Rittor Music [Scheduled for release November 13th] Guitar Magazine December 2026 issue

◉Cover / FEATURED GUITARISTS

Shota Yasuda's path as an artist, beginning with his guitar.
Shota Yasuda of SUPER EIGHT is officially launching his career as a singer-songwriter. He actually began playing guitar in front of audiences in his teens with the band-style unit V.WEST, and is a veteran professional guitarist with a 25-year career. Throughout his long career, he has played songs by renowned composers and arrangers, and has collaborated with various artists on the music program "EIGHT-JAM." Having gained such diverse experiences and remained at the forefront of entertainment, this guitarist is finally stepping beyond the confines of SUPER EIGHT to embark on his own path as an artist. This long interview focuses on his songwriting and guitar playing, and introduces his favorite equipment, revealing the true face of guitarist Shota Yasuda.

◉SPECIAL PROGRAM
Everyone Grew Up with Guitars - Extra Large Edition

The "Everyone Grew Up with Guitar" series, which used to run irregularly in this magazine and featured prominent figures from various fields who love the guitar and shared their passionate feelings about it, is back in a special expanded edition! This time, seven amazing people will appear, including world-renowned film director Jim Jarmusch, House of Representatives member Yoshimasa Hayashi, known as one of Nagatacho's foremost musicians, and Kukki! of the comedy duo Yasai Bakudan, who has gone beyond being just a comedian to pursue a professional music career. We will ask them about everything from their memories of the day they started playing the guitar to how they interact with it in their daily lives, and how the guitar has colored and influenced their lives.

・Takashi Tsukamoto (Actor)
- Jim Jarmusch (film director)
・Yoshimasa Hayashi (Member of the House of Representatives)
・Cookie! (Yasei Bakudan / Comedian)
Hiro Mashima (manga artist)
- Keiichiro Hirano (novelist)
・Koyakki (YouTuber)

◉THE INSTRUMENTS
The Ultimate Guitar Strap Showcase - 2026 Winter Collection -

The strap has become an integral part of the guitar. You can choose it based on design and fashion, material and texture, comfort and durability...the preferences vary greatly from guitarist to guitarist. This time, we've gathered over 50 different straps, from classic items favored by famous guitarists to cutting-edge high-end models. Let's analyze straps from every angle, from the characteristics of different materials to how to choose the right strap pins.

・Shintaro Yanagisawa (go!go!vanillas) meets: A curated collection of straps, brands, and product introductions.
AQUBE MUSIC PRODUCTS／Elara Straps／Fender／Ibanez／Magrabo Straps／MODENA／Moody Leather／Steyner Straps／WIZARD LEATHER／85 leather studs／BOSS／greendale／NAZCA／spicenote／tiny products）
Column 1: Ask a Pro Guitarist! Guitar Strap Trends Column 2: Shintaro Yanagisawa (go!go!vanillas) Talks About the Aesthetics of Straps Column 3: Dramatically Change Your Performance! How to Choose Strap Materials Without Making Mistakes Column 4: An Essential Item to Prevent Problems! Basic Knowledge of Strap Locks The Straps Loved by Legends

◉Featured Guitars 2
J-FUSION Guitar Chronicles Feat. Noro Issei (CASIOPEA)

Fusion fever that transcends borders

Back when the fusion music genre was born in Japan, who could have predicted that its sound would shake the world 40 years later? CASIOPEA, who have remained at the top of the scene since their debut in 1979, performed in Los Angeles in September 2026. Their breathtaking performances, which were sold out every night, spread like wildfire around the world via social media. Now, they are experiencing a new golden age, captivating not only their long-time fans but also the subscription-era generation in their 20s and 30s. In this issue, we interviewed leader and guitarist Issei Noro. We bring you his passion for music that continues to challenge him even after a career of over 40 years, the ensemble with new members, and the true value of the sound that CASIOPEA is unleashing today.


◉INTERVIEW
Jun Beppu (Divorce Legend)
・SHOW-HATE (SiM)
・YKC, Sugi (coldrain)
・CHOJI (I Don't Like Mondays.) × NAOTO (ORANGE RANGE)
Mary Halvorson

◉PICKUP
Guitar Magazine Championship Vol. 11 Strategy Guide by Toshiro Miyawaki & TC Instruments presents the results of the 6th Modified Guitar Contest!

◉Serialized Series: VIRTUOSO! ~The Life of a Legendary Jazz Guitarist in Manga Vol. 3: Jim Hall's Dream of the Fender Custom Shop - Tomo Fujita's Guitar Didn't Sound Right in a Day!
Dive to Neo Soul by Toshiki Soejima
- Torii Masamichi's exploration of roots throughout history and across cultures - Sakiyama Soshi's encounter with the unknown

◉NEW PRODUCTS REVIEW
・Fender／Made in Japan Pokémon Red Version Stratocaster
・PRS/TEKTON T
・KING SNAKE / Dizzy
・Ghost Note Audio / Signal Generator
・SORAN/Go Rig IV

◉GM SELECTIONS
・"ASAYAKE" CASIOPEA

◉ Bonus booklet
HOW TO PLAY GUITAR - An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Electric Guitar -




This easy-to-understand, 64-page, full-color book will get you ready to play your favorite songs!

CONTENTS
1. Let's start playing the electric guitar!
2. Let's try playing the guitar!
3. How to read tablature and note lengths 4. Let's play power chords!
5. Let's try playing some chords!
6. Electric Guitar Techniques 7. Let's Use Amplifiers & Effects Pedals!
8. Step-up Know-how

Appendix at the end of the book: 6 secrets to dramatically improving your guitar skills!
• Guitar playing terminology dictionary • Guitar Do-Re-Mi quick reference chart • Fretboard Do-Re-Mi quick reference chart