Latest articles by Dave Burrluck
PJD Origin Series Carey Apprentice and St John Apprentice review
It may appear stripped down and basic, but PJD’s new Origin Series Apprentice is sharply built – and seriously affordable. A new standard for affordable craft?
“A lot of deceptively clever craft”: Duesenberg Starplayer CBR review
It’s been a while since we’ve dropped into the world of Duesenberg. German ingenuity, retro style and some big-name users – what’s not to like?
Grammy-nominated Malian changemaker Fatoumata Diawara reveals her biggest guitar hero
Diawara recently made history herself by becoming the first woman of color to collaborate with Epiphone on a signature guitar
“Great neck shape, playability and setup – and it’s gig-ready, something we don’t always say about Epiphone, or indeed Gibson”: Epiphone Fatoumata Diawara SG review
Grammy-nominated Malian singer and guitarist Fatoumata Diawara joins forces with Epiphone to produce a vivid-looking and wicked-sounding SG that’s a celebration of her style
Swannell Guitars makes an electric like an acoustic with tones that will blow your mind
Jamie Swannell makes some seriously high-end acoustics and has applied that knowhow to the IA, a super-versatile, vibey electric that might just be the boutique slide machine of your dreams
“A very good guitar with an evocative backstory”: Gretsch Limited Edition Abbey Road RS201 Studiomatic review
One minute Gretsch wants to be the guitar for the ‘new generation’ and the next it releases an instrument with roots in the recording studio scene of early ’60s. Help!
“Far, far from limited to our man in terms of its potential use”: Fender Johnny Marr Signature Special Jaguar review
It’s been 13 years since we saw the first Johnny Marr Jaguar, and with little fanfare his second signature landed at the end of 2025. What’s changed?
“An outline that’s both striking and original with an almost bygone vibe”: West Valley Indiana review
A new name on the UK’s vibrant guitar-making scene, West Valley comes to market with a vision inspired by the golden era of guitar design
Gibson Les Paul Junior Double Cut and Les Paul Special Double Cut review
Hot on the heels of the Les Paul Custom ’70s, two more blasts from the past rejoin Gibson’s USA line-up. The DCs are back!
Guitarists are looking for more bang for their buck – but does the cheaper guitar always mean better value?
With so much choice and range in price, is it getting harder to know the true worth of a potential purchase?
“There’s more ‘Fender’ to Fiore and more ‘Gibson’ to the SE DGT”: PRS Fiore HH and SE DGT Standard review
PRS has ignored its existing signature artists during its 40th Anniversary, but finally we get two new models that illustrate huge diversity, proving PRS does indeed make guitars for us players
This company is trying to neutralize the Strat's biggest ‘Achilles heel’
We take a look at the Tonerider Apex Classic set, pickups that look to improve upon the stock template by addressing the Strat's one glaring weakness
The PRS 40th Anniversary Special Semi-Hollow Limited Edition is $6,990 – but here’s why we want one
PRS Guitars has been releasing eye-popping limited-run instruments month after month but this do-it-all high-end electric might just be the pick of the litter
“Irons out some of Gretsch’s historic quirks”: Gretsch Electromatic Jet review
With plenty already in the lineup, Gretsch has released a new range of both Electromatic and Streamliner Jets that appear modern-aimed and very affordable. What’s new?
Remembering Ken Parker, the genius luthier who brought us the Parker Fly
One of the guitar world’s most visionary makers, who took the archtop guitar to unimaginable levels and also created the radical Parker Fly, has died aged 73
The making of the American Professional Classic series – the brand-new “lived-in” (but not relic’d) US Fender line
More aged nitro finishes and a new US-made line-up that pares back the modernisms. Are our tastes changing? Max Gutnik, chief product officer at FMIC, tells all
How a $10k acoustic build put the loud into Lowden – with exotic tonewoods and faultless construction
Meet the high-end cutaway acoustic of your dreams that looks a million dollars and costs more than $10,000 – another occasion when Irish luthier George Lowden has raised the bar
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
