James Grimshaw

James Grimshaw

Freelance writer

James Grimshaw is a freelance writer and music obsessive with over a decade of experience in music and audio writing. He's lent his audio-tech opinions (amongst others) to the likes of Guitar World, MusicRadar and the London Evening Standard – before which, he covered everything music and Leeds through his section-editorship of national e-magazine The State Of The Arts. When he isn't blasting esoteric noise-rock around the house, he's playing out with esoteric noise-rock bands in DIY venues across the country; James will evangelise to you about Tera Melos until the sun comes up.

Latest articles by James Grimshaw

Last chance before Xmas! Guitar Center’s December Deals see up to 40% off guitars and gear

Quick! Guitar Center’s up 40% December Deals sale is your last chance to save before Christmas – including hundreds slashed off Fender, Yamaha, Line 6 and more

By James Grimshaw published

Guitar Center’s pre-festive discounts cover practically everything music – with some especially sweet deals for the eagle-eyed guitarist

Guitars
Squier Affinity Strat in Olympic White on a pink background

Squier’s beginner Strats are killer for the price – and this stunning Olympic White Affinity Series model just got even cheaper, dipping under $200 for Black Friday

By James Grimshaw published

Amazon is currently one of the best places to buy budget gear this Black Friday

Electric Guitars
Man holding acoustic guitar listens to music through headphones

No budget for Black Friday shopping? Get three free months of Amazon Music Unlimited streaming instead

By James Grimshaw published

Amazon has dropped a huge streaming freebie for Black Friday, saving you up to $33 on three months of unlimited music listening

Music Releases
A pair of Walrus Audio pedals side by side

I wasn't going to buy any more guitar pedals for Black Friday until I saw these half-price Walrus Audio deals

By James Grimshaw published

As pro-grade pedals go, Walrus Audio’s Mako Series are up there – but while stocks last, you can get two of them at a down-low price

Guitar Pedals
Universal Audio

With pedal deals this good, there's no excuse for lousy tone - pocket big savings on our favorite Universal Audio UAFX pedals ahead of Black Friday

By James Grimshaw published

Universal Audio’s UAFX pedals get the Black Friday treatment at Guitar Center, with some out-of-this-world discounts on these definitive digital devices

Effects & Pedals
Bag 100 monstrous metal tones completely FREE this Black Friday when you buy a Tonex amp modeler pedal

Bag 100 monstrous metal tones completely FREE this Black Friday when you buy a Tonex amp modeler pedal

By James Grimshaw published

Modeling masters IK Multimedia are offering $50 worth of guitar tone patches for free if you buy a new Tonex pedal – but be sure to hurry

Amp Modeler Pedals

Enter the tonal thunderdome with a whopping 75% off Tonex and AmpliTube 5 Max software this Black Friday

By James Grimshaw published

There’s never been a better time to go digital, as IK Multimedia’s definitive modeling software applications get a big discount for Black Friday

Plugins & Apps
Close-up of man playing acoustic guitar

Where to start with learning acoustic guitar

By James Grimshaw published

From picking out your first acoustic to navigating early lessons, we break down the first steps to getting up and running with your new favorite instrument

Beginner Lessons