Jonathan Horsley
Jonathan Horsley has been writing about guitars and guitar culture since 2005, playing them since 1990, and regularly contributes to MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitar World. He uses Jazz III nylon picks, 10s during the week, 9s at the weekend, and shamefully still struggles with rhythm figure one of Van Halen’s Panama.
Latest articles by Jonathan Horsley
Shergold Masquerader Standard SM11 review
By Jonathan Horsley published
Another home run from Patrick James Eggle? This Masquerader could be the real deal for those seeking an affordable doublecut with a difference
NAMM 2025: Verso unveils Sine, a totally unique electric guitar with a freely movable pickup system
By Jonathan Horsley published
Just when you think you have seen it all, along comes the Verso Sine, with its moveable pickups and Sine pad that allows you to mechanically control the volume for swells and tremolo effects
Walrus Audio expands utility range with the Canvas Rehearsal, a practice tool for your pedalboard
By Jonathan Horsley published
Plug your guitar in, send audio to the Canvas Rehearsal via Bluetooth or cable, and there are a number of customisable metronome features on hand to make you a better player
A backline icon returns as Mesa/Boogie officially releases twin-channel 90s Dual Rectifier
By Jonathan Horsley published
The sound of '90s hard-rock, metal and grunge lives again
Orianthi on what she learned from Michael Jackson and the King of Pop's ear for guitar tone
By Jonathan Horsley published
The pop icon died before Orianthi got the chance to play live with him but the intensity of the rehearsals left a lasting impression on the Aussie guitar phenom
“Inspired by the popular Iron Label series”: The new Ibanez Blackout acoustics are… kinda metal
By Jonathan Horsley published
Three fresh cutaway electro-acoustics from Ibanez for those who enjoy throwing the horns while playing cowboy chords around the campfire – and there is even a 7-string
“One of the most unique pieces to come through our showroom”: Mike Bloomfield’s '66 Tele for sale
By Jonathan Horsley published
Restored to its original specs, steeped in mojo, played by one of the all-time greats, this Tele could be yours for a cool $325,000. And judging by the demo videos, it sounds as good as it ever did.
Mooer unveils the Hornet 15W Li, a digital combo with rechargeable battery and heaps of amps and FX
By Jonathan Horsley published
The latest edition of the Hornet has a rechargeable lithium battery for on-the-go practice, presets, individual tap tempo buttons for modulation and delay types, Bluetooth, and it weighs just just 2.9kg
Ibanez unveils AZ series S-styles, offering flame-maple finishes and dyna-MIX switching for $549
By Jonathan Horsley published
These grown-up hot-rodded S-styles are supremely versatile and are decked out in premium features such as jumbo stainless steel frets and roasted maple necks
“There is still no power but we have survived”: Joe Bonamassa returns to Nerdville West, after LA wildfires threaten home and vintage gear collection
By Jonathan Horsley published
Bonamassa says fires raged in Studio City and Runyon Canyon and could "easily" have taken Nerdville as a red flag warning of critical fire conditions remains in place across LA and southern California
Mesa/Boogie announces imminent return of the two-channel Dual Rectifier
By Jonathan Horsley published
Mesa/Boogie says the classic high-gain head will be reissued on 14 January
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter to perform at NAMM 2025 and present TEC Innovation Award to Jack White
By Jonathan Horsley published
The legendary Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers guitarist will host NAMM’s 40th annual TEC Awards and appear at seminars on song structure, music marketing, and sound therapy
One of Status Quo legend Rick Parfitt’s stage-played Fender Telecasters is up for sale
By Jonathan Horsley published
It might not be the modded circa 1960 model that was the late Quo man's main stage guitar but this white Tele is worth rocking all over the world
Steve Vai on the King Crimson riff that had him beat – and how a tip from Fripp helped him nail it
By Jonathan Horsley published
Celebrating the ‘80s material of prog trailblazers King Crimson, the BEAT Tour gave Vai a welcome fix of “high-information music” but some of Fripp’s material pushed him to the limit
Keeley Electronics and Sweetwater team up for exclusive $99 fuzz, overdrive and reverb pedal series
By Jonathan Horsley published
Behold, a trio of US-made stompboxes from a top-tier builder at a very budget-friendly price
Mesa/Boogie founder Randall Smith on how his high-gain amps were influenced by hotrodded muscle cars
By Jonathan Horsley published
In his latest YouTube video, Smith talks tubes, the similarities between automobile and amp hotrodding culture, and admits that not everybody understood his quest for more distortion
Scottish guitarist teaches himself to play one-handed after suffering “devastating” stroke
By Jonathan Horsley published
Tony Romaine was told he might not play again but he had other ideas, relearning the guitar and making his return to the stage
Orianthi played live on television for millions of viewers using her $219 Orange practice amp
By Jonathan Horsley published
Do you really need an expensive amp after all? For one of Orianthi's biggest gigs of 2024, her signature solid-state 1x8" combo got the job done
Phil Collen says Mutt Lange is an ace “one take” vocalist – and it’s the same with guitar
By Jonathan Horsley published
For Collen, working with Lange is like “going to school for your favourite subject” but recreating the studio magic live on Def Leppard tracks such as Love Bites can be very tricky at first
Schecter’s Ink Bomb C-1 is a Seymour Duncan-equipped electric with a wholly unique finish
By Jonathan Horsley published
Abstract expressionism runs rampant in the Schecter paint room
D’Addario launches wireless pedalboard power supply with adjustable daisy chain for tidier ‘boards
By Jonathan Horsley published
Go off grid – or stay on – with a D'Addario's USB-C rechargeable pedalboard power solution that promises less clutter, zero noise
Ernie Ball Music Man and James Valentine launch 2024 signature models: stunning, high-end, versatile
By Jonathan Horsley published
Refreshed in old-school colours for 2024, the new James Valentine models comprise dual-humbucker and classic single-coil/humbucker versions
Red Witch Pedals has made 99 different Univibes for its "one-of-one" Pax Harmonia chorus/vibrato
By Jonathan Horsley published
Each of the Pax Harmonia Unique Incandescent Univibe pedals are one-of-one designs, featuring dual modes and an expression pedal input, and you can create a blend of its chorus and vibrato sounds
“You could split the atom with this”: Jackson Pro Series DR24MG EVTN6 Diamond Rowe review
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Tetrarch riffer-in-chief drops a gem on ‘em with a heavyweight single-cut for super-heavy sounds
Epic auction raises more than $2.4m for music and youth charities as O.G. ’54 Strat sells at $300k
By Jonathan Horsley published
Lots included a stunning 1953 Fender Telecaster ($75,000), a super-rare Metallic Green '55 Strat ($143,750) and an '80s Kramer prototype that was smashed by Eddie Van Halen
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