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, 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

"My first guitar was a beat-up flamenco-style acoustic that my grandmother had in her closet": Slash, Jimmy Page and more remember the guitars that set them on the path to six-string immortality
By Daryl Robertson published
We dive into some of our classic interviews to rediscover the stories of how famous players got started - featuring Slash, Jimmy Page, Stone Gossard, Albert Lee and more

"It sounds more alive with sweetened highs, richer harmonics in the mid-range, and a tighter, more defined low-end": Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 review
By Daryl Robertson published
Boss cuts through the noise with its revamped practice amp

“The ultimate affordable semi-hollow”: Gretsch G2604T Streamliner Rally II Center Block review
By Daryl Robertson published
Take the Rally II for a spin and you’ll find it’s a surprisingly speedy ride

Best phaser pedals 2025: our guide to this versatile modulation guitar effect
By Chris Corfield last updated
Looking to create that swirling sound effect? These are the best phaser pedals to try from MXR, Electro-Harmonix, Walrus Audio and more

Dave Grohl's guitars: meet the six-strings behind the Foo Fighters, plus get DG's tone on a budget
By Daryl Robertson published
Want to know what guitars Dave Grohl plays? We unveil the nicest man in rock's guitar arsenal

Boss Katana:Go vs Fender Mustang Micro: which headphone amp is right for you?
By Daryl Robertson published
Two of the world's most popular headphone amps go head to head to see who comes out on top

Vox amPlug3 High Gain review
By Daryl Robertson published
Turn up the gain while keeping down the volume with Vox's ultimate high-gain practice solution

Score a FREE Fender pedal when you buy two at full price with this insane Hammertone offer
By Daryl Robertson published
Fender has gone hammertime for Hammertone discounts with this insane 3 for 2 offer – overdrive, distortion, delay and flanger pedals up for grabs

Best short-scale basses 2025: the ultimate guide to the greatest pint-sized bass guitars at all price points
By Daryl Robertson last updated
From Fender to Gibson, Gretsch to Spector, here are our top picks for the best short-scale basses on the market right now

Guitar Center unveils exclusive Saturday Night Special Fender Player Stratocaster, Telecaster and P-Bass
By Daryl Robertson published
Featuring a striking Daytona Blue finish and Seymour Duncan Saturday Night Special pickups these limited edition Players sound as good as they look

A parent's guide to buying a guitar for your child
By Daryl Robertson published
Give your child the best possible start with our top tips for buying a beginner guitar – plus our guitar recommendations

5 Fender innovations that changed the world of guitar
By Daryl Robertson published
From the first commercially produced solidbody guitar to the invention of the electric bass, the landscape of guitar would look very different without Fender’s monumental influence

Best punk guitars 2025: straight-shooting, no-nonsense guitars for punk
By Daryl Robertson last updated
From Gibson to Eastwood, Fender to Music Man, here’s our expert pick of guitars to help you cause some anarchy at your next DIY show

“The sleeker design and stellar tones still make this one of the greatest headphone amps on the market”: Vox amPlug 3 AC30 review
By Daryl Robertson published
Vox gives their famous headphone amps a facelift – but how do they stand up to the competition?

“Don’t let its modest price tag fool you – this charming guitar offers a smorgasbord of contemporary features and tones”: Shergold Provocateur Standard SP12 review
By Daryl Robertson published
This affordable UK electric is sure to provoke a positive reaction

I have 11 Gibson guitars in my collection and with a massive $600 off the Les Paul Traditional Pro V this Presidents' Day I want to add another
By Daryl Robertson published
The Musician's Friend Presidents' Day sale has just dropped, and it includes this mammoth Gibson offer that will make the heart of any Les Paul fan race

Presidents' Day is officially here and Guitar Center is the best place to go for a blues-based bargain – score a mind-blowing $750 off a Hagstrom hollowbody
By Daryl Robertson published
Grab hearty discounts on quality guitars from Fender, Gibson, Martin, Epiphone, Squier and more

Fender is rising up to the challenge of their rivals with this stunning Tiger’s Eye finish exclusive to Guitar Center
By Daryl Robertson published
Fender has just unveiled a wild new finish that’s available on the American Ultra Telecaster, Stratocaster and Precision Bass

Best classical guitars 2025: nylon-string guitars for every budget
By Chris Corfield last updated
From classical, flamenco and crossover, to acoustic-electric models and beyond, these are the best nylon-string guitars around right now

18 essential gadgets that will dramatically improve your guitar practice routine
By Daryl Robertson published
From must-have tuners to state-of-the-art desktop amps, these are the guitar gadgets that will allow you to get more out of your practice sessions

“Just the ticket for those aspiring to recreate the monstrous riffs from across Thayil’s remarkable discography”: Guild Polara Kim Thayil review
By Daryl Robertson published
It took three decades, but the wait is finally over, the Soundgarden icon has got his name on a Polara. Was it worth it? You bet

“We are greeted with a guitar that looks like it arrived here in a DeLorean”: Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang review
By Daryl Robertson published
Fender rolls back the clock for a vintage-inspired take on the classic budget short-scale, which remains tonal nirvana for a certain breed of guitarists

“Playability is where this guitar shines. This Strat is a player”: Fender Mike McCready Stratocaster review
By Daryl Robertson published
With its Road Worn finish and easy neck, the Pearl Jam guitarist's new signature Strat feels like it's had a few decades under its belt, and is just warming up
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!