After an impressive 58-year run, Guitar Player magazine, a leading voice for guitar enthusiasts, is ceasing its print publication. The final issue, slated for October 15th, will feature an exclusive interview with the iconic Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, marking a significant moment for guitar players and the music industry alike.
While the print edition is coming to a close, guitar players can still find a home at guitarplayer.com. Christopher Scapelliti, the magazine’s current editor, will transition to the role of digital editor-in-chief, ensuring the website remains a vibrant hub for guitar-related content. For those with print subscriptions, they will be seamlessly transferred to Guitar World, another publication under the same ownership, unless a refund is preferred.
The discontinuation of the print magazine had been anticipated within the industry. Signs emerged in September when new subscriptions were no longer offered. The parent company, Future, holding two guitar magazines in its print portfolio, suggested that maintaining both in the current media landscape was unsustainable.
In his farewell editor’s letter in the December 2024 issue, Scapelliti reflected on the magazine’s journey: “You have witnessed a revolution. When Guitar Player debuted in 1967, it inaugurated a new era for the guitar. It was the first regularly published magazine dedicated to guitarists, their instruments, gear, and the art of guitar playing. Founder Bud Eastman’s vision laid the foundation for an empire that expanded to include Bass Player, Frets, and Keyboard magazines, books, records, videos, and more. Guitar Player’s success paved the way for other publications, including our sister magazine Guitar World, enriching the lives of guitar players everywhere.”
He further elaborated on the challenges faced by print media, stating, “The ‘why’ will be evident as you observe the increasingly slim volumes, a testament to our persistent efforts in an age where advertisers are drawn to online platforms. Throughout the years, we have been grateful for the support of readers and advertisers who sustained Guitar Player’s print edition.” Scapelliti assured readers, “I look forward to seeing you at GuitarPlayer.com, where we will continue to deliver the best guitar stories, interviews, gear reviews, and lessons.”
Guitar Player Magazine Logo, showcasing its long history for guitar players.
Guitar Player magazine, since its inception in the San Francisco Bay Area by L.V. “Bud” Eastman, has seen several ownership changes. NewBay Media in New York acquired it in 2007, adding it to a collection of music publications including Bass Player, Electronic Musician, Keyboard, Mix, and Guitar World. The San Francisco Chronicle reported Guitar Player’s monthly circulation was approximately 130,000 as recently as 2018, highlighting its significant reach within the guitar player community.
Jimmy Page, legendary guitarist of Led Zeppelin, featured on the final print cover of Guitar Player Magazine.
In similar news for print publications focused on specialized interests, Sound & Vision, a magazine dedicated to audio-video technology and a successor to Stereo Review, also announced the end of its print edition in September. Sound & Vision’s editor’s note stated, “All good things must come to an end… The final print issue of Sound & Vision magazine has left the printer. We are now a purely digital property… Many magazines haven’t reached this point, making this a milestone and a bittersweet farewell… While the print edition concludes, Sound & Vision continues online.”
The end of Guitar Player’s print run marks a turning point, but the ongoing digital presence of guitarplayer.com ensures that the legacy of serving guitar players will continue to evolve in the digital age.
