
It doesn’t matter if you play in a ’90s country cover band or play in a band that only does metal versions of pop tunes—the system still works.
Intermediate
Intermediate
- Understand the basic elements of the CAGED system.
- Learn to visualize chords and phrases all over the fretboard.
- Develop a more global view of harmony within a key.
The CAGED system is simple way of visualizing the fretboard. Learn to visualize five chord shapes and pretty soon you will be flowing up and down the neck. The main thing I love about the CAGED system is that it can be applied to any type of music. It doesn’t matter if you play in a ’90s country outfit or play in a band that only does metal versions of pop tunes—the system still works.
When we first pick up the guitar the main goal is to play songs we like quickly, and that often involves working up the open-position chords. It’s not usual to start with C, A, G, E, and D—especially if you’re playing in the key of A, G, or D. All of the chord shapes can be moved up the neck to create patterns that you can use to craft solos or embellish chords. Let’s start off with the basic patterns in open-voiced chords (C) and then work our way up the neck into block or barre chord shapes (A through D).
The first two examples will familiarize you with the shapes we want to use. To make things a bit easier, we will stick in the key of C for all our examples. Ex. 1 and Ex. 2 will give you the foundation for what we will be working with. Ex. 1 consists of open-voiced “cowboy” chords that we first learn as beginners. Ex. 2 shows how you can take a C major chord and move it through all the various CAGED shapes.
Now it’s time to play some music. In Ex. 3 I’ve outlined a simple lick in the “C” shape. Notice while it does imply melodic ideas for other harmonies, it still stays in one position. Plus, we stay entirely in the key of C.
In Ex. 4 we now will be using “A” shape, but still play in the key of C. This example contains blue notes (b5 and b3 ) which give it a different, almost dominant-sounding vibe.
With Ex. 5 we move up to the “G” shape. This is a nice pedal-steel lick with a couple of added notes like a b3 and b6. Make sure to use your ring finger for the bends at the 7th fret of the 3rd string, and bend towards the floor, or away from the held G on the 4th string.
Let’s move up the neck again to “E” shape for Ex. 6. This lick is almost a line to a fiddle tune and mostly diatonic except for a b3. I also used repetition here to give it a more melodic feel. I simply took the phrase I played on the 1st string and moved it down one string to repeat it and extend the idea.
Ex. 7 is a nice pedal-tone idea with a repeated theme in the “D” shape, which can be the most difficult to get your hands around. Rhythmically, I wanted to change things up, so I started on the “and” of beat 4 before diving into the repeated pedal-tone idea. In the second measure I outline a 1st inversion F major chord, overlap it with a 2nd inversion F major chord, and then descend a D minor motif before resolving in the final measure.
In Ex. 8 we combine several CAGED patterns and move up the neck. A common way to do move between position is to repeat a motif through the scale. Here, I’m using a double-stop bluegrass lick with some dead note clucks.
Now let’s approach that same idea of an ascending line but do it diatonically (using notes only in the C major scale). There’s a thematic component to Ex. 9 as we are ascending and mimicking the same part up the neck with different notes.
Ex. 10 is a diatonic lick that has rhythmic hits embedded into it. It also implies other chords to make it harmonically more interesting.
Our final example (Ex. 11) is a complex descending line with a bluesy feel to it. It borrows notes not found in the C major scale as chromatic passing tones to spice it up.
And there you have it. The CAGED system is an incredibly powerful tool. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility.
- Twang 101: 8 Essential Double-Stop Licks ›
- The Guitarist's Guide to the CAGED System ›
- Beyond Blues: Understanding CAGED and the V Chord ›
- PG Explained: CAGED Guitar Chord System - Premier Guitar ›
Seymour Duncan unveiled the newest addition to its popular Powerstage workhorse pedal series … for bass. The Powerstage 700 Bass is a power amp with huge headroom that’s designed for use with modelers and has a rich menu of functions: drive, level gain, multi-band EQ, master volume, and EQ bypass, presence, frequency. The tag is, aptly, $700.
