Latest articles by Matt McCracken
Positive Grid Spark Mini review
The Spark 40 has got a smaller 10W sibling and it offers a similarly audacious range of sounds and functions in a non-more-portable format – and [spoilers] it sounds huge
Don't sleep on these massive second-hand bargains in Reverb's Memorial Day sale – save up to 66% on used, B-stock, and new gear
Reverb's huge Memorial Day sale proves you don't always need to buy new with huge savings on used and B-stock gear
"If you want an instrument that’s versatile enough to cover the guitar-playing styles of EVH and nail Nile Rodgers’ classic funk tones, then look no further": Fender Player II Modified Stratocaster HSS Floyd Rose review
Fender looks to put its stamp on the super-Strat with this gassed-up take on its classic double-cutaway
“Already a versatile instrument, the addition of the series circuit makes it even more of a multi-role guitar”: Fender Player II Modified Telecaster review
Fender's latest Tele puts a decidedly modern twist on an all-time classic. I get hands-on to find out if it's worth the upgrade or not
I couldn’t believe there was no Sweetwater Memorial Day sale this year – until I saw up to 50% off guitar pedals and amps
While I’m surprised there’s no big sale at Sweetwater this weekend, you can still grab great deals on pedals and amps – here's 6 of the best
Fender’s Memorial Day sale has up to 20% off 132 items – here are 5 sweet guitar and accessory deals I’d grab
Get in on the Memorial Day weekend sales action with big money off over at the official Fender shop
Best Memorial Day guitar sales 2025: Epic early deals on acoustic and electric guitars, amps, effects and more
Explore all the best Memorial Day weekend guitar discounts in one place – make massive savings at Fender, Musician's Friend, Guitar Center and more
There’s no need to wait for Memorial Day because Musician’s Friend is already offering over $1,000 off a Taylor acoustic, $450 off a Gibson Les Paul and up to 50% off elsewhere
From boutique Taylor acoustics to the affordable Player II series guitars, the Musician's Friend Memorial Day has some of the best early deals around
I wasn’t expecting Fender’s Memorial Day sale to drop this early – here are 5 sweet guitar and accessory deals I’d grab with up to 20% off
Get in on the Memorial Day sales action early with this surprise sale over at the official Fender shop
Best guitar audio interfaces 2025: get better recorded guitar tones
My pick of the best audio interfaces for guitar will have you up and recording in no time
Best guitars for beginners 2025: epic entry-level acoustic and electric guitars
Start playing today with our pick of great beginner guitars from Squier, Ibanez, Yamaha and more
“Does a damn good job of delivering searing metal tones that go far beyond what you’d expect from the price point”: Jackson JS Series Dinky JS11 review
I put Jackson’s cheapest electric guitar to the test to see if it really does chug
Best modeling amps 2025: get iconic amp tones at your fingertips with these top picks
I break down the best modeling amps available, covering a range of budgets, brands and sizes
Best cheap acoustic guitars 2025: budget acoustics with genuine pedigree
Great tone doesn’t have to break the bank – these are the best cheap acoustic guitars from Fender, Yamaha, Alvarez and more
Best Strat-style guitars 2025: Our choice of the finest S-style guitars for all budgets and players
Don’t want a Fender? Here’s our expert pick of the top Strat-style electric guitars from the likes of Ibanez, Yamaha, G&L, PRS and more
“One of the most genuinely unique guitar tones I’ve ever heard”: Submarine Pickups Subsix review
A hexaphonic guitar pickup allows you to process each of your guitar strings individually, but is it a superpowered creative tool or a niche gimmick?
I spent way too long looking through all 372 deals in the Thomann Easter sale – here are the 5 I’d buy
Save up to 50% off guitar gear in the Thomann Sweeter Than Chocolate Easter sale
"I never use my tube amp at home now, because I have a Spark Live": 5 reasons you should be picking up the Positive Grid Spark Live in the massive Guitar Month sale
To celebrate International Guitar Month, Positive Grid has launched an awesome sale, and you can pick up one of my favorite multi-role guitar amps for a whole lot less
Best tremolo pedals 2025: Top pedal choices, from old-school vibe to chopped-up tones
The best tremolo pedals on the market right now, from the likes of TC Electronic, Electro-Harmonix, Boss, Strymon and JHS
Best octave pedals 2025: fast track your way to fat guitar tone with these powerful pedalboard additions
Make your riffs slap harder and solos fly higher with our expert selection of the best octave pedals you can buy today
“It can make you a legato monster like Satch, give you EVH-level tapping skills, or turn your guitar into a synth sequencer”: DigiTech HammerOn review
Time to get wacky with this unique legato-generating, pitch-shifter-slash-sequencer
“For all those who’ve lambasted the Standard Series before playing one – you’re going to have to eat your words”: Fender Standard Telecaster review
I put Fender’s most affordable guitar to the test to see once and for all what all the internet hubbub is about
Guitar deals are thin on the ground in Amazon’s Spring Sale but if you need accessories, I’ve found 6 deals that are well worth checking out
I’ve rounded up the best deals for guitarists on Amazon with my favorite essential accessories that will save you money
