Total Guitar issue 281 is on sale in print and digitally from today.
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Cover feature: Eddie Van Halen
We last spoke to him back in issue 9, now, 272 issues on, this month's mag features an exclusive interview - the first in any UK guitar mag for over 10 years - with Eddie Van Halen. We travelled to Eddie's 5150 Studios to talk to him in person about his EVH guitar brand, his pioneering approach to gear, and the groundbreaking techniques that have made him one of the most influential guitar players of all time. As well as our nine-page interview, we've got over 20 lessons showing you how to nail Eddie's famous harmonic, tapping, picking and whammy techniques.
Weezer
Another first for at least 10 years is Rivers Cuomo's interview this month. In a rare guitar interview, we quizzed one of alt-rock's best-loved players his huge tone and returnto his love for writing infectious rock anthems
Pendulum
Pendulum are back! This month, Peredur ap Gwynedd, gunslinger for the dance-rock titans plays host to TG for our Rig Tour
Prince
We salute the Purple One's guitar mastery
Lonely The Brave
LTB return with their second album, and a whole lotta nice gear!
Gojira
Slash loves them, and you should too. We catch up with the band who are pushing metal forward
Ben Harper
Soul! Slide! The secrets of Ben Harper's creativity
Learn To Play…
Classic Track: Lynyrd Skynyrd 'Sweet Home Alabama'
Open Mic Songbook: George Ezra 'Blame It on Me'
Prince: Three must-learn riffs
Radiohead: 'Paranoid Android' (riff)
Gear
The best new gear, rocked and rated. This month:
Godin Session Custom '59
Boss VE-8 Acoustic/vocal effects
Danelectro '64
Martin Westside Customs
Faith Nomad
Vox AC15CH
Plus loads more!
“You would get suspended for even having a guitar”: Brian May says it was “illegal” to have a guitar at his school – but he and his friends played during lunch hour anyway
“Gibson was able to put the universe on it… the planet Mercury is here, and that is a little nod to a friend of mine”: Inspired by the stars and co-designed by the Queen guitarist, Gibson unveils exquisite Brian May SJ-200 12-String