Ryan Malicsi Signature
Reverend introduces new signatures, an addition to its Sensei line, and a new 5-string bass.
Ryan Malicsi has been leaning on his trustworthy Jetstream 390s for years with Hot Mulligan. His highly anticipated signature model brings upgraded styling to the Jetstream 390 platform. Armed with gold hardware, a backsprayed pickguard, dazzling finishes, and a brazen reverse headstock – this guitar makes a statement before you even hit that first power chord!
Ryan Malicsi is the lead guitar player of the Lansing, MI emo band, Hot Mulligan. With three full-length albums, a fistful of EPs, and near-constant touring with other big-name Emo bands, Hot Mulligan has become the #1 Hot New Band they proclaimed on their socials.
The Reverend Ryan Malicsi Signature is now available through any Reverend Authorized Dealer.
For more information, please visit reverendguitars.com.
Sensei H90
Reverend Guitars is proud to bring its popular Humbucker/P90 pickup setup to the Sensei guitar series. This versatile combination lets players easily switch between powerful and smooth tones or blend the pickups for a unique crunchy and twangy sound. Now available through any Reverend Authorized Dealer, the Reverend Sensei H90 is a must-have for any serious guitar collection.
Reverend Bob Balch Floyd
When Bob Balch asked for a new trem model, Reverend Guitars equipped the guitar with the Floyd Rose 1000 Series Pro. The new guitar offers players enhanced performance, versatility, and exceptional tuning stability – even during divebombs. Adding the Floyd's metallic mass enhances the sparkle and harmonic richness to the tone. Reverend Guitar's Joe Naylor designed this guitar for uncompromising performance that’s ready to meet the demands of any player.
Bob Balch is the lead guitarist for fuzz rock giants Fu Manchu. He also pioneered a successful guitar education website called playthisriff.com, where he invites metal, punk, and other heavy guitarists to teach a few songs to his subscribers. This guitar is the second signature model with Bob Balch from Reverend Guitars.
The Reverend Bob Balch Floyd is now available through any Reverend Authorized Dealer.
Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider E
Reverend Guitars announces the Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider E. The single-pickup version of the popular Eastsider is a streamlined tone machine. With the versatile Telbucker pickup at the bridge, players can choose between three distinct tones using the unique 3-way Voice Selector circuit:
- bright percussive twang
- full hot humbucker
- fat round warmth
The Eastsider E is the fifth model in the Eastsider series, developed in collaboration with acclaimed guitarist and producer Pete Anderson. The other models include the Eastsider T, Eastsider S, Eastsider Baritone, and the set-neck Eastsider Custom.
You can now find the Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsquire at any Reverend Authorized Dealer.
Triad-5
Reverend Guitars is excited to introduce the 5-string version of the renowned Triad bass. Featuring three Jazz Bomb pickups and a 5-way selector, it provides easy access to five distinct tones. The block inlays add a touch of elegance to its design, ensuring the instrument looks as great as it sounds. For those seeking a highly versatile 5-string bass, the Triad 5 is the perfect choice.
The Reverend Triad-5 is now available through any Reverend Authorized Dealer.
ESP has debuted a number of new additions at the 2025 NAMM Show.
At the 2025 NAMM Show, ESP Guitars (NAMM Booth 210D) debuted 10 new guitars in their popular LTD Deluxe series. Used on recordings and tours worldwide, LTD Deluxe guitars provide professional-level components and build quality.
“It’s easy to see why LTD Deluxe represents ESP’s most popular guitar series,” says Blue Wilding, ESP Brand Manager. “These are high grade instruments that allow serious working musicians to have the performance and aesthetics they want without wiping out their wallet.”
Three new LTD Deluxe guitars are being offered in an exciting Silver Blast finish. The LTD Deluxe XJ-1 Baritone uses the offset XJ shape, offering bolt-on construction at 27” baritone scale and pairing a sandblasted swamp ash body to a three-piece roasted maple neck. Design features of the XJ-1 Baritone include a tiltback reverse headstock, a Macassar ebony fingerboard with block inlays and 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. It also includes LTD locking tuners, a black bone nut, a brushed black pickguard, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string-thru-body, and a single Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker pickup with voice selection via push/pull control.
