
Dave Burrluck
Dave Burrluck is one of the world’s most experienced guitar journalists, who started writing back in the '80s for International Musician and Recording World, co-founded The Guitar Magazine and has been the Gear Reviews Editor of Guitarist magazine for the past two decades. Along the way, Dave has been the sole author of The PRS Guitar Book and The Player's Guide to Guitar Maintenance as well as contributing to numerous other books on the electric guitar. Dave is an active gigging and recording musician and still finds time to make, repair and mod guitars, not least for Guitarist’s The Mod Squad.
Latest articles by Dave Burrluck

Gibson Les Paul Junior Double Cut and Les Paul Special Double Cut review
By Dave Burrluck published
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?
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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’
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Jonathan Horsley published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
By Dave Burrluck published
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
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