Matt McCracken
Matt is a Junior Deals Writer here at Guitar World. He regularly tests and reviews music gear with a focus on guitars, amps, pedals, modelers, and pretty much anything else guitar-related. Responsible for over 60 buying guides, a large part of his role is helping guitarists find the best deals on gear. Matt worked in music retail for 5 years at Dawsons Music and Northwest Guitars and has written for various music sites including MusicRadar, Guitar Player, Guitar.com, Ultimate Guitar, and Thomann’s t.blog.
A regularly gigging guitarist with over 20 years of experience playing live and writing and recording in bands, he's performed everything from jazz to djent, gigging all over the UK in more dingy venues than you can shake a drop-tuned guitar at. When he's not holed up in his home studio recording new songs or tweaking pedal settings, you’ll find him making a racket with Northern noise hounds JACKALS.
Latest articles by Matt McCracken
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
“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
Best classical guitars 2024: nylon-string guitars for every budget
By Chris Corfield last updated
From classical, flamenco and crossover, to acoustic-electric models and beyond, these are the best nylon-string guitars around right now
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
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
Best acoustic guitars under $500 in 2024: get more for your money
By Chris Bird last updated
These sub-$500 acoustic guitars are ideal for everything from folk and indie guitar to blues and country
Best desktop guitar amps 2024: our top desktop amps for portable practice
By Nick Guppy last updated
The desktop guitar amp market is getting crowded, but our top picks from Yamaha, Blackstar, Fender, and more might just be the finest money can buy
Best patch cables 2024: tidy up your ‘board with our pick of the best patch leads
By Alex Lynham last updated
Need to organize a messy pedalboard? Patch cables are a simple and creative cable solution for your guitar pedals
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
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
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
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?
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
Cyber Monday Fender deals 2023: you can still get up to 50% off guitars, pedals, and amps
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Cyber Monday is officially over but there is still time to grab a great saving on Fender gear
Guitar Center Cyber Monday deals 2023: for a limited time you can still get up to 40% off guitar gear
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Cyber Monday is done but you can still bag some big savings on guitar gear until November 29
Cyber Monday guitar pedal deals 2023: Our expert pick of Cyber Monday stompbox offers that are still live
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Your place for all the greatest Cyber Monday deals on guitar pedals, pedalboards, power supplies and more
Cyber Monday Positive Grid deals 2023: Cyber Week deals are live with saving on the Spark Go and Mini, plus 50% off BIAS software
By Chris Barnes last updated
Positive Grid's official Cyber Week sale has landed! Here's how to find the best savings on amps, software and accessories
Musician's Friend Cyber Monday deals 2023: The mega Musician's Friend sale is still live with up to 50% off
By Daryl Robertson last updated
The deals you need to check out in the Musician's Friend Cyber Week sale
Sweetwater Cyber Monday deals 2023: Sweetwater's sale is still live – bag up to 80% off
By Chris Barnes last updated
We've compiled some of the sweetest Sweetwater Cyber Week deals on guitars, amps, pedals, recording gear and more
Cyber Monday guitar deals 2023: Our expert pick of today's sales and savings that are still live
By Chris Barnes last updated
All the best Cyber Monday guitar bargains you can still buy right now – save big on guitars, amps, effects and accessories
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
6 Cyber Monday sales for guitar players that you can’t afford to miss
By Matt McCracken published
If you’re on the hunt for a Cyber Monday deal then these sales from Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Fender, and more will scratch the itch
Quick! Musician’s Friend has knocked half off the price of loads of guitar gear – including $700 off a Les Paul – but the Black Friday sale is ending soon
By Matt McCracken last updated
You have around 24 hours left to get yourself money off big-name brands like Fender, Gibson, Mesa/Boogie, Keeley, and loads more
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