The LTD Deluxe SN-1000HT is another new model in the Silver Blast finish on a sandblasted swamp ash body. Built with bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale, it pairs a roasted maple neck and Macassar ebony fingerboard (scalloped from frets 17-22) with a compound radius, mother of pearl dot inlays, and 22 extra- jumbo stainless steel frets. Components on the SN-1000HT include LTD locking tuners, a black bone nut, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string-thru-body, and a pair of Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker pickups (ceramic in the bridge, alnico in the neck), with voice selection via push/pull controls.
Rounding out the new Silver Blast models is the new LTD Deluxe TE-1000. Also featuring a sandblasted swamp ash body with roasted maple neck and tiltback headstock, this guitar offers bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale, and a Macassar ebony fingerboard with offset dot inlays and 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. Components on the TE-1000 Silver Blast include LTD locking tuners, a black bone nut, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string-thru-body, and an outstanding set of Seymour Duncan pickups — the ESP- exclusive Custom-14 in the bridge, and the renowned APH-1N in the neck.
The TE Series got another new addition with the LTD Deluxe TE-1007 Baritone. This 7-string guitar, being offered in the Black Blast finish, has a sandblasted swamp ash body and roasted maple neck with a tiltback headstock. It has bolt-on construction at 27” baritone scale, and provides a Macassar ebony fingerboard with offset dot inlays and 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. The TE-1007 Baritone has components that include a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string-thru-body, LTD locking tuners, a black bone nut, and a single Fishman Fluence Modern 7 String 3-Voice Humbucker (ceramic) in the bridge, with a push-pull control to activate its voicings.
The LTD Deluxe EC-01FT has been significantly updated for 2025. Now available in Charcoal Burst Satin Teardrop finish over a quilted maple top, the streamlined guitar also features white single-ply binding on the body, neck, and headstock. Like the previous versions of the EC-01FT, it offers set-thru construction at 24.75” scale with a single-cutaway mahogany body and three-piece mahogany neck. It includes a Macassar ebony fingerboard with block inlays and 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a recessed bridge with string-thru-body design, LTD locking tuners, a brushed black pickguard, and the ESP-exclusive Seymour Duncan Custom-14 High Output Triple Ceramic Humbucker, splittable with push-pull control.
Another new addition for 2025 is the LTD Deluxe M-1000 Maple. Offering the iconic look of a Black Gloss finish along with a maple fingerboard, this guitar offers an alder body and a three-piece maple neck built with bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale. Black binding on the neck and headstock give it an even tougher look. It features 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, black offset dot inlays, and a compound fingerboard radius. Components on the new M-1000 Maple include a Floyd Rose 1000SE tremolo with stainless steel screws, Grover tuners, and a set of Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker pickups — ceramic in the bridge, alnico in the neck position — with push-pull controls to activate their voicings.
Also new for 2025 is the LTD Deluxe M-1007 Baritone EverTune in Granite Sparkle finish. Designed for seriously extended low pitch ranges, it’s a 7-string guitar with neck-thru-body construction at 27” baritone scale, pairing an alder body with an extra-thin three-piece maple neck. Its Macassar ebony fingerboard features a compound radius, offset dot inlays and 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. Components on this guitar include the innovative EverTune constant tension bridge, and a set of Fishman Fluence Modern 7 String 3-Voice Humbucker pickups with push-pull controls to select voicings.
A distinctive entry in the “New for 2025” collection, the LTD Deluxe MH-1000NT Bold Binding delivers what its name says: a Black Satin finish with double-thick silver painted binding on the body and headstock. It offers set-thru construction at 25.5” scale, using a mahogany body with maple cap, and a three-piece maple neck. Its Macassar ebony fingerboard has a compound radius, offset block inlays, and 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. Components on the MH-1000NT Bold Binding include a TonePros locking bridge with string-thru-body, LTD locking tuners, and a pair of Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker pickups with voice selection on a push-pull controls.
