Cort Guitars officially unveils the KX500 Baritone, a specialized addition to the coveted KX Series. Engineered specifically for players who use low tunings, the instrument addresses the familiar challenges of string tension and note definition associated with dropped registers. By combining a long-scale architecture with premium electronics and hardware, Cort provides a focused solution for heavy music performance that keeps responsiveness and control.The foundation of the KX500 Baritone is an okoume body, selected for its lightweight properties and ability to deliver a warm, resonant tone with a clear low-end response that keeps heavy sounds tight. The body is topped with an English Walnut veneer, providing a striking grain pattern and a distinctive visual character. To complement the tonal properties of the wood, the instrument is finished in a Matte Natural Black Burst (NBB), using an open-pore application that keeps the organic feel of the materials. Playability is made easy by a 28.03-inch (712mm) scale length, positioned to provide best string tension for drop tunings while staying transparent to the player. The bolt-on neck features a 5-piece construction of roasted maple and walnut, offering enhanced durability and resonance alongside a comfortable "D" shape profile. A Macassar Ebony fingerboard with a 15.75-inch radius houses 24 jumbo stainless-steel frets, chosen for their smooth feel and long-lasting performance under heavy use. Fretboard navigation is aided by Teardrop position inlays and luminous side dots for visibility in dark stage environments. The instrument is equipped with a matched Seymour Duncan Sentient and Nazgûl humbucker set, specifically voiced for modern high-gain performance ranging from clean passages to full output. This HH configuration is managed by a streamlined control layout consisting of a single volume knob, a 3-way toggle switch, and tone pot (push/pull for coil-split). These electronics allow for diverse tonal shaping while ensuring the clarity required for complex, low-tuned arrangements.Reliability and sustain are further supported by a hardware package featuring a new Cort hardtail bridge. This bridge uses a string-thru-body construction to improve resonance across the instrument. At the headstock, Cort Locking Tuners provide tuning stability and ease efficient string changes, while a Graph Tech Black TUSQ nut ensures consistent string vibration. The guitar comes factory-equipped with D'Addario EXL157 strings (.014-.068) and features all-black hardware to match its aggressive aesthetic. The KX500 Baritone is a commitment to purposeful design for the modern metal and progressive guitarist. For more information on specifications and global availability, please visit the official Cort Guitars website at www.cortguitars.com. Street Price: $929.99 USD

Question: What's the first—or hardest—guitar solo you ever learned?Pete Evick, guitarist, the Bret Michaels Band; producerA: I started playing at such an early age, and tackling some crazy stuff for a 13-year-old with a phonograph, not YouTube. So the hardest solo would have been Randy Rhoads’ lead on “Over the Mountain,” from Ozzy Osbourne’s Diary of a Madman. But it’s relative to the time and tools—as an adult I’ve gone back and learned all my favorite Steve Vai licks, but I did it with the help of modern technology and over 40 years of experience, so it didn’t seem nearly as hard or frustrating. Saying all of that, I still think the hardest thing to execute is Jake E. Lee’s outro solo on Ozzy’s “Bark at the Moon.” Getting that clean and at the right speed is an exercise every guitar player, from any genre, should force themselves to do. It's a full workout for both hands.Obsession: I’ve been producing music for an awesome guy that goes by the name Timules. It’s this really different, amazing spoken-word-type stuff. Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake), who’s a mind-blowing player, Eric Brittingham from Cinderella, and I have all been making this music with him, and it’s just super different and unique.Tony Houston, reader; guitarist, the Primetime Blues BandA: In 1971, when I was 21 years old and just starting to learn guitar, I struggled with finding the key of songs and understanding how solos were constructed, despite knowing some basic theory, string names, and scales. That year, I read a lesson in Guitar Player magazine where the author tabbed out George Harrison's solo on “Let It Be.” He explained how he found the key and detailed his process of recording the song from vinyl to a cassette deck so he could rewind it and practice.That single lesson completely transformed my approach to the instrument. Within a week, I began learning songs on my own, and I am still learning them today.Obsession: I have two current obsessions: I’m back to learning to play better slide guitar. I recently found a Maestro resonator guitar at a yard sale for $25 and am currently perfecting my touch. Back in ’70, I was very fortunate to see the Allman Brothers Band perform in a very small venue, Pappaliski's, here in Dayton, Ohio. I knew about Duane Allman from “Layla,” and wondered how he achieved that guitar sound. I had just started learning guitar, too, and was captivated by his tone. I was gobsmacked to see him live using a small bottle, sliding it up and down his guitar neck.My other obsession is perfecting the art of making focaccia.John Bohlinger, columnist; host, Rig RundownA: My dad bought Dire Straits’ debut album for me in 1979, shortly after it came out. The “Sultans of Swing” solo became my Mount Everest. Something happens to your brain, spirit, and personality when you put a lot of effort into something that seems impossible at first. The exercise trained my ears, taught me that melodies lie in the chords more than the scales, and gave me confidence that I could actually be a guitar player. Forty-seven years later, I still don’t sound nearly as good as a 28-year-old Mark Knopfler did the day he recorded it.Obsession: I’m still way into chord voicings. The way Wes Montgomery could pull such amazing melodies out of those color tones in his chords blows my mind.

MONO has announced the company’s newest collaboration with Teisco, introducing fresh limited-edition colors on the Vertigo Electric Guitar Case.Inspired by the subtle beauty of Japanese design, the latest MONO x Teisco collection introduces three new colorways that pair muted pastel tones with geometric and flowing patterns. The company describes the three eye-grabbing options: Orange is bold, energetic, and impossible to overlook. Inspired by the warmth of autumn, its interlocking pattern creates rhythm and structure, giving the impression of constant movement. Sage draws from the calmness of the natural world. Understated yet expressive, its flowing pattern evokes a sense of continuity, making it equally at home on the road, backstage, or in the studio. Lavender takes a softer, more contemplative approach, inspired by the quiet colors of the evening sky with an evocative cloud-like pattern. To launch the new collection, MONO and Teisco have partnered with three artists whose creativity extends beyond their music into their personal style: LAYYI, Marco of Bellied Star, and Marian Carmel. Their creative identities make them the perfect artists to showcase the next evolution of the MONO x Teisco collaboration.Built on MONO's award-winning Vertigo platform, the cases combine bold aesthetics with the premium protection trusted by musicians worldwide. Key features include: ● Available in Orange, Sage, and Lavender, each featuring a unique Japanese-inspired pattern.● Patented Headlock Neck Suspension System securely supports the guitar neck and headstock, providing superior protection against drops and impacts.● The Boot combines a custom-molded rubber outsole with an EVA insole to absorb unwanted impacts during transport.● Top-loading design provides fast and convenient access, making it easy to take your instrument in and out.● Smart Storage System features triple D-rings for seamless attachment of the Classic Tick Accessory Case 2.0 (sold separately), expanding storage capacity.● Constructed to military specifications, with highly abrasion-resistant and weather-resistant materials. A water-resistant Sharkskin shell protects against the elements, while the plush interior lining safeguards delicate custom finishes.The MONO x Teisco Vertigo Electric Guitar Cases carry a street price of $299.99. For more information, visit monocreators.com. MONO Vertigo Electric Guitar Case MONO has announced the company’s newest collaboration with Teisco, introducing fresh limited-edition colors on the Vertigo Electric Guitar Case. Learn more Buy now