Guitarist - July 2023

Diode Diversity

Not sure what diodes sound best in a Klon-style pedal? J Rockett’s latest has you covered with its seven options

Transatlantic Tastes

Is the concept of British versus American speaker voicings out of date? Or just plain confusing? Paul Gough of Zilla Cabs offers his view

ON GUARD

Say goodbye to taping up your fingerboard with a new full-face protector. A gizmo too far or a worthy addition to your tool kit?

TYLER BRYANT

The young bluesman tells tales of a brand-new signature guitar and an unbelievable deal on a 1960s Strat

TONE MAGNET

Jason Lollar is one of the most respected pickup makers in the world. He says his goal is not to ‘make them like they used to’ but instead to make pickups better than anything that’s gone before. We learn the secrets of his masterly approach to tone…

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

The evolutionary timeline of rock history includes iconic names such as T-Bone Walker, Chuck Berry, Elvis, Little Richard and many others – and yet it’s only in recent years that another name has started to get its due. The extraordinary Sister Rosetta Tharpe not only paved the way for rock ’n’ roll but also stands tall as an electric guitar pioneer

LOVE THAT BURNS

The late blues hero Peter Green was not only one of the most influential guitarists in history but he had a wide-ranging taste in instruments. With over 100 of his guitars coming up for auction, we examine some of the gems from his personal collection alongside restoration expert Steve Clarke – and discover some surprisingly affordable guitars going under the hammer, too

SHAKE YOUR MONEYMAKER

Following a pair of five-figure Custom versions, here’s the everyman Greeny. But is it a valid introduction or simply a slightly pimped version of an existing Les Paul?

DARK GREEN

Metallica’s new album, 72 Seasons, is as brutal as any the behemoth metal band has made to date. But listen closer and you might pick out a richly familiar voice among the guitar tones. We join Kirk Hammett to hear how Peter Green’s famous ‘Greeny’ ’59 Les Paul, and the new USA reissues of the guitar, have changed his viewpoint on high-gain playing since the guitar has been in his care. We also learn Kirk’s candid views on the “end of the age of active pickups”, as well as the apparent disclosure of an Epiphone replica of Greeny in the pipeline…

RIVAL SONS

As the Californian rockers release their “cinematic” seventh album, Scott Holiday invites us into his jaw-dropping guitar room to talk mad-scientist fuzz pedals, the merits of musical brainwashing, and why he’s no longer a modder