Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar
Title	Premier Guitar
Publisher	Gearhead Media
Founded	2006
Country	United States
Based	Tulsa, Oklahoma
Language	English
Category	Music magazine

Premier Guitar is an American magazine and online publication devoted to electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, amplification, effects, and recording. It offers gear reviews, artist interviews, lessons, and video demonstrations aimed at professional musicians, hobbyists, and instrument technicians. The magazine has built a multimedia presence through print issues, a website, and video channels that reach readers and viewers across North America and internationally.

History

Premier Guitar was launched in 2006 by a team of editors and entrepreneurs with backgrounds in music journalism, recording, and retail. Its founding coincided with the growth of digital video platforms such as YouTube and the rise of specialist publications like Guitar World and Bass Player. Early editorial direction drew on influences from Rolling Stone, Modern Drummer, and regional music scenes including Nashville, Tennessee and Austin, Texas. The publication expanded from a quarterly print format to more frequent issues and a robust online presence as broadband video and social platforms matured during the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Strategic partnerships and acquisitions in the 2010s aligned the magazine with industry events such as NAMM Show and trade networks like Musician's Friend and independent retailers throughout the United States. The editorial team covered major instrument makers and distributors including Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Gibson Brands, PRS Guitars, Marshall Amplification, and boutique builders based in Nashville and Los Angeles. As streaming and content monetization models evolved, Premier Guitar integrated sponsored content, affiliate programs, and subscription options, mirroring broader trends in specialist publishing alongside outlets such as Guitar Player and Acoustic Guitar.

Content and Features

The publication's regular content areas include gear reviews, artist interviews, technique lessons, studio and live rigs, and long-form features. Gear reviews examine instruments from builders like Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Gretsch, and ESP Guitars as well as amplifiers from Vox, Mesa/Boogie, Orange Amplification, and effects from companies such as Electro-Harmonix, Boss Corporation, Strymon, and TC Electronic. Coverage extends to boutique luthiers in Nashville, Portland, Oregon, New York City, and Los Angeles.

Artist interviews and profiles highlight performers across genres, featuring names associated with Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Jimmy Page, Tom Morello, St. Vincent, Derek Trucks, Joe Bonamassa, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and contemporary acts from festivals such as Coachella and Bonnaroo. The lessons section offers technique and theory tutorials referencing educators tied to institutions like Berklee College of Music, Curtis Institute of Music, and notable private instructors from Los Angeles and Nashville.

Video content is a major feature, including rig rundowns, walk-through demos, and studio session films produced in collaboration with studios such as Sun Studio, Abbey Road Studios, and independent facilities in Nashville and Austin. The publication also produces buyer’s guides and roundups tied to industry cycles around NAMM Show and seasonal retail patterns.

Editorial Staff and Contributors

Editorial leadership has comprised editors and writers with pedigrees at specialist and mainstream publications, as well as professionals from production and manufacturing. Contributors include journalists who have written for Guitar World, Rolling Stone, The New York Times arts sections, and music-technology outlets like Sound on Sound and Mix (magazine). The staff collaborates with photographers and videographers associated with studios in Los Angeles, New York City, and Nashville.

Regular columnists and lesson providers include session musicians, touring artists, and educators formerly affiliated with conservatories such as Berklee College of Music and touring acts signed to labels like Warner Records, Columbia Records, and Republic Records. Technical reviews often involve master technicians and vintage-instrument specialists who have worked with museums and collections such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and private archives connected to legacy artists.

Circulation and Reception

Circulation encompasses print distribution, digital subscriptions, and online traffic driven by video platforms. The magazine's audience overlaps with readers of Guitar World, Guitar Player, Bass Player, and music-technology sites like Sound on Sound and Gearslutz. Industry recognition has come from mentions in trade roundups at events like NAMM Show and citations by retailers including Sweetwater Sound and Guitar Center. Peer reception highlights the publication’s multimedia strength in combining long-form journalism with high-quality video demos and technical analysis.

Critics and readers have compared the editorial tone to legacy music magazines and contemporary online outlets, noting thorough gear testing and artist access similar to features in Rolling Stone and The Guardian music sections. Advertising partners and sponsors have included major manufacturers and boutique makers, reflecting the magazine's reach into both mass-market and niche segments of the instrument industry.

Events and Education

Premier Guitar supports and participates in trade shows, clinics, and masterclasses at events such as NAMM Show, Summer NAMM, and regional conventions in Nashville and Austin, Texas. The staff organizes and promotes educational content including masterclasses with artists affiliated with labels like Blue Note Records and Concord Music Group, and technical workshops led by luthiers and amp techs connected to manufacturers like Fender and Marshall. Collaborative events have been hosted in partnership with music schools and venues including Berklee College of Music, The Ryman Auditorium, and recording studios such as Sun Studio.

The publication’s online educational resources include archived lessons, tablature, and video series designed for self-directed learning, often referencing pedagogues and curricula from institutions such as Berklee and conservatory faculty from major music schools. Category:Music magazines of the United States