Matt McCracken

Matt McCracken

Junior Deals Writer

Matt is a Junior Deals Writer at Guitar World and has been playing guitar as his main instrument for well over 20 years. He also plays drums, bass, and keys producing out of his home studio in Manchester, UK. He has previously worked for Dawsons Music, Northwest Guitars, and freelanced for various magazines and blogs, writing reviews, how-to's, and features. When he's not downloading the latest VSTs or justifying yet another guitar pedal purchase, you'll find him making a racket with Northern noise hounds JACKALS. 

Articles by: Matt McCracken

Stratocaster leaning against a Boss Katana amp

Guitar World deals of the week: massive savings with up to 35% off at Guitar Center and up to 40% off at Musician's Friend

By Chris Barnes published

We've been on the bargain hunt this week and found heavily discounted gear from Positive Grid, Sterling by Music Man, Line 6, and loads more

A promo image of Positive Grid BIAS FX 2 Standard guitar software

Bag yourself a free copy of BIAS FX 2 Standard courtesy of Positive Grid – for one day only

By Matt McCracken published

To celebrate today's International Day of Peace PG is offering a complimentary download for all guitarists, giving you the gift of great tone

Close up of a fretless bass guitar on a white background

Best fretless basses 2023: get more vibrato and texture from your bass guitar

By Richard Blenkinsop published

From electric to acoustic, modern to vintage, we take a look at the best fretless basses on offer

DigiTech Trio+ looper pedal on a wooden floor

DigiTech Trio+ review

By Matt McCracken published

With this band in a box, who needs a bassist and a drummer anyway?

Fender Pro Junior and Fender Blues Junior guitar amps on a stage

Fender Pro Junior vs Blues Junior: which should you buy?

By Matt McCracken published

We put Fender’s two tiny but mighty tube amps head to head to find out which is the real small-combo king

Three Fender guitars on a blue background

Fender drops its massive Labor Day sale super early, offering up to 30% off guitars, accessories, and more

By Matt McCracken published

The big ‘F’ is dealing out the discounts on a huge range of guitar gear this Labor Day

Two Notes Torpedo CAB M+ impulse response loader pedal on an orange background

Best impulse response loaders 2023: professionally recorded guitar tones on the go

By Matt McCracken published

Take your perfect tone everywhere with our pick of the best cab IR loaders from Two Notes, IK Multimedia, TC Electronic, Boss, and more

Fender Bassman guitar amp with microphone

Best impulse responses 2023: the secret sauce of great recorded guitar tone

By Matt McCracken published

Take your recordings to another level with these high-quality cab IRs from York Audio, GGD, Ownhammer, ML Soundlabs, and more

The Orange Box Bluetooth speaker on an outdoor table

Orange Box review

By Matt McCracken published

The legendary British amp maker takes a detour into the saturated product space of Bluetooth speakers. How does it measure up to the competition?

Three Fender guitars on a light blue background

Get a massive 20% off select Fender Vintera guitars – but only while stocks last

By Matt McCracken published

These vintage-inspired guitars have got some mega discounts over at the Fender shop

Close up of the locking tuners on a Music Man Luke III headstock

Best locking tuners 2023: improve your performance with these powerful upgrades

By Matt McCracken published

Keep your guitar playing consistently with our top locking tuner picks from Fender, Schaller, Sperzel and more

Three guitars with two practice amps and a guitar pedal

Here are 14 outstanding Prime Day guitar deals that are still live – including guitars, pedals, amps, and more

By Matt McCracken published

Prime Day may be over but don’t worry, these bargains are still very much alive and kicking

Robot plays a blue guitar

Tired of endlessly scrolling for Prime Day savings? Try our AI-powered chatbot to find a great guitar deal fast

By Matt McCracken published

Ask PrimeBot to find you a top deal on music gear

Five guitar pedals on a wooden table

I write about guitar gear for a living - these are the 5 Prime Day pedal deals I'm considering

By Matt McCracken last updated

Amazon’s big sale is a great way to top up your pedalboard for a lot less

Positive Grid Spark Mini on the floor with a smartphone

Enhance your practice regimen for less with up to 25% off Positive Grid amps for Prime Day

By Matt McCracken published

The world’s smartest practice amp just got even better value for money with up to $90 off

Fender Nat Mendel P bass in red

Best Precision Bass 2023: P-Basses from Fender and beyond

By Chris Corfield published

Our top picks of the most recognizable bass in history, including models from Fender, Sire, Sterling by Music Man and more

Three ukuleles on a beach

Get your summer strum on with a massive 20% off select Fender ukuleles

By Matt McCracken published

Grab yourself some serious savings on ukuleles over at the Fender website, but only whilst stocks last

Close up of a wraparound guitar bridge

Types of guitar bridges explained

By Matt McCracken published

Everything you need to know about the different types of fixed bridges and tremolos available for your guitar – plus the pros and cons of each one

Two Fender Tone Master modeling amps on a wood floor

5 reasons why you should buy a modeling amp over a tube amp

By Matt McCracken published

Has digital really won the amp war? We delve into all the reasons you’d be better off with a modeling amp

Martin Guitars SC-13E leaning against a brick wall

Best Martin guitars 2023: we rank the legendary acoustics of an industry icon

By Matt McCracken published

Our expert pick of the best Martin acoustics from one of the oldest instrument makers on the planet

Empress Effects Zoia modulation pedal on a wooden floor

Best modulation pedals 2023: our pick of the best mod effects from subtle to spectacular

By Matt McCracken published

Get into the captivating world of modulation pedals with these top choices from Strymon, Boss, EHX, Universal Audio, and more

Positive Grid Spark Mini amp on the floor with a guitar cable

Celebrate Father’s Day with irresistible free gifts and money off Positive Grid’s Spark amps and BIAS software

By Matt McCracken published

Unleash great tone with these incredible Father’s Day deals on Spark, Spark Mini, Spark GO, BIAS software, and more

Three guitars with an American flag in the background

Get yourself up to 35% off loads of guitar gear in the massive Guitar Center Memorial Day sale

By Matt McCracken published

With huge discounts on big brands, now’s your chance to save money on Fender, Gibson, Schecter, PRS, Boss and loads more

Multiple guitars and effects pedals lying on the floor with an American flag

Save up to 40% on a huge range of guitar gear with the Musician’s Friend Memorial Day sale

By Matt McCracken published

These Memorial Day deals see hundreds of dollars off top brands like Fender, Gibson, PRS, Boss, Universal Audio, and more

Close up of Gretsch resonator guitar on a blue wooden surface

Best resonator guitars 2023: our pick of the best dobro guitars for blues, bluegrass and country

By Matt McCracken published

Release your inner hound dog with these super strummers from Gretsch, Epiphone, Fender and more

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