
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

Sweetwater Black Friday deals 2024: savings are still live with up to 70% off
By Daryl Robertson last updated
The Sweetwater Black Friday sale is still live but you'll need to act fast to seal your deal

Guitar Center Black Friday deals 2024: you can still get the lowest prices of the year
By Chris Barnes last updated
Black Friday may be officially over, but Guitar Center still has loads of items on sale

Black Friday Positive Grid deals 2024: The first-ever Spark 2 discounts are here – plus, ways to save on the rest of the Spark line-up today
By Chris Barnes last updated
The official Black Friday deals are here, with discounts on nearly every smart amp in the line-up, plus big savings on software

Guitar lessons are an investment in your playing – these 6 Black Friday deals from Guitar Tricks, Fender Play and more will help you save cash and break through into 2025
By Chris Barnes published
Redefine your technique in 2025 with our pick of Black Friday guitar lesson deals

Guitar World deals of the week: get a half-price EHX pedal, $280 off a Fender Player Series guitar, plus all the best deals ahead of Black Friday
By Matt McCracken published
We've spent the week combing all the Black Friday sales for the very best deals on guitar gear

Sweetwater and Guitar Center have launched their Black Friday sales earlier than ever this year – with up to 80% in savings, here’s the deals you should care about
By Chris Barnes published
Take advantage of the earlier launch date and you could get your new gear in-hand before Black Friday even arrives

With Boss stompbox deals like these, I'm afraid you’re going to need a bigger pedalboard – up to $250 off at Sweetwater ahead of Black Friday
By Chris Barnes published
From FX icons to modern recreations of legendary studio gear, Sweetwater’s early Black Friday sale is your chance to upgrade your pedal game

Best guitars for kids 2025: 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

Amazon who? Sales at Guitar Center, Fender, Positive Grid and Sweetwater are kicking Prime Day to the curb
By Chris Barnes published
These US music stores are leaving Amazon's Big Deal Days sale in the dust as far as guitar players are concerned

This year's Labor Day guitar deals are better than ever, including up to 60% off Fender and super cheap Spark amps – here’s 5 essential sales to shop today
By Chris Barnes last updated
There's juicy price cuts on everything from Fender to Gibson, PRS to Line 6, Positve Grid and more in today's Labor Day sales

Save 80% with Guitar Tricks' best subscription offer of the year – including a free custom lesson plan to get you off to a flying start
By Chris Barnes published
One of our highest-rated guitar lessons platforms just unleashed its Summer Black Friday annual subscription bundle offer – and the savings are huge

6 of the best 4th of July sales for guitarists: Save up to 60% off guitars, amps, FX and accessories
By Chris Barnes published
Explore hundreds of dollars in discounts at Musician’s Friend, Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Positive Grid and more

Best earplugs for musicians 2025: guitarist-friendly plugs to suit every budget
By Chris Corfield last updated
Our pick of the best affordable earplugs to protect your hearing from the din of the rehearsal room to the stage

The Fender x Loog Strat and Tele models are perfect for getting kids playing – and right now you can save 15%
By Chris Barnes published
Get your child on their way with the guitar and save $30 in the process

5 epic Presidents’ Day sales for guitar players that you don’t want to miss today
By Chris Barnes published
These sweet sales are live right now – but hurry, prices will be going back up at midnight

Guitar Center just added new deals to its huge 35% off sale and you can save right up to Christmas eve
By Chris Barnes published
Plus all the latest info on shipping times and your last opportunity for delivery before Christmas day

Get better faster for only $3.13 per month with Fender Play’s biggest ever discount
By Chris Barnes published
Learning or improving has never been cheaper thanks to this time-limited 75% off promotion from Fender Play

We write about guitars every day – here's 21 essential Cyber Monday deals the Guitar World team is shopping today
By Chris Barnes published
These are the deals we've added to our baskets – from practice amps and pedals, to guitars and a ridiculously cheap tuner

Take your playing from average Joe to pro with this amazing value Guitar Tricks one-year subscription deal – plus, get $321 of extras
By Chris Barnes published
Invest in your playing with the best Black Friday deal we’ve seen so far from one of our favourite online lessons platforms

Best DIY guitar kits 2025: self-assembly project guitars for every budget
By Richard Blenkinsop last updated
The best DIY guitar kits for budding luthiers – build your own acoustic or electric guitar today

Forget Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days event, these 6 sales are where it’s at for guitar players today
By Chris Barnes published
Black Friday-esque savings from Fender, Guitar Center, Musician’s Friend and more leave Amazon’s sale in the dust

Sweetwater’s Prime Day-beating demo gear sale just put your dream guitar in reach
By Chris Barnes published
Every instrument has been inspected in house, is fully working and comes with a 2-year guarantee – includes Gibson, Fender, Martin and Gretsch

Best guitar accessories for beginners 2025: our pick of beginner guitar gear essentials
By Chris Barnes last updated
Start on the right foot with the best beginner guitar and bass accessories – including strings, picks, cables, tuners, cases and more
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