Latest articles by Matt McCracken
Best 7-string guitars 2026: the ultimate guide to extended range instruments
Navigate scale lengths, active pickups, and multiscale fretboards with our expert-vetted selection of the best seven-string guitars
Guitar World deals of the week: save $700 on a Gibson Les Paul, get $400 off a wild ESP LTD, plus two massive guitar sales to dive into
Your weekly digest of the best deals on guitar gear from all corners of the web, hand-picked by Guitar World's team of guitarists
Guitar Center's massive Guitar-A-Thon sale is officially underway with up to 30% off thousands of items including $700 off a Gibson Les Paul – here's 9 of the best deals from the sale
Time to save big with a huge sale that's perfect for any guitar player
Best beginner guitar amps 2026: my top picks from over a decade working in music retail
After nearly 10 years working in a busy high-street music store, I’ve seen which beginner amps truly deliver, offering the best value, most useful features, and long-lasting popularity from brands like Blackstar, Fender, Positive Grid, and more
Best acoustic guitars under $1,000 in 2026: great tone for less
Enjoy superb playability and sound with our guide to the top mid-priced acoustics from the likes of Epiphone, Fender, Martin and more
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
“It can get loud enough to annoy my partner, which is good enough for home use”: Laney Prism-Mini review
This mini practice amp doesn't tether you to your smartphone, but there are some growing pains
Best compressor pedals 2026: control your tone with the must-have utility pedal
My pick of the best guitar compressor pedals will enhance your tone with options from Boss, Keeley, MXR, and more
“A high-octane character that’s occasionally stubborn, but it stands out from the crowd”: Fender 75th Anniversary American Professional Classic Cabronita Telecaster review
The Telecaster’s “asshole cousin” trades traditional twang for a boutique growl that looks as sharp as it sounds
Best chorus pedals 2026: My pick of choices for your 'board at every price point
From analog to digital, and shimmery to subtle, let me show you the top chorus pedals you can buy today from the likes of Boss, Ibanez, MXR and Walrus Audio
The ultimate guide to guitar amps: from vintage vacuum tubes to modeling marvels
Everything you need to know about the tech, tones, and tools that define your sound
I’m rebuilding my pedalboard for my first gig of 2026 and these 9 essential items in the Amazon Big Spring Sale will ensure I’m gig-ready from just $4.49
The Amazon spring sale just gave me the perfect opportunity to upgrade my pedalboard for a lot less
Best 3/4 acoustic guitars 2026: small-bodied, short scale sensations from Taylor, Martin, Fender and more
I count down the best compact acoustics for new players, smaller guitarists and those looking for a neat 'couch guitar'
I normally tell guitarists to skip the Amazon Big Spring Sale but this year I’m happy to be proven wrong – here’s 7 essential accessories to kickstart your year in guitar from just $6.49
The Amazon Spring Sale has launched with some awesome deals on strings, picks, clip-on tuners, and loads more accessories for guitar players
Best bass amps for practice 2026: top combos for working on your chops at home
Get the most out of your playing at home with one of these great bass practice amps
Best guitar tuners 2026: my road-tested pick of chromatic, polyphonic and strobe options
Stay in tune whatever your budget, with my tuner must-buys from Boss, Korg, TC Electronic, D’Addario and more
With £542 off an ESP LTD, the Thomann Spring Sale is just the boost you need to pull you out of the winter lull – save up to 60% on a huge range of guitars, pedals, and amps
With well over 600 discounts on guitar gear, the Thomann Spring Sale might just be the kickstart your music-making needs for 2026
Best Stratocasters 2026: The best Strats for every budget and playing style
Find your fit with our top pick of the best Fender Strats
Best electric guitars under $1,000 in 2026: find your ultimate workhorse guitar
Get more for your money with my pick of the top-rated electric guitars below the $1,000 mark
Best guitar straps 2025: play in comfort and secure your guitar in style – top picks from a guitar salesman
My expert pick of straps for electric, acoustic and bass, covering all budgets and materials
Best pedalboard power supplies 2026: juice your ‘board with my pick of pro-grade power for every budget and size of 'board, fully tested
I put budget-spanning pedal power supplies from Fender, Cioks, Walrus Audio and more through their paces – these were my standouts
“Amp and cab models that surpass some expensive units from bigger brands”: Blackstar ID:X Floor Three review
Blackstar swerves the touchscreen for a tactile, amp-style workflow
I spent the weekend testing the best guitar gear of the year at The Guitar Show in Birmingham – these are the 9 hottest products you can buy right now
I visited a sold-out UK Guitar Show to check out the latest and greatest from the wide world of guitar gear
