Guitar Player is a 190 or so page monthly mag that is of interest to amateur and professional guitarists, although the emphasis is generally for rockers. Each copy is $5.95, but a one-year subscription is a bargain at $19.00--less than two bucks an issue, which is is a steal.

After an editorial and letters to the editor, there 10-12 pages of short articles on various artists, gear, poll results, etc. One cool little monthly column is one guy's eBay strategies, wherein he tells you how he scored some obscure or damaged guitarist off America's flea market.

There will be four or five longer feature articles on various guitarists, generally somebody in the news because of a new CD, tour, drug conviction, or death. These are well-written and insightful. There will occasionally be interviews as well.

Guitar Player is particularly useful for the practicing musician. There are 8-10 one-two page lessons in various genres and of increasing difficulty, including transcriptions, play hints, and technical advice regarding sound, amps, effects, etc. Even if only a couple are of relevance to your, these are worth the price.

Since the mag's style revamp in 2003, there has been a greater emphasis on gear reviews. There will be anywhere from twelve to twenty excellent gear reviews, including guitars, amps, mics, effect boxes, recording gear, and software. Last year, GP even gave the cover and over 6 pages to a review of Line 6's first Variax modeling guitar, including lots of comments from well-known players. Anyone regularly in the market for equipment should read the mag for these alone.

Guitar World recently discontinued its reader access to one song transcription per issue so don't look for any. Go to Guitar World instead (see below).

There are generally a few one-off articles scattered throught the mag, of varying topicality.

Finally, the rest of GP is advertising, which is something I look at a lot, even if I can't buy anything.

In sum, Guitar Player is an excellent magazine for the guitarists of most levels and interest levels. It's problem, perhaps, is that it tries to be something for everyone, and in consequence, those who are just rockers or jazz players or whatever may be better suited for a more specialized magazine. I don't like it as much as Guitar One because I'm a rocker, but it's worth the price for the news and gear reviews alone. Recommended.

For more info, go to www.guitarplayer.com

buffoonery’s magazine and newspaper reviews:

Wall Street Journal
Commentary
The Economist
National Review
The Nation
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Sun-Times
First Things
The American Spectator
The New Republic
Guitar World
Guitar World Acoustic
Guitar One
Guitar Player


Recommended: Yes

Favorite Type of Music: Rock 'n' Roll