Guitarist (magazine)

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Guitarist is a British monthly magazine about playing guitar, published by Future plc. First issued in 1984, it’s one of Europe’s oldest guitar titles and is one of the UK’s best-selling guitar magazines. The editor is Jamie Dickson, who has held the role since 2013.

Each issue mixes gear coverage, artist interviews, and playing technique. You’ll find reviews of electric and acoustic guitars, amplifiers, pedals, basses, and recording gear, along with features on the guitar industry and news. Interviews tend to focus on the artist’s gear, playing style, and approach to the guitar, often including performances.

Gear reviews come in two main forms. First Play reviews appear near the front and spotlight new, high-end gear with strong photography. In the back, Feature Reviews go into greater detail and may explore the instrument’s history or behind‑the‑scenes stories. Every reviewed product usually has a video demonstration, either in the issue or via a private YouTube playlist linked in the magazine. The iPad edition also lets you watch videos offline.

Guitarist also runs long-form Q&As, a six-month long-term test of recent gear, and regular technique content. It has historically focused on blues, folk, and classic rock, but now covers a wide range of guitar-based genres, including jazz, metal, country, and modern styles. Feature stories highlight specific guitars or genres, and there are artist-focused pieces and “Aces” features that profile notable players and their methods. Tuition material includes tablature and multimedia demos.

In addition to the monthly magazine, Guitarist has released special editions and companion guides, and launched a quarterly Acoustic edition in 2013. The magazine’s digital presence has grown since 2011, with various online formats and video/video demos linked through the site and YouTube. Since 2020, GuitarWorld.com has hosted Guitarist content along with its sister titles. The title is based in Bath, England, and published in English. Circulation was about 14,000 in 2024.

Website: guitarist.co.uk.