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
![Jackson Pro Series Roman Ibramkhalilov MDK HT6 Baritone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vZr8t4rtZzdAqLsh5B3ymn-320-80.jpg)
“It’s unique”: Jackson breaks the mould for Jinjer guitarist Roman Ibramkhalilov’s new baritone
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Jinjer guitarist's baritone has gone through a years-long evolutionary process and with a 27" scale and Gotoh hardtail it has everything you need for metal riffs, nothing you don't
![Positive Grid Spark 2](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d9K8bTjCmRZrPPmpZkBfKA-320-80.jpg)
Positive Grid unveils Spark 2, upping the ante for practice-friendly digital guitar amps
By Jonathan Horsley published
Positive Grid unveils the second-generation of its groundbreaking smart guitar amp, with upgraded FRFR speakers for an immersive sound, new amp models, AI-assisted tone search and more
![Donner Hush I-Pro](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fUXpxoSECHdFuWmYs9929K-320-80.jpg)
Donner’s Hush I-Pro is a travel guitar for the 21st-century, with FX, IRs and features galore
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Hush I-Pro has a whole suite of tone-shaping features for practice, performance and on-the-go recording, including 18 factory presets, 5-band EQ and metronome
![Epiphone Yungblud SG Junior](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qy4bsrsM9zc32WiL6aLt3g-320-80.jpg)
Epiphone channels Yungblud heroes Angus Young and Billie Joe Armstrong for his signature SG Special
By Jonathan Horsley published
Yungblud's limited edition signature model is one of the worst-kept secrets in guitar but it might still surprise some people at how versatile a single-pickup electric like this can be
![Blackstar Debut 100R 112](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BWyLgkUMSBUmpSLDz5CcLi-320-80.jpg)
An affordable pedalboard platform? Blackstar expands Debut series with the 100R 1x12 and 2x12 combos
By Jonathan Horsley published
Blackstar expands affordable Debut series with the 100R offered in 1x12 and 2x12 configurations, with a choice of cream or black vinyl coverings, switchable power from 100W to 5W
![Jam Pedals Rattler MkII](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MuBSQSBVXY7bnrh7Kh9vkC-320-80.jpg)
Jam Pedals’ Rattler MkII adds switchable clipping and mid boost to Rat-inspired distortion pedal
By Jonathan Horsley published
The LM308 chips that made the original formula so desirable might be gone, but Jam Pedals has promises the same “open, dynamic, and tube amp feel” with extra tone-shaping features
![Mooer Audio GTRS M810 Intelligent Guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/adxny7EQGokkpZEKH4sAnn-320-80.jpg)
Mooer Audio unveils the M810, its upgraded next-gen “Intelligent Guitar” with 126 onboard effects
By Jonathan Horsley published
With its myriad effects, looper and drum machine, the M810 has the same digital functionality as its the M800 but comes with a poplar burst top, a new neck and updated hardware
![Jason Newsted with his 3-string Tony Levin Ernie Ball Music Man bass](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ob72hpZmyp27eihQ8HNCXG-320-80.jpg)
Jason Newsted to sell 60+ stage and studio-played basses and vintage guitars in Reverb shop
By Jonathan Horsley published
Newsted's garage sale re-revisited will be officially open online on 24 July
![PRS SE LTD SAND-BLASTED SWAMP ASH](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oBDMJJunWdsyVUynGVyiXV-320-80.jpg)
“These guitars are more than just eye-candy”: PRS unveils swamp ash SE CE 24 in sandblasted finishes
By Jonathan Horsley published
We have seen sandblasted swamp ash-topped models from PRS before but this is the first time they are getting a worldwide release, with five colour finishes to choose from
![Harley Benton DC Custom Series](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SuSmJ2Zp4TqS8eZaHJJR2A-320-80.jpg)
Harley Benton unveils refreshed DC-Custom II Series, including an epic EDS-1275-alike for 500 bucks
By Jonathan Horsley published
Here is a budget-friendly guitar release for those on a highway to hell or taking their first steps on a stairway to heaven
![Sammy Hagar and Joe Satriani onstage in 2014, both in red, Satch playing a red Ibanez JS1](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5VkZHtGMvJT5bYZsgU3267-320-80.jpg)
Sammy Hagar explains why no one is better than Joe Satriani at nailing Eddie Van Halen’s style
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Red Rocker's ringing endorsement of Satch's EVH guitar skills arrives as The Best Of All Worlds Tour revs up and video highlights emerge online. But what makes Satriani the man?
