LAVA ME 3

SMART GUITARS

How I Wrote... "Fantasy"

Aldo Nova reveals how some free studio time led to his breakthrough 1982 hit.

ELECTRIC WARRIORS

Following a seven-year absence, Def Leppard return with the glam-inspired Diamond Star Halos. Phil Collen explains how they got it on like the old days.

CRAZY TUBE CIRCUITS (Phi) Golden Ratio

EFFECTS PEDALS

AUSTIN POWER

From chunk to chicha, Beto Martinez is the new king of Latin rock guitar.

AMERICANA REDUX

In our second installment, Ry Cooder reveals the source of his authentic guitar tones on his new album with Taj Mahal, Get On Board: The Songs of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.

A Good Year For The Rosewood

As Fender releases the George Harrison Rosewood Telecaster, we retrace the fascinating story of this iconic model with Fender historian Martin Kelly and a gorgeous 1969 original from its first, all-too-brief run.

Lone Star State of Mind

Spoon's Britt Daniel reveals how ZZ Top and their native Austin, Texas inspired the group's 10th long-player, Lucifer on the Sofa.

American Beauty

Armed with a vintage Martin, jamjazz cat Scott Metzger steps out with Too Close to Reason, an intimate solo debut that highlights the acoustic's unique charms.

Necks & Religion

Between a pair of shoulder surgeries, Steve Vai delivers Inviolate. An album of artistic purity, armed with a gretsch and the Triple-necked Hydra.

SMOOTH & SOULFUL

An in-depth look at the subtle artistic and technical elements behind Bonnie Raitt’s celebrated and highly emotive slide playing.

SOUL LOVE

HOW RICK TEDESCO FOUND AND LOST HIS DREAM GUITAR: MICK RONSON’S Z IGGY STARDUST–ERA 1968 GIBSON LES PAUL CUSTOM.

STARMAN

IN 1970, MICK RONSON CHANGED THE CAREER OF DAVID BOWIE AND WENT ON TO WORK WITH LOU REED, BOB DYLAN, JOHN MELLENCAMP, MORRISSEY AND MORE. WE CHART THE RISE AND FALL OF GLAM-ROCK’S GREATEST GUITARIST.

HARBINGER MLS1000 Portable

Line Array PA System

GIBSON

Generation Collection

PRS

S2 Custom 24-08

RIVOLTA

Regata VII

THE MAD AXE OF KING GEORGE

Finding Fretless author Paul Brett reveals how his relentless sleuthing uncovered the mysterious history of a most unusual Beatles guitar: George Harrison’s “mad” Bartell fretless.

Tour de Frets

Twenty-five years ago, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson launched the inaugural G3 tour, kickstarting a celebration of guitar virtuosity that remains the longest-running stint of its kind. With new albums and tours of their own. The trio sat down to recall how it all went down.

Strymon

Iridium Amp and IR Cab Pedal

The Ghost of Skip James

Washed up at age 30, James was rediscovered in 1964, just five years before his death. His impact is felt stronger than ever today in Bentonia blues.

MY CAREER IN FIVE SONGS

With nearly 20 albums to his name, Eric Gales says these five tracks tell you the most about his journey.

SLIDING INTO AFRICA

Kenny Greenberg goes back to the roots of the blues for his first solo record.

How I Wrote...

Pat Travers spills out the tale behind his classic 1980 cut.

JOE'S BIG ADVENTURE

ON THE ELEPHANTS OF MARS, JOE SATRIANI GOES IN SEARCH OF NEW THEMES AND TEXTURES. THE RESULT? MORE JOE THAN EVER BEFORE.

TWO of a KIND

ERIC JOHNSON DIGS INTO HIS VAULT AND COMES UP WITH A WINNING PAIR: THE BOOK OF MAKING AND YESTERDAY MEETS TODAY.

VAPOR TRAILS

Nearly 40 years on, Dave Rusan's visionary Cloud guitar is a lasting presence in the gear world firmament.

Taylor

American Dream AD27e Flametop

With a Lot of Help

Uke superstar Jake Shimabukuro teams up with Warren Haynes, Sonny Landreth, Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson, Vince Gill, Billy Strings and others on Jake & Friends.

My Career in Five Songs

Alt-rock pioneer Bob Mould selects the key cuts from his 40-year career with Hüsker Dü and Sugar and as a solo artist.