Guitar Magazines

Garth-S

Hey there fellow forum junkies ?

I have been getting the Guitar Techniques magzine for a little while now, and I find it to be the best in terms of all round playing styles. In every issue a whole range of styles are cover, and a few songs are tabbed aswell. The guys and girls at the magazine are very accomplished players in their own right, and they know a hec of a lot. I would highly recommend this mag if you are into guitar mags. These mags will be kept for a lifetime, as it's great to refer back to them. What other magazines are out there that you would recommend?

AlanRatcliffe

I subscribe to both Guitar Player and Guitarist. The British Guitarist mag is my favourite. They're more down to earth and they don't just tell you what's right when they review a piece of gear - they tell you what's wrong with it too. Comes with a CD every month too with sound samples of the gear and audio and video of the lessons and things.

NorioDS

I love my guitar mags but I've been mainly disappointed with the ones I've bought.

I'd like to find a mag that goes into theory in every issue instead of just showing you how to play a song.

Will check this one out, thanks Garth ?

cain

Man i love total guitar. They do simple and advances songs and lessons. Then the articles are very informative and down to earth. Its awesome. Guitar techniques is very cool, but they mostly have songs to learn in there and 99% they are incredibly difficult t learn.

Garth-S

Guitar Techniques normally has 2 or 3 full songs in each issue, but then after that they have columnists who each do a different genre, for instance, there'll be 1 lesson on blues, 1 on jazz, 1 on funny eastern stuff, 1 on modern rock/metal, then a theory lesson, and thats just 1 issue ?. I love it for the variety. There is also an accompanying cd. Lately they have been including alot more easier stuff, so the spectrum is very broad. Guitarist is a great magazine too.

cain

Yeah i know. I love total guitar because of they gear reviews and band interviews. You can ask anyone that knows me personally, i love learning about new guitars, amps, pedals and the works. Im no alan, but i know more than most people ? I just wish more equipment found in the magz could be bought here.

Garth-S

Yeah.. I know what you mean Francis, half the stuff you can't get here. It's a little frustrating...

Ray

Now please help a soul and tell me how to get hold of these mags. Which local stores stock them?

AlanRatcliffe

You might find some in the bigger CNAs/PNAs. You can sometimes find some older ones in the Bargain Books type places, but that's a bit unreliable (and nowhere near as cheap as it used to be).

To be honest, I haven't tried a newsagents for music mags for years ...ever since I found out I could get them for half the price (or less) by subscribing...

Martyr

i get guitar world and total guitar...but i make sure i like/need half the magazine because they cost like R130 each >☹

WantzChas

Guitar Techniques is really an awesome mag. With my playing skill, (yes I have a little bit, hehe.) it takes me about 3months to work through a book and I then passed it on to friend etc.

themanthatwalks

I just cant justify paying R130 for something that I can most probably find on the internet.... But I think I'll have a look at subscribing to see how much I can safe :-\

Squonk

all 3 of the British mags are good. Guitarist, Total Guitar , Guitar Techniques. They all cater for different frames of reference.

Guitarist - a more of an all round magazine that covers a little bit of everything
Total Guitar - A bit more of a metal slant
Guitar Techniques - more into the theory side of guitar playing.

R130.00 is excessive but you would pay more going on line and downloading all the videos and tracks etc. And it's good to have all the information at your fingertips. Also good for reading on the toilet!

The latest Guitarist also has quite a good video insight into Brian May's guitar setup, as shown by his technician, quite awesome stuff.
What I do , is see if there is anything that interests me and then I'll buy it, I dont just buy them religiously every month.
"Total Guitar " also has some good gifts with the magazine on ocassion.

Ray

My first input into the mags evaluation:

Guitarist - gives some good gear reviews. Good for me anyway as it got me on the MTR path with the reviews of the portable devices.
Guitar Techniques - I like this for the theory side of things. Classically trained as a kid it is not taking too long to get back into the reading of music and I like the presentation. Some is plenty too advanced for me but eg. Jan 2009 Mick Taylor is excellent. Also give a nice little overview at the end of each issue. And Theory Godmother helps.
Total Guitar - bought TG184 and seems to cover a broad base. Too much of recent bands who I have never heard of, let alone heard. But should be great for people listening to contemp rock/metal. But still some interesting articles. Beginners will get benfit if this issue is anything to go by.

themanthatwalks

did not like guitarist... going for guitar techniques. Cant really compare the 2 cause they are different kinds of mags. let see what happens

Werner-Carstens

I find Guitarist valuable to know what is new and hot. I also agree with Alan that the reviews seems to lean less toward a specific style and taste than other mags. I basically trust their opinion more.
I find Guitar Techniques the best from an educational point of view. The fact that they have lots of pieces that are not specific songs, but rather "in the style of" appeals to me more from a session guitarist point of view.

msch997

Marshall Music Woodmead stock all the magazines, they get refreshed monthly. Otherwise CNA/PNA Sandton City also has them all. Those are the places I know they are available in the North of Johannesburg, there may be more.

Regards

themanthatwalks

Bought Guitar Techniques and it is awesome. very challenging. their easy to moderate is my hard

WantzChas

themanthatwalks wrote Bought Guitar Techniques and it is awesome. very challenging. their easy to moderate is my hard

I learned my first "proper" song out of that book, Danny Boy rated "Easy". It is a very nice arrangement, but really challenging at the time. Very unusual chord shapes which I found hard to fret. Still the first song I play when I pick up my acoustic. Oh, and I'm still trying to master Munster Rag by Brad Paisley, that is country that kicks you in the teeth.

themanthatwalks

The one guy is like "the solo is quite easy"...Im still not getting it