General Interest

Ad feature with Martin Guitar

How do you pack the classic Martin tone into a smaller instrument better suited for portability? The answer lies in Martin’s Junior Series, which pairs a familiar 24.9” scale length with smaller bodies across the brand’s Dreadnought and 000 blueprints, meaning more portable instruments with the same iconic – and big – Martin sound.

The newly overhauled Junior Series arrives nine years after Martin made its beloved Dreadnought smaller with the Dreadnought Junior, and sits in the brand’s lineup as its most accessible range of acoustic guitars.

• READ MORE: Learn how Martin guitars are shaped by the iconic musicians who play them in the 2025 Martin Journal

The series comprises seven models in total, three 000s, three Dreadnoughts and even an acoustic bass. I’ve been fortunate enough to check out two of them – the D Jr E and 000 Jr E Sapele – and I can confirm that that ‘small guitar, big sound’ ethos certainly checks out.

Both guitars, like the rest of the Junior Series, feature 24.9-inch scale lengths for a familiar Martin acoustic feel, but with a slightly smaller-than-usual body which saves both space and weight, perfect if you’re someone who takes your guitar on the move regularly.

Elsewhere, every guitar in the Junior Series is crafted with a bevelled fingerboard edge, so whether you’re playing chords in the lower registers or intricate leads in the upper, this feature contributes to a truly comfortable playing experience.

In the interest of portability, each Junior Series acoustic comes with a built-in tuner, as part of a Martin-designed E1 electronics system. This also includes volume and tone controls, and an option to reverse the phase by 180 degrees, which can decrease feedback and increase bass response, if so desired.

First of the two guitars I’m demoing in the video above, the D Jr E offers the power and timeless aesthetic of a Martin Dreadnought in a more travel-friendly size, and one better suited to people with smaller frames. In terms of build, this guitar features a sapele back and sides for warmth, punchy mids and clear trebles, paired with a spruce top for crisp tone and superior dynamic range.

Meanwhile the other guitar you see here is the 000 Jr E Sapele, which sports an all-sapele build for a more vintage-inspired look. Further visual appointments include a sleek satin finish, as well as faux abalone inlays.

Of course, guitars marketed as travel guitars would be no good without a bag for safekeeping, so you’ll be glad to know that each Junior Series model comes with its own softshell case.

So whether you’re looking for the perfect acoustic guitar to take on the go, or simply an instrument with a smaller form factor to add to your collection, Martin’s Junior Series is certainly the way to go.

For more information on the Junior Series, head to Martin.

The post Meet the new Martin Junior Series: small guitars, big Martin sound appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.

Oasis engineer Nick Brine has revealed how he acquired the legendary Takamine Acoustic that Noel Gallagher wrote Wonderwall on. The fateful moment was back in the ’90s when Oasis were working on Be Here Now, and Brine was working closely with the band as a mix engineer at Abbey Road’s Studio Two.

According to the BBC, the incident that led to Brine acquiring the instrument was a fight that broke out between the two Gallagher brothers, allegedly over a comment that Noel had made about Liam in the news. Liam Gallagher was reportedly hungover from the night before: “I’m in Abbey Road’s Studio Two setting up equipment and hungover myself, then looking up I saw a guitar come flying over from the control room” Brine recalls.

• READ MORE: Matt Bellamy’s signature Manson Meta MBM-2H returns in Red Sparkle, adds Satin Olive Green and new hardware options
  

Nick had worked with Oasis on (What’s The Story) Morning Glory, and knew to leave Liam alone if such “flashpoints” occurred. However, chaos ensued well before Noel Gallagher had entered the building, and Liam was causing some real damage in the studio: “Noel’s Fender Jag [was] smashed to bits. I run to the control room and Liam also made a big dent in Abbey Road’s mixing desk.”

Oasis’s Abbey Road mix engineer says he also witnessed firsthand the moment when his own acoustic guitar went “flying over the top and [lay] in a thousand pieces on the floor…” It was shortly after that Noel Gallagher came in and asked “what the hell is going on?”

The two brothers argued over whose acoustic guitar was smashed, before Nick sheepishly admitted to Liam it was his. “Then there was a big argument about who was going to buy me a new one. I told them it’s not valuable but it has quite sentimental value as my mum gave it to me”, Nick says. Liam offered to take Nick to Denmark Street for a replacement, but Noel was not having any of it. “What do you know about guitars?” he quipped.

After some heated discussion, and even an apologetic phone call to Nick’s own mother, Noel handed him the Takamine Acoustic that he had not only played Wonderwall on, but had also played at the Knebworth and MTV Unplugged concerts. “I was gobsmacked, I said ‘it’s OK, it’s fine’ but Noel insisted I take it…”

Since then, Nick has had to insure the guitar, and according to the BBC, some auction houses estimate that it would command around £100,000 if he were to ever sell it.

Oasis will begin their highly anticipated 2025 run of shows in early July. For more info, head to their official website.

