Matt McCracken

Matt McCracken

Junior Deals Writer

 

I’m a Junior Deals Writer at Guitar World. I regularly test and review music gear with a focus on guitars, amps, and pedals, as well as being responsible for over 60 buying guides, and helping musicians find the best deals on gear. I worked in music retail for 5 years at Dawsons Music and Northwest Guitars, and have written for various music sites including MusicRadar, Guitar Player, Guitar.com, Ultimate Guitar, and Thomann’s t.blog. 


I’m a regularly gigging guitarist with over 20 years of experience playing live and producing bands covering everything from jazz to djent. When I’m not buying new plugins for my studio or guitar pedals for my pedalboard, you’ll find me making a racket with Northern noise hounds JACKALS. 

Articles by: Matt McCracken

A Jackson JS22-7 DKA Dinky HT 7-string guitar on a fluffy white rug

“Very much at home with syncopated djent chugs, fast thrashy power chord riffing, and blazingly quick lead work”: Jackson JS22-7 DKA Dinky HT review

By Matt McCracken published

Should a beginner choose a 7-string as their first instrument? This extended-range guitar from Jackson looks to make its case

Stratocaster leaning against a Boss Katana amp

Guitar World deals of the week: save $250 on a Schecter, over $200 off a Marshall, plus up to 30% off at Guitar Center

By Matt McCracken published

It's deals galore this week with savings on Eventide and Earthquaker Devices, as well as a totally free plugin from Universal Audio

An NUX MG-300 multi-effects pedal on a wooden floor with a pair of headphones and electric guitar

“Packed full of great sounds and options, yet remains easy enough to navigate that newbie guitarists won’t struggle to get their heads around it”: NUX MG-300 review

By Matt McCracken published

Could this budget-friendly multi-effects pedal be the perfect match for the beginner guitar player who wants loads of tones on tap?

A Positive Grid Spark smart amp on a red and white background

One of our favorite practice amps is 10% off and there's free shipping on everything in Positive Grid’s massive guitar month sale

By Matt McCracken published

Get your hands on some of the world’s most popular smart and desktop amps for less over at Positive Grid

A PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN 7-string electric guitar on a wooden floor

“Completely shatters the expectations for a guitar geared toward modern metal”: PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN review

By Matt McCracken published

The Periphery guitarist’s signature model gives lovers of the low-end great specs and playability at a lower cost. We find out if it’s more than just a djent machine.

A Gibson Les Paul and Fender Stratocaster on a pair of guitar stands

Gibson Les Paul vs Fender Stratocaster: Which is right for you?

By Matt McCracken published

We put these two titans of tone head to head, deep-diving into their similarities and differences so you can be sure you’re purchasing the right guitar

A MacBook displaying Helix Native

I use Helix Native every day for practice and recording and Line 6 just slashed $160 off the price

By Matt McCracken published

Line 6’s superb amp sim and effects software just got an absolutely humongous discount

Waves Big March Sale

Waves just dropped loads of its plugins back to Black Friday prices – record better guitar tones from just $9.99

By Matt McCracken published

We've hand-picked 7 essential (and discounted) plugins that will massively improve your home guitar recordings

A Gibson Les Paul electric guitar on an orange background

You can now get the coveted sound of a Gibson Les Paul for a whole lot less - save a mammoth $600 in the Musician’s Friend Guitar Fest sale

By Matt McCracken published

Get big money off huge brands like Gibson, Fender, Boss, Line 6 and more in this impressive sale

A selection of Fender pickups on a colorful background

Should you replace or upgrade your guitar? Fender just gave you the answer with a whopping 20% off official parts and pickups

By Matt McCracken published

Here are the four discounted upgrades we'd choose from the official Fender shop

A young woman plays acoustic guitar in front of a laptop

Fender Play is the cheapest we’ve ever seen with this one-day-only deal - get a year’s worth of top-quality lessons for just $29

By Matt McCracken published

Fender’s leap-day deal gives you a year’s expert tuition for less, but it’s only available for one day

A Universal Audio Apollo Twin X audio interface on a wooden floor with an electric guitar and a MacBook

“A powerful tool for recording guitars, and there’s plenty to grow into”: Universal Audio Apollo Twin X review

By Matt McCracken published

This premium audio interface is packed full of pro-level features, but is it overkill for recording guitar at home?

