Latest articles by Matt McCracken
"You’ll be making your first songs in no time": 7 steps to record your guitar in GarageBand
From project setup to bouncing tracks, a 20-year recording pro shows beginners how to record electric guitar in GarageBand and get studio-quality tones
"Surprised me with its versatility": Jackson Pro Plus Series Sleep Token IV Monarkh SC review
A 30-inch extended-scale guitar built for crushing, low-tuned modern metal riffs can't be versatile too, can it?
Sweetwater just launched its Labor Day sale 2 weeks early
Jump on board this latest Sweetwater sale for an early Labor Day deal on some of the best guitar gear around right now
Best overdrive pedals 2026: from mid-hump to transparent tone
My pick of the top-rated overdrive pedals will get your gain tones on point
Best clip-on guitar tuners 2026: hit the right note with my top pick of cost-effective tuners
Whether you play acoustic, electric, or bass, these clip-on tuners offer a quick, easy, and affordable way to achieve concert pitch every time you pick up your instrument
Decoding the notes between the notes – the ultimate guide to microtonal guitar
Ready for a math and history lesson? We break down microtonal music’s mind-bending tones for the modern guitar player
Hang about! If you're in the need of something to display a single or multiple guitars and to always have an axe to hand, this is my pick of the best stands and hangers for your guitars right now
Hang about! These are the best stands and hangers for your guitars right now
Best travel guitars 2026: top acoustic and electric options designed for portability and performance
My top travel guitar choices and expert buying advice for musicians on the move
"There isn’t a bad sound here": Attic Audio Putty Saturation Preamp review
Delivering always-on tone-boosting and heavy, saturated fuzz, this overdrive pedal proves there's still plenty of room for innovation
Best Telecasters 2026: top Teles for all tastes and budgets
Whether it’s your first Telecaster or you’ve walked in the boots of guitar-playing royalty, our top Telecasters will help you get your twang on
"The only limiting factor here for any style of playing is technique": Harley Benton ST-62HA review
Harley Benton's budget relic S-type delivers supreme playability and classic tones, but what about that finish?
Are you prioritizing the wrong end of your signal chain? Two pro gear reviewers debate whether you should spend more on your guitar or amp
Armed with just a $2,500 budget, we’re duking it out to see which part of your rig is a better investment – which side are you on
"It can go from barely there room sound to a drawn-out blooming reverberance": JHS 3 Series Reverb review
This budget reverb pedal delivers impressive tones, a handy pre-delay switch, and an ultra-rugged build quality, all for just $99
Harley Benton TE-62LA review
With superb playability and an awesome neck pickup for under $250, the finish may be divisive, but Harley Benton's new Aged series is undeniably great value for money
"The build quality is superb, it plays like a dream": Sire Larry Carlton S7 Ash Top review
With a raft of premium features, Sire's super value-for-money S-style makes a concrete case for dodging the big brands
Best guitar plugins 2026: my top plugins to level up your recorded guitar tones
Get better guitar tones for recording and practice with my pick of the best guitar amp plugins
Best acoustic guitar pickups 2026: electrify your acoustic with our expert picks
Whether it be for performing live or recording at home, the best acoustic guitar pickups from LR Baggs, Fishman and others will help you enhance your tone
Best beginner electric guitars 2026: top electric models for new players, reviewed and demoed by experts
So you're a budding guitarist? Get started with our pick of the best beginner electric guitars from Squier, Yamaha, and Epiphone
The pedal that changed me – I asked the Guitar World staff to name the stompboxes that actually made a difference to their playing
Whether it was fun, frustrating, or forced us to think differently, these are the 12 pedals that GW staffers say have actually changed the way they play
Best acoustic guitars 2026: 10 top options for guitarists of all ages and abilities
Guitar World’s pick of the best acoustic guitars from Fender, Gibson, Martin, Taylor, Epiphone and more
The guitarist's guide to MIDI: how to get more from your pedalboard and stop the tap dancing
A no-nonsense guide to switching presets, automating tone changes, and fully utilizing your digital pedals
I've found serious shredders, iconic amps, and dirt-cheap pedals in Guitar Center's huge up to 25% off guitar sale – including $288 off a shred-ready Schecter
Guitar Center's latest sale promises big discounts on shred-ready electrics
"It’s deceptively versatile”: Jackson Pro Series Signature Wes Borland King V review
The Limp Bizkit guitarist's new signature is a single-pickup riff machine designed for live playing, and it's capable of more than you might think
