Articles by: Richard Blenkinsop

After spending a decade in music retail, I’m now a freelance writer for Guitar World, MusicRadar, Guitar Player and Reverb, specialising in electric and acoustic guitars bass, and almost anything else you can make a tune with. When my head’s not buried in the best of modern and vintage gear, I run a small company helping musicians with songwriting, production and performance, and I play bass in an alt-rock band.

Articles by: Richard Blenkinsop

Close up of Martin X series guitar sound hole

Best parlor guitars 2023: compact acoustics from Martin, Yamaha, Gibson and more

By Richard Blenkinsop published 23 May 23

Diminutive and with a distinctive sound, parlor guitars are the unsung heroes of the acoustic world

Alvarez AD30 review

By Richard Blenkinsop published 26 April 23

An affordable solid-topped dreadnought that punches above its price point

Close-up on a a pair of Stratocaster pickups

Best Strat pickups 2023: Upgrade your tone with a new set of pups

By Richard Blenkinsop published 20 March 23

Treat your prized old battle axe to a set of the best Stratocaster pickups – single coils and humbuckers included

Moody shot of a Godin hollow body guitar

Best guitars for jazz 2023: get stunning clean tones at any budget

By Richard Blenkinsop published 16 February 23

Whatever flavor you play, these are the best jazz guitars available today from brands including Ibanez, D’Angelico, Gibson and more

Best DIY guitar kits 2023: self-assembly project guitars for every budget

By Richard Blenkinsop published 18 January 23

The best DIY guitar kits for budding luthiers – build your own acoustic or electric guitar today

Best amp modelers 2023: rack-mounted and floorboard options for every budget

By Alex Lynham published 16 January 23

Want a bunch of amp sounds packed into one unit? Start your research with our pick of the best amp modelers for guitarists

Close up of a blue and and orange Gretsch Brian Setzer Signature model Gretsch hollowbody on a wooden background leant against a wall

Best signature guitars 2023: top artist-endorsed guitars from Brian May, Steve Vai, EVH, Nita Strauss and more

By Chris Corfield published 12 January 23

Grab yourself a piece of gear endorsed by the artists you love with the best signature guitars from Gretsch, ESP, Ibanez and more

Best gifts for guitar players 2023: the ultimate gift guide for guitarists

By Daryl Robertson published 6 January 23

Treat them right with our pick of the 46 must-have guitar items, essential accessories, clever gadgets and instruments for every budget

Best Blackstar amps 2023: Everything from practice amps to studio quality gear

By Richard Blenkinsop published 22 December 22

From digital to tube; traditional to modern, we look at the best Blackstar guitar amps currently on offer

Best Orange amps 2023: Add a splash of color to your playing with our pick of Orange amps

By Richard Blenkinsop published 20 December 22

We delve into a brightly colored British institution by browsing the best Orange amps on the market

Best Marshall amps 2023: Our pick of amps for rock and beyond from Marshall's full range

By Richard Blenkinsop last updated 11 May 23

From bedroom-friendly combos, to stage-ready heads, we count down the best Marshall amps you can buy right now

Close up of Ibanez acoustic guitar and strings

Best acoustic guitar strings 2023: outfit your acoustic with the strings it deserves

By Chris Corfield last updated 17 April 23

Our pick of the best acoustic guitar string sets, and everything you need to know about them

Boss RC-10R looper pedal sat on top of a guitar amp

Best looper pedals 2023: go it alone with the greatest loop pedals for practice, live performance and jamming

By Alex Lynham published 8 November 22

From channeling Ed Sheeran to boosting your live performances, these are the best looper pedals from TC Electronic, Boss, Line 6 and more

Image of a Jackson guitar against a white brick wall

Best metal guitars 2023: hell-raising electrics for shredders on any budget

By Jonathan Horsley last updated 3 February 23

From 8-string guitars to Flying Vs, here's our pick of killer metal guitars from Jackson, ESP, Ibanez and more

Close up of Telecaster pickups and strings

Best electric guitar strings 2023: the finest electric guitar strings for every budget and playing style

By Chris Corfield last updated 15 May 23

Keep your axe feeling and sounding fresh with the best electric guitar strings on offer right now

Boss Katana combo amp on a wooden floor in front of a white brick wall

Best combo amps 2023: Our choice of the 17 best all-in-one combo amps for every budget

By James Farmer published 27 October 22

The ultimate tube, solid state and digital combo amps for every genre, from Motown to metal and everything in between

Three Squier electric guitars lined up against a wooden panel wall

Best Squier guitars 2023: Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jaguars and more for the budget-conscious player

By Rob Laing last updated 23 February 23

From budget Teles, to vintage-spec’d Strats, we look at the best Squiers available today

Best classical guitars 2023: nylon-string guitars for every budget

By Chris Corfield last updated 15 March 23

From classical, flamenco and crossover, to acoustic-electric models and beyond, these are the best nylon-string guitars around right now

Boss Katana combo amp on an orange background

Best beginner guitar amps 2023: top guitar amplifiers for beginners

By Chris Corfield last updated 7 February 23

Looking for one of the best guitar amps for beginners? We’ve rounded-up our favorites for players of any style from brands including Blackstar, Marshall, Boss and more

Woman holding a phone while standing with an acoustic guitar

Best guitar tuner apps 2023: top free and paid options

By Richard Blenkinsop last updated 21 October 22

Our list of the best guitar tuner apps for musicians on the move

Darkglass Aggressively Distorting Advanced Machine on a pink background

Best distortion pedals for bass 2023: thicken up your low end with these aggressive bass stompboxes

By Richard Blenkinsop last updated 21 October 22

Browse our choice of the gnarliest distortion pedals for bass from Darkglass, Fender, Source Audio and more

Bass guitar leaning against a Boss bass amp

Best budget bass amps 2023: punchy low-end for a low price

By Richard Blenkinsop last updated 21 October 22

Keep your low end punchy and your bank balance healthy with our pick of the best budget bass amps

Guitar cable plugged into an orange guitar

Best guitar cables 2023: recommended instrument cables for electric, acoustic and bass guitar

By Richard Blenkinsop last updated 3 May 23

Plug in with confidence using our guide to the best guitar cables from Planet Waves, Mogami, Ernie Ball, George L’s and more

Gretsch G2220 Electromatic Jet Bass guitar on a black background

Best budget bass guitars 2023: our top pick of basses under $500/£500

By Richard Blenkinsop last updated 25 August 22

Need to tackle the low-end on a budget? Not to worry, we’ve compiled our list of the best bass guitars under $500/£500

Best overdrive pedals 2023: explore which drive pedal is right for you

By Alex Lynham last updated 9 February 23

Overdrive is one of the most essential guitar effects pedals. These are our top picks for every budget

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