
Daryl Robertson
Daryl is a Senior Deals Writer at Guitar World, where he creates and maintains our 200+ buyer's guides, finds the best deals on guitar products, and tests the latest gear. His reviews have been featured in prominent publications like Total Guitar, Guitarist, Future Music magazine, and MusicRadar.com.
During his career, he has been lucky enough to talk to many of his musical heroes, having interviewed Slash and members of Sum 41, Foo Fighters, The Offspring, Feeder, Thrice, and more. In a past life, he worked in music retail. For a little under a decade, he advised everyone from absolute beginners to seasoned pros on the right gear for their needs.
Daryl's world doesn't just revolve around guitars either; he also has a passion for live sound. Daryl is a fully qualified sound engineer who holds a first-class Bachelor's degree in Creative Sound Production from the University of Abertay and has plenty of experience working in various venues around Scotland.
Latest articles by Daryl Robertson

Guitar Center Black Friday deals 2025: the latest savings and how to find the best guitar gear offers of the year
By Chris Barnes last updated
How to save right now, and our advice on shopping this year's big Black Friday Guitar Center sale when it lands

Guitar World deals of the week: Save $600 on a madcap Fender tube amp, get 36 bits of software for the price of 1, plus a stunning PRS SE for less than a grand
By Matt McCracken last updated
Your weekly digest of the best deals from all corners of the web, hand-picked by Guitar World's gear experts

Sweetwater Black Friday deals 2025: get the lowdown on the early savings
By Daryl Robertson last updated
The Sweetwater Black Friday sale isn't live just yet, but if you're looking for an early deal you're in luck

Black Friday Fender deals 2025: what to know before the sale starts
By Daryl Robertson last updated
This Black Friday, we're seeing some fantastic Fender deals crop up across the web, including discounted Player II guitars

Prime Day guitar deals 2025: Amazon's Big Deal Days is officially over
By Chris Barnes last updated
October Prime Day is over now, but if you're late to the party there's still some deals hanging around

Quick! 3 of our top-rated Positive Grid Spark amps have hefty Prime Day discounts until the end of today – and they all scored 4.5 stars in our reviews
By Daryl Robertson published
If you're on the hunt for a budget practice amp, today is your last chance to score big savings at Amazon

I've recommended this beginner acoustic countless times, and with $136 off, it's an even easier choice – don't hang about, though, the sale ends today!
By Daryl Robertson published
Guitar Center's massive Guitar-A-Thon sale ends today, but there is still time to pick up this stunning D'Angelico Premier Gramercy for an unbeatable price

Amazon has failed to deliver any truly good Prime Day deals for guitar players – I'm shopping the Musician's Friend Rocktober sale instead, with up to 40% off guitar gear
By Daryl Robertson published
Save big this Fall with discounts on a host of guitar gear from the biggest names in the business

Quick! Guitar Center's epic Guitar-A-Thon sale leaves Amazon Prime Day in the shade, with up to $900 off Taylor and $500 off Gibson models – but the deals are ending soon
By Daryl Robertson published
Guitar Center is slashing up to 35% off guitar gear from now until October 9, and these are the 11 deals we have our eye on

My favorite ever signature model just got a cool $100 off, making it a must buy for grunge fans
By Daryl Robertson published
As well as slashing the price of the Soundgarden guitarist's signature axe, you can also save big a slew of Polara models, including the highly rated Deluxe

Best acoustic guitars under $1,000 2025: expert picks for great tone on a budget
By Rob Laing last updated
Enjoy superb playability and sound with our guide to the top mid-priced acoustics

Best overdrive pedals 2025: from mid-hump to transparent tone
By Matt McCracken last updated
My pick of the top-rated overdrive pedals will get your gain tones on point

From Green Day to Eric Clapton, meet the Taylor acoustic guitar you didn't know was responsible for some of the biggest songs in the world
By Daryl Robertson published
Rob Cavallo's Taylor was dubbed Excalibur by Billie Joe Armstrong and has been making hit songs for nearly 30 years

7 guitarists you didn't know started on an acoustic guitar
By Daryl Robertson published
From Alex Lifeson to Peter Frampton, Mark Morton to Michael Schenker, we share the stories of famous guitarists' first guitars in their own words

The Imaginaries’ Shane Henry on his eye for vintage gear, recruiting Vince Gill – and trading trucks with Joe Bonamassa
By Daryl Robertson published
From once-in-a-lifetime collaborations to buying a slew of vintage guitars and starting his own pedal company, Shane Henry is living most guitarists’ wildest dreams

Jimmy Page's 5 most iconic guitars, in his own words
By Daryl Robertson published
Jimmy Page tells all, sharing the stories behind his most significant guitars – plus we tell you how to nail his iconic tone at home at various price points

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

"Back then, I was pretty much a nobody, so Gibson sold it to me at cost!" Slash's 5 most iconic guitars, in his own words
By Daryl Robertson published
Slash talks through his most significant guitars in his own words – plus we tell you how to nail his iconic tone at home at various price points

"I've tested loads of pedals for reviews, and it’s not often I come across one that feels this inspiring": Hotone NC-200 Verbera reverb pedal review
By Daryl Robertson published
Combining algorithmic and IR convolution reverbs to create lush soundscapes, this may be the most impressive reverb pedal of the year

"The true star here is the pickup configuration": PRS SE Studio review
By Daryl Robertson published
Modern electrics can be criticized for trying to be all things to all people, but the SE Studio may just be one of the few to pull it off

I thought I was done buying Gibsons, but with a massive up to $450 off everything from my favorite Explorer to a newly released Les Paul in the Musician’s Friend Labor Day sale, I’m about to add another
By Daryl Robertson published
The Musician's Friend Labor Day sale has just dropped, and it includes over $400 off the newly released Double Trouble Les Paul!

Best acoustic electric guitars 2025: electro-acoustic picks for every guitarist whatever your budget
By Simon Fellows last updated
Stand and be heard – embrace the creative opportunities an acoustic electric guitar presents, whether live on stage or in the studio

Best beginner guitar amps 2025: my top picks from over a decade working in music retail
By Ross Holder last updated
After nearly ten years working in a busy high-street music store, I’ve seen which beginner amps truly deliver, offering the best value, most useful features, and long-lasting popularity from brands like Blackstar, Fender, Positive Grid, and more

Fender is laying down the gauntlet to all other Labor Day guitar sales – save up to $200 off an American Pro II Strat or Tele, and so much more
By Daryl Robertson published
In the market for a new USA-made Fender this Labor Day? Check out these sizable discounts at the official Fender shop

Sweetwater jump on the Labor Day savings early by slashing a whopping $500 off an exotic Gibson Les Paul, $300 of Dave Grohl's signature Epiphone and so much more
By Daryl Robertson published
The music retail giant has just dropped its Labor Day sale a few days early, and it includes insane discounts on the likes of Fender, Gibson, Schecter, Music man, and more
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