Phil Weller
A freelance writer with a penchant for music that gets weird, Phil is a regular contributor to Prog, Guitar World, and Total Guitar magazines and is especially keen on shining a light on unknown artists. Outside of the journalism realm, you can find him writing angular riffs in progressive metal band, Prognosis, in which he slings an 8-string Strandberg Boden Original, churning that low string through a variety of tunings. He's also a published author and is currently penning his debut novel which chucks fantasy, mythology and humanity into a great big melting pot.
Latest articles by Phil Weller
![Kulick Guitars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ioFc3YQdmPv8sG2qDairL7-320-80.jpg)
Bruce Kulick launches his own guitar brand for “period-correct” axes inspired by his Kiss era
By Phil Weller published
Created in partnership with ‘80s guitar guru Johnny DiFatta of AXN Guitars, the instruments will be boutique homages to the guitarist’s Kiss days
![Joe Walsh and Les Paul](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MR4TSutfSq2VcKq9gxLL68-320-80.jpg)
Joe Walsh tells why Les Paul is his hero and the story that inspired him
By Phil Weller published
Walsh says he met Paul and found him inspiring beyond his guitar talents
![Jakko Jakszyk and Robert Fripp](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qb7NcpyLvEJjiQxxt2fWrN-320-80.jpg)
Robert Fripp wasn't pleased when Jakko Jakszyk ruined his reputation as a tough boss
By Phil Weller published
In addition to Fripp, Jakko weighs in on working with another taskmaster — Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson
![David Gilmour](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zkoXtoUGHZpQriS8cqNLKY-320-80.jpg)
David Gilmour says he couldn't pick out his legendary Black Strat in a blindfold test
By Phil Weller published
The prog icon sold the famed guitar at auction for just under $4 million. But he's got something he considers just as good
![EXTREME and Nuno BETTENCOURT, Nuno Bettencourt performing on stage](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fBWVCn9G9KSwt9tNimWbSW-320-80.jpg)
“He keeps texting me: ‘Come downstairs, I’m in the front.’ Nuno Bettencourt recalls Eddie Van Halen's surprise visit
By Phil Weller published
Extreme's tribute to EVH now includes a cover of Van Halen's "Mean Street"
![Joe Bonamassa Epiphone Les Paul Copper Iridescent](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vbGyXyb9KfuirzsPqfbhfB-320-80.jpg)
Joe Bonamassa’s latest Epiphone model revives a long-forgotten colorway and taps into the “sparkle” of P90s
By Phil Weller published
"These are ready to rock, and you can rule the world with 'em!" Bonamassa says of his new budget-priced Les Pauls
![George Harrison's Futurama guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tskhHYEJ5zXiegz6rsbCc-320-80.jpg)
The guitar that launched the Beatles is going to the auction block. Here's what George Harrison said about it.
By Phil Weller published
"All the other guitars fell off the wall!" George Harrison recalled when he and Paul McCartney demoed his historic Futurama at the music shop
![Martin O'ahu HG-28](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x97Vb9Fdbnog84NNAX6CSU-320-80.jpg)
Martin's new O’ahu HG-28 is a game-changing hybrid that pays tribute to the steel-string's Hawaiian heritage
By Phil Weller published
Described as a smaller 14-fret Dreadnought with the depth of a 000, it’s fitted with premium appointments to make it more than just a tribute to the past
![Steve Vai](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VBQna52HV7hJuhEKGfj38-320-80.jpg)
Steve Vai was too shy to tell his friends he was learning guitar. Here's how they found out
By Phil Weller published
The virtuoso chose a typically flamboyant way to break the news to everyone
![Boss GX-100](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NR9SNn8Fugv8XKkp57wzyL-320-80.jpg)
Boss adds new amps, effects, and enhanced features to its affordable GX-100 floor modeler with brand new firmware update
By Phil Weller published
Key improvements have also been made to its desktop app to encourage more guitarists and bassists to try the feature-packed multi-effects unit
![B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CZPcLhkYW92ybMxbS2g3AF-320-80.jpg)
Gibson recreates B.B. King’s “Rumble in the Jungle” ES-355 – a guitar that predates Lucille – for a limited-edition run
By Phil Weller published
Featuring Murphy Lab aging, a Maestro Vibrola tailpiece, and Custombucker pickups, the high-end guitar pays tribute to the bluesman’s legendary Zaire '74 performance
![Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4aghQ4nQHkFLr8uVWXuo7W-320-80.jpg)
Adrian Belew on the initial challenges of teaming up with Robert Fripp in King Crimson
By Phil Weller published
The guitarist recently opened up to GP about his early struggles adapting to Fripp’s playing style, with Steve Vai facing similar challenges tackling his parts for the Beat tour
