
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

“Anyone with a troublesome Telecaster needs to hear these”: Bare Knuckle Nomads Set review
By Dave Burrluck published
Tim Mills has done it again. The third collaboration between Bare Knuckle and Rabea Massaad might be the best yet

"A lot to applaud:" Gretsch Electromatic Pristine Ltd Jet Single-Cut with Bigsby review
By Dave Burrluck published
Always the ‘Les Paul’ of the Gretsch line since it first appeared back in the 50s, the Jet gets a snazzy Electromatic makeover. Style over substance? Let’s plug in…

“Could this be one of the most unique and musically inspiring electric guitars we’ve ever encountered?” Powers Electric A-Type review
By Dave Burrluck published
Originally launched in early 2023, the Powers Electric A-Type is that rarest of things in guitar design: a true original

PRS’ Jack Higginbotham on the history of the SE line
By Dave Burrluck published
PRS might well be 40 years old in 2025, but the SE guitars seem to be catching up – with a 25th anniversary celebration planned for 2026. Where does the time go?

“A handsome, versatile instrument that deserves a second chance”: Gibson Victory Figured Top review
By Dave Burrluck published
It hardly set the world alight on its first release, but tasteful upgrades may yet see the new Victory models receive the recognition they deserve

“A slightly different and very usable character”: Radioshop Telecaster Wiring Mod review
By Dave Burrluck published
‘Modern’ Telecaster wiring, as it is so often called, is now 57 years old. But Radioshop Pickups has come up with a new spin, and we are very much here for it

How Chapman Guitars reinvented itself with a new factory, fresh ideas and the help of industry guru Trevor Wilkinson
By Dave Burrluck published
Teaming up with Harmony Musical Instruments in India to make their guitars, Rob Chapman's brand is ushering in a new era – and it has Trevor Wilkinson on-call as consultant

“World-class... It just feels like a vintage classic that never was”: Daniels Gravitas review
By Dave Burrluck published
A fascinating reimagining of Gibson’s Firebird, the Gravitas sticks with vintage vibe and mojo. Oh, and that sound…

“The perfect all-rounder for any musician”: PRS SE Custom 24 Semi-Hollow Piezo review
By Dave Burrluck published
As PRS begins celebrations for its 40th anniversary in 2025, its SE division continues to release models that push the quality to price ratio. This new Custom might well be the best yet – and it’s piezo-loaded!

“Built to a standard that few can come close to”: Patrick James Eggle 96 Rob Harris Signature review
By Dave Burrluck published
When the guitarist for acid jazz/funk band Jamiroquai gets together with top luthier Patrick James Eggle, is it Virtual Insanity or will the results Blow Your Mind?

“The playability and the fast response make it a pleasure”: Chapman Law Maker Legacy review
By Dave Burrluck published
The last Chapman guitar we reviewed was made in the UK. This new 2024 model is crafted in India. It’s time to catch up with this globe-trotting troupe

“At this level and price it’s a serious starter, spare or – as it ever was – a wicked slide guitar”: Guild Polara Deluxe review
By Dave Burrluck published
Guild has revamped its ’70s-era Polara range. We spent some time with this mid-range 2024 model: a modern pawn-shop prize or a copy too far?

“Sharply produced instruments with superb playability”: PJD Custom Carey Elite and Carey Custom review
By Dave Burrluck published
Becoming well-known for its streamlined, cost-effective production models, UK maker PJD is now catering for the bespoke sector of the market. We try them on for size

Investigating the mystery mods of Andy Summers’ mongrel Telecaster
By Dave Burrluck published
Plenty of modded or self-built guitars have powered the careers of big players. But the origins of one heavily used guitar remain a mystery…

“It reminds me of a saturated Clapton mid-boost or tubular Santana tone”: Black Ice Boost review
By Dave Burrluck published
A passive boost you can retrofit to your guitar to thicken up single coils – no battery required

“Full-fat P90 roar”: Gibson Charlie Starr Les Paul Junior and Epiphone USA Collection Coronet review
By Dave Burrluck published
Introduced in 1954 and always overshadowed by ‘proper’ Les Pauls, the 70-year-old Junior is now rather senior. With two just released, it’s time to celebrate the Junior style

Meet the Tamar, a futuristic headless multi-scale electric from UK builder Yarde Guitars to rival Strandberg
By Dave Burrluck published
James Yarde's creation is one to watch, with awesome humbucker tones that are splittable down to “hot Tele” single coils

Up close with the Gibson Custom Shop reissue of Jeff Beck’s ‘YardBurst’ 1959 Les Paul Standard
By Dave Burrluck published
We take a closer look at another stunner from the Murphy Lab that celebrates a pivotal moment in rock history, and one of its greatest ever players

“You’ll have some serious fun here”: Vintage REVO Series Custom Supreme & Trio review
By Dave Burrluck published
Vintage already offers a huge number of affordable and tidily made electrics, but for 2024 we get a whole new retro-inspired range – and 15 new models. Where to start?

“An open-tuned five-string guitar is unique… you just can’t help bashing out those classic Keith Richards riffs”: Newman 5 String review
By Dave Burrluck published
A story that starts on a Rolling Stones USA tour in the early ’70s, Ted Newman’s distinctly shaped design is now being made here in the UK. But the first model is missing a string!

The innovative tech that brought Yamaha’s groundbreaking 2024 Pacificas to life
By Dave Burrluck published
Yamaha’s new Pacifica Professional and Standard Plus have a familiar shape, but deliver a revolutionary take on the much-loved S-style, drawing on a collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs and what the brand learned from the Revstar

How PRS made the SE NF3 – and what makes it different from the Silver Sky
By Dave Burrluck published
We catch up with PRS Guitars’ COO, Jack Higginbotham, to get the lowdown on the company’s hotly hyped new budget bolt-on – and whether a USA model is on the cards…

“Looks, feels and sounds thoroughly professional”: Yamaha Pacifica Standard Plus PACS+12M review
By Dave Burrluck published
Yamaha’s long-running double-cut gets a high-end makeover, offering pro spec and radical new pickups – is this the new boutique S-style to beat?

“The whole guitar feels very alive in your hands”: PJD Guitars St John Apprentice review
By Dave Burrluck published
There’s no shortage of great-quality UK-made guitars, but for under a grand, PJD’s new Apprentice model is leading the charge in terms of quality and cost

“A vibrant Fender-y voice, lightweight feel, original style”: Ancoats Guitars New Islington review
By Dave Burrluck published
Proudly made in Manchester, England, Ancoats’ guitars mix up retro themes that stand out in the market. We take this third-generation New Islington for a spin
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