Nick Guppy

Nick Guppy has been a regular contributor to Guitarist magazine for over 20 years, mostly writing reviews on guitar amps and related products. He built his first valve amplifier at the age of 12 and has since bought, sold and restored many more, with a particular interest in Vox, Selmer, Orange and tweed-era Fenders, alongside Riveras and Mark Series Boogies. When wielding a guitar instead of soldering iron, he’s enjoyed a diverse musical career playing all over the UK, including occasional stints with theatre groups, orchestras and big bands as well as power trios and tributes. His favourite musical genres are ‘anything that’s good’.

Articles by: Nick Guppy

The story of the JTM45, Marshall’s first amp and a holy grail of rock guitar

By Nick Guppy published 13 June 22

Wartime crooner, big band drummer and legendary shop owner, Jim Marshall’s life was shaped by music. In 1962, he and his team shaped music with an amp that changed everything

Carl Martin Ampster review

By Nick Guppy published 6 June 22

This valve-driven DI box from Carl Martin could be the missing link for pedalboard users

Line 6 Catalyst 100 review

By Nick Guppy published 13 May 22

Line 6 shakes up the budget digital combo market with a new range that packs HX-quality amp sounds and effects into handsome cabinets

Cort Tube Craft CMV15 review

By Nick Guppy published 27 April 22

Cort is well known for its own‑brand guitars, as well as those it makes for other companies, such as PRS’s SE line. But a tube amp? Let’s take a look…

Charting the evolution of solid-state and digital guitar amps – and the future of tubes

By Nick Guppy published 8 April 22

Non-tube amplification is nothing new. While the future for tube amps is far from certain, innovation in digital and solid-state designs is something to be excited about

Orange The Guitar Butler review

By Nick Guppy published 4 April 22

“Your tone is served,” says Orange as the renowned British amp builder presents a juicy new preamp

The legend and legacy of Dumble guitar amps

By Nick Guppy published 1 April 22

Following the death of Alexander Dumble, we take a deeper dive into the legendary designs that bear his name, and the gear and sounds that followed from his influence

Positive Grid Spark 40 on a grey background

Best desktop guitar amps 2022: 9 amplifiers for portable practice

By Nick Guppy published 21 March 22

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

Fender Tone Master Super Reverb review

By Nick Guppy published 21 February 22

This stunning digital recreation of a legendary combo includes superb reverb and tremolo for authentic Fender tone and response without the price – or weight – of an all-valve version

Laney Lionheart LT20-112 review

By Nick Guppy published 26 January 22

Laney’s unique Class A tribute to vintage British tone blends classic styling with a wide range of tones. You need to hear this…

Thermion Zero Dynamic Hybrid Amplifier review

By Nick Guppy published 17 December 21

Spanish pedal wizard Thermion has cooked up a compact stereo power amp that lets you enjoy your pedals anywhere

Juketone Rival Son review

By Nick Guppy published 16 December 21

This 15-watt all-valve combo from the tweed specialists offers vintage vibes with onboard effects on a budget

Ashdown AGM-484H Head review

By Nick Guppy published 2 November 21

Ashdown’s Guitar Magnifier head features a deceptively simple preamp that delivers a wide range of tones into the classic quartet of EL84 output tubes – all at real-world prices

633 Engineering Dragonfly 1x10 Combo review

By Nick Guppy published 17 September 21

Cliff Brown presents his take on the classic single-ended low-power valve combo – offered with or without reverb and tremolo

Friedman BE-Mini Head review

By Nick Guppy published 3 September 21

How does a head this small – and affordable – sound so huge?

Vox Mini Go 50 review

By Nick Guppy published 3 August 21

Vox’s latest amp is perfect for al fresco performance, with mains or battery power and a host of onboard extras for practically endless fun and inspiration

Victory V4 The Kraken review

By Nick Guppy published 29 June 21

In collaboration with Rabea Massaad, this compact guitar amp from Victory combines versatile high-gain overdrive with world-class cabinet simulations. Stand back!

Fender ‘68 Custom Pro Reverb review

By Nick Guppy published 15 June 21

Classic Fender style and tone from one of the all-time great guitar amp circuits revisited and refined in a more contemporary, portable package

Blackstar ID:Core V3 Stereo 40 review

By Nick Guppy published 11 May 21

Blackstar’s upgraded entry-level practice amp delivers great tone and features – plus, it's a serious steal at this price

Ashdown AGM-5C Combo review

By Nick Guppy published 31 March 21

British bass company Ashdown presents the Guitar Magnifier series, with proper tube tone at tempting prices

Victory V4 The Copper Preamp Pedal review

By Nick Guppy published 12 February 21

Victory’s new preamp pedal adds a modern twist to vintage Brit tone with spec-beating tubes onboard

Harley Benton Mighty-15TH Head review

By Nick Guppy published 21 January 21

This lunchbox-style amp offers boutique valve tone at a budget price. But can it really sound any good?

Blackstar HT Venue MkII Club 40 6L6 combo review

By Nick Guppy published 4 January 21

A fully featured 1x12 tube combo that's a potent weapon for the stage, studio or home

Lane UK Classic Blues 15 review

By Nick Guppy published 7 December 20

Full-fat blues power from a compact and portable head made in the UK

Laney Cub-Super12 review

By Nick Guppy published 19 October 20

Laney’s new tube combo blends cool looks and boutique tone at a price you really can afford