Latest articles by Paul Riario
“These guitars make Donner a firm competitor with other major brands in the sub-$500 category”: Donner DST-600 and DST-700 review
Donner Music might not be the first brand on everyone's lips when it comes to affordable electrics with impressive specs, but here are two reasons why that might change soon
“You almost forget it's a carbon fiber guitar”: Klōs Carbon Timber Grand Cutaway Mini review
With its superb feel and sounds, can this small-bodied, travel-friendly acoustic convert the carbon fiber acoustic purists?
“Garage and lo-fi pedal junkies are going to flip”: Anasounds La Grotte Analog Spring Reverb review
Jack White's maverick collaboration puts real mechanical spring reverb on your pedalboard and pairs it with a tone-sweetening preamp
“Supremely dynamic and touch-sensitive”: Interstellar Audio Machines Supernova Zoeldrive review
Greetings, Earthlings, here comes a boost/overdrive fresh from the final frontier bearing all the tonal hallmarks of the reassuringly terrestrial Fender Tweed drive
“Both wahs sound fantastic”: Vox V846 Vintage and Real McCoy Wah review
Whether you are a Cream fiend and Hendrix fanatic or disciple of the Schenker school, there is a gourmet flavor of wah for you in this retro-accurate wah pairing from Vox
“For its price, playability and tones, it is a magical beast”: Danelectro Doubleneck review
If, “Is it time I brought a doubleneck electric guitar into my life?” is a question you have ever asked yourself, Danelectro answers it in the most emphatic fashion
“Some of the finest sounding IEMs”: Ultimate Ears Pro UE 150, UE 250, UE 350 In-Ear Monitors review
In terms of protecting your hearing and giving you a super-clean mix for playing live, there's nothing like IEMs, and these offerings from UEP are a great introduction
“An astoundingly great fuzz”: Dophix Medici More Fuzz review
A brilliant but pricey dirt box from Italy – with two layers of fuzz
“Prepare to be easily charmed… nothing short of inspiring”: Orangewood Juniper Sunburst Live review
This affordable acoustic is compact, perfectly set up, and bang on trend with a rubber bridge that offers a compelling alternative to traditional acoustic sounds
“An articulate and dynamic response that has an edge over traditional plectrums”: Techpicks review
These thermoplastic picks from Italy are built to last
“Puts your amp or cab on casters without drilling or modification”: On-Stage AG5000 Amp Glider review
Putting the roll into rock 'n' roll, the Amp Glider is an ingenious device for transporting your amp, preserving that Tolex – and that lower back
“It barks, it roars and it bites”: EarthQuaker Devices Zoar Dynamic Audio Grinder review
EQD's latest dirt pedal offers amp-like drive and heaps of tone-shaping capabilities, but is above all a love letter to dynamics
“Beyond any guitar in its class”: Yamaha Pacifica Professional P12M review
Forget everything you know about Pacifica: Yamaha’s new Japan-built flagship is a stunning, pro-spec electric guitar that has to be played and heard to be believed
“For many wah enthusiasts, Clyde McCoy wahs are considered the ‘Holy Grail’, and Xotic has replicated its tonal recipe”: Xotic XW-2 Wah – Red Limited review
Xotic is only making 1,000 of these, which is a shame, because it is maybe the most beautiful wah pedal you will ever see. But how does it sound?
“One of the most expressive pickups I’ve ever played... notes gloriously blossom into sustained feedback that reaches those magical upper overtones”: Shed Pickups HA-59 PAF Set review
A period-correct pickup set that seeks to nail the holy grail golden-era Gibson tone. Is there a better aftermarket humbucker on the market?
“The Inception is an acoustic to be experienced – its finely-tuned voice will resonate among many players”: Martin GPCE Inception Maple review
Skeletonized bracing, domestic tonewoods, super-premium build and a ride that's like your favorite electric? Martin's new acoustic has a lot going on...
“An exceptional amplifier with modern features and tone that can handle any gig”: Stage Right by Monoprice SB100 Reverb
Don't be fooled by the generic looks: this super-affordable but super-powered new 100-watt tube head from Monoprice's Stage Right guitar amp series is a serious contender
“A wonderfully refined boost pedal that makes your rig more ‘alive’ and present”: Revv Amplification Tilt Boost review
Inspired by the runaway success of Shawn Tubbs’ Tilt Overdrive, the Tilt Boost offers a small-footprint boost pedal with some serious EQ-shaping, amp-punching power
“The kind of guitar that makes you blurt out, ‘Yep, that’s it. This is great.’ There's so much to love about it”: Danelectro ’59 Triple Divine review
Meet the brand-new vintage guitar that will have you wondering where it has been all your life
“It's so incredibly sophisticated with its drive and vibe duo that you forgive it’s digital”: Eventide Riptide review
Two classic effects, one classy unit. Is it time you got swept away in the Riptide's stereo combo of overdrive and Uni-Vibe?
“An ultra-fast guitar that you’re going to want to burn many fretboard miles on”: Jackson American Series Virtuoso review
The new go-faster bolt-on Superstrat from the Jackson USA line is a speed machine with a build that justifies the price tag
Mod Electronics Phase/Off review – a phaser pedal so good you won't mind assembling it yourself
For the DIY enthusiast with a steady hand on the soldering iron, this phaser from Mod Electronics might just do the job of one, two, or even three classic modulation units
Ciari Guitars Ascender Standard review – a foldable travel guitar that unfolds into a fully fledged pro-level instrument
Developed with acclaimed luthier Joe Glaser, the Ascender Standard is a foldaway travel guitar with a difference – you'll want to play it all the time
Sterling by Music Man Valentine Chambered Bigsby review: it may borrow from the Tele and the ES-339, but this affordable offset is very much its own guitar – and it’s an absolute must-play
It’s lightweight, super-versatile, nicely priced, with a Bigsby sweetening the deal, and there's nothing quite like it. Why aren't more players talking about this Valentine?
