Gear & Rigs
Jackson X Series Soloist SLX: The Budget Soloist Nobody Famous Actually Plays
No shred icon plays the Jackson X Series Soloist SLX — but a Japanese gothic metal guitarist was caught on camera with one. Here's the real story.
budget guitar
Gear & Rigs
Jackson JS22 Dinky Arch Top: Not Named for Satriani
The Jackson JS22 Dinky Arch Top has nothing to do with Joe Satriani — "JS" means Jackson Series. Here's the real story behind metal's budget entry point.
Gear & Rigs
Ibanez RG421: The Budget RG That CHON Actually Toured With
Vai, Satriani, and Gilbert never touched this budget RG. CHON's two guitarists actually toured with it — here's the real story behind the Ibanez RG421.
Gear & Rigs
Epiphone Dot: The Beginner’s Semi-Hollow That Josh Homme Turned Into a Stoner Rock Weapon
The Epiphone Dot is tagged a beginner jazz-blues guitar, but Josh Homme used one on QOTSA's heaviest record. History, specs, and buying guide inside.
Gear & Rigs
Epiphone Les Paul Junior: The One-Pickup Rebellion That Refuses to Die
How Epiphone's stripped-down Les Paul Junior turned a 1954 budget guitar into punk rock's most honest weapon, from Billie Joe Armstrong to Johnny Thunders.
Gear & Rigs
Epiphone Les Paul Special: The Second Pickup That Changed Everything
How Epiphone's Les Paul Special adds a second P-90 and real tonal range to the Junior formula, from Bob Marley's reggae skank to modern punk rock.