Two popular LTD Deluxe models are returning with significant updates. The LTD Deluxe SN-1 HT is now being offered with a Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker (Ceramic) pickup, with voices selected via push-pull control. The LTD Deluxe Arrow-1000 in Candy Apple Red Satin now features a reverse headstock and a set of Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker pickups, with voices selected via push-pull controls.
For more information, please visit espguitars.com.
Signature Series
The highly-anticipated Signature Series guitar for Mick Thomson of Slipknot, the LTD MT-I, makes its debut at NAMM 2025. Available in Obsidian Metallic finish, the MT-I is based on the MH-style body, with an arched top and an inline reverse headstock. This guitar features set-thru construction at 25.5” scale, pairing a mahogany body with white ash top to a three-piece maple neck with a Macassar ebony fingerboard with compound radius and 24 medium-jumbo stainless steel frets. Special features on the MT-I include a Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL nut, Hipshot Grip-Lock locking open gear tuners, an all-brass Hipshot Hi-Mass hardtail bridge, blue Luminlay side markers, and a Fishman Fluence Mick Thomson Signature pickup with a 3-way low profile toggle switch to select between Voice 1, Voice 1 with bass boost shift, and Voice 2, and a push/pull volume control to select Voice 3.
The LTD RZK-III is the newest signature model for Richard ZK of Rammstein. Beginning with the smooth flowing curves of the Phoenix body shape, the RZK-III comes in a classy Olympic White finish. It offers neck-thru-body construction at 25.5” scale, with alder body wings and a three-piece satin-finished maple neck with rosewood fingerboard. Features and components on the LTD RZK-III include a TonePros locking bridge and tailpiece that are both recessed, a brushed black pickguard, 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a reversible arcade-stye kill switch, and a set of Fishman Fluence Richard Z Kruspe signature pickups with a push-pull control to select voicings.
With the LTD JM-I, ESP is introducing its second Signature Series model for Josh Middleton, the acclaimed guitarist for Sylosis. Available with a Deep Blood Moon finish over a quilted maple top, the JM-I offers an alder body and a three-piece roasted maple neck with bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale. This guitar features black binding on the body and headstock, a Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, Luminlay side markers, and a single Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker, with voice selection on a push-pull control.
The new LTD ALR-II is the long-awaited Signature Series guitar for Andy LaRocque, influential guitarist/music producer and co-founder of the iconic heavy metal band King Diamond. Based on the Horizon body, the ALR-II offers neck-thru-body construction at 24.75” scale, and is distinctively finished in See Thru Purple over its figured quilted maple top with a classic teardrop headstock. It features a three-piece maple neck, a Macassar ebony fingerboard with a compound radius and 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, Luminlay side markers, a Floyd Rose 1000 double-locking tremolo, and a set of Seymour Duncan TB-4 JB Trembucker (bridge) and STK-S6 Custom Stack Plus (neck) passive pickups.
Caleb Shomo, the founder, songwriter, and producer of rock band Beartooth, has his first Signature Series guitar with the debut of the LTD CS-II. Based on the Phoenix shape, the CS-II is available with a figured quilted maple top in Vintage Natural finish. This neck-thru-body guitar is offered at 25.5” scale, and comes with mahogany body wings, a three-piece thin u-shaped mahogany neck, Macassar ebony fingerboard, and 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. Components on the CS-II include gold hardware, black binding on body, neck, head, brushed black pickguard, a black bone nut, a locking bridge and tailpiece, and a pickup set that includes ESP’s exclusive Seymour Duncan Custom 14 humbucker in the bridge (splittable with push-pull control) and a Seymour Duncan STR-3 Quarter Pound pickup in the neck.
