CAN'T STOP THE BOP

He's a bebop originator who's played with everyone from Charlie Parker to Jimmy McGriff. Now 96 and fronting a new album, Chicago guitarist George Freeman shows no sign of slowing down

DIRTY DEEDS

Looking for fresh musical inspiration, Kenny Wayne Shepherd left Nashville for Alabama's FAME Studios. The result is Dirt on My Diamonds, Vol. 1, the first half of a new album project that continues his blues-rock evolution.

How to Play a Telecaster

On Second Album, Tele evangelist Roy Buchanan raised Leo's creation to new heights.

BLUES WITH 808 BEATS

With programmed drums, samples and a renewed sense of purpose, Buffalo Nichols ponders what blues might have been on The Fatalist.

MELODY MAKER

As Dave Hause puts the focus on songs, he keeps the guitar work all about the hooks.

HUMBUCKER HEAVEN

With the Espada HH and Espada HH Active, G&L offers two versatile variations on Leo Fender's late-1960s design.

WINNER TAKES ALL

Twenty years ago, Joe Bonamassa placed a bet on himself and hit the jackpot. Now he celebrates two decades of musical independence with Blues Deluxe Vol. 2, a return to the album concept that made him the blues' reigning champion. Guitar Player visits Nerdville for a little chat and a look at a few of Joe's very fine vintage axes.

A rule-breaker breaks through

On the heels of her 2021 number-two album, blues phenom Ally Venable steps up to the big leagues with Real Gone.

EARTHQUAKER DEVICES

Ledges Tri-Dimensional Reverberation Machine

PEAVEY

6505 1992 Original

EPIPHONE

1958 Korina Flying V and Explorer

Thick and Thin

Pick pointers with bluegrass master Gary Brewer of the Kentucky Ramblers

BREWER'S CHOICE

To cut House of Axes, bluegrass ambassador Gary Brewer picked a half-dozen vintage Martins from his collection of more than 100 - including a 19th century model among the rarest of the rare.

ON FIRE

Van Halen might not have been the same group without Ted Templeman, the producer who discovered and signed them, then produced their greatest albums. He tells Guitar Player how it all began with a friendly tip: \"Ted, these guys are hot!\"

SEVEN STRINGS TO SWING

As he drops Stage & Screen, John Pizzarelli celebrates his 40th year of recording and reflects on the lessons he learned from his father, Bucky.

RISING FORCE

As she drops The Call of the Void, her unapologetically shred sophomore album, Nita Strauss riffs on stress, solos and the importance of heeding Yngwie.

PAST PLEASURES FUTURE SHOCKS

As he releases his expanded Star Fleet Project box set, Brian May expounds on Eddie Van Halen's role in it, the future of Queen and the dangers Al poses for music in the coming year.

A Love Supreme

Julian Priester Pepo Mtoto's Love, Love defines a moment with deeply spiritual power.

Mail-Order Pride

Launched as a post-WWII startup, Carvin Guitars grew into a guitar gear giant, one catalog sale at a time.

TIP SHEET

From breathing to talking - Eddie 9V reveals the advice that made him blues-rock's new guitar star.

THE DRAGON TAMER

Simon McBride's fire-breathing tube tones power a new era of Deep Purple.

A TELE TRIBUTE WITH A TWIST

To build his hollowbody Tribute, Tim Bram turned to a vintage Fender from his youth. The result is a remarkably versatile jazz box.

How I Wrote..."Crimson and Clover"

Pop icon Tommy James reveals the magic combination behind the Shondells' timeless psychedelic hit.

TAYLOR

Builder's Edition 814ce

Open Source

The world of open tunings, according to Peppino D'Agostino.

THE GYPSY IN HIS SOUL

As he wraps the 20th installment of his celebrated Django A GoGo Festival, Stephane Wrembel reflects on the guitarist whose musical essence inspires his own.

FORCE of NATURE

Faced with a choice between David Bowie and his own band, Stevie Ray Vaughan took a bet on the blues and unleashed a torrent 40 years ago with his debut album, Texas Flood. Double Trouble’s Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton fill in the details.

DRIVE SHE SAID

As she drops her latest album, Mother Road, Grace Potter reveals what she learned from playing on nylon strings - and why a Flying V is still the best rock and roll guitar.

SHINE A LIGHT

As Greta Van Fleet prepare for a massive tour and the release of Starcatcher, Jake Kiszka talks tone, gear...and what everyone gets wrong about his 1970s hard-rock approach to guitar playing.

HOLIDAY IN THE SONS

With a new Rival Sons album in the charts, Scott Holiday is back in the spotlight following a four-year absence.