On our season two finale, the country legend details his lead-guitar tricks on one of his biggest hits.
Get out the Kleenex, hankies, or whatever you use to wipe away your tears: It’s the last episode of this season of Shred With Shifty, a media event more consequential and profound than the finales of White Lotus and Severance combined. But there’ll be some tears of joy, too, because on this season two closer, Chris Shiflett talks with one of country music’s greatest players: Vince Gill.
Gill’s illustrious solo career speaks for itself, and he’s played with everyone from Reba McEntire and Patty Loveless to Ricky Skaggs and Dolly Parton. He even replaced Glenn Frey in the Eagles after Frey’s death in 2017. His singing prowess is matched by his grace and precision on the fretboard, skills which are on display on the melodic solo for “One More Last Chance.” He used the same blackguard 1953 FenderTelecaster that you see in this interview to record the lead, although he might not play the solo the exact way he did back in 1992.
Tune in to learn how Gill dialed his clean tone with a tip from Roy Nichols, why he loves early blackguard Telecasters and doesn’t love shredders, and why you never want to be the best player during a studio session.
If you’re able to help, here are some charities aimed at assisting musicians affected by the fires in L.A:
NASHVILLE, TN – Pablo Picasso had his famous Blue Guitar. Now, so does Brad Paisley, courtesy of the Fender Custom Shop. Last Wednesday, Paisley unveiled his latest signature model, the “Lost Paisley” Telecaster, at a Q&A session and mini concert at Fender’s East Nashville headquarters. The instrument is an exacting reproduction of Paisley’s own, rare 1967 Tele in a stunning, practically glowing, blue-flower paisley finish, with custom-wound Seymour Duncan pickups and a bender that can be set to the B string or, as Paisley prefers, the G string. Spoiler: It looks and sounds badass, even with Paisley playing through a Fender Champ, which you’ll experience when you watch our video. The street price for this limited edition instrument is $7,000.
Of course, PG’s John Bohlinger and our video team of Chris Kies and Perry Bean were at the unveiling, and Bohlinger and Paisley went deep into the new instrument’s back story. As Paisley tells it, after a sheet of the rarely used blue paisley paper that Fender briefly employed for a guitar finish in 1968 turned up in an old ammo box from the Vietnam era, which sounds like a saga in itself, it fell into the hands of guitar historian Alan Cross, who brought it to Paisley’s attention.
Mother and child reunion: The original, at left, and the Custom Shop-built recreation of Paisley’s ’67 Tele. It’s an estimable instrument and carries a serious price tag: $7,000.
Fender briefly produced both red and blue paisley instruments to capture the vibe of the Summer of Love. Compared to the red, which faded to the now famed Fender “pink paisley” hue, the original blue-paisley-finish models are quite rare. Hence the “lost,” in Lost Paisley. Cross took the paper to Paisley, who almost immediately got to work, applying it to the ’67 Tele he had modded for a G-bender by Joe Glaser shortly after Paisley arrived in Nashville in the mid-1990s.
“Once I put the original paper on this guy right here,“ he said, referring to his original instrument, “this became my favorite guitar.” As his affinity for the look and feel of the instrument continued to grow, Paisley figured he’d take it to Fender’s Custom Shop, which had earlier developed his pink paisley signature (based on his ‘68) and his road-worn Tele models.
A close-up look at the finish, which has a nearly reflective quality.
The Lost Paisley model has a lightweight body, crafted from a unique combination of alder, paulownia, and spruce. The finish is relic’d, to match Paisley’s axe, with a colorful, metallic burst. It has a custom ’60s oval C-shape maple neck with a round-laminated maple fretboard. Under the hood, the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop Hand-Wound Lost Paisley pickups provide warmth, clarity, and tonal balance, which was audible at the unveiling, and the Glaser “G” Bender system allows for fluid, pedal-steel-like bends. In addition to its late-’60s appointments, the instrument is bundled with custom accessories, including a vintage-style case, period-correct Fender strap, and certificate of authenticity. At one point while he played, Paisley had to check to be sure he was picking the Custom Shop model rather than his original. “I literally just picked this guitar up for the first time, and it feels just like I’m playing my original,” he noted.
