Connor Flys

Latest articles by Connor Flys

Sterling By Music Man Kaizen 7-string in Firemist Purple Satin, shot in close-up.

“Scoring especially highly for its superb ergonomics”: Sterling By Music Man Kaizen 7 review

By Connor Flys published

Progressive guitar icon Tosin Abasi's dramatic Music Man custom seven-string, re-imagined for those with lighter wallets

Electric Guitars
Strandberg Boden N2 Original

“At this upper mid-range price point, it's hard to think of a guitar to rival it”: Strandberg N2 Boden Standard review

By Connor Flys published

The second model in the progressive Swedish company's new Boden N2 series more than holds its own

Electric Guitars
Positive Grid BIAS: X, the new AI-powered guitar plugin from the innovative company behind the Spark smart amp

“Among the easiest modeling plugins to get to grips with – great results in very short order.”: Positive Grid BIAS X review

By Connor Flys published

Artificial intelligence has take care of your admin, now Positive Grid is utilizing it to help you create better guitar tones

Plugins & Apps
Squier Classic Vibe 70s Jazz Bass Active: finished in Ocean Turquoise, this keenly priced four-string is photographed in close-up with a patterned rug and wooden floor in the background.

“It evokes a cool old Jazz Bass that's picked up some useful mods over its life”: Squier Classic Vibe Active ’70s Jazz Bass review

By Connor Flys published

Is it a '70s-inspired Jazz Bass? Is it a modernised active bass? Yes to both...

Bass Guitars
The Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster Bass is a fine-looking four-string in a custard-colored Vintage White, and is here photographed in close-up, against a plain wooden background. It has a single Wide Range humbucker.

“It might not be to all tastes, but its retro charm and sonic potential are compelling indeed”: Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster Bass review

By Connor Flys published

Squier reissues an oddity from Fender's bass archives, complete with a Wide Range humbucker – is this its time?

Bass Guitars
Boss WAZA Tube Amp Expander Core: the smash-hit load box has been downsized to make it more portable but retains the look – and much of the functionality – of the original, with its black enclosure, off-white dials. Here it is pictured with amps and pedals.

“The Core preserves much of what made the original Expander such a useful tool”: Boss WAZA Tube Amp Expander Core review

By Connor Flys published

The Boss Tube Amp Expander – can the full quart fit into a pint-size box?

Guitar Gear
MXR MB301 Bass Synth: the dark gray bass pedal has light blue and orange dials and is photographed here against a distressed wooden background.

“It’s difficult to think of a synth bass sound that couldn't be achieved here”: MXR Bass Synth Pedal review

By Connor Flys published

Has MXR and Ian Martin Allison created the bass synth to end all bass synths?

Effects & Pedals
Tone King Imperial Preamp Pedal

“The Tone King sound for a quarter of the price”: Tone King Imperial Tri Tube Preamp review

By Connor Flys published

Tone King's latest arrival miniaturises the celebrated Imperial amp, for the fly-rig crowd

Guitar Pedals
Dingwall SP1: the new multi-scale four-string makes a great albeit pricey introduction to the format

“Could this Dingwall convert newcomers to fanned frets? Well, why not?”: Dingwall SP1 review

By Connor Flys published

This modern take on a classic design could open up new markets for Dingwall

Bass Guitars
A selection of guitar pedals are photographed against a concrete floor.

Pedalboard inspiration incoming... Here are our 30 favorite new guitar pedals from the past 5 years

By Guitarist editors published

We break the glass on the pedal cabinet to dig out a long-list of some of the coolest effects from the new Golden Era of stompboxes

Guitar Pedals
Fortin Meshuggah Preamp/Distortion

“A true preamp unit with an enormous range of gain”: Fortin Meshuggah Preamp/Distortion review

By Connor Flys published

Plug in, turn on, tune down, tune down some more...

Effects & Pedals
Tobias Growler IV: the cult-classic bass guitar returns in a natural finish, revealing all the patterns and wood grain

“Esoteric boutique vibe, superb ergonomics and a powerful, unique preamp”: Tobias Growler IV review

By Connor Flys published

The cult-classic Growler bass makes a long-overdue return to the bass market

Bass Guitars