One of the most popular boost pedals on the market has been given a fresh new look By Phil Weller published 17 May 24 Xotic Pedals has introduced a limited-edition version of its EP Booster, with two new colorways to celebrate its 15th anniversary
Wampler’s Mofetta pays homage to a cult ’90s distortion pedal By Janelle Borg published 17 May 24 Wampler promises vintage tones with increased versatility via a 3-band EQ and overdrive/distortion switch
Bon Jovi rolls back the years for a new single that will give you Livin’ On a Prayer vibes By Matt Owen published 17 May 24 Living Proof previews the band's upcoming album Forever, and Phil X's riff has a distinctly familiar talkbox swagger about it
Boss has teased the third generation of its best-selling Katana amps By Phil Weller published 17 May 24 The Japanese amp and effects giant is hyping “enhanced features and sounds” for its flagship amp as it seeks to land fresh punches in an increasingly competitive market
Diamond revives its fan favorite Vibrato after nearly 20 years – and it’s been given some key upgrades By Phil Weller published 17 May 24 The resurgent Canadian firm’s returning stompbox boasts all-analog circuitry built around the revered MN3007 bucket brigade chip
Sam Ash files for bankruptcy after announcing the closure of all its stores By Phil Weller published 17 May 24 The family-run retailer has reportedly started the procedure of auctioning off its assets
How hemp cones affect guitar tone and why Derek Trucks and Carlos Santana are fans By Paul Gough published 17 May 24 Over the past few years, speakers with a hemp cone have increased in popularity – and they have a distinctive sound, explains Paul Gough of Zilla Cabs
Abasi Concepts has debuted its first-ever bass guitar – ushering in a new headless design By Phil Weller published 17 May 24 Tosin Abasi’s brand has created its first production bass, with the Larada five-string combining a headless design with Fishman Fluence Multi-Voice pickups
Khruangbin’s Laura Lee explains how her lack of technical bass training works in her favor By Janelle Borg published 17 May 24 Khruangbin’s Laura Lee says a “limitation” in her technique led to Khruangbin's “fun and bouncy” basslines
Meet James Frankland, the classical-loving instrumentalist fusing Rachmaninoff and Guns N’ Roses By Glenn Kimpton published 17 May 24 Frankland is taking influences from all across the musical spectrum to forge a sound that is all his own. He unpacks his journey from 13-year-old rookie to debut album, Fate’s Right Hand
Justus West reveals how he sneaked Tosin Abasi and Plini onto the new Beyoncé album (sort of) By Janelle Borg published 16 May 24 The prolific session guitarist and producer pulls back the veil on Cowboy Carter’s high-profile recording sessions – and the surprisingly progressive gear he used on Beyoncé’s country album
Walrus Audio unveils Canvas Power range of linkable pedalboard power supplies By Matt Owen published 16 May 24 Available in four sizes, the Canvas Power units promise low-noise operation and can be linked to accomodate ever-growing rigs
How Hermanos Gutiérrez leveraged vintage tones and Dan Auerbach's guitar tech on Barrio Hustle By Janelle Borg published 16 May 24 Barrio Hustle is taken from the guitar duo's upcoming album Sonido Cósmico – and premiered exclusively on Guitar World
“I bought a 1964 Vox AC30 for £300 from a friend whose partner had died. She knew it was worth a lot more, but she wanted me to have it as a memory of him”: Troy Redfern on his most emotional gear finds and his biggest guitar-buying mistakes By David Mead published 16 May 24 The one-man blues-rock maelstrom explains why Gold Foil pickups are “the best‑sounding pickup across the board” for him, and how he became a “complete casualty” of Steve Vai’s Passion and Warfare
Wolfgang Van Halen’s long-awaited EVH SA-126 signature model is officially launched By Matt Owen published 16 May 24 Named after Eddie's birthday and taking cues from the Bumblebee, the SA-126 was developed from a desire to build a guitar that didn't yet exist – and arrives with a new Wolfgang Van Halen demo video
Folk great John Smith on his life-changing Mulecaster experience and why the Quad Cortex isn’t just for metalheads By David Mead published 16 May 24 As the influential UK folk guitarist gears up to take his new album, The Living Kind, out on the road, he joins us to explain how a shift in his gear and writing process has had a profound effect on his music
Mastodon's Bill Kelliher on how meeting his guitar heroes pushed him to improve his craft By Janelle Borg published 15 May 24 Mastodon's Bill Kelliher also credits Slayer's Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman for changing his previously nonchalant attitude to warming up before a show
In June 1968, Jack Bruce came close to forming a band with Jimi Hendrix By Nick Wells published 15 May 24 Speaking in 2003, the late Cream bassist Jack Bruce recalled his first encounters with Jimi Hendrix
Tsakalis Audioworks’ Mothership merges analog warmth with over 70 free configurable cab sims in one overdrive/preamp pedal By Phil Weller published 15 May 24 The best-of-both-worlds unit offers two identical overdrive channels with three gain stages each, and a choice of over 70 free digital cab simulations
Chase Bliss’ Onward sampler pedal is glitching and freezing heaven for guitarists of all styles By Phil Weller published 15 May 24 A deceptively small little stompbox, the Onward is the laden with synth sorcery