
Matt McCracken
Matt is a Junior Deals Writer here at Guitar World. He regularly tests and reviews music gear with a focus on guitars, amps, pedals, modelers, and pretty much anything else guitar-related. Responsible for over 60 buying guides, a large part of his role is helping guitarists find the best deals on gear. Matt worked in music retail for 5 years at Dawsons Music and Northwest Guitars and has written for various music sites including MusicRadar, Guitar Player, Guitar.com, Ultimate Guitar, and Thomann’s t.blog.
A regularly gigging guitarist with over 20 years of experience playing live and writing and recording in bands, he's performed everything from jazz to djent, gigging all over the UK in more dingy venues than you can shake a drop-tuned guitar at. When he's not holed up in his home studio recording new songs or tweaking pedal settings, you’ll find him making a racket with Northern noise hounds JACKALS.
Latest articles by Matt McCracken

Quick! These 8 guitar accessories are still cheap in the Prime Day sale, but only until tonight – and the cheapest one is only $5.05
By Matt McCracken last updated
These low-cost accessories won’t make you play better, but they will make your life as a guitarist much easier

Guitar World deals of the week: your last chance to grab a Prime Day saving – a face-melting EHX octave fuzz for less than $40, $94 off a bonkers Squier and loads more
By Matt McCracken published
Prime Day special! Get your hands on all the biggest guitar gear savings in one place

Prime Day guitar deals 2025: Final day to save! This is your last chance to shop the best Prime Day deals on guitars, amps, pedals, accessories, and more
By Chris Barnes last updated
As we enter the final day of Prime, we’re hand-picking all the biggest guitar bargains, from budget accessories and restockable essentials, to gear from Fender, Gibson, Music Man, PRS, and more

Here are the 13 must-try guitar accessories for under $25 this Prime Day - including the Hetfield-approved Dunlop Black Fang guitar picks for only $8.25!
By Daryl Robertson published
From picks to tuners, slides to strings, these are our choices for the best guitar-related items under $25 on sale right now at Amazon

I track pedal deals year-round and the Electro-Harmonix Lizard Queen octave fuzz for just $39.60 is next-level cheap
By Matt McCracken published
This Prime Day-beating pedal deal sees an awesome EHX octave fuzz with a massive discount at Guitar Center

One of my favorite sub-$500 guitars just got even cheaper thanks to this $136 Prime Day discount – but the deal is ending in 24 hours
By Matt McCracken published
The semi-hollow Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline is a lightweight, tonally versatile and hard-wearing guitar

Give your pedalboard the glow up it deserves with over $100 off this Fender patch cable kit – pay just $3 per cable and save 65%
By Matt McCracken published
An organized pedalboard means less time fiddling and more time playing, now for even less with this awesome Prime Day beating deal

Best compressor pedals 2025: control your tone with the must-have utility pedal
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
With great options from Boss, Keeley, MXR, and more, there has never been a better time to add a comp pedal to your 'board

If I was starting guitar again today, this is the first deal I’d jump on – get $1,000 worth of content for just $125.65 with Guitar Tricks' Summer Black Friday
By Matt McCracken published
Thinking about buying new gear? Investing in your technique is a much better way to spend your money

Guitar World deals of the week: save $850 on a Music Man, get $10 guitar lessons, plus all the best early Prime Day guitar deals
By Matt McCracken published
Get your hands on all the biggest savings on guitar gear in one place

With deals starting from below the $200 mark, Fender's Summer Sale is the place to bag yourself a new guitar with up to $550 off Fender and Squier guitars
By Matt McCracken last updated
If you're looking to buy a new Fender axe, then check out up to 20% off at the official Fender shop

Guitar Center just transformed its 4th of July sale into one of the biggest of the year, with an increase of up to 60% off and a massive $170 off my favorite PRS SE
By Matt McCracken last updated
Guitar Center has upped the game with their 4th of July sale, adding bigger discounts and more deals

My favorite Telecaster just got a massive $240 discount in the Fender Summer Sale – this is why it’s my go-to for recording and gigging
By Matt McCracken published
My regular gigging guitar is available with a huge discount in this summer sale at the official Fender shop

I’ve been buying used pedals for years and with up to 66% off, Reverb’s summer sale is the first place I’d look right now
By Matt McCracken published
Reverb is an independent company again, so it's time to celebrate with some stonking deals on guitar gear

Best locking tuners 2025: improve your performance with these powerful upgrades
By Matt McCracken last updated
Keep your guitar playing consistently with our top locking tuner picks from Fender, Schaller, Sperzel and more

Guitarists, it’s time to change those strings – bag 25% off D’Addario XS at Guitar Center in celebration of World String Change Day
By Matt McCracken published
Tone dragging you down? Guitar Center’s 25% off D’Addario XS deal is the deal you’ve been waiting for

“A precision tool for modern metal and a well-honed surgical blade for the studio”: Jackson Pro Plus Series Signature Misha Mansoor Juggernaut ET6 review
By Matt McCracken published
Jackson's latest collab with prog-metal royalty Misha Mansoor results in a double-cut powerhouse with a difference

"Even if you’ve never used a looper before I’d wager it wouldn’t take most guitarists more than 5 minutes to get up and running with it": TC Electronic Ditto 2 Looper review
By Matt McCracken published
TC Electronics's ubiquitous compact looper gets a well-deserved update - I find out whether it's kept up with some stiff competition

Best baritone guitars 2025: pick up the slack with these long scale guitars
By Matt McCracken last updated
Get low with my expert pick of the best baritone guitars from PRS, Gretsch, Chapman, Jackson, and loads more

I’m a professional gear reviewer and my go-to guitar wireless system just got a generous 20% off – here’s why I use it daily
By Matt McCracken published
I couldn't live without my Positive Grid Spark Link and now you can get yours at a reduced price

I’ve been watching acoustic guitar prices all year and Guitar Center's up to 35% off sale is the best I’ve seen – especially if you want an A-list model
By Matt McCracken published
Get your hands a top-level acoustic guitar for less with this awesome sale over at Guitar Center

Best beginner electric guitars 2025: top electric models for new players, reviewed and demoed by experts
By Daryl Robertson last updated
So you're a budding guitarist? Get started with our pick of the best beginner electric guitars from Squier, Yamaha, and Epiphone

The best electric guitars under $500
By Amit Sharma last updated
Our top cheap electric guitars that deliver killer tones, slick playability, and serious bang for your buck from Squier, Epiphone, Yamaha and more
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