DARK SECRETS: 7 | Vintage Vibes

“At around $69, it’s hard to think of another pedal that’s so cheap, so reliable, and that so many famous players continue to use on their ’boards”: Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive review

We find out if the iconic yellow box of tone still has a place in the modern world

Guitar World · Aug 17

Eastwood debuts the Micawber, a Keith Richards-inspired Tele-type factory-fitted with five strings

The Rolling Stones guitarist famously deems the sixth string unnecessary when churning out open G riffs. Eastwood has built the Micawber with that in mind

Guitar World · Aug 17

“The studio manager came out with a guitar case and said, ‘We have something here that Jimi might have wanted you to have’”: Peter Frampton on how he ended up with one of Jimi Hendrix’s most experimental instruments

Frampton used the surprise gift when he was playing alongside David Bowie

Guitar World · Aug 17

"A superbly built, affordable reverb pedal that rivals pricier competitors": Klowra Limbo reverb review

This fully loaded reverb proves that affordable pedals can more than hold their own against the big guns

Guitar World · Aug 17

“I think they actually thought I was going to die, but they never took steps to kick me out of the band, which I can’t believe”: How Mike McCready overcame his addictions to form a grunge supergroup

Emerging from rehab in 1994 gave McCready a sense of purpose and clarity, and a newfound creativity as he put together Mad Season with Layne Staley on vocals

Guitar World · Aug 16

“My godfather played drums with Herbie Hancock, and he asked this guy to help me out on bass. Years later I found out it was Jaco”: How a chance family connection brought Raphael Saadiq a lesson with one of the greatest bass players of all time

Since breaking through as the frontman of Tony! Toni! Toné!, Raphael Saadiq has forged a career alongside A Tribe Called Quest, Snoop Dogg and Q-Tip, while playing a key role in the sound of D’Angelo’s acclaimed neo-soul albums

Guitar World · Aug 16

“They’re so scarce. Fender only made 200 and the majority of them have been monkeyed with”: The Stratocaster was in constant flux during its first year of production – and these two 1954 models prove it

We take a closer look at a pair of Strats that might share a birthday but have quite different sounds and specs, as Fender was evolving the design in real-time when it launched in ’54

Guitar World · Aug 16

“Herein lies the beauty of the blues”: Joe Bonamassa explains why varying your pick attack is a fundamental part of your playing style

Want to find your voice? Switch up your pick attack and put some character into your phrasing

Guitar World · Aug 16

“A very versatile wah pedal that has you covered for whatever style of music you play”: Dunlop Cry Baby BB535 Reissue review

First seen in 1994, updated in 1999 and reissued in 2026, Dunlop’s Cry Baby now comes with even more versatility

Guitar World · Aug 16

“I was a session guitarist for a bit, which is unbelievable because I can’t read music. I used to pretend to flip the music sheets during sessions!” Dan Hawkins says it’s a miracle The Darkness have survived so long

His most prized Gibson was made for Jimmy Page and contains an Angus Young pickup. He knows the difference between opening for Metallica and Iron Maiden. He knows kids hate AI. And there’s one thing that he can’t tell you for legal reasons

Guitar World · Aug 16