The hardest aspect of reverse engineering the Lost Telecast was recreating the paper for the finish. “Now, between [Nashville tech to the stars] Joe Glaser and [noted guitar collector and dealer, and former Paisley guitar tech] Zac Childs, we know more about adhesive paper than I ever went down that ramp before. It’s literally aluminum foil with a paper backing, and then there's an embossed paisley pattern on it. Getting the color right maybe was the hardest thing. We would change one number in the color code for one of the shades of this and it would look completely wrong.
When he finished his ’67 with the blue paisley paper from the ammo case, “I did the bursting myself to make it look like I thought it should. And so when we did this new version, I’m like, we gotta make sure that this plastic fades and oxidizes or whatever it is. I just love the way these colors work together. In the end, it’s showbiz. What looks cool on stage? And every from the size of the burst and the way that the paint interacts and the way that it fades and the relic’ing of the paper and the cracks all play into that. Then, it’s all about feel, and this guitar looks and plays great. The Custom Shop nailed it!”
Why is Tommy’s take on “Day Tripper” so hard? And what song would Adam Miller never play with him? Plus, we get Adam’s list of favorite Tommy Emmanuel records.
We call guitarist Adam Miller in the middle of the night in Newcastle, Australia, to find out what it’s like to play with Certified Guitar Player, Tommy Emmanuel. Miller tells us just how famous Tommy is in Australia, and what it was like hearing him play from a formative age. Eventually, Adam got to open for Emmanuel, and they’ve since shared the stage, so we get the firsthand scoop: Why is Tommy’s take on “Day Tripper” so hard? And what song would Miller never play with him? Plus, we get Adam’s list of favorite Tommy Emmanuel records.
Adam’s newly released trio album, Timing, is out now.
Plus, we’re talking about new recordings from Billy Strings and Bryan Sutton, as well as Brooklyn Mediterranean surf party band Habbina Habbina.
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today announces the launch of the Player II Modified — a bold expansion of its Player II series. Featuring select electric guitar and bass models enhanced with performance-driven upgrades, Player II Modified offers modern players refined tone, performance, and style straight out of the box. As an extension of the best-selling guitar series in Fender’s nearly 80-year history, Player II Modified builds on this legacy with expanded tonal versatility, elevated playability, and modern enhancements that meet the needs of a new generation of players.
Built to Be Reimagined
Since inception, Fender guitars and basses have been crafted with an inherent adaptability—designed to shape and be shaped by the artists who redefine music with them. Throughout the decades, musicians from every genre have transformed Fender instruments to suit their unique sound, making them a true canvas for creativity. The ethos of Fender is, in many ways, a history of modification—where each artist's personal touch, whether through altering pickups, adjusting necks, or reworking finishes, has shaped not just the instruments but the songs they are written with.
Performance-Driven Upgrades
Straight From the Factory
"From the early days of players hot-rodding their Strat® and Tele® guitars to today’s musicians pushing sonic boundaries, Fender has always embraced the art of reinvention," said Justin Norvell, EVP of Product, Fender. "Leo Fender intentionally designed our instruments with modularity in mind—allowing them to evolve alongside the player and enabling more personalization than any other brand. Player II Modified carries that spirit forward, offering modern upgrades like our new Player II Modified noiseless pickups and locking tuners for rock-solid stability. It’s about delivering the most in-demand mods straight from the factory while continuing to push the envelope of innovation and support artists in shaping the future of music."
Player II Modified takes the best of the best from Player II Series and builds on it with new and improved performance-driven modifications, offering a refined playing experience straight out of the box.
Key features include:
●New Player II Modified pickups: Genuine Fender tone from the Player II Modified Humbucker and Player II Noiseless™ pickups.
●Upgraded hardware and electronics: From treble bleeds to brass block saddles, the most popular modifications for each model come standard.
This spirit of reinvention is deeply embedded in Fender’s legacy, championed by trailblazing artists like Jimi Hendrix, who flipped his Stratocaster® upside down to redefine rock guitar, Kurt Cobain, who customized his Jaguar® for raw, grunge-driven power, and Thurston Moore, whose Jazzmaster® modifications fueled Sonic Youth’s experimental edge. Today, musicians continue this tradition—Chris Shiflett of Foo Fighters with his Signature Telecaster® Deluxe outfitted with noiseless P-90-style pickups, Julien Baker with her custom-modded American Vintage Thinline, and Brent Mason with his highly versatile ‘67 Telecaster®. Even bassists like Flea have reshaped their sound through modifications, such as the active circuitry in his Jazz Bass®.
