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Top 10 Wong Notes Episodes in 2022

Top 10 Wong Notes Episodes in 2022

From John Mayer’s “lost” song to Derek Trucks’ ode to the Super Reverb, we covered a lot of ground this year.


10. Bruce Hornsby: “Trying to Keep the Self-Loathing at Bay”

Cory Wong

How does a legacy artist stay on top of his game? The pianist, hit singer-songwriter, producer, and composer talks about the importance of musical growth and positive affirmation; his love for angular melodicism; playing jazz, pop, classical, bluegrass, jam, and soundtrack music; and collaborating with his favorite guitarists, including Pat Metheny and Jerry Garcia.

9. Yngwie J. Malmsteen: "I Never Felt That Art Is a Sport”

Cory Wong

The tennis-playing, art-enthusiast, Ferrari-collecting shredder talks about his passion, his practice, his love for the Strat, and who he thinks is the greatest guitar player who’s ever lived.

8. Mike Campbell Likes the “Real Stuff”

Cory Wong

The Heartbreakers guitarist and Dirty Knobs frontman answers deep questions about songwriting, producing, and hitmaking.

7. Ariel Posen: “Dynamics Are the Most Important Thing.”

Cory Wong

The roots-guitar innovator talks about controlling his sound, when to play large or small amps, using overdrive and compression, mastering slide, building community on social media, and the overall role gear plays in defining his distinctive tone.

6. Victor Wooten: "Music Needs Us."

Cory Wong

The bass wiz and author shares deep wisdom about bass, music, and more.

5. What Scares Julian Lage?

Cory Wong

The jazz phenom chats about flying with his guitar, how he approaches fluidity on his instrument, overcoming injury, and his take on pedals and tunings.

4. Derek Trucks: “There’s a Lot of Music Out There”

Cory Wong

The slide master talks about amalgamating influences, keeping it fresh, how he approaches tone, and the best amp ever made.

3. Vai on Vai: “That’s Me—Obtuse and Quirky”

Cory Wong

The legend talks gear, almost jamming with Prince, guitar heroes, melody, fear, swapping technique for passion, his hydra guitar, why he chose the players on his latest album, and his true superpower.

2. John Mayer Pt. 2—A Song Too Perfect to Record?

Cory Wong

Cory and John Mayer sit down with their guitars to jam and discuss how they approach playing, songwriting, record-making, and the music business.

1. Mayer Is King

Cory Wong

Cory and John Mayer sit down with their guitars to jam and discuss how they approach playing, songwriting, record-making, and the music business.

The Austin-based guitarist sticks with a tried-and-true combo of American guitars and British amps.

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This is perhaps the most rare Iwase guitar: one volume, one tone, and a quality adjustable bridge, plus a raised pickguard and some beautiful shading on the burst.

A 6-string found in the workshop of the late luthier Yukichi Iwase may be the only one of these small, nearly full-scale guitars. Our columnist tells the story.

I’ve been thinking a lot about snowflakes lately. We are getting some snowy weather up my way, but there’s a few other items rattling around in my mind. Like, I just got a car for my daughter (thanks to those who bought guitars from me recently), and it’s so freakin’ cool. I bought her a Mini Cooper, and this thing is so rad! I was doing research on these models, and each one is sorta different as far as colors, racing stripes, wheels, etc. Her friends say she has a “main character” car, but you’ll probably have to ask a teenager whatthat means.

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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.

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In this episode of 100 Guitarists, we’re talking all things surf rock, from reverb to tremolo picking and much more. And while “Misirlou” is undisputedly his most influential work, maybe Dale’s best records didn’t come until a few decades later.

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