I Heart Guitar

Nov 17, 2024 | iheartguitarblog.com | Peter Hodgson

I’ve been on a bit of a string journey with my Gibson Les Paul lately. I’m always on the lookout for something that offers that perfect balance of feel, tension, and tonal clarity, and of course when you’re talking about a Les Paul you’re also be paying special attention to that famously finicky G string. Enter the Ernie Ball Silver Slinky designed for John Mayer. The gauges Mayer and Ernie Ball have selected here are pretty unusual.

Sep 29, 2024 | iheartguitarblog.com | Peter Hodgson

Richie Kotzen is one of the most prolific musicians in rock. This is a guy who recorded an album of 50 songs to celebrate his 50th birthday, an artist whose material has evolved from hard rock and shred to blues, R&B and fusion, a band member who breathed new life into Poison and Mr. Big, and who made up one third of The Winery Dogs, a classic rock-influenced supergroup with Billy Sheehan and Mike Portnoy that gave us three killer records. Now Kotzen is back with Nomad, his latest solo album.

Sep 19, 2024 | iheartguitarblog.com | Peter Hodgson

Frank Gambale’s contribution to guitar is immeasurable. His pioneering development and use of sweep picking changed the way lead guitarists approached the instrument, and his instructional material – even the stuff that came out decades ago – is still studied by guitarists to this day. But Frank Gambale is about much more than technique. His melodic choices. His sense of storytelling and drama within a solo. The musical environments he explores.

Apr 16, 2024 | iheartguitarblog.com | Peter Hodgson

PRESS RELEASE: Cort® Guitars invites you to soak in the warmth and allure of the new Solencanto classical guitar. With a moniker derived from the Spanish for “sun” (sol) and “charm” (encanto), this finely crafted, premium instrument delivers unparalleled performance and tone sure to satisfy even the most selective of players. Boasting distinctive aesthetics and exceptional materials, the Solencanto is an ambitious and detailed build.

Apr 4, 2024 | iheartguitarblog.com | Peter Hodgson

One of my favourite instruments in my collection is my Squier Vintage Modified Bass VI. I wanted a Bass VI ever since I first learned about the instrument via its appearance in This Is Spinal Tap – remember the guitar that Nigel wouldn’t even let director Marty Di Bergi look at? – and finally pulled the trigger when funds allowed a while back. The current Squier model is part of the Classic Vibe series and it’s an affordable way to get in on the Bass VI phenomenon.