In the Hands of IDLES
As part of the Player II Modified launch campaign, Fender has teamed up withIDLES, — a British band known for their explosive live performances and boundary-pushing take on rock—who are featured prominently in the campaign video. Their involvement in the campaign underscores how the Player II Modified series empowers modern players' need for flexibility, tonal range and sonic exploration, whether on stage or in the studio. Watch IDLES perform “Gift Horse” and see what they have to say about these souped up guitars and basses. “Every guitar that I’ve ever had, I’ve modified almost immediately,” said Mark Bowen, IDLES guitarist. “Modifications can definitely make a guitar more approachable,” added Lee Kiernan, IDLES guitarist. “Because everything is to your taste, and what it is you want it to do.”
Fender
Mod Shop: A Global Tune-Up Experience
Like the world of automotive design, where customization and performance upgrades are part of the culture, Fender instruments have long been embraced as a canvas for creative expression. From paint colors inspired by classic cars to modding hardware and swapping pickups, musicians across decades and genres have made each instrument their own. Modification isn’t just part of the Fender story—it’s at the heart of it, fueling a legacy of innovation, individuality, and sonic evolution. Starting this April, Fender will bring the Mod Shop experience to players in key markets across London and Melbourne. In each city, Fender will transform a local auto shop into an immersive guitar garage —inviting musicians to get their instruments “tuned up” by a team of Fender mechanics. By night, the space will shift gears into a live venue, where English Teacher (UK) and Hot Machine (AUS) will take the stage with the new Player II Modified series, showcasing the upgraded guitars in action.
“IDLES is the kind of band that pushes boundaries every time they plug in," said Evan Jones, CMO Fender. "Their energy, on-stage presence, experimentation, and refusal to stay in one lane resonates with all of us here at Fender. The Player II Modified series is built for artists like them—musicians who want to evolve their sound, are looking to push boundaries, and make something uniquely their own. We're also excited to bring that spirit of modification & innovation of the Player II Modified Series to life with our upcoming Fender Mod Shop events in London and Melbourne in the coming months. With the Player II Modified series at its core, we're not just showcasing new gear; we're building on our commitment to continually give players & musicians at all levels the ability to find, adjust and perfect their sound.”
The Player II Modified Stratocaster® is a classic guitar with the modern player in mind. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5”-radius slab rosewood or 1-piece maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets. The alder body provides classic Fender punch and is available in a variety of exciting new finishes. The Player II Noiseless™ pickups deliver classic Strat® chime and sparkle while eliminating unwanted noise and the push/pull switch on the 2nd tone control provides even more tonal flexibility by adding the neck pickup into switch positions 1 and 2. The 2-point tremolo, short post locking tuners, TUSQ® nut, and modern string tree all combine to keep tuning incredibly stable, while the wider travel of the chamfered tremolo block allows players to coax even more expressive, musical vibrato from their instrument. Maple Fingerboard offered in 3 Tone Sunburst, Sunshine Yellow and Harvest Green Metallic. Rosewood Fingerboard offered in Dusk, Electric Blue, and Olympic Pearl.
The Player II Modified Stratocaster® HSS Floyd Rose® is a classic guitar with the modern player in mind. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern“C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 12”-radius slab rosewood fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets. The alder body provides classic Fender punch and is available in a variety of exciting new finishes. The Player II Modified humbucker is articulate with plenty of output and the Noiseless™ pickups deliver classic Strat® chime and sparkle while eliminating unwanted noise. For additional tonal flexibility, the push/pull switch on the 2nd tone control splits the bridge humbucker for classic Strat® single-coil tones. The Floyd Rose® Special tremolo enables subtle-to-wild tremolo action while keeping the guitar perfectly in tune and ready for more. Offered in 3 Tone Sunburst, Dusk and Olympic Pearl.
