Latest articles by Daryl Robertson
"Modeling tech has gotten so good I doubt many guitarists would be able to tell the difference": Analog vs. digital rig build challenge - here’s how two very different players would spend $2,500
One player puts his stake in tubes and pedals; the other in IRs and FRFRs. We gave them both $2,500 to build the ultimate mid-tier rig
Best blues guitars 2026: these six-strings are ideal for all types of electric blues covering various price points
Wondering what the best blues guitars are at the moment? Here we have 10 of the finest options from Gibson, Fender, Guild and more
Best acoustic guitar amps 2026: let your acoustic tone shine
Our expert pick of acoustic amplifiers for all budgets, from AER, Boss, Fishman, and others
From guitars to amps, picks to pickups, a Slash fanatic shows you how to nail his iconic tone at home at various price points
The gear behind one of rock's greatest tones and how to make it yours – including models from Gibson, Epiphone, Magnatone, Dunlop, and more
Best beginner guitar amps 2026: my top picks from over a decade working in music retail
After nearly 10 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
Best acoustic guitars under $1,000 in 2026: great tone for less
Enjoy superb playability and sound with our guide to the top mid-priced acoustics from the likes of Epiphone, Fender, Martin and more
"What if your best song is the one you haven't written yet?" Songwriting For Guitar's free two-day live event will make you a better songwriter - here's how to sign up
From the 11th to the 12th of April, you'll be guided through the core building blocks of strong songwriting, hooks, riffs, melody, and structure in a practical, guitar-first way
Avenged Sevenfold’s Zachary Baker on cooking up a country album with a modeler and an Epiphone acoustic
He built his name shredding stages with one of metal's biggest bands. Now, Zacky Vengeance talks us through the making of his debut album and why he relied on digital modelers over amps
From a hand-sanitizing hi-hat stand to DNA healing tuning forks, here are 5 absolutely unhinged music products in the Amazon Big Spring Sale – plus 3 I'd actually buy
I've gone through the full sale and picked out the bizarre items you should avoid and a handful that are definitely worth your time
Whisper it... Donner's 4.5-star Hush-X travel guitar just dropped by a chunky 20%, bringing quiet practice within reach at home or on vacation
In the Amazon Spring Saleyou can bag an electric travel guitar that sounds so good you won't believe it isn't a regular solidbody
I've spent years testing beginner acoustic guitars, and my top-rated model just got a huge 15% price cut in the Amazon Big Spring Sale – plus score 20% off a Squier Paranormal Strat
These beginner-friendly savings on Fender and Squier are hard to beat
"It’s one of the most satisfying stacking combinations I’ve encountered in a dual-channel pedal for a very long time": Wampler Golden Jubilee review
Wampler is going for gold with a versatile, fun and pretty great-sounding dual drive pedal
Simpsons icon Hank Azaria on his Springsteen tribute – and his custom Moe guitar from the Boss’ own builder
From Springfield to Springsteen, the Simpsons actor talks about becoming The Boss, performing with two guitar icons, and shows off a custom Petillo guitar, complete with Moe inlay. Worst. Interview. Ever? Not a chance
"It’s not the cheapest solution, but it’s one of the most fully featured volume pedals available": Walrus Audio Canvas Volume review
The newest addition to the Canvas family is a versatile, feature-rich volume pedal loaded with capabilities you never knew you needed
Best Stratocasters 2026: The best Strats for every budget and playing style
Find your fit with our top pick of the best Fender Strats
Best guitar capos 2026: These are the tried & tested options I'd recommend for acoustic and electric players
I tested 10 of the most popular capos on the market. Here’s my expert picks for electric, acoustic, 12-string and beyond
Best short-scale basses 2026: the ultimate guide to the greatest pint-sized bass guitars at all price points
From Fender to Gibson, Gretsch to Spector, here are our top picks for the best short-scale basses on the market right now
Inside Fender’s B-Bender revival – and the making of its very first in-house design
Fender’s Chief Engineer Tim Shaw lifts the lid on the making of the John Osborne Telecaster, the challenges around creating a B-Bender for a heavy-handed player, and the freedom that comes with designing hardware in-house
8 signature guitars that deserve your attention – including models from Fatoumata Diawara, Susan Tedeschi, St. Vincent, Yvette Young, and more
From unique SGs to metal monsters and updated classics, these signature guitars cover all the bases
Best electric guitars 2026: our top picks for every playing style, ability and budget
Useful buying advice and our expert pick of the best electric guitars for newcomers to pro players
Best acoustic guitars for beginners 2026: My top picks for new players, reviewed by a pro
I've tested epic affordable six-strings from Fender, Taylor, Yamaha, and more – read on for my best beginner acoustic guitar recommendations and watch my video demos
Best cheap acoustic guitars 2025: budget acoustics with genuine pedigree
Great tone doesn’t have to break the bank – these are the best cheap acoustic guitars from Fender, Yamaha, Cort and more
As a life-long Foo Fighters fanatic, I've spent years decoding Dave Grohl’s stadium-sized wall of sound – here are the 5 essential pedals you need to nail his tone
Ever wondered what pedals Dave Grohl uses live? Well, these are the stomps that power the Foo Fighters from Boss, ProCo, MXR, and more
