Issue January 2020 - Total Guitar (2024)

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Total Guitar is Europe’s best-selling guitar magazine, crammed full of songs to learn plus backing tracks. From the latest metal and indie hits to classic rock from the likes of Led Zeppelin and AC/DC, TG has more songs than ANY other guitar magazine!. Please note: This digital version of the magazine does not currently include the covermount items or content you would find on printed newsstand copies

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IN THIS ISSUEWelcome…We’ll kick things off by marking the fact that TG is 25 this issue! It’s rare these days that a magazine can say that, but thanks to the support of you readers TG has reached the quarter-century landmark. 327 issues in, we aren’t going to slow down any time soon. Starting with this issue. We’re celebrating our birthday by bringing you 25 ways to play better. We’ve aimed to make this month’s cover feature accessible, with stuff for you to try regardless of what level of ability you’re at. From tidying up your fretting, to learning more chords, or, if you’re feeling like getting a head for shred, we have lessons on how to nail the lead techniques used by the pros! Basically, we want you to reach for your…1 min

IN THIS ISSUEMAKING THIS MONTH’S MAGCHRIS BIRDHaving been on the team for almost half of TG’s quarter-century, our resident tab and tuition expert has been ruminating on his own time on the mag. “I’ve been lucky to meet several of my heroes,” muses Mr B, “but there’s still one guitarist I’d love to talk to – Mark Knopfler. Who knows? Maybe in 2020!”STAN BULLJoining us for this month’s mag is our new Production Editor Stan, a lifelong reader of TG. “It hasn’t taken me long to get my bearings”, he says. “Being so familiar with the magazine has meant that I felt right at home. Working for TG is a dream come true!”ROB LAINGAs this month’s issue began production, TG’s former Editor and Musicradar gear hound was pulling night shifts on the website seeking out…1 min

MONITORELECTRIC DREAMSClassic rock has had an on/off relationship with the 12-string electric. Undoubtedly, the sound is most closely associated with the mid-60s jangle of The Beatles and The Byrds, and while Rickenbacker might have been the life and soul for most of that party, Fender’s quirky Electric XII has made its contribution too, with Jimmy Page reaching for his Electric XII for those iconic Stairway To Heaven arpeggios.Now, Fender has unveiled a modern version of the guitar under its Alternate Reality Series. Sticking with the same offset Jaguar/Jazzmaster-style body, the Electric XII also features the famous ‘Hockeystick’ headstock. Further constants include the split-coil pickup design (to minimise noise and boost clarity), plus a 12-saddle bridge to keep every string intonated. Meanwhile, the pickup switching has been simplified from a four-way rotary…1 min

MONITORUP CLOSEDirty DozenYou might think of a 12-string as a niche, but for covers and function bands there are plenty of moments that will be more authentic with a 12, including Brian Adams, Tom Petty, Bon Jovi, The Beatles, The Eagles, The Byrds and Led Zeppelin to name a few!Saddle Up!A saddle for each string means that you can intonate the Electric XII’s strings individually and keep that lush chorusing sounding great.Hockeystick headstockAs with the Starcasters later in this issue, the Electric XII’s distinctive headstock is perhaps a little divisive. However, Fender’s modern hardware will make sure you don’t have to keep re-tuning.…1 min

MONITORGREEN PARTY!There are a handful of guitarists who appeal to players of all genres - Hendrix, Clapton, Page... One such name that doubtlessly deserves to be counted in that category is Peter Green – his influence cited by everyone from Aerosmith to Radiohead and Noel Gallagher, not to mention that his compositions have been covered by the likes of Santana, The Black Crowes and even Judas Priest.It’s fitting, then, that the former Bluesbreaker/Fleetwood Mac member is set to be honored by a cast of rock royalty - orchestrated by Mick Fleetwood himself - for a one-off show on February 25th 2020. The gig is set to take place at the London Palladium, billed as ‘Mick Fleetwood and Friends’. What’s more, a donation will be made from every ticket sale to the…1 min

MONITORROUND-UP“Don’t Blow It, Kage!”Tenacious D and Jack White share new collaborationIn a collaboration of pure surname synchronicity, Jack White has paired up with Jack Black and his Tenacious D partner Kyle Gass on a new song, Don’t Blow It, Kage, which was released as a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl on White’s Third Man Records on Black Friday and is now available for streaming.The D took a road trip to Nashville in August, where they visited White’s’ Third Man Records facility and his home studio to record the new tune, with White producing. “I think our song is the kickin’ chicken,” says Black. “It’s a stone-cold jam.”Blue ChristmasEpiphone’s new Tommy Thayer Electric Blue Les Paul looks hotter than hellEpiphone has announced the Tommy Thayer Electric Blue Les Paul Outfit, the fourth signature…1 min

Issue January 2020 - Total Guitar (2024)

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