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
Introducing Paoletti Guitars, the firm that builds electric guitars from old wine barrels
By Dave Burrluck published
With small ’shop boutique makers popping up on a seemingly daily basis, what’s different about Paoletti Guitars? We ask the company’s MD, Filippo Martini
Gibson Kirk Hammett ‘Greeny’ Les Paul Standard review
By Dave Burrluck published
Following a pair of five-figure Custom versions, here’s the everyman Greeny. But is it a valid introduction or simply a slightly pimped version of an existing Les Paul?
Paoletti 112 Loft Series 2P90 review
By Dave Burrluck published
Let Paoletti transport you to the rolling hills, history and culture of Tuscany with a direct link to a classic wine or two. Oh, and the company makes rather fine guitars! Time for a taste…
Danelectro Blackout ’59M NOS+ review
By Dave Burrluck published
Danelectro’s most famous guitar recently celebrated its 60th Anniversary and now gets a stage-aimed refresh for 2023
Cort G300 Glam and G300 Raw review
By Dave Burrluck published
Cor-Tek might make a colossal number of guitars for other people, but its own brand, Cort, is gaining traction with sharply priced and very well-spec’d guitars such as this new G300 duo
Maybury Cholla review
By Dave Burrluck published
Most of us are happy with off-the-shelf guitar designs, but there’s nothing quite like ordering up your own custom-made guitar. We asked Maybury Guitars to build us one, and this is what we received
C9 Custom Ventura Standard review
By Dave Burrluck published
A new guitar-making venture in the North East of England promises boutique-like style at everyday prices
Rapier 22 and Saffire review
By Dave Burrluck published
Rapier launched in 2022 with the well-received 33 model. Can the ’60s stylists hit the target again with these two new additions for 2023?
VegaTrem VT2 Telecaster Tremolo review
By Dave Burrluck published
Unless it’s a Bigsby, whammy bars on Telecasters have been considered close to sacrilegious. Until now...
PRS SE McCarty 594 Singlecut and SE McCarty 594 Singlecut Standard review
By Dave Burrluck published
PRS’s advance on the SE front continues with a pair of Singlecuts, with or without a maple top, and plenty of vintage references. We take ’em for a spin
How Jeff Beck and Seymour Duncan created humbucker magic with the classic JB pickup
By Dave Burrluck published
While the classic Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB was never actually a signature pickup, without Jeff it may never have happened…
PRS SE DGT vs USA Core DGT: what are the similarities, and how do the builds differ?
By Dave Burrluck published
Less a copy, more an ‘inspired by’ design, the SE DGT cleverly emulates the USA model but with plenty of differences
Godin Radium-X review
By Dave Burrluck published
Mixing magnetic and piezo pickups, Godin is back with serious intent if the Radium-X is anything to go by. But it comes at a price. Worth a go? We plug in…
PRS SE DGT review
By Dave Burrluck published
The long-anticipated PRS SE DGT – the David Grissom Tremolo – finally lands. But just how does this dramatically more affordable SE version stack up to the classic Core model?
Sceptre Ventana Deluxe review
By Dave Burrluck published
Tanglewood Guitars in the UK commissioned veteran guitar designer Gary Levinson to create a range of affordable but contemporary guitars. Here’s the result
Chapman ML1 Workshop Series X review
By Dave Burrluck published
Chapman is the latest brand to take advantage of York-based UK Guitar Builders’ manufacturing facility to produce its new flagship model. We plug in the first batch
Vintage V100 Reissued w/ Bigsby review
By Dave Burrluck published
This well-appointed single-cut from Vintage might just give the big boys a run for their money
Magneto U-One Eric Gales RD3 review
By Dave Burrluck published
After releasing his career-defining album, Crown, earlier this year, the bar is set high for the blues great’s new signature guitar
Gibson Faded Series Les Paul and SG review
By Dave Burrluck published
Some two decades since they first appeared, Gibson’s Faded Series instruments are back in what-you-see-is-what-you-get style: no options, not a lot of finish, either. We find out what’s new with the Les Paul Standard 50s and 60s Faded, and SG Standard ’61 Faded Maestro Vibrola
Fret-King Country Squire Music Row and Elise Custom review
By Dave Burrluck published
Fret-King steps up with a pair of new designs that focus on serious sound-mangling and high build quality but pretty affordable prices. Are they as good as they look?
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1962 ES-335 review
By Dave Burrluck last updated
The latest Epiphone release from the collection of Joe Bonamassa is based on the ES-335 he used on his first album. But what happened next?
Seth Baccus Shoreline JM-H90 review
By Dave Burrluck published
Well known for his hugely detailed and exquisite custom builds, Seth Baccus is now expanding his output starting with this bolt-on Shoreline. What’s going on?
Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster All-Mahogany review
By Dave Burrluck last updated
Fender’s initial American Acoustasonic Telecaster launch has spawned quite the range of innovative instruments. Here’s one of its most successful combinations yet…
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