Articles | Guitar Center

Product Demos

Vintage Fender Stratocaster Shootout: 1957 vs. 1961 With Mason Stoops

Hear two vintage “holy grail” Fender Stratocasters—a 1957 and 1961—in this head-to-head shootout by session and touring guitarist Mason Stoops.

Mason Stoops Demos an All-Original 1960 Gibson ES-335 at Sunset Sound

Stoops takes the vintage 335 to Sunset Sound to plug into an “incredible” 1964 Fender Vibroverb—and explores what makes early ES-335s so iconic in terms of response, resonance and studio tone.

Product Demos
14 Jan 2026
Gibson Custom Keith Richards 1960 ES-355 Collector’s Edition | Uncommon Keef

Go behind the scenes of an exacting Gibson Custom Shop replica build of Keith Richards’ 1960 ES-355—what makes this ES-style classic a meticulous, stage-ready re-creation, from feel to tone.

Product Demos
12 Jan 2026
Inside the Iconic Fender Bass VI with Mason Stoops & Dave Maddux

Explore a legendary Fender Bass VI as Mason Stoops and Dave Maddux uncover its story inside Guitar Center Hollywood’s Vintage Room.

Product Demos
17 Dec 2025

News

NAMM Gear 2026: Everything You Need to Know (So Far)

What we know so far from NAMM 2026: the newest guitars, basses, drums, DJ, synth, and recording gear—sorted brand by brand in one roundup.

Guitar Center’s Inside the Noise Podcast on Music, Gear and Culture

Guitar Center is launching a new music industry podcast series, Inside the Noise. Mark your calendars for January 6, when the season’s first three episodes will drop.

News
24 Dec 2025
Guitar Center Celebrates Jimmy Cliff

Jimmy Cliff's passing this last weekend marks the loss of a global cultural figure, a fiercely creative spirit and, for many of us, the voice that guided our first steps into the world of reggae.

News
24 Nov 2025
Guitar Center & Gibson Present: Inside the Vintage Collector’s Circle With Billy Gibbons

Guitar Center and Gibson showcased rare vintage guitars in Nashville, with Billy Gibbons sharing stories and celebrating the art of timeless instruments.

News
21 Oct 2025

Gear Tips

The 1968 Fender Pink Paisley Telecaster Bass

Discover the rare 1968 Fender Pink Paisley Telecaster Bass and explore why this short-lived, psychedelic classic remains a coveted vintage treasure.

5 Ways a Wireless Guitar System Can Energize Your Show

Check out 5 ways a wireless guitar system can add some flexibility and liveliness to your set.

Gear Tips
10 Dec 2025
How to Get ’60s British Studio Tones | Best Plug-ins and Gear for Recording at Home

Learn how to bring classic ’60s British recording character into your home studio using plug-ins and outboard gear.

Gear Tips
05 Dec 2025
Top 5 Reasons to Use Microphones Over Digital Models & Samples

In this article, we’ll reflect on five reasons to reach for a microphone and capture your own sounds instead of going straight to the sample library.

Gear Tips
26 Nov 2025

Buying Guides

We’ve selected five books we feel will help transform you into the guitar player you want to be.

How to Choose the Best Epiphone Les Paul

Epiphone Les Paul guitars are excellent values for beginners and skilled players alike. Get inspired by our picks of vintage and modern styled Les Pauls.

Buying Guides
14 Jan 2026
Our Favorite Home Recording Gear of 2025

Let’s rip right into our top recording gear picks of 2025.

Buying Guides
24 Dec 2025
Our Favorite Keys, Synths and Drum Machines of 2025

Without getting too sentimental about 2025, let’s rip right into our top keys, synths and drum machine picks of the year.

Buying Guides
24 Dec 2025

Interviews

Inside the Noise Episode 4: Thomas Ripsam of Martin Guitar

Guitar Center CEO Gabe Dalporto talks with Martin Guitar CEO Thomas Ripsam about leading a heritage brand and why the future of acoustic guitars is as much about inspiration as it is about tone.

Inside the Noise Episode 3: Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers

Guitar Center’s Gabe Dalporto chats with the ever-versatile, heavy-hitting drummer to learn what makes him tick.

Interviews
06 Jan 2026
Inside the Noise Episode 2: Paul Reed Smith of PRS Guitars

In this edition of the Inside the Noise, Guitar Center’s Gabe Dalporto joins Paul Reed Smith at his namesake guitar factory in Annapolis, Maryland.

Interviews
06 Jan 2026
Inside the Noise Episode 1: Andy Mooney of Fender

Gabe Dalporto sits down with Fender CEO Andy Mooney to explore how a pioneering past fuels future innovation.

Interviews
06 Jan 2026