![Blackstar TV-10 A](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Pi4uHAQqoZM8mBb8v4PgHB-320-80.jpg)
Blackstar channels the spirit and tones of vintage US amps for its new 1x12 TV-10 A tube combo
By Jonathan Horsley published
The TV-10 A is one classy Class A 10W tube amp, with a 12" Celestion driver, a 6L6 in the power amp, and an effects loop, digital reverb and emulated line out
![Strandberg Jacob Collier Djesse limited edition](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Wku3YkCzRZqoxS9ztEegEW-320-80.jpg)
Jacob Collier’s Strandberg 5-string is out now; tuned to DAEAD, it’s like nothing we’ve seen before
By Jonathan Horsley published
Collier's Boden JC 5 Djesse is accompanied by a six-string in standard tuning, but there is nothing standard about these banana yellow limited edition Strandbergs
![A split-screen image of session ace Michael Thompson playing Earth Song for Vertex Effects YouTube Channel](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CK4fYgbWtJrjLUtrQkmdHW-320-80.jpg)
Michael Thompson on his biggest session hits, including “dream” gig with Mutt Lange and Shania Twain
By Jonathan Horsley published
In a recent video interview, Thompson reflects on his career with Michael Bolton, Toni Braxton, Shania Twain and more, and talks about that time he showed Michael Jackson how an EBow worked
![Catalinbread Bitters](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nhyTygz35DsHL9XPAFbxgW-320-80.jpg)
Catalinbread unveils Bitters – “a multi-effects device on steroids” inspired by the Alesis Bitrman
By Jonathan Horsley published
Bitcrusher, decimator, frequency modulation and ring modulation combine with distortion and phaser for fresh and bonkers sounds for your pedalboard
![Best electric guitars: PRS McCarty 594](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fthQF7xz7V5coEShUuRUQZ-320-80.jpg)
Ever wondered how PRS makes its guitar necks? This video walks you through the meticulous process
By Jonathan Horsley published
This behind the scenes video shot from the factory floor at PRS's factory in Maryland documents a meticulous build process in which there are no shortcuts
![D'Addario Auto Lock Swivel Strap](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jBvvkjFbbonxA9UfQdD7BZ-320-80.jpg)
Joe Satriani and D’Addario might just have put an end to the curse of twisted guitar straps
By Jonathan Horsley published
No more twisted straps? Designed for guitars with a rear-facing strap button, the Auto Lock Swivel Strap is the brainchild of Satch and headless guitar design trailblazer Ned Steinberger
![Josh Homme onstage in Fuengirola, Spain, at a 2024 show with QOTSA. He plays a Echopark Esperanto Z offset semi-hollow](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VyhVkMV8M5bw97J2TZwpM-320-80.jpg)
Queens Of The Stone Age cancel European dates, Josh Homme to return to US for “emergency surgery”
By Jonathan Horsley published
The frontman is to return to the US immediately, leaving string of dates across Europe cancelled
![Gibson ES Supreme](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RAK9QM7mFzvVagRdrzY7No-320-80.jpg)
Gibson rolls out the ES Supreme – the most versatile ES-335 might just be the best dressed
By Jonathan Horsley published
High-end style meets function with an exquisite AAA maple topped semi that's fitted with a compound radius fingerboard, Burstbucker pickups with coil-taps, and locking tuners
![Fender Player II series](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6xWcofjgWunVZ4J4DivMdD-320-80.jpg)
“The new benchmark for quality and performance at this price”: Fender unveils the Player II Series
By Jonathan Horsley published
Fender ups the ante for its mid-priced electric guitars and basses, with player-friendly appointments, the triumphant return of rosewood fingerboards, and some stunning finishes
![Dickey and son Duane Betts jam together onstage back in 2007](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sPZVM4aPKwgKV3MpADounJ-320-80.jpg)
“He had such a beautiful way of phrasing”: Duane Betts pays tribute to his late father, Dickey
By Jonathan Horsley published
In a new interview, Betts reflects on the legacy of his father, Dickey, the influence he had on his own playing, and what made the late Allman Brothers Band co-founder such a special guitarist
![Weekend Warrior Creative Lab demo two Marshall stacks in empty warehouse](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8nrJpqmbwrompPRGCRHRsd-320-80.jpg)
Strats ’n’ stripes: Watch The Star-Spangled Banner played through dimed Marshalls in empty warehouse
By Jonathan Horsley published
Two gear nuts go full on Strats ’n’ stripes in a deserted 250,000 sq ft warehouse, and it sounds magnificent
![DigiTech JamMan Solo HD](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WKV6H7EvYxGHALQeZodZAJ-320-80.jpg)
DigiTech unveils JamMan Solo HD – a stereo super-looper for live performance, practice and writing
By Jonathan Horsley published
Powered by a next gen 32-bit audio converter, the JamMan Solo HD is a feature-stacked looper that allows you to transfer and manage loops, and sync up with other loopers
![Joe Perry onstage with Aerosmith blind his hybrid S-style with Telecaster headstock](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JyTsfyAZmZAgPVV8NQ4oAh-320-80.jpg)
Joe Perry says today’s guitars rival golden era vintage models, shares advice for Klon hunters
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Aerosmith guitarist has a formidable stockpile of vintage gear but argues you that the new gear is just as good, and more affordable too
![The Utero Sessions IR Pack](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pndPbzBCZb27kmPPn6jxPH-320-80.jpg)
Nail Kurt Cobain’s sound – Nirvana tone guru Aaron Rash unveils The Utero Sessions IR Pack
By Jonathan Horsley published
After two years of extensive research, YouTuber and Nirvana tone expert Aaron Rash unveils his IR pack so you can nail the In Utero tones without losing your shirt on the vintage market
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