A Fender reverb pedal on a purple background

5 brilliant pedals I rate as a guitar gear reviewer are on sale for Presidents’ Day, including my favorite octave pedal the Electro-Harmonix POG

By Matt McCracken published

These powerful tone shapers will have your guitar tone sounding much better for less

A Fender Player Stratocaster on a yellow gradient background

Did Fender just drop the best Presidents' Day guitar deal? Score an impressive 50% off gear and a huge $399 off one of our favorite models

By Matt McCracken last updated

From fresh guitars to powerful pickup upgrades there are some superb offers at the official Fender shop - but you better move fast, the sale ends 02/19

A Line 6 Helix HX Stomp XL on a gradient background

Musician’s Friend just dropped their Presidents’ Day sale more than a week early – massive up to 40% savings on gear

By Matt McCracken published

Grab yourself an early deal on some fresh guitar gear with this Presidents’ Day sale

Two Scarlett Focusrite 4th Gen audio interfaces stacked on top of one another

“Everything the modern musician needs to record great sounding guitars”: Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen audio interfaces review

By Matt McCracken published

We deep dive with the 2i2 and 4i4 4th Gen models to find out if Focusrite’s latest audio interfaces are a good fit for guitarists

Boss GT 1000 Core and Line 6 HX Stomp amp and effects modelers on a colored background

Boss GT 1000 Core vs HX Stomp: which amp and effects modeler should you pick?

By Matt McCracken published

Which of these pedalboard-sized amp modelers should you choose? We deep dive into the fine details to find out

A Line 6 Helix Floor amp modeler on a grey floor

Looking for a sign to finally go digital? Line 6 just slashed $200 off the price of Helix Floor and LT

By Matt McCracken published

If you recently bought one don't worry, most retailers will refund you the difference

A Fender Jaguar and Fender Mustang on a gradient background

Fender Jaguar vs Mustang: What’s the difference?

By Richard Blenkinsop published

We dive into the nitty gritty of differences and similarities between Fender’s unique Jaguar and Mustang models

A humbucker and a P90 pickup on a Gibson guitar

P90s vs humbuckers: Which pickups should you choose?

By Matt McCracken published

We deep dive into the differences and similarities between these two powerful pickup options

A DOD Mini Volume pedal on a wooden floor

Best volume pedals 2024: control your tone with these essential pedals

By Matt McCracken published

Turn it up with our pick of the best guitar volume pedals from Lehle, Ernie Ball, Boss, and more

Close up of the Taylor Academy 12e-N nylon string acoustic guitar

Best guitars for small hands: compact, thinline and slim-necked options for all ages

By Richard Blenkinsop published

Our pick of acoustic and electric guitars for small hands, with options from Fender, Taylor, Les Paul and more

A Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster lying on a wooden floor

Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster review – a bargain baritone that can get properly heavy

By Matt McCracken published

The Squier Paranormal range’s only baritone offers some unusual sounds for explorative players at a bargain price, but is it more jack of all trades than master of one?

A Sterling by Music Man John Petrucci signature electric guitar on a blue background

Quick! There are only 3 days left to take advantage of Sweetwater's unbelievable up to 80% off Cyber Week Sale

By Matt McCracken published

These sweet deals on guitars, pedals, and amps are still live but won’t be around for much longer

A pair of beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO studio headphones on a red background

Record face-melting guitar tones at home for less with these 7 Cyber Monday bargains

By Matt McCracken published

These brilliant bits of gear will get you quality recorded guitar tones at home