A new Signature Series guitar has been announced for Alex Wade of deathcore band Whitechapel. The LTD AW-XJ7 Baritone EverTune provides the LTD XJ shape in a 7-string, 27” scale baritone guitar that also features the innovative EverTune constant tension bridge. Available in a Black Open Grain Satin finish, the AW-XJ7 Baritone EverTune offers bolt-on construction, a resonant swamp ash body, and a five-piece maple/walnut/padauk neck with a Macassar ebony fingerboard. This guitar’s features include 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a brushed black pickguard, LTD locking tuners, and a single DiMarzio D-Activator 7 passive pickup that can be split with a push/pull volume control.
A number of Signature Series guitar models for current ESP Signature artists have received fresh updates. Renowned guitarist Alex Skolnick of Testament has a new Lime Burst finish and new pickups for his LTD AS-1FR signature model. Based on the single-cutaway EC shape, this guitar features set-thru construction at 24.75” scale, a mahogany body with flamed maple top, three-piece maple neck, Macassar ebony fingerboard, a Floyd Rose 1000 double-locking tremolo, Dunlop Straploks, and a set of Seymour Duncan Alex Skolnick Signature Humbucker pickups, splittable with push-pull control.
50th Anniversary Series
From its humble beginnings in 1975 as a small Tokyo-based guitar repair shop to its current status as one of the world’s largest and most respected electric guitar and bass manufacturers, ESP Guitars (NAMM Booth 210D) has never been a brand to rest on its laurels. While celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary in 2025, the company is still far more focused on the future than looking back on its past.
To commemorate the major milestone, ESP has announced a special limited edition batch of guitars from the ESP Custom Shop in Japan. Just 15 pieces each of the ESP 50th Anniversary Horizon-CTM Flamed Maple and ESP 50th Anniversary Horizon-CTM Buckeye Burl are being handcrafted by the company’s expert luthiers using custom components and extraordinary tonewoods, and no two are identical.
A more widely available commemorative guitar is the LTD EC-2025 50th Anniversary. Based on the single-cutaway EC shape, it’s being offered in Metallic Gold finish with black hardware and black single-ply binding on the body, neck, ad headstock, appropriate for the company’s golden anniversary celebration. It features a special “50” graphic fingerboard inlay at frets 11-13, as well as a full 50th Anniversary logo on the guitar’s headstock. Built with set-thru construction at 24.75” scale, the guitar employs a mahogany body with maple cap, a three-piece mahogany neck, and a Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets.
Features on the EC-2025 include LTD locking tuners, a TonePros locking bridge and tailpiece, and a set of Seymour Duncan humbucker pickups that includes the ESP-exclusive Custom 14 in the bridge, and the iconic APH-1N in the neck. Coil splitting is accessible with a push-pull control.
200 Series
The LTD EC-256 is now being offered in a Silver Sunburst Teardrop finish. This single-cutaway guitar includes unexpected details like white binding on the body, neck, and headstock. Built with set-neck construction at 24.75” scale using a mahogany body and three-piece mahogany neck, it also features a set of great-sounding, high-output ESP LH-150 bridge and neck pickups, splittable via push-pull control. The popular LTD EC-201 has also been updated to offer a Black Gloss finish.
The LTD M-201 Baritone HT offers an affordable solution for musicians getting into baritone guitar. Offered in Black Gloss finish, it’s built with bolt-on construction at 27” baritone scale, pairing a mahogany body and three-piece maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. This guitar features an LTD fixed hardtail bridge with string-thru-body, and a single ESP LH-150B bridge pickup with an antique nickel cover, with coil splitting via push-pull control.
Another new model in this series is the LTD Phoenix-201, the first Phoenix model in this range. It offers set-neck construction at 25.5” scale with a mahogany body and three-piece mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard. It also includes a single ESP LH-150B bridge pickup with an antique nickel cover, and coil splitting via push-pull control.
It’s a similar story with the LTD SN-201HT, a new model in this affordable range. Available in Black Gloss, it offers bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale, with a mahogany body and three-piece maple neck with tiltback headstock. It also includes a single ESP LH-150B bridge pickup with an antique nickel cover, and coil splitting via push-pull control. The LTD TE-201 is also now offered in Black Gloss finish.
For more information, please visit espguitars.com.