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.
Latest articles by Richard Blenkinsop
Best DIY guitar kits: self-assembly project guitars for every budget
By Richard Blenkinsop last updated
The best DIY guitar kits for budding luthiers – build your own acoustic or electric guitar today
Best guitar cleaning kits and tools 2024: keep your guitar looking and sounding sweet
By Richard Blenkinsop last updated
Take a look at our expert pick of guitar cleaning and maintenance products to help keep your instrument in tip-top condition
Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb review
By Richard Blenkinsop published
Some of the best cleans and pushed overdriven tones in a friendly 22W combo
Best fretless basses: get more vibrato and texture from your bass guitar
By Richard Blenkinsop published
From electric to acoustic, modern to vintage, we take a look at the best fretless basses on offer
Best tube amps under $1,000: get amazing guitar tones under a grand
By Richard Blenkinsop published
Level up your rig with the best tube amps under $1K from the likes of Fender, Marshall, Orange, Vox and more
Active vs passive pickups: What’s the difference?
By Richard Blenkinsop published
Join us as we weight up the differences between active and passive pickups to see which is right for you
How to assemble the ultimate live acoustic guitar rig
By Total Guitar editors published
From how to banish feedback to sweetening your tone through EQ, get yourself gig-ready now
8 ways to keep your kids interested in playing guitar
By Richard Blenkinsop published
Keep outside distractions away with eight entertaining and supportive ways to help your child stick with the guitar
Best bass pickups: Improve your bass sound with options from Fender, Aguilar, Seymour Duncan and more
By Richard Blenkinsop published
Step up your bottom-end game with our expert selection of pickups for upgrading your bass
Orange Learn review
By Richard Blenkinsop published
An accredited course in rock guitar for newcomers and more experienced players
Singular Sound Aeros Gold Edition looper pedal review
By Richard Blenkinsop published
A compact, powerful and functional loop pedal with an easy-to-read touchscreen - what's not to love?
Best tube amps under $500 in 2024: get that classic, warm tone for less money
By Richard Blenkinsop published
Get great guitar tone on a budget with our pick of affordable tube amps from the likes of Blackstar, Marshall and Vox
Boss Katana vs Line 6 Catalyst: Which should you buy?
By Richard Blenkinsop published
Which of these killer affordable modeling amps is the best use of your budget?
Best Gibson acoustic guitars: acoustics for all styles of player from the lauded US brand
By Richard Blenkinsop published
From Depression-era classics to contemporary workhorses; have a browse of what we think are the go-to Gibson acoustics on the market
Pickup Music review 2024
By Richard Blenkinsop published
Some of the most personable online guitar lessons available, suited to both beginner and experienced players
Boss RC-1 Loop Station review
By Richard Blenkinsop published
One of the simplest and most reliable looper pedals on the market right now
Best Marshall amps: Our pick of amps for rock and beyond from Marshall's full range
By Richard Blenkinsop last updated
From bedroom-friendly combos, to stage-ready heads, we count down the best Marshall amps you can buy right now
Alvarez AD30 review
By Richard Blenkinsop published
An affordable solid-topped dreadnought that punches above its price point
Best Strat pickups: upgrade your tone with a new set of pups
By Richard Blenkinsop published
Treat your prized old battle axe to a set of the best Stratocaster pickups – single coils and humbuckers included
Best modeling amps 2024: recreate iconic guitar tones with these top amplifier picks
By Richard Blenkinsop last updated
Our pick of the best modeling amps from Boss, Fender, Line 6, Blackstar and more
Best 8-string guitars: embrace the low-end with our djent-friendly electrics for all budgets
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
Extend your low end beyond your wildest dreams with our selection of the best 8-string electric guitars
Best mini pedals for guitarists: our pick of space-saving effects for your pedalboard
By Alex Lynham last updated
Honey, I Shrunk The Rig! Get compact with our pick of the best mini guitar pedals
Best 7-string guitars 2024: budget-spanning picks for djent to nu-metal
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
Thicken up your low end with the very best 7-string guitars from Ibanez, Jackson, PRS and more
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