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EXPLAINED: 2 | Vintage Vibes

“The most important thing is to be true to yourself so that, when you play, it sounds like you”: Fender gives Richie Kotzen’s head-turning MIJ signature Strat a global release

Ash-bodied with a figured maple top, offered in Transparent White and Red Burst finishes, equipped with DiMarzio pickups, Kotzen's Strat could be a modern classic

MusicRadar

“Most players buy a Soloist for stank face riffs and shredding ‘til sundown. For that, the SL2DX is magnificent”: Jackson American Series Soloist SL2DX review

Jackson’s latest speed metal machine is built in Fender’s Corona factory and sticks close to the time-tested Soloist recipe, and could just prove to be your next heavy metal workhorse

Guitar World

“An esoteric boutique vibe, superb ergonomics and a powerful, unique preamp – Tobias is back”: Tobias Growler IV review

The cult-classic Growler bass makes a long-overdue return to the bass market

Guitar World

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“The ace up the sleeve of bass players around the globe since 1978”: Tobias instruments were trailblazers in the bass world. Now they’re back as part of the Gibson family

Luthier Michael Tobias’ ergonomic and tonally versatile bass guitars were lauded in the late ’70s, and now Gibson has spearheaded their return

Guitar World

“A high-spec instrumentat a competitive price”: Sustainiac pickups, onboard Z.Vex Fuzz Factory circuits, a Night Sky Holosparkle finish? Manson lavishes Matt Bellamy-approved specs on updated M-Series electrics

The new M-Series models are as 21st-century as a T-style gets

MusicRadar

“It may be loosely inspired by the ES-335, but that’s where any similarity ends… An almost timeless design from the hands and ears of one of the greats”: Lowden GL-J review

A Lowden electric? The GL-10 – originally introduced in 2018, and recreated for Ed Sheeran – now gets a semi-solid sibling

Guitar World

“Faster attack and enhanced midrange punch”: Gretsch refreshes flagship Professional Collection with 5 Japanese-built stunners – including a Broadkaster that's built for “full-spectrum sound at high volume”

Sound the dream guitar klaxon as Gretsch gives a makeover to Falcon, Tennessean and Nashville hollowbodies and positions the Broadkaster LX as a high-end semi for high-gain antics

Guitar World

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“It’s a modern clean machine, but there are plenty of twists to create a clear and powerful rock machine. A unique and frankly inspiring instrument”: Cream T Astra Custom ‘Decades’ review

The Astra ‘Decades’ aims to stand apart from the generic Tele-style guitar. So if you want more sounds, not to mention pickup swapping, you just might fall for its charms – Dumbucker included…

Guitar World

“Plentiful bass, well-rounded trebles, bags of toneful volume… there’s really not much more you could ask for”: Atkin Dust Bowl 0012S and 00014 review

Alister Atkin’s UK workshop pays homage to the stripped-back, no-frills instruments that were available in the USA nearly a century ago when money was tight but roots music was blooming

Guitar World

"The sound is warm and inviting, with a powerful low-end thump that only comes from a jumbo acoustic": Guild F-55E review

The F-55E is a larger-than-life jumbo with an all-encompassing tone and striking good looks

Guitar World

"If you get the whole Junior-style single pickup thing, you might have found a new beau. We certainly have": PJD Guitars St John Apprentice review

A quality-led, UK-made offset at anaffordable price

MusicRadar

“Perfectly executed with an extraordinary range of voices… If you can imagine it, PJD can probably build it for you”: PJD Custom Carey Elite and Carey Custom review

Becoming well-known for its streamlined, cost-effective production models, UK maker PJD is now catering for the bespoke sector of the market. We try them on for size

Guitar World

“When it comes to heavy rock, the definitive icon always has been RG”: How Ibanez raised the bar for high-performance electric guitar with the RG

With its quick Wizard neck and super-stable Edge tremolo, the RG arrived in '87 to deliver speed and the promise of the spectacular – and decades on, it remains the go-to electric for virtuosos and shred radicals

Guitar World

“Both these guitars tick practically all the boxes for us. Craft is top of the line and they sound very good indeed”: Furch Vintage Pure & Violet Deluxe SM review

This pair of finely crafted acoustics from the lower end of the Czech Republic maker’s price band may look simple and stripped back, but they’re fully loaded with tone

Guitar World

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Guitar World

“World firsts, chunky rhythms and the lead tone of a generation”: Long-awaited Tim Henson 7-string headlines mega new Ibanez signature guitar drop – including a Paul Gilbert Fireman with a world-first mod

The Polyphia guitarist’s first extended-range signature guitar lines up alongside fresh models for Paul Gilbert, Andy Timmons, Pat Metheny and John Scofield

MusicRadar

"While there’s plenty of new technology at play here, the Standard Plus comes across as a very well-turned-out instrument with ultra-precise machining and finishing": Yamaha Pacifica Standard Plus PACS+12M review

Overdue update of Yamaha’s long-running super-S. Worth the wait?

Guitar World

“Yamaha doesn’t flood the market with new guitars, but when they’re this good, you can see why”: Yamaha Pacifica Standard Plus PACS+12M review

Yamaha’s long-running double-cut gets a high-end makeover, offering pro spec and radical new pickups – is this the new boutique S-style to beat?

Guitar World

“The whole guitar feels very alive in your hands. There’s punch and power, with a grainy detail to the big voice”: PJD Guitars St John Apprentice review

There’s no shortage of great-quality UK-made guitars, but for under a grand, PJD’s new Apprentice model is leading the charge in terms of quality and cost

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Guitar World

Ibanez expands its Prestige range with a sleek new metallic gray finish option – and an RG with a twist

The trio of new guitars sees two fan favorites getting a slick costume change, and the Fishman Fluence-equipped RGR5130 joining the firm’s Prestige line-up

Guitar World

ESP vs LTD Guitars: What's the difference?

Looking for a capable guitar for playing rock or metal? We explore the history, spec and tone characteristics of ESP and its affordable sub-brand LTD

Guitar World

“The light weight, raw resonance and superb playability more than tick the working guitar box”: Manson Guitar Works Verona Junior review

The latest release from Matt Bellamy’s guitar brand is a single-pickup workhorse that comes in two body shapes with uncompromised playability and sound at an aggressive price. Prepare to be impressed

Guitar World

“The relic on this guitar represents the destruction in Ukraine”: Guitarist whose home was hit by a Russian airstrike has finished his first build – and it's made with remnants of his destroyed apartment

Nikita Zhemerenko launched SWFT GTRS following the destruction of his home in Kharkiv in 2022. His new brand hopes to show that “even in the most hopeless situations, one can fulfill one’s dream”

Guitar World

“Its cutting-edge pickups put it beyond any guitar in its class”: Yamaha Pacifica Professional P12M review

Forget everything you know about Pacifica: Yamaha’s new Japan-built flagship is a stunning, pro-spec electric guitar that has to be played and heard to be believed

Guitar World

“If you are searching for a guitar that pushes the envelope in every capacity, look no further”: Vola Guitars has unveiled Michael Keene’s first ever Japanese-made signature guitar – and it’s received a significant tonal update

The OZ Keene Machine J1 follows The Faceless guitarist's Toxic Green Custom Shop model, but drafts in some key electronic changes

Guitar World

“It’s not just immaculate craft on show – it’s a real-world player’s guitar and would be a crime to keep cosseted in a case”: Nik Huber Krautster III review

We take advantage of the rare chance to get our hands on a Nik Huber guitar and celebrate 15 years of the stripped-down Krautster. Does guitar making get any better?

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