Latest articles by Dave Burrluck
Yamaha 60th Anniversary RSP20B and RS02CB Chris Buck review
After redesigning the ‘new’ Revstar back in 2022, Yamaha has added two models to the line-up: a 60th Anniversary knees-up and Chris Buck signature model
Ancoats Granada Special review – a unique modern-retro design with a fresh approach to relic’ing
This UK boutique build references the long-gone Granada Television, another Manchester oddity, and creates a new spin on the T-style
“No guitar does everything, but this comes dangerously close”: PRS DGT Semi-Hollow review
After testing the water with a limited-edition version, PRS has added David Grissom’s semi-hollow signature to the Core lineup. But are we worthy?
“You hear the ‘Lowden effect’ immediately – even the simplest of chords seems to ring for days”: Lowden GL-J 2026 review
Ed Sheeran’s acoustic builder introduced its first production electric model to the lineup in 2018. We check in on its progress
“The playability is good. The ‘great’ lies in the pickup swapping”: Cream T Crossfire LT review
Brit brand Cream T aims to make instant solderless pickup-swapping even more attractive with an affordable new made-in-China range
How Duesenberg Guitars became a major player with original old-school designs – and a little help from Mike Campbell
We check in with Duesenberg Guitars’ co-owners, Dieter Gölsdorf and Ingo Renner, to chart 30 years of its best-selling Starplayer
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
The Newman Torn and Frayed Edition might be the Rolling Stones-inspired T-type we’ve been dreaming of
With vibe and mojo off the charts, this UK boutique build is a stunning example of what a little imagination can do with when applied to Blackguard inspiration
“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