The post “That’s the one I played Wonderwall on!”: How a guitar-smashing bust-up between Liam and Noel Gallagher led to a studio engineer owning an iconic Oasis guitar appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.

An automatic tuner uses robotics to sense the pitch of a plucked guitar string and automatically tune it to the correct note. Several brands have developed their take on the technology, but Band Industries reckons its developed the best yet with its Roadie 4.

Designed with “completely re-engineered algorithms and upgraded audio circuitry”, the fourth generation of the brand’s Roadie tuner tunes up your strings with one pluck, no fuss.

• READ MORE: Matt Bellamy’s signature Manson Meta MBM-2H returns in Red Sparkle, adds Satin Olive Green and new hardware options
  

All you need to do is place the tuner on one of your tuning pegs, pluck a string, and the device will do the work for you, based on the tuning you tell it to set it to prior.

Using its built-in contact microphone, the Roadie 4 analyses pitch through vibrations, and is essentially noise-immune, allowing you to tune up without worrying about your environment’s noise levels.

A demo video shows the tuner in action, with Roadie’s CTO and co-founder Bassam Jalgha tuning up his guitar. After selecting an open D tuning, the Roadie 4 has him fully tuned up in around 30 seconds – and it probably would have taken less time were he not explaining the tech at the same time.

As well as the tuning precision improvements, the Roadie 4 also has an anti-slip backing and a bigger 1.9” LCD display screen. The new scroll wheel also allows users to navigate through features with ease, meaning you can quickly flick through the 150+ built-in tunings styles.

The Roadie 4 also has a wider selection of instrumental tuning options available, now able to tune acoustic, electric, mandolins, banjos, ukeleles, and lap guitars. This is possible thanks to the re-designed peg connector, now upgraded to grip both bigger and smaller pegs. However, it still can’t tune a bass – but the company does have a specialised Roadie Bass tuner for that.

The device also has a built-in metronome with optional beep and vibration modes, as well as a battery that should last for months at a time.

“Roadie 4 is our most powerful and user-friendly tuner to date, built to make tuning faster, more precise, and effortless,” Band Industries explains. “With cutting-edge vibration detection, completely revamped audio circuitry and algorithms, a high-torque motor, and improved resistance to background noise, Roadie 4 delivers flawless, reliable tuning, whether you’re at home, on stage, or in the studio.”

The Roadie Tuner app has also had a bit of an upgrade to help you log each string change. It’s a perfect way of keeping tabs on what strings and gauges you’ve been using, or just a good way of setting reminders for when you might need to swap your strings out for new ones.

While the product’s Kickstarter campaign has far exceeded its initial £7,458 goal, currently sitting at £118,480, you can still back the project. You can pledge $39 to simply back the project and receive Roadie T-shirt, but you’ll have to pay $109 to get a Roadie 4 – which is $30 cheaper than the retail value of the tuner.

For more information, head to the Roadie 4 Kickstarter campaign.

The post The automatic Roadie 4 makes tuning “faster, more precise and more effortless” than ever before appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.

Distinctive signature versions of the Stratocaster and Jazz Bass are as vibey as Khruangbin’s jams.

From cutting-edge pickups to museum-worthy display cases, this Acoustic Gear Showcase is packed with tools to elevate your tone—and your space. Whether you're chasing pristine plugged-in sound, ergonomic performance upgrades, or just a serious vibe boost, these six standouts from Godin, Walden, Mojotone, LAG, and more deliver the goods.

Nashville Guitar Habitat

A wall-mounted showcase designed for your most prized instrument. The Nashville safely hangs and displays a variety of guitar bodies in a solid wood and tempered glass case. Includes a locking door, adjustable LED lighting, and your choice of Boveda passive humidification or AMF's 1.5q Active humidification system.

Godin Multiac Nylon Opalburst / Oceanburst

The Godin Multiac Nylon Opal Burst and Ocean Burst, inspired by Godin artists Opal Ocean, feature stunning flame tops and matching headstocks. Made in Canada, they deliver the exceptional tone and playability that have made the Multiac the gold standard for plugged-in nylon-string guitars.

Quiet Coil NC-2 Mic/Blend Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Pickup

The Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-2 is equipped with new, groundbreaking mic technology that puts this acoustic soundhole pickup into a league of its own when it comes to pure and natural acoustic guitar sound. Our mission was to combine our incredibly natural sounding “mic-voiced” and noise-canceling NC-1 magnetic pickup.

Peter Stroud Signature Slides

Designed by Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow and Close Enemies) to help create the tones in his head and heart. Peter has been a big fan of RMSC and we are thrilled to be able to offer a real "official" tone tool just for him. It’s made out of FireCracker Aluminum for speed and tone.

HyVibe Series

Unlock your creativity! The new LAG HyVibe H2 Series blends craftsmanship with technology, offering built-in effects, looping, and Bluetooth. Pair with the optional HyVibe FS-2 or FS-4 pedal for expanded control of effects and looper functions. No amp required, just pure inspiration.

