Martin Smith

Martin Smith

In addition to reviewing gear for esteemed publications Guitarist and Guitar World, Martin produces bands and artistes including Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley and Mercury-prize winning Ben Ottewell (Gomez). As a professional guitarist for 40 years, Martin has toured with luminaries including Groove Armada and Skid Row.

Recreating sonic history continues to be a chronic fixation and Martin regularly broadcasts his exhaustively researched tone-chasing content to a YouTube community of Edward Van Halen devotees.

Latest articles by Martin Smith

Bad Cat Era 30

“Comprehensively delivers on all fronts”: Bad Cat Era 30 review

By Martin Smith published

Legendary amp designer Mark Sampson’s final opus for Bad Cat is the culmination of a lifetime of design excellence and could be his finest creation

Guitar Amp Heads
Marshall 1959 Modded and JCM800 modded: two classics from the British amp icon, reimagined – or subtly tweaked – for the modern era.

“Brings the sound of the gods to us mere mortals”: Marshall 1959 Modified & JCM800 Modified review

By Martin Smith published

The gatekeepers at Marshall have finally unlocked beast mode, releasing two brand-new Modified high‑gain amps. Time to plug in!

Guitar Amp Heads
Orange O Tone 40: the new solid-state combo from the iconic British amp brand has the classic orange vinyl, wheat-coloured basketweave grille clothe and orange and white control panel with black dials.

“Could be a contender for the loudest, smallest amp”: Orange O Tone 40 review

By Martin Smith published

What’s loud, light and orange? The latest solid-state and affordable combo from Orange

Combo Amps
Fender Tone Master '59 Bassman

“Far more versatile than its tube counterpart”: Fender Tone Master ’59 Bassman review

By Martin Smith published

Fender attempts the incredible feat of replicating the historic Bassman with a digital heart in its latest addition to the Tone Master series

Combo Amps
Orange Baby Series amps

"The tone these amps produce is classic Orange": Orange Baby 100 Series review

By Martin Smith published

Orange's Tour Baby, Gain Baby and Dual Baby squeeze its tonal flavour into a portable, lightweight 100-watt head

Combo Amps
Laney LFSUPER60-112

“The amp easily turned in a convincing Van Halen ‘brown’ sound”: Laney LFSUPER60-112 Combo review

By Martin Smith published

Can this Lionheart Foundry combo from Laney win the solid-state wars?

Combo Amps
PRS DGT 15 Head

“Exceptional tones… All the mids-forward guts one might expect”: PRS DGT 15 Head review

By Martin Smith published

PRS has updated its Texas-voiced David Grissom signature amp with more features, lower wattage and a more approachable price tag

Guitar Amp Heads