Latest articles by Matt McCracken
Best MIDI foot controllers 2025: seamless transitions for amps, pedals, rack effects, and more
Our favorite MIDI controllers for guitar cover all levels and budgets, with models from Gig Rig, Fender, Boss, Electro-Harmonix, and more
Fender Player 1 vs Player 2: should you upgrade?
We put Fender’s most popular model head to head with its successor and find out whether or not the sequel really is superior to the original
Single coils vs humbuckers: Which pickup type is right for you?
They both offer a unique flavor of guitar tone, but is one pickup really better than the other? We deep dive into the debate
“Very much the upgrade that was needed for one of the most popular headphone amps for guitar”: Fender Mustang Micro Plus review
Fender’s teeny-tiny portable practice amp gets a significant upgrade
Best guitar strap locks 2025: Safeguard your axe
Our pick of the finest fasteners from Schaller, Loxx, Jim Dunlop and more
With all eyes on the Spark 2, now's the time to get the original 5-star Spark amp for way less in the Positive Grid Labor Day sale
PG also has fantastic deals on amps, wireless guitar systems, software, and more this Labor Day weekend
Shop exclusive deals and up to 50% discounts in the massive Guitar Center Labor Day sale
Make your Labor Day weekend more musical with huge savings on electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic guitars, guitar pedals, and more
Best laptops for music production 2025: portable computers for recording guitar
Our pick of capable machines for tracking guitars, creating demos and more, from brands including Apple, Dell, Microsoft and Asus
“The pinnacle of that most utilitarian of accessories”: Peterson Stroboclip HDC review
We get our hands on an $80 clip-on tuner. Worth it? Read on to find out
9 AI guitar amp features we predict will revolutionize the way you interact with your amp
What does the future look like for our precious guitar amps, and how will AI shape your guitar tone
"Delivers on all fronts heavy and looks phenomenal whilst doing so": Jackson X Series Rhoads RRX24 review
A purebred shred machine with a Floyd Rose and Seymour Duncans, all for less than a grand
“A ravishing instrument”: Taylor 50th Anniversary GS Mini-E Rosewood review
Taylor's compact top-seller gets the 50th Anniversary makeover treatment and it has never looked – or sounded – better
“Delivers a stunning sound with bags of sustain and a complex tonal profile”: Sheeran by Lowden W05 review
Ed Sheeran's collaboration with Lowden brings us a comfortable acoustic guitar made in Northern Ireland
Best acoustic bass guitars 2025: Unplug and play with our pick of top acoustic basses
Our expert guide to the best acoustic bass guitars will instantly boost your low-end game, and enable you to play at home or on the go
Best bass compressor pedals 2025: our pick of pedals to get your low-end in line
We look at the best compressors for bass, from some of the biggest names around including Origin Effects, Empress Effects, Boss, and more
Best 12-string guitars 2025: our pick of 12-string acoustic and electric guitars
Our expert guide to the best 12-string guitars from Taylor, Rickenbacker, Fender, and others
Best acoustic guitar pickups 2025: electrify your acoustic with our expert picks
Whether it be for performing live or recording at home, the best acoustic guitar pickups from LR Baggs, Fishman and others will help you enhance your tone
“It is more evolution than revolution, but Positive Grid have delivered everything guitarists have been asking for and more”: Positive Grid Spark 2 review
PG’s groundbreaking desktop amp finally gets an update, and we got our hands on it pre-launch
Best Precision Bass 2025: P-Basses from Fender and beyond
Our top picks of the most recognizable bass in history, including models from Fender, Sire, Sterling by Music Man and more
Best high-end electric guitars 2025: the finest guitars money can buy
If money were no object, this is the all-star list of high-end axes from Gibson, PRS, Fender, and more that you’ll want in your collection
These 5 easy upgrades will supercharge your Strat – and they're all on sale for Amazon Prime Day
Take your Stratocaster to the next level with these 5 essential mods
Accessorize your guitar playing with these 5 cheap early Prime Day deals
Streamline your practice and performance with these cheap deals on guitar accessories
“Right up there with the big-name brands”: Soloking MS-1 Custom review
A great-value guitar looking to clash headstocks with the big boys. Stainless steel frets, roasted maple neck, Wilkinson hardware and coil-splitting humbuckers? Where do we sign up?
