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
Best Gibson SGs: Our budget-spanning picks of Gibson’s famous Solid Guitar
By Daryl Robertson last updated
From retro reissues to contemporary shredders, here are the best Gibson SGs on the market right now
Best guitar amps under $1,000 in 2024: 9 top combo amps and heads
By Amit Sharma last updated
Looking for the best-sounding guitar amps under a grand? We’ve got you covered…
Sweetwater’s Memorial Day sale is the place for pedal lovers with sizable discounts on Line 6, Eventide, Walrus Audio, Pigtronix and more
By Daryl Robertson published
You can even bag tasty savings on essential accessories such as strings, capos, straps, and stands
Best guitar brands 2024: Whether you’re an acoustic or electric player, these are the guitar companies you need on your radar
By Daryl Robertson published
From Fender to Gibson, Taylor to Martin, here are 17 guitar brands you should know about
Best Jazz Bass: recommended J-Bass guitars to suit all levels, budgets and tastes
By Chris Corfield published
There’s a jazz bass for everyone. Here's our expert pick of iconic offsets from Fender and beyond
Ed Sheeran makes Lowden signature guitars available in the US through Amazon
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Sheeran by Lowden Guitars is now available on Amazon with a full complement of models on offer
Best Electro-Harmonix pedals 2024: We break down the very best EHX pedals available in all effects categories
By Daryl Robertson published
From the Big Muff to the Memory Man, Electric Mistress, Soul Food and more, here are the greatest pedals being made by EHX right now
Guitar Center just dropped exclusive new finish options for popular Fender, Gibson, Taylor and Schecter models
By Daryl Robertson published
From the Gibson Les Paul Classic to the Fender Player Series, Guitar Center has just unveiled some tasty exclusive models you need to see
Best Gibson guitars: Our pick of the guitars that embody Gibson’s quality, prestige and innovation
By Daryl Robertson published
From the Gibson SG to the gorgeous Les Paul, ES-335, Firebird and Explorer, here's the best of the best from this American institution
Strum into spring with 20% off select Fender acoustic guitars
By Daryl Robertson published
Make sure your spring is as sunny as the Golden State with 20% off California Series and Classic Design acoustic guitars
Martin vs Taylor: What's the difference between these two iconic acoustic brands?
By Daryl Robertson published
We take a deep dive into two titans of the acoustic world to find out which is the most suitable for you
Best guitar amps for recording: five home studio companions that will help you achieve tonal greatness
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Our pick of the greatest home studio amps from Boss, Kemper, Hughes & Kettner, Blackstar and Positive Grid
5 reasons you're wrong about chorus pedals
By Daryl Robertson published
Despite its sins in the '80s, we believe the chorus pedal deserves a second chance – here's five reasons why
Ubisoft Rocksmith+ review
By Daryl Robertson published
Is this reimagined Rocksmith an enjoyable guitar-based game or a potent learning platform? Let's find out
Vox AC30 vs Vox AC15: which of these diamond-clad icons should you choose?
By Daryl Robertson published
You know you want the legendary tone of Vox, but should you splash out on the AC30 or opt for the smaller AC15? Let's find out
Jazzmaster vs Jaguar: what's the difference between these iconic Fender offsets?
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Fender's Jazzmaster and Jaguar have transcended genres, but which is the right guitar for you? Time to unpick the history, players and tones
Best tape echo pedals: Nail the warm and wavy sound of tape delay, regardless of your budget
By Daryl Robertson published
From slap to echo, here are our picks of tape delays from Catalinbread, Boss, Strymon, Dunlop, T-Rex, Keeley and more
How to watch the Grammys 2023 live tonight: Ozzy Osbourne, Turnstile, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more set to go head to head
By Daryl Robertson published
With the likes of Ghost, Megadeth, Muse, Ozzy Osbourne and Turnstile nominated, who will take home the gold at this evening's star-spangled ceremony?
Positive Grid Spark Control footswitch review
By Daryl Robertson published
Go hands-free with Positive Grid's hi-tech wireless footswitch
Ease the strain on your back with these five lightweight alternatives to the Gibson Les Paul
By Daryl Robertson published
We’ve hand-selected a quintet of rock machines that will bring the power of the LP while being a little easier on your back
Best Vox amps: from the much loved AC30 to modern do-it-all practice amps
By Daryl Robertson published
We count down the greatest Vox amps available today from this British institution
PRS SE vs PRS S2: what's the difference between these renowned electric guitars?
By Daryl Robertson published
We unpick the history, differences and tones of the PRS Student Edition and the affordable USA line
Best Boss pedals: Give your playing a fresh lick with our top Boss pedal picks
By Alex Lynham published
If you're searching for the boss of Boss pedals we've got everything you need to take your sound to the next level
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