
Chris Barnes
I'm Guitar World's eCommerce Editor. In addition to testing the latest music gear, it's my job to manage the 200+ buyer's guides on the site and help guitarists find the right gear and the best prices for them. I've been a guitar player for 30 years and a drummer for almost 20. I've worked in the music gear industry for 20 years, including 7 years as Editor of the UK's best-selling drum magazine Rhythm, and 5 years as a freelance music writer, during which time I worked with the world's biggest instrument brands including Boss, Laney and Roland.
Latest articles by Chris Barnes

Prime Day guitar deals 2026 LIVE: today's freshest discounts on guitar gear at Amazon, Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Fender and beyond
By Daryl Robertson, Matt McCracken, Chris Barnes last updated
I'm rounding up all the hottest guitar, amp, pedal, and accessory deals throughout day two of the Prime Day sales. Stick with me for all of the biggest news, deals, tips, and tricks for saving money today and through the rest of this week

Prime Day guitar deals 2026: expert vetted deals from day 3 of the Prime Day sales
By Chris Barnes last updated
Guitar World's gear experts are here to help you separate the real bargains from the filler with the best savings on guitars, amps, pedals, accessories, and more

Amazon's Prime Day sale is having a vintage year, but it’s not the only place for guitar gear price cuts – here’s 7 Amazon alternatives offering giant savings this week
By Chris Barnes published
From money off guitars and amps, to accessories and software, it's a bumper week for discounts

You might get a strange look packing this futuristic frame into your luggage, but this 4.5 star rated travel guitar is an absolute bargain for just $370 in the early Prime Day sales
By Chris Barnes published
The Donner Hush X Live is everything you could possibly want from a travel-friendly electric guitar, and all the more tempting to grab at 16% off

Guitar World deals of the week: grab the best early Prime Day guitar deals with essential guitar gear starting from just $4.99, plus the ideal last-minute Father's Day gift for guitar-playing dads
By Matt McCracken last updated
Our gear experts track down the best weekly deals on guitar gear, bringing you hand-picked savings on guitars, pedals, amps, and more

I've been covering Memorial Day guitar sales for 6 years. If you really want to save on guitar gear today, these are the 7 sales you need to check out – and it’s an Amazon-free zone
By Chris Barnes published
I’ve never seen Memorial Day guitar discounts this big in all my time covering the event, but you won’t find them at Amazon

Best Memorial Day guitar sales 2026: All of today's biggest discounts and my pick of epic deals on guitars, amps, effects, accessories, guitar lessons and software
By Chris Barnes last updated
Explore all the essential Memorial Day guitar savings in one place – check out the latest from Guitar Center, Musician's Friend, Fender, Guitar Tricks, Waves and more

Best online guitar lessons 2026: I'm a professional guitar product reviewer and these are my top picks
By Chris Schwarten last updated
Online lessons are the ideal platform for developing guitar skills at home or on the go – myself and our in-house experts have tested options for all playing levels, styles and budgets, including a free option

Best guitars for kids 2026: top electric and acoustic guitars for children
By Daryl Robertson last updated
The top kid’s guitars available today and everything you need to know to get your child started with the guitar

Sweetwater Cyber Monday deals 2025: bag up to 50% off guitar gear
By Chris Barnes last updated
Cyber Monday is over, but Sweetwater just launched a fresh sale for Cyber Week

Cyber Monday Fender deals 2025: Last chance to save on a Fender
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Cyber Monday is over, but you can save on iconic Fender gear

Musician's Friend Cyber Monday deals 2025: You can still score up to 65% off music gear - but be quick!
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Our pick of the epic deals you need to check out in the Musician's Friend Cyber Monday sale

Guitar Center Cyber Monday deals 2025: there's not much time left to save up to 40%
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Cyber Monday is over but there's still a last chance to save – here's how to secure today's best guitar gear discounts while you still can

Cyber Monday guitar deals 2025: all the biggest savings that are still live at Sweetwater, Guitar Center, and more
By Chris Barnes last updated
Find out where and how to still grab the biggest savings on guitar gear this Cyber Monday

Sweetwater Black Friday deals 2025: the big sale has officially started – with up to 80% off guitar gear
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Cyber Weekend is nearly over, so it's your last chance to save big on gear at Sweetwater

Musician's Friend Black Friday deals 2025: Last chance to score massive discounts of up to 60% off guitar gear
By Chris Barnes last updated
Day three of the Black Friday sale is here. Save big on guitar gear and more for a limited time

Guitar Center Black Friday deals 2025: The official Black Friday Sale is here!
By Chris Barnes last updated
Guitar Center has gone early with its Black Friday sale, which sees up to 40% off from now until December 3rd

Black Friday Fender deals 2025: last chance to save big on Fender and Squier guitars
By Daryl Robertson last updated
This Cyber Weekend, we're seeing some fantastic Fender deals crop up across the web, including discounted Player II guitars

Black Friday guitar deals 2025: Don't miss out on the greatest savings for guitar players
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Here are the best savings still live this Black Friday, from Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Positive Grid, and more

I challenge anyone to beat TrueFire’s Black Friday annual subscription deal for value – $6.58 per month to access over 80,000 online guitar lessons is unbelievable
By Chris Barnes published
These are the cheapest online lessons you'll find right now

Hunting for guitar gear this Prime Day? These 4 anti-Prime Day sales are taking Amazon on at their own game
By Chris Barnes published
Unless you want strings, Amazon's Big Deal Days sale is pretty mid for guitar players – here's where you should shop instead

With up to $54 off Loog’s kids guitars for Prime Day, it’s finally time to buy my son his first guitar
By Chris Barnes published
My boy loves AC/DC – can I teach him Thunderstruck by New Years?

This year's best-ever Labor Day guitar deals include up to 60% off at Musician's Friend, 20% Fender savings and super cheap Spark amps – here’s 6 essential sales to shop right now
By Chris Barnes published
There's juicy price cuts on everything from Fender to Gibson, PRS to Sterling By Music Man, Positive Grid and more in these massive Labor Day weekend sales

Our highest-rated online guitar lessons just dropped by 65% for Labor Day - up your game for only $10.47 per month
By Chris Barnes published
With over 11,000 lessons online, plus tutor feedback, there’s no better way than Guitar Tricks to learn remotely right now

Always thought in-ear monitors were too expensive? This mega Prime Day sale on Linsoul IEMs says otherwise – invest from as little as $39.99 and find out why more amateur players than ever are using them
By Chris Barnes published
From basic to pro options, there's a pair for every level of player
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