The Player II Modified Telecaster® is a classic guitar with the modern player in mind. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5”-radius slab rosewood or 1-piece maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets. The alder body provides classic Fender punch and is available in a variety of exciting new finishes. The Player II Noiseless™ pickups deliver classic Tele® twang and bite while eliminating unwanted noise and the push/pull switch on the tone control provides even more tonal flexibility by changing the pickup wiring from parallel to series for fatter tones. The 6-saddle bridge, short post locking tuners, TUSQ® nut, and modern string tree all combine to keep tuning incredibly stable for even the most demanding bends or roaring rock leads. Maple Fingerboard offered in Olympic Pearl, Electric Blue and Sunshine Yellow. Rosewood Fingerboard offered in 3 Tone Sunburst, Dusk and Harvest Green Metallic.
The Player II Modified Active Precision Bass® is a classic bass with the modern player in mind. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5”-radius slab rosewood or 1-piece maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 20 medium jumbo frets. The alder body provides classic Fender punch and is available in a variety of exciting new finishes. The Player II Noiseless™ PJ pickups deliver classic Fender thump and growl while eliminating unwanted noise and the all-new active preamp with passive tone control and improved EQ section gives players the perfect tool to dial in their favorite tones. The 4-saddle HiMass™ bridge, tapered-shaft tuners, and TUSQ® nut all combine to keep tuning incredibly stable for even the most demanding performances. Maple Fingerboard offered in 3 Tone Sunburst, Dusk and Sunshine Yellow. Rosewood Fingerboard offered in Olympic Pearl and Harvest Green Metallic.
The Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass® is a classic bass with the modern player in mind. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5”-radius slab rosewood or 1-piece maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and20 medium jumbo frets. The alder body provides classic Fender punch and is available in a variety of exciting new finishes. The Player II Noiseless™ pickups deliver classic Jazz Bass® growl while eliminating unwanted noise while the all-new active preamp with passive tone control and EQ section gives players the perfect tool to dial in their favorite tones. The 4-saddle HiMass™ bridge, tapered-shaft tuners, and TUSQ® nut all combine to keep tuning incredibly stable for even the most demanding performances. Maple Fingerboard offered in 3 Tone Sunburst, Olympic Pearl and Electric Blue. Rosewood Fingerboard offered in Dusk, and Harvest Green Metallic.
The Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass® V is a classic bass with the modern player in mind. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5”-radius slab rosewood or 1-piece maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and20 medium jumbo frets. The alder body provides classic Fender punch and is available in a variety of exciting new finishes. The Player II Noiseless™ pickups deliver classic Jazz Bass® growl while eliminating unwanted noise while the all-new active preamp with passive tone control and EQ section gives players the perfect tool to dial in their favorite tones. The 5-saddle HiMass™ bridge, tapered-shaft tuners, and TUSQ® nut all combine to keep tuning incredibly stable for even the most demanding performances. Maple Fingerboard offered in Dusk and Olympic Pearl. Rosewood Fingerboard offered in 3 Tone Sunburst and Electric Blue.
Matteo Mancuso's first headline national tour of North America includes stops in major cities such as Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, and Denver, showcasing his unique talent and original sound. Don't miss the opportunity to witness this rising guitar virtuoso live in concert.
Matteo Mancuso has announced his first headline national tour of North America. The itinerary brings Mancuso coast to coast in the US, and into Canada for several annual marquee events. The tour begins on May 20 at Boston’s City Winery and wraps on June 30 at Le Festival International de Jazz de Montreal. With the on-sale being staggered, please check local box offices for on-sale details market to market.
Mancuso hails from Sicily, nestled in the Mediterranean Sea to the South of Italy. The island has always had a rich cultural heritage, from poets, writers, philosophers, and architects to painters and musicians. Born in 1996 and raised just outside the capital Palermo, the pedigree runs deep in the veins of those from the region. Had his family relocated to the US, he might be the best-kept secret in the lineage of great Italian-American players like Zappa, Vai, Satriani, Di Meola, Petrucci, and Gambale.
During the 1970s, his father, Vincenzo Mancuso, made a name for himself as a gifted session player on the domestic scene, and the young Matteo looked up to him as a primary source of inspiration. While still in high school (music), he picked up classical guitar and transverse flute. It didn't take long for everyone to understand that a child prodigy was blooming.
At the age of 12, Matteo took his first steps onto the stage at a local jazz festival. Since then, his acquaintance with live performances has seen him blossom and develop through various line-ups and collaborations with the finest local musicians, including a duo with his father, where they explore the complexities of Django Reinhart's repertoire and contemporary jazz classics.
