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

Joe Bonamassa explains why he sold all his Dumble amps – and why he’s now got more than ever
By Phil Weller published
After making some big changes to his live rig in 2014, the guitarist now owns eight Dumbles and isn’t looking back

Myles Kennedy says an onstage disaster forced him to buy a PRS guitar he couldn't afford
By Phil Weller published
The guitarist felt obliged to write a check for the borrowed guitar, having previously been priced out of owning a PRS

“When you start with a crappy guitar, it begins the cycle of gear addiction.” Kenny Wayne Shepherd explains why every player should start out with a cheap guitar
By Phil Weller published
Shepherd also says Jimi Hendrix's gear reveals how he was ahead of his time

PreSonus launches Studio One Pro 7 – the latest generation of its DAW featuring AI tools, improved workflow and more accessible pricing
By Phil Weller published
New features include AI-powered stem separation, Global Transpose and tempo detection features, as well as integration with the Splice sound library

Hear the final track the Van Halen brothers worked on before Eddie’s passing
By Phil Weller published
"Unfinished" is anything but, and showcases a softer side of Eddie’s playing alongside his fretboard-burning feats

Fender's new American Ultra II series boasts faster necks, advanced pickups and fresh contours to modernize its recipes
By Phil Weller published
Strats, Teles, Meteoras and a trio of bass guitars all get the “sports car” treatment as Fender looks to its sister firms to refine the speed and comfort of its instruments

“An addictively responsive gem of a humbucker.” Bare Knuckle releases a PAF-style humbucker set in collaboration with producer Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood
By Phil Weller published
Inspired by classic PAF pickups but refined with a modern edge, the Alnico 5 pickups are made with 100% vintage correct parts

"I'm gonna live this for the next year." Jerry Cantrell on the future of Alice in Chains and his heavy new solo album
By Richard Bienstock published
Cantrell, who teamed up with Duff McKagan and other pals for his new record, tells Guitar Player, "It’s no secret where my loyalty lies"

Steve Cropper says his guitar playing “sucks” — but he knows what sells
By Phil Weller published
Steve Cropper has worked with some of the world’s top musicians but believes it’s more important to be versatile than virtuosic

"it was stolen right off the stage while the lights were down. Somebody walked right out the door with it." Nuno Bettencourt reveals the mysterious journey of his lost Washburn double-neck guitar
By Phil Weller published
The Extreme guitarist’s beloved showpiece was the victim of an elaborate theft that took place while the band was onstage

Alex Van Halen talks his and Ed's secret jams with Chris Cornell, the Ozzy-fronted Van Halen album and why the David Lee Roth EVH tribute shows fell apart
By Phil Weller published
The Van Halen drummer unveils fascinating details about three failed Van Halen projects

Martin Barre talks about sharing stages with Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck after Jethro Tull took a "big risk" hiring him in 1968
By Phil Weller published
Barre explains how performing concerts with Hendrix, Beck and Jimmy Page made him a better guitar player

John Mayer reveals signature Ernie Ball string set with a unique gauge combination
By Phil Weller published
Years in the making, the 10.5–47 set meets Mayer’s exacting standards and has been thoroughly roadtested

Ritchie Blackmore on an “overwhelming” jam with Geroge Harrison – and marveling at the size of his feet
By Phil Weller published
Watch Harrison jam with the British hard rockers on an energetic version of Little Richard’s "Lucille" in 1984

Dream Theater announces details of their first new music with Mike Portnoy in 15 years – release near ten-minute track, Night Terror
By Phil Weller published
The prog metallers' 'Parasomnia' comes out in February, nearly two years after Portnoy’s celebrated return to the band

Steve Morse pays tribute to Jeff Beck with Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers cover – and reimagines a jazz fusion classic with Angel Vivaldi
By Phil Weller published
In addition to covering the Beck tune, Morse reimagines a Jon-Luc Ponty jazz-fusion classic with prog-metal guitarist Angel Vivaldi

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 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

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 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

“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’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

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'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
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!