Latest articles by Dave Burrluck
6 Gibson USA Les Pauls we love that won’t break the bank
The Gibson USA line has plenty of affordable options. We take a look at a half-dozen single-cuts that punch above their price tags
The art of relic’ing a Fender guitar – and why it’s harder than you think
Fender’s Chief Product Officer explains the science behind a relic job, and why for many players it’s the best chance they’ll get to own a lived-in guitar
“Aim to clone the style of the high-end UK Custom Shop models… To be honest, we’re struggling to find any negatives”: PJD Origin Series Carey Pro and St John Pro review
Known for its finely made production-led UK builds, PJD Guitars is now aiming for the mainstream with a range of Indonesian-made solidbodies and its lowest price points yet
"Not only is this Riviera the most Oasis-relevant guitar of the recently launched trio, it’s the most affordable too": Epiphone Bonehead Riviera review
Noel Gallagher’s new Gibson Les Paul might have grabbed the headlines, but of the recently launched Oasis trio, it’s Bonehead that delivers the banger
"Some might say this is far from a valid Oasis signature guitar, having only come into play earlier this year": Gibson Noel Gallagher Les Paul Standard review
What started this year as a ’mystery’ guitar and then became a 25-only £17k collector’s piece is now a Gibson USA ‘Paul for the people
“It would be criminal if this didn’t hit a stage”: Patrick James Eggle Oz-t Cabronita Thinline review
Upholding the craft of the luthier, Patrick James Eggle’s latest build is another reason to look to the UK if you want the best
Meet the Tributo, the Italian super-guitar that turns the ’59 Les Paul formula on its head
Based on the home of Italian supercars comes a super-electric with serious boutique pedigree. The inspiration is obvious. The upgrades less so, and it could be the acme of vintage-inspired design. Luthier Nicolas Giordano explains his process
“Not only crisply made but really hard to put down”: Fender American Professional Classic Stratocaster review
Replacing the out-going Performer model, is Fender’s American Professional Classic Stratocaster the perfect vintage/modern hybrid?
“We were trying to do the perfect crossover between a Tele and a Les Paul”: Mikey Demus on making his new Manson signature
Artist guitars have played a big part in the long-running history of Manson Guitar Works. We catch up with Mikey Demus to discuss his latest collaboration
How Vintage’s REVO range breathed new life into the oddball electric to make some of the most exciting guitars around
Just back from a long stint in China where he oversees the design and production of Vintage guitars, Alan Entwistle delves into what makes REVO that little bit different
How I made the Epiphone Jeff Beck Oxblood 1954 Les Paul a little more Jeff Beck
After quite a few playing hours under its belt, Dave Burrluck gets the Epiphone Oxblood Les Paul back into the garage for a bit of a tinker and a tune-up
Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage ’50s Telecaster and ’60s Strat HSS review
This latest wave of Fender’s American Ultra models continues to cater for the modern player but with an old-looking vintage vibe. We just can’t escape the past!
"The finish cracking here is pretty subtle and there are no faux-dings, but with use it’ll continue to age": Fender Limited Edition Vintera II Road Worn 60s Stratocaster review
Hot on the heels of Fender’s aged Ultra Luxe Vintage models, the Road Worn returns in the Vintera II line-up
How Ivison Guitars became Britain’s hottest high-end brand
With new staff, in-house pickups and the continuing success of the Dakota, there’s plenty to discuss. We grab Neil Ivison for a quick chat
"Check one out before someone realises they’ve miscalculated the price!" PRS S2 Mira 594 Satin review
An old friend returns to the PRS USA S2 line-up 18 years after it was first introduced. The Mira is back, but check the price!
“Proof that semi-hollows can rock as hard as the clichés”: Gretsch Professional Broadkaster LX review
The Broadkaster is back on the air, this time with a number of modernized features to make this a contemporary, high-performance semi-hollow rocker
“Something a little different, with vibey and diverse sounds for not a lot of money”: Vintage REVO Galactica and Astrostar review
Revisiting guitars of yesteryear, the REVO models continue to move Vintage away from slavish repros to inspired retro champions for not a lot of money. Let’s hop in that time machine and take a look
Untangling the history of Jeff Beck’s Oxblood Les Paul, the most expensive Gibson Les Paul ever sold at auction
Will we ever know the true story of this fabled guitar? For some it’s iconic, for others it was simply a cobbled-together working tool for a master
“Not a hair out of place... A faultless, well-tuned and well-voiced working guitar”: Manson MD-3 Mikey Demus review
This UK-made MD introduces a new pickup set that piles on the beef. But, as we find out, it’s no one-trick pony
“A very clever original design, albeit one that could have come out of the Gibson factory in the early ’60s”: Ivison Dakota Standard review
Used by big names such as Richard Fortus and Audley Freed, and made in the UK, Ivison guitars recall the lost art of the ‘golden era’ but in very original dress
What’s the optimum weight for a Les Paul? And is there such a thing as too heavy?
Weight is one of the thorniest issues in guitar. We all have our preferences – but should there be a limit?
PRS Special Semi-Hollow, S2 Special Semi-Hollow and SE Special Semi-Hollow review
Along with its 40th Anniversary specials, PRS is cranking out the new releases, including three-pickup Special Semi-Hollow models in the S2 and SE line. We compare them with the Core version
PJD Guitars founder Leigh Dovey on the evolution of the UK’s most exciting electric guitar brand
The return of one of our favourite PJD models and a decade and a half of UK guitar-making needs a bit of a celebration. We pop a cork with PJD’s founder, Leigh Dovey
