Jimmy LeslieSocial Links NavigationJimmy Leslie has been Frets editor since 2016. See many Guitar Player- and Frets-related videos on his YouTube channel, and learn about his acoustic/electric rock group at spirithustler.com. Latest articles by Jimmy Leslie Lava ME 3 Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 8 June 22 The era of the smart acoustic-electric guitar is upon us and this progressive instrument is a game-changer. “There Was Something Special About ‘Get On Board’”: Ry Cooder Talks New Collaborative Album By Jimmy Leslie last updated 3 June 22 The guitarist reunites with Taj Mahal for ‘Get On Board: The Songs of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.’ “It’s Okay to Sound Different from the Record”: Ry Cooder Reveals His Stage and Studio Secrets By Jimmy Leslie published 3 June 22 Discover the source of the authentic guitar tones heard on his new album with Taj Mahal, ‘Get On Board: The Songs of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.’ Eric Johnson on His Acoustic Evolution, the Essence of Songwriting and Recreating His Legendary Virginia Strat By Jimmy Leslie last updated 13 May 22 On EJ Vol. II, Johnson doubles down on his acoustic playing while taking the electric guitar into bold, new territory. Can he have it both ways? Fender American Acoustasonic Stratocaster Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 13 May 22 Fender's boundary-pushing Acoustasonic format was a big success on the Tele. Will the Strat follow suit? GP Presents Andy McKee & Yasmin Williams this Thursday, May 5, in Berkeley, CA – Win Tickets! By Jimmy Leslie published 28 April 22 Guitar Player welcomes the YouTube king and the prodigious lap tapper to legendary acoustic hotspot Freight & Salvage. Gibson Generation Collection Review By Jimmy Leslie published 26 April 22 These flat-tops are a fastball down the middle, with one exceptional curve in the form of the Player Port. Writing and Recording Acoustic Rock, Part 1 By Jimmy Leslie last updated 26 April 22 Frets Editor Jimmy Leslie shares the lessons he learned creating Spirit Hustler’s inspired recording “The Spirit of ’69.” Jam-Jazz Cat Scott Metzger Steps Out With New Album ‘Too Close To Reason’ Armed With a Vintage Martin By Jimmy Leslie published 22 April 22 This intimate solo debut highlights the unique charms of a 1955 Martin 000-18. Flat-Top Revelations from ‘The Beatles: Get Back,’ Part 2 By Jimmy Leslie last updated 15 April 22 More acoustic guitar insights from the ‘Let It Be’ studio session footage. GP Presents John Scofield This Thursday, April 14, in San Francisco – Win Tickets! By Jimmy Leslie published 11 April 22 'Guitar Player' welcomes the jazz guru to the City by the Bay for an Easter Weekend run of shows at SFJAZZ starting with a solo guitar performance on Thursday. Martin SC-13E Special Burst Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 11 April 22 With its well-balanced tone this acoustic-electric sounds as sweet as it looks. Essential Plucking Patterns for Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar By Jimmy Leslie last updated 11 April 22 Your path to finger freedom continues with multi-string approaches that bring arpeggios to life. Jake Shimabukuro teams up with Warren Haynes, Sonny Landreth, Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson, Vince Gill, Billy Strings and others By Jimmy Leslie last updated 5 April 22 The uke superstar hosts an all-star line-up on his new album ‘Jake & Friends.’ Martin SC-13E Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 28 March 22 A revolutionary new design that updates the acoustic-electric guitar for a new generation. Martin Grand J-16E 12-String Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 28 March 22 This ergonomically engineered 12-string ticks a lot of boxes both onstage and in the studio. Flat-Top Revelations from ‘The Beatles: Get Back’ By Jimmy Leslie published 23 March 22 Some acoustic guitar insights from the ‘Let It Be’ studio session footage. GP Presents Oz Noy this Thursday, March 24, in Oakland – Win Tickets! By Jimmy Leslie published 21 March 22 Guitar Player welcomes the fusion master to the East Bay for a Thursday night throwdown with his trio featuring Dennis Chambers and Jimmy Haslip. Taylor American Dream AD27e Flametop Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 18 March 22 The "least Taylor-sounding guitar you’ve heard to date” is an unusual flat-top by any standard. “The Fire of Youth is the Fuel for Rock and Roll”: Luther Dickinson Talks Tone, Inspiration, and the Future of Roots Rock By Jimmy Leslie published 14 March 22 The North Mississippi Allstars frontman gives a tour of the band’s existential party cruise on ‘Set Sail.’ “My Music is a Reflection of My Life, Which Has Been a Little Bit All Over the Place”: Jesse Cook Talks Diverse New Album ‘Libre’ By Jimmy Leslie published 11 March 22 The nylon-string maestro finds release in electronic beats with his latest fret-burning effort. Luther Dickinson Reveals His Fingerpicking Secrets By Jimmy Leslie published 8 March 22 The North Mississippi Allstars leader explains how to get your head and hands around odd times and odd groupings. D’Addario Nexxus 360 Rechargeable Tuner Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 23 February 22 This durable and conveniently rechargeable device with an über-adjustable screen saves money and waste. Gibson Sheryl Crow Country Western Supreme Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 17 February 22 True Crow fans, Gibson lovers and acoustic aficionados of many stripes will appreciate this Supreme offering. Martin DX Johnny Cash Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 17 February 22 This black guitar has a rather dark, velvety voice, and its tonal demeanor is very straightforward, just like the man who inspired it. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives Get The Pick NewsletterAll the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors LATEST ARTICLES1Slash recalls how a jam with Jeff Beck nearly ended his idol's career2Richie Sambora recalls the disastrous show that turned him into a pro3"One cool guitar from one of the hippest builders." The Rivolta Quadrata is a stylishly original take on a famous retro rock axe4Spend less and get more in Reverb's early Black Friday sales event - save up to 80% on second-hand gear5Jim Suhler talks about sneaking backstage to meet Stevie Ray Vaughan and the career-shaping advice he gave him
Lava ME 3 Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 8 June 22 The era of the smart acoustic-electric guitar is upon us and this progressive instrument is a game-changer.
