Latest articles by Richard Blenkinsop
"It sounds good; you’re not getting superb clarity or a broad, rich frequency range – you get the sound of your guitar’s pickup amplified": Harley Benton TableAmp V2 Bluetooth review
An affordable, Bluetooth-equipped desktop amp designed with electro-acoustic instruments and vocalists in mind – but with scope for amp modelers too
Best electric guitar strings 2025: our top-rated strings for your electric
Keep your axe feeling fresh with the best guitar strings for electric guitar
Best bass effects pedals 2025: 11 of the best pedals for every type of bassist
Our guide to the finest sounding effects pedals for bass players, including fuzz, compressors and multi-effects
Best FRFR speakers 2025: transparent tone for multi-effects and amp modelers
From on-the-go options to arena-filling mammoths, our pick of the best FRFR speakers for guitar is sure to have every musician covered
Best Telecasters 2025: top Teles for every taste
Whether it’s your first Telecaster or you’ve walked in the boots of guitar-playing royalty, our top Telecasters will help you get your twang on
"With a unit this affordable, are the effects any good? Yes! They really are": Zoom MS-50G+ Multistomp review
A compact and functional multi-effects pedal that knocks it out of the park for value where it matters
"If you’re looking for a no-nonsense giggable tube head that covers a lot of ground, there isn’t much that beats the Dual Terror at this price point": Orange Dual Terror review
A fuss-free dual-channel tube head that delivers some of the best tones available at this price point – and higher
Best Christmas gifts for guitar players 2025: the ultimate festive gift guide for guitarists
Treat them right this Christmas with our pick of the 46 must-have guitar items, essential accessories, clever gadgets and instruments for every budget
Best parlor guitars 2025: sofa-strumming acoustics for every budget
The grandfather of acoustic guitars – our top parlor guitar picks from Gibson, Martin, Yamaha, and more
Best beginner bass guitars 2025: starter basses for beginners
The best beginner basses for young players, newcomers and the budget-conscious – featuring Yamaha, Squier, Ibanez and more
Best acoustic guitar picks 2025: our choice of picks for acoustic playing from Dunlop, D'Addario, and more
Get the connection between player and strings right with the best acoustic guitar picks
Best budget bass amps 2025: brilliant bass tone without a hefty price
Keep your low-end punchy and your bank balance healthy with our pick of the best budget bass amps from Fender, Orange, Ampeg and beyond!
Best metal guitars 2025: hell-raising electrics for shredders on any budget
From extended-range guitars to Flying Vs, here's our pick of killer metal guitars from Jackson, ESP, Ibanez, and more
Best guitars for jazz 2025: smooth swinging options for jazz cats
From archtops to solid bodies, these are the best jazz guitars on the market today from top brands like D’Angelico, Gibson, Squier, and more
"This is an excellent, compact pedal that helps you tune accurately and quickly": Peterson StroboStomp Mini review
A super accurate, sturdy, and reliable tuner with ‘sweetened’ options for those who want them
Fender vs Squier: what’s the difference?
Everything you need to know about the Big F and its budget-friendly sister company – a guide to the history, spec and tone differences between Fender and Squier
Best overdrive pedals 2025: explore which drive pedal is right for you
Overdrive is one of the most essential guitar effects pedals. These are our top picks for every budget
Best humbucker pickups 2025: buck up your guitar with mellow lows and punchy mids
From PAF replicas to modern day active tone monsters, our experts pick the best humbucker pickups on offer right now
Best Klon clones 2025: Our pick of the best Klon Centaur Klones for every budget
From straight-up klones to full reimaginings, here are some of the best Klon Centaur-inspired pedals on the market today
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 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
Best amp modelers 2025: rack-mounted and floorboard options for every budget
Want a bunch of amp sounds packed into one unit? Start your research with our pick of the best amp modelers for guitarists
