"You have witnessed a revolution.” The closure of Guitar Player magazine marks the end of an era — and the start of a new one

After nearly 58 years in print, Guitar Player magazine will cease publication with its December 2024 issue.

The magazine's editor, Christopher Scapelliti, will become digital editor-In-chief of GuitarPlayer.com, where he and the magazine's contributors will continue to serve the interests and needs of the guitar-playing community.

Founded in 1967, Guitar Player is the world's oldest continuously published magazine devoted to guitarists, guitar gear — including electric guitars and acoustic guitars — and instruction. Over nearly six decades of publication, GP has featured some of music's most important and iconic guitarists, beginning with its December 1968 cover story on Jimi Hendrix.

For its final cover, the magazine presents a brand-new interview with Jimmy Page, who discusses upcoming re-creations of the guitars and amplifiers he used on Led Zeppelin's classic recordings and tours. The issue comes out October 15 and can be purchased at newsstands.

Scapelliti's final editorial is printed in full below:

You have witnessed a revolution. When Guitar Player made its debut 58 years ago in 1967, it marked a new era for guitar. For the first time, the instrument was celebrated in a regularly published magazine devoted to furthering guitarists, guitar gear and its makers, and guitar virtuosity. What founder Bud Eastman began laid the first stone of an empire that would go on to launch many other magazines — including Bass Player, Frets and Keyboard — publish books, release records and videos, and much more. Guitar Player’s success also opened the door for numerous other titles, including our sister magazine Guitar World, further enriching the lives of guitarists everywhere.

And now our print run has come to an end. With this issue, Guitar Player will move fully online to GuitarPlayer.com, where we’ll continue to bring you the same great content you’ve come to expect, as well as video interviews and lessons, and more.

The “why” will be obvious even if you don’t keep each issue tucked away chronologically on shelves. These increasingly slim volumes demonstrate our almost heroic efforts to persist in an era where advertisers find greater opportunities online. Throughout the ups and downs of these years, we’ve appreciated the support of those readers and advertisers who have kept Guitar Player’s print edition a going concern.

While longtime readers will lament this change, there’s much more to come in Guitar Player’s future. As for this final issue, what better way to wrap up our history than to have Jimmy Page help us do what we’ve always done best — bring you the finest interviews with your favorite players.

And now, a few last matters:

TO OUR SUBSCRIBERS: We’ll automatically transfer your subscription
to our sister title, Guitar World magazine. If you prefer a refund of your remaining subscription term, we’ll be happy to assist you at help@magazinesdirect.com.

IN THANKS: My six years at Guitar Player wouldn’t have been as fulfilling without the support of our managing director Stuart Williams, content director Scott Rowley and head of design Brad Merrett. So much of your enjoyment of these pages is also due to our art editor, Philip Cheesbrough, whose designs led one publicist to call Guitar Player “the most beautiful music magazine.” My gratitude extends as well to my longtime guitar magazine compatriot and music editor, Jimmy Brown, whose deep knowledge of music theory and passion for guitar have directed our lessons content since 2016.

Many of the stories you’ve enjoyed these past six years are thanks to our writers and my longtime friends in guitar publishing. To that end, I’m indebted to Joe Bosso, Gary Graff, James Rotondi, Rich Bienstock, Tom Beaujour, Bill Milkowski, Dave Hunter, Jim Campilongo, Terry Carleton, Jude Gold, Alan Paul, Ken Sharp, Jim Beaugez, Joe Matera, Andrew Daly, Martin McQuade, Mark McStea, Chris Buono and Jeff Jacobson.

I also owe deep thanks to two Guitar Player family members who were here long before me: senior editor Art Thompson and Frets editor Jimmy Leslie. Both have been my touchstones throughout this journey, and I’ve published not a single issue without trying to make them proud of the magazine they’ve served well for so long.

Finally, my thanks to you for supporting us. I look forward to seeing you at GuitarPlayer.com, where we’ll continue to bring you the best in guitar stories, interviews, gear reviews and lessons.

Christopher Scapelliti, Editor-in-Chief