guitarz news: Stars' First Guitars, Amp Gain Stages 101, Yamaha & Sound City Reviews, Funky Double-Stops Lesson, Wilson Effects First Look, and More!

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A dozen pro prayers share the story behind the first 6-string they ever had. Read about Al Di Meola's Christmas Guild, Paul Gilbert's Stella, the Steve Vai-signed Ibanez RG that Nita Strauss once coveted and now owns, and more.

All the World's a Gain Stage

A beginner's guide to what makes tube amps growl, bark, and purr—from preamp tubes to output transformers and every cathode in between.

Yamaha CSF3M Review

Silky playability, sublime sounds, and top quality add up to a small-body super value.


Stoppin' on a Dime: Using Double- and Triple-Stops to Enhance Your Grooves Get on the good foot with a handful of soulful, gospel-inspired riffs from Snarky Puppy's guitarist.
Sound City SC30 Review This '60s-inspired combo is a minimalist monster.
First Look: Wilson Effects Slapback Nashville correspondent John Bohlinger uses his custom big-bodied PRS jazzbox to demo the dual delays that swarm from subtle waves to oscillation escapades.
Trash or Treasure: Epiphone PR7E A reader's curious preschooler finds an old guitar in a spare room. The reader smartly inquiries about its value before handing it over to a 4-year-old.

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