
“One of the beautiful things about Leo is one of the hardest things to do – forget that you’re playing a guitar and just feel like you’re playing music. He embodies that transcendence”: The lessons Julian Lage learned from acoustic master Leo Kottke
As Lage further explores his unplugged instincts, he reflects on some of Kottke's humorous nuggets of wisdom – one being that readings from sometimes-unreliable electric tuners are “only a suggestion”
GP Presents John Scofield April 25 - April 28 in San Francisco – win tickets
Enter for your chance to see a double bill of deep fusion grooves at San Fran's SFJAZZ Center
“My 1939 Martin was in a garbage bag for 15 years prior to me getting it in pieces. The neck was off and the body was crushed”: How unplugging reshaped Julian Lage's electric approach
The jazz guitar virtuoso reveals how his Collings OM1 JL signature model came to be, and why a solo acoustic show can actually be more “raucous” than an electric-driven affair
“This exciting era of acoustic-electronic innovation hasn’t seen much action on the amp front, which makes this a welcome addition”: Taylor Circa 74 AV150-10 acoustic amplifier review
This handsome, wood-crafted combo packs 150 watts into a 1x10 enclosure, and fits as easily into a home’s decor as it would a studio setting
GP Presents the Alan Parsons Live Project, March 21 in Oakland, California – win tickets
The legendary songwriter and producer will be joined onstage by, among other top musicians, guitar hero Jeff Kollman
“I’ve seen a lot of guitars with multiple necks – often the player uses one or two necks at a time. I use all three on this guitar while also playing percussion”: How acoustic wizard Luca Stricagnoli wrangles his signature triple-neck beast
Making rock, pop, metal, and even hip-hop classics his own with his trademark triple-neck acoustic, Stricagnoli's extraordinary virtuosity stands out, but there's far more to his playing than percussive hits and tapping acrobatics
GP Presents Gov’t Mule on Saturday, February 17 in Oakland, CA – win tickets
Roots rock guitar captain Warren Haynes and his stalwart crew are bringing their ongoing 30th anniversary celebration to the Fox Theater
"It was all there in the parlor guitar: that depth and inspirational tone. The only reason guitars got bigger was to compete with barking dogs and juggling children in vaudeville…" The big history of small acoustics
Richard Hoover unravels the history and mystery of parlor guitars
"The Bryn Athyn Cathedral in Pennsylvania called me about a stack of leftover Brazilian rosewood that would have been a living tree in the 1700s": How Santa Cruz's Richard Hoover sources antique materials for his luxurious lutherie
Santa Cruz captain Richard Hoover applied his ultimate artistic expression to his historic Vault Series that made its stunning debut at NAMM 2024 last week.
“A little badass: ideal for a bit of bottom-end grooving without the weight of a full-scale bass or amp”: The junior-sized Martin DJR-10E acoustic bass reviewed
Perfect for players with small hands or working out bass parts on the fly, the great-sounding, cute-looking and affordable Martin DFR-10E Bass packs a ton of fun into just 24 inches
Excellent playability, affordability and “fabulous amplified acoustic tone”: Fender’s latest Highway Series’ Parlor and Dreadnought guitars reviewed
Discover why the Highway Series is an excellent crossover option for players who want a killer acoustic stage sound from an instrument with the playability of an electric guitar
”What I’m playing is like a string quartet, meaning that a mandolin corresponds to a violin”: Dave Grisman on his Acoustic America album and stunning exhibition of 90 iconic folk instruments at Arizona's Musical Instrument Museum
Musicologist and gear collector David Grisman talks through the historic mandolins, guitars and banjos he played on his Acoustic America album, but you can see them for yourself at Arizona’s Musical Instrument Museum
The Martin GPCE Inception Maple is state of the art in a market where a cutaway used to be considered outrageous – but is it any good? Oh yes…
The latest and greatest incarnation of Martin’s “openly vivacious” Grand Performance sets a new benchmark with its gorgeous design, honeycombed bracing and maple back and sides
GP Presents Julian Lage, January 18 - January 21 in San Francisco – win tickets
Lage epitomizes modern jazz guitar, and he’s going to be the Resident Artistic Director at SF Jazz over the third weekend of January, holding court at the Miner Auditorium
Gear of the Year: The best guitars, amps, pedals and more of 2023
Our guide to the greatest guitars, amps, pedals and accessories of 2023, handpicked by the Guitar Player team
GP Presents Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew’s Remain in Light, with X, December 30 in San Francisco – Win Tickets
GP Presents has joined forces with Goldenvoice for a Talking Heads rave up to round out the year at the Warfield Theatre
”If you don’t get your act together, then you can’t expect your band to be.” Session player and bandleader Ben Misterka shares his wisdom on playing savvy in the post-pandemic world
With performance budgets crunched to the max, life on the road these days is more challenging than ever. Here’s how to make the most of your opportunities