As a multi-faceted player, either classical or electric, what is astounding is his one-of-a-kind technique and use of his fingers instead of regular picking. With an impressive tone, original sound, and humble demeanor, you have the guitarist no one has ever seen and whose talent puts him in a different league. Many of the world's most iconic, ground-breaking, and legendary players are declaring Matteo as a force to be reckoned with, from Joe Bonamassa and Steve Vaito Al Di Meola.
In 2019, Yamaha Guitars became the official endorser of his appearance at the NAMM show in Los Angeles. He was invited as a judge on the panel for the "Young Guitar Festival" in Bangkok and a masterclass tour in Russia – calling through Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Perm. In 2020, Matteo put together a new trio and began developing his solo work, pushing his compositional boundaries and original material. When the pandemic brought the world to a standstill like many, Matteo experienced difficulties as it took a significant toll on the music industry, like many others. In 2021, as soon as live gigs became possible, he hit the road as part of the new trio, culminating in two exhilarating sold-out nights at the Blue Note in Milano. The name Matteo Mancuso was beginning to reach the ears of the most prominent people in the industry and those in the know. Offers came up from the north to the deep south.
In 2022 he played at the Bremen International Festival at the Auditorium Parco Della Musica in Rome. After a short break in June last year to graduate in jazz guitar from the PalermoConservatory of Music with honors and honorable mention, he resumed touring. He shared the stage with Al Di Meola on classical guitar on the closing night of the Eddie Lang Jazz Festival and played at the Lugano Jazz Festival in Switzerland, as a guest with prog-rockers PFM and an incredible performance at the New Ross Guitar Festival in Ireland. He appeared in a major prime-time slot on Italy's national Rai TV, at the Uppsala Jazz Festival in Sweden. Finally, he rounded off the year at the Spoleto Jazz Festival back in Italy.
His debut titled The Journey features nine original songs which were recorded at Fico d'IndiaStudios Casteldaccia, Sicily, by his father, Vincenzo Mancuso – a gifted player who also played on the record and co-wrote two songs, "Polifemo" and "Blues For John." The album also features Stefano India (Bass) and Guiseppe Bruno (Drums), with additional musicians Riccardo Oliva(Bass), Gianluca Pellerito (drums,) and Guiseppe Vasapolli (Piano/Organ).
Mancuso began writing songs for the album around 2020. "I didn't really have a specific concept behind the album, but I wanted to do something that wasn't associated with only one genre, so there are some rock-oriented songs like Drop D and some modern Jazz tunes like Polifemo," he says."Drop D" was one of the first songs written for the album, which pays tribute to his teens' hard rock and prog influences such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Yes, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and Dream Theater. "It is a mix of typical rock and prog elements and one of the most fun songs to play live," he says.
In front of the album’s release, he shared, "I just want people to hear it," he enthuses. "Music has always been my favorite form of communication, and the thing I love about instrumental music is that there isn't a language barrier. I'm sure that people who don't usually listen to instrumental music can find something interesting from this album."
Mancuso has become one of the hottest guitarists on the planet following the release of his debut album in 2023, The Journey, which featured the singles "Samba Party," which channels the excitement and jubilation of Rio de Janeiro during carnival – but the song itself is anything but samba. Also, "Silk Road, which was dedicated to his hometown Palermo and his Arab-Norman roots and was the follow-up to the album's lead single "Drop D,"
The YouTube sensation has already adorned the front cover of magazines such as GuitarTechniques, which called him "The Hottest Guitarist on the Planet ", and Total Guitar, which hailed him as the "World's Hottest Virtuoso." He has picked up plaudits from some of the world's most iconic, ground-breaking players who are declaring Matteo as a force to be reckoned with, from Joe Bonamassa and Steve Vai to Al Di Meola. They share:
"The evolution of guitar is firmly secure in the hands of these kind of players... it's just a new level, the tone, the touch, the notes!" - Steve Vai
"An absolute talent; his improvisational ability is light years ahead. It would take two or three lifetimes. It was like when Jacko (Pastorius) came on the scene...how did he get so good and so fast?" - Al Di Meola
"All the kids are talking about it, and I blanked when answering who my new favorite guitarist is... here he is, Matteo Mancuso. I have not seen anyone reinvent like this since Stanley Jordan" - Joe Bonamassa