Walden Natura G633RCE-G

Get the best sound out of every strum with Walden’s low-mass scalloped-X bracing and glass-fibre reinforced neck. This Grand Auditorium cutaway-electric features an ergonomic armrest—usually found on pricier instruments. A warm, resonant solid Cedar soundboard, paired with African Ovangkol, accentuated by a UV-cured gloss finish and offset position markers.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably caught wind of The Who’s recent drummer drama: Zak Starkey was fired, briefly reinstated, then fired again for good, all in the span of a few chaotic weeks.

Now, in a new interview with The i Paper, Who guitarist Pete Townshend opens up about the whole saga involving the band’s longtime drummer, offering some candid (and carefully worded) thoughts on working with frontman Roger Daltrey.

• READ MORE: “Pete had to go along with it because he’s had 60 years of arguing with Roger”: Zak Starkey reveals why he was fired from The Who

“It’s been a mess,” Townshend says. Asked about the Albert Hall incident – where Daltrey publicly called out Starkey mid-show for allegedly overplaying during The Song Is Over – he admits, “I couldn’t see anything wrong. What you see is a band who haven’t played together for a long time. But I think it was probably to do with the sound. I’ve lost my sound man as a result.”

“I think Roger just got lost. Roger’s finding it difficult,” Townshend adds. “I have to be careful what I say about Roger because he gets angry if I say anything about him at all. He’ll be sacking me next. But that’s not to say that he sacked Zak. It’s a decision Roger and I tried to make together, but it kind of got out of hand.”

Pressed on whether it was a difficult decision to let Starkey go, Townshend pauses: “Well, I’ve never been a huge… I didn’t invite him in, right? Roger invited him. And at that time, I don’t know quite why he chose Zak, but Zak is another Keith Moon. He comes with real, real bonuses and real, real difficulties.”

That said, “I will miss Zak terribly,” says the guitarist. “But quite what the story is, I don’t fucking know. I really don’t know.”

As for what’s next, The Who are set to embark on what’s billed as their final tour in August. Though Townshend doesn’t sound entirely sold on that either.

“I don’t know whether I’ve been up for doing anything with The Who since 1973,” he laughs. “But I am looking forward to it. Not because it’s the end, but because I hope that we can continue to explore other things.”

In related news, Zak’s father, legendary Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, has also weighed in on the fallout. According to Starkey, Starr told him [via Rolling Stone]: “I’ve never liked the way that little man runs that band,” in what appears to be a thinly veiled jab at Roger Daltrey.

The post “I have to be careful what I say about Roger or he’ll be sacking me next”: Pete Townshend says he “couldn’t see anything wrong” with Albert Hall gig that caused Zak Starkey’s firing appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.

[Editor’s Note: Meng Ru Kuok, Founder & CEO of Caldecott Music Group is a part owner of Manson Guitar Works. Guitar.com is part of Caldecott Music Group]

Fans of Muse frontman Matt Bellamy’s signature guitars are in luck: Manson Guitar Works and Cort have expanded the Meta Series MBM-2H range with fresh colourways, left-handed options and new hardware finishes.

• READ MORE: Manson Guitar Works launches the Verona MB, an exact recreation of Matt Bellamy’s stage-used Will Of The People guitar

Leading the 2025/26 updates is the return of the much-requested MBC-1 Red Sparkle finish, a glittering, high-gloss lacquer that pays homage to the iconic “Santa” guitars used extensively by Bellamy on stage and in the studio.

The release is available in two formats: a twin-humbucker version featuring Manson-designed pickups for powerful, versatile tones, as well as a Sustainiac-equipped variant for you to dial in infinite sustain.

In the Sustainiac model, the neck humbucker is swapped out for the same pickup system Bellamy uses in his instruments. The pickup can be switched to work as an active and detailed regular neck pickup or switched into Sustain mode where three alternative Sustainiac modes are available, each offering endless sustain.

Joining Red Sparkle is a brand-new Satin Olive Green finish, also available in both humbucker and Sustainiac-equipped versions. The new colourway is paired with black hardware – a first for the series – adding a stealthy, more aggressive look to the instrument.

Left-handed players can finally get in on the action as well. For the first time, the Meta Series MBM-2H will be available in southpaw versions (no extra charge required), so Bellamy fans of all stripes can get their hands on the celebrated instrument.

As with previous iterations, the Meta Series MBM-2H continues to deliver premium features including a sleek compound radius neck, a kill-button for stutter effects, and Manson’s signature design and playability – all at a remarkably accessible price point.

The MBM-2H is priced at £569, while the MBM-2H-Sustainiac will cost you £899. Both are available now via Cort and Manson dealers worldwide.

Learn more at Manson Guitar Works.

The post Matt Bellamy’s signature Manson Meta MBM-2H returns in Red Sparkle, adds Satin Olive Green and new hardware options appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.