![Eddie Van Halen performs onstage with Van Halen at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois on April 26, 1979](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HfZPfw6X5ndXEpkKV2dzBd-320-80.jpg)
New Eddie Van Halen-narrated documentary details how he got hooked on modding guitars – and subsequently created Frankenstein
By Phil Weller published
The free-to-watch mini-doc finds the guitarist talking about his earliest guitars, and his quest for his one true guitar love
![PRS DGT semi-hollow](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E5TwEiTHin4tJhdEnkZwcG-320-80.jpg)
PRS launches first-ever semi-hollow DGT model – and it's limited to just 200 pieces
By Phil Weller published
David Grissom's signature model has been given the semi-hollow treatment, inspired by one of his custom shop builds, and comes hand-signed by Grissom and Paul Reed Smith
![Ian Anderson is seen on stage with his band Jethro Tull on the Prog Years concert on February 29, 2020 in Madrid, Spain.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9xfpJxTxEQ2wtpSZ6KVi9L-320-80.jpg)
Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson recalls the song that led him to play a Les Paul for the first, and only, time
By Phil Weller published
Anderson says he borrowed Martin Barre’s guitar for a one-man recording session that saved a now-classic song from the cutting room floor
![Reverend Guitars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2G55E5gbnYLo5BVA6ZK4KE-320-80.jpg)
Reverend launches new signature models for Vernon Reid and Greg Koch, and adds flame maple tops to fan-favorites
By Phil Weller published
Floyd Rose tremolos, Railhammer and Fishman pickups, and premium appointments adorn the company's latest collection of guitars – headlined by Reid’s long-awaited signature
![Freddie Salem](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C2p3Bt6SA2rYN9TxZ57zrT-320-80.jpg)
Former Outlaws guitarist Freddie Salem dies at 70
By Phil Weller published
The Les Paul-wielding guitarist featured on four studio albums and one live album with the Southern rock band, and would later go on to record with Barbra Streisand
![David Gilmour performs live onstage at in Verona, Italy on July 10, 2016](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6ViJTAGj66VqHMjx84y65T-320-80.jpg)
David Gilmour says guitars are ultimately just “the tools of my trade,” but these are the ones he’d never auction off
By Phil Weller published
Having parted with his legendary Black Strat for nearly $4 million, it seems the guitarist isn’t the sentimental type when it comes to the instruments he owns – except for three
![Heritage Auctions](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EHrJpShGRzMpLUvrwmqEcC-320-80.jpg)
Lester Flatt’s Martin D-18 – considered the first ever bluegrass guitar – set to headline massive auction of over 400 historic guitars
By Phil Weller published
A Roy Clark Gretsch prototype is also set to be sold at next month’s Heritage Auctions event
![Guild 300 Series](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yxCua2vfwCEeaLWzY6VXDn-320-80.jpg)
Guild's new $300 guitar range promises to bring premium tones at a cut price
By Phil Weller published
The aptly titled 300 Series offers two types of dreadnought and OM-style acoustics
![Adrian Belew performs onstage with BEAT at Humphreys Concerts By the Bay in San Diego, California on September 17, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eivCfGTH87SQj6nKVcC3ne-320-80.jpg)
Adrian Belew discusses his love of the Parker Fly, and how he convinced Ken Parker to create his wild signature model
By Phil Weller published
The King Crimson man loved the original model, but pushed for its creators to return to its original idea as a synth guitar, resulting in a guitar he’s convinced he plays better with
![Martin LX1 Life is Good acoustic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dn7zwyodeovYzQkFbJsSah-320-80.jpg)
Martin teams up with feel-good apparel firm Life is Good for an acoustic that promotes optimism through music
By Phil Weller published
The 23" scale LX1 Life is Good acoustic encourages players to focus on the good things in life
![Keith Urban](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LwQGp35S7RSAESA9whTuyJ-320-80.jpg)
Keith Urban is working with PRS on a new model, and it's unlike anything the company has made before
By Phil Weller published
He’s been playing his beloved ‘Clarence’ Tele since 1989, but John Mayer’s Silver Sky has shown Urban what he’s missing – now he's creating a T-type guitar with a wide tonal range and plenty of vintage-style bite
![Orange TremLord surrounded by guitar gear](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a2uB72jbsV3STvbJ3v3fQd-320-80.jpg)
Orange reveals why it won't dabble with amp modeling, and why you shouldn't call its products “retro”
By Phil Weller published
The company's Marketing Director views amp and modeler users as different demographics, and wants to focus on its amp offerings rather than try to reinvent the firm’s methodologies
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