Stringjoy Guitar Blog

Guitar & bass knowledge. No strings attached.

On the stringjoy guitar blog, we write about guitar history, guitar gear, music theory, and yes, occasionally strings.

New Standard Tuning 101: Robert Fripp's Alternate Tuning Explained

September 12, 2025

New Standard Tuning (NST) isn’t just a quirky experiment; it’s a whole new way of looking at the guitar.

The Top 10 Guitar Solos Played on a Les Paul

August 28, 2025

Some of the best guitar solos of all time have been played on Les Pauls. Let's take a look at 10 of the most iconic Les Paul solos.

How Les Paul Invented Multitrack Recording

August 20, 2025

Les Paul's invention of sound on sound recording and the multitrack tape machine completely revolutionized music-making.

The Guitars of Jimmy Page

August 7, 2025

From Dragon Teles to cheap acoustics, these are the iconic guitars of Jimmy Page.

The Best Guitar Strings for Acoustic & Electric Fingerstyle

July 27, 2025

What guitar strings should you use for fingerstyle playing on electric or acoustic? We've got you covered.

The History of C. F. Martin Guitars

July 20, 2025

Discover how a cabinetmaker's son built one of the most iconic guitar brands the world has ever known.

Acoustic Showdown: Martin vs Gibson vs Taylor

July 10, 2025

Let’s find out who would win in a steel-string cage match featuring Martin, Gibson, and Taylor.

History of the Fender Telecaster

June 25, 2025

Meet the guitar that reshaped music forever—the Fender Telecaster.

Keith Richards' String Gauges

June 19, 2025

Richards' specialty guitar string set – like the legend himself – is equal parts folksy, fanatical, and ferocious.

Leo Fender: The History and Legacy of the Man Behind the Guitars

June 3, 2025

Learning about the life of Leo Fender will inspire you to look at his instruments in a whole new light. Each guitar and amp was a product of his love, genius, and non-stop drive to perfect the imperfect-ible.

The History of the Telecaster Custom

May 29, 2025

Here's how the Telecaster Custom gave Fender’s workhorse a makeover that's resonated with players for over 50 years.

The 10 Greatest Slide Solos of All Time

May 15, 2025

Slide guitar is more than a technique - it's pure tone. Let's dive into the 10 best slide guitar solos ever recorded.

Top 11 Fictional Bands from TV and Film

April 27, 2025

Some fictional bands sound better than whatever’s topping the charts right now. Here are eleven bands that prove that you don’t have to exist to rock.

Legendary Hues: Classic Fender Guitar Finishes

March 16, 2025

Discover the history and inspiration behind classic Fender colors, from automotive influences to surf culture staples.

3 Legendary Guitar Techs & The Guitar Gods They Served

March 2, 2025

Behind every great guitarist, there’s an unsung hero: their tech. These wizards ensure that instruments stay in perfect working order no matter how much rock-n-roll wear-and-tear they endure.

The Way of the Wobble: Tremolo vs Vibrato Guitar Effects

January 26, 2025

When it comes to electric guitar effects, few terms are as often misunderstood as tremolo and vibrato. Let’s set the record wobbly and explore these effects from their roots in classical music to all their amplified glory.