The Latest Breaking News from Guitar World

“Most Fender colors were inspired by automotive trends. Candy Apple Red stood out because it came from the hot-rod scene”: Why Leo Fender’s favorite custom color finish still drives guitarists wild

As this small selection from a very large vintage collection proves, Candy Apple Red looks fantastic on any Fender guitar – but the process of applying it changed over the years

Guitar World · Feb 25

“Have I held Frankenstein? Was it a total, Excalibur-level experience? I don't even know how to articulate that, but I got emotional”: Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti on recording at Eddie Van Halen's legendary 5150 Studios

The guitar duo recall the surreal experience of going into the “sacred” studio – and how that impacted the DNA of their latest record

Guitar World · Feb 25

“My dad said, ‘What happened to you?’ In six months I’d gone from a college-looking kid to looking like a real rock star”: From inventing the Quad Guitar to fast times with Yngwie, Michael Angelo Batio has stories for days – and no regrets

Determined to be a star from age 10, his highlights include seeing Yngwie Malmsteen's first US show, joining Manowar, being saved from a stage fail by Billy Corgan, and inventing the double guitar, Quad Guitar, and over 20 signature models

Guitar World · Feb 24

“It feels like you’re plugged straight into an amp, rather than a pedal”: ThorpyFX x Lazy J The J review

ThorpyFX team up with Lazy J to put the amp brand’s signature take on the Fender tweed sound into a pedal

Guitar World · Feb 24

“It took me forever to commit. Once I got there, I went, ‘I should have been doing this for a very long time’”: Joel Hoekstra was late to the Les Paul party – now he’s making up for lost time

The Whitesnake guitarist spent years playing Floyd Rose guitars, then Janis Joplin changed his world

Guitar World · Feb 24

“Very accomplished playing that isn’t widely discussed in blues circles”: What we can learn from Mike Oldfield about breaking free of the pentatonic box

In this lesson, we reimagine folk, jazz, blues and Celtic music for a blues roadmap that takes the road less traveled

Guitar World · Feb 24

“I was two years out of college, bought it and just felt like, ‘Oh, this is what it’s supposed to sound like.’ It makes me sound better than I am”: Why the Fender Telecaster is Sheryl Crow's long-time guitar “sidekick”

The celebrated singer-songwriter says she can “play the heck out of my piano” but gravitated toward the Tele due to the staying power of a great guitar riff

Guitar World · Feb 24

“I can sing better; I can’t play guitar better”: Lucinda Williams on how her stroke has affected her guitar playing

Despite still dealing with the aftereffects of a stroke, Williams has just released her 16th studio album and is set to go on tour with her band, which includes two “brilliant” players who have taken on guitar duties

Guitar World · Feb 23

“The two of us had a similar upbringing. It’s aunique position – our dads are the biggest rock stars around”: Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons are making Kiss a rock ’n’ roll dynasty – just don't mistake their music for their fathers'

Bands formed by rock stars’ kids rarely work out – but this one does. Say hello to Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons, whose dads you might just recognize, despite all that Kiss makeup

Guitar World · Feb 23

“I can’t play proper barre chords. It’s a blessing in disguise – I’ve ended up finding more interesting chords”: KT Tunstall’s 5 guitar tips to boost your songwriting skills

Learn KT's five go-to guitar techniques: from power strumming to rich chords, colorful picking, and unison vocal/guitar riffs.

Guitar World · Feb 23