“There Was Something Special About ‘Get On Board’”: Ry Cooder Talks New Collaborative Album By Jimmy Leslie last updated 3 June 22 The guitarist reunites with Taj Mahal for ‘Get On Board: The Songs of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.’
“It’s Okay to Sound Different from the Record”: Ry Cooder Reveals His Stage and Studio Secrets By Jimmy Leslie published 3 June 22 Discover the source of the authentic guitar tones heard on his new album with Taj Mahal, ‘Get On Board: The Songs of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.’
Eric Johnson on His Acoustic Evolution, the Essence of Songwriting and Recreating His Legendary Virginia Strat By Jimmy Leslie last updated 13 May 22 On EJ Vol. II, Johnson doubles down on his acoustic playing while taking the electric guitar into bold, new territory. Can he have it both ways?
Fender American Acoustasonic Stratocaster Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 13 May 22 Fender's boundary-pushing Acoustasonic format was a big success on the Tele. Will the Strat follow suit?
GP Presents Andy McKee & Yasmin Williams this Thursday, May 5, in Berkeley, CA – Win Tickets! By Jimmy Leslie published 28 April 22 Guitar Player welcomes the YouTube king and the prodigious lap tapper to legendary acoustic hotspot Freight & Salvage.
Gibson Generation Collection Review By Jimmy Leslie published 26 April 22 These flat-tops are a fastball down the middle, with one exceptional curve in the form of the Player Port.
Writing and Recording Acoustic Rock, Part 1 By Jimmy Leslie last updated 26 April 22 Frets Editor Jimmy Leslie shares the lessons he learned creating Spirit Hustler’s inspired recording “The Spirit of ’69.”
Jam-Jazz Cat Scott Metzger Steps Out With New Album ‘Too Close To Reason’ Armed With a Vintage Martin By Jimmy Leslie published 22 April 22 This intimate solo debut highlights the unique charms of a 1955 Martin 000-18.
Flat-Top Revelations from ‘The Beatles: Get Back,’ Part 2 By Jimmy Leslie last updated 15 April 22 More acoustic guitar insights from the ‘Let It Be’ studio session footage.
GP Presents John Scofield This Thursday, April 14, in San Francisco – Win Tickets! By Jimmy Leslie published 11 April 22 'Guitar Player' welcomes the jazz guru to the City by the Bay for an Easter Weekend run of shows at SFJAZZ starting with a solo guitar performance on Thursday.
Martin SC-13E Special Burst Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 11 April 22 With its well-balanced tone this acoustic-electric sounds as sweet as it looks.
Essential Plucking Patterns for Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar By Jimmy Leslie last updated 11 April 22 Your path to finger freedom continues with multi-string approaches that bring arpeggios to life.
Jake Shimabukuro teams up with Warren Haynes, Sonny Landreth, Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson, Vince Gill, Billy Strings and others By Jimmy Leslie last updated 5 April 22 The uke superstar hosts an all-star line-up on his new album ‘Jake & Friends.’
Martin SC-13E Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 28 March 22 A revolutionary new design that updates the acoustic-electric guitar for a new generation.
Martin Grand J-16E 12-String Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 28 March 22 This ergonomically engineered 12-string ticks a lot of boxes both onstage and in the studio.
Flat-Top Revelations from ‘The Beatles: Get Back’ By Jimmy Leslie published 23 March 22 Some acoustic guitar insights from the ‘Let It Be’ studio session footage.
GP Presents Oz Noy this Thursday, March 24, in Oakland – Win Tickets! By Jimmy Leslie published 21 March 22 Guitar Player welcomes the fusion master to the East Bay for a Thursday night throwdown with his trio featuring Dennis Chambers and Jimmy Haslip.
Taylor American Dream AD27e Flametop Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 18 March 22 The "least Taylor-sounding guitar you’ve heard to date” is an unusual flat-top by any standard.
“The Fire of Youth is the Fuel for Rock and Roll”: Luther Dickinson Talks Tone, Inspiration, and the Future of Roots Rock By Jimmy Leslie published 14 March 22 The North Mississippi Allstars frontman gives a tour of the band’s existential party cruise on ‘Set Sail.’
“My Music is a Reflection of My Life, Which Has Been a Little Bit All Over the Place”: Jesse Cook Talks Diverse New Album ‘Libre’ By Jimmy Leslie published 11 March 22 The nylon-string maestro finds release in electronic beats with his latest fret-burning effort.
Luther Dickinson Reveals His Fingerpicking Secrets By Jimmy Leslie published 8 March 22 The North Mississippi Allstars leader explains how to get your head and hands around odd times and odd groupings.
D’Addario Nexxus 360 Rechargeable Tuner Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 23 February 22 This durable and conveniently rechargeable device with an über-adjustable screen saves money and waste.
Gibson Sheryl Crow Country Western Supreme Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 17 February 22 True Crow fans, Gibson lovers and acoustic aficionados of many stripes will appreciate this Supreme offering.
Martin DX Johnny Cash Review By Jimmy Leslie last updated 17 February 22 This black guitar has a rather dark, velvety voice, and its tonal demeanor is very straightforward, just like the man who inspired it.
