Articles by: Rob Laing

Guitar World

Rob is the Guitars Editor for MusicRadar, handling news, reviews, features, tuition, advice for the strings side of the site and everything in between. Before MusicRadar, he worked on guitar magazines for 15 years, including as Editor of Total Guitar. He's currently set aside any pipe dreams of getting anywhere with his own songs and is enjoying playing covers in function bands.

Photo of a PRS guitar, Victory amp and Warm Audio effects pedal

18 ways to improve your guitar tone

By Stuart Williams published 19 April 23

Tone is one of the most hotly debated aspects of guitar playing. Read on as we look at the best ways to optimize your setup and get more from your guitar rig

Martin Shawn Mendes 000JR-10E review

By Rob Laing published 12 April 23

Shawn Mendes's signature 000 Junior foregrounds sustainability but also offers a tone that's bold and ready for open mic night

Fender Mustang LT40S review

By Rob Laing published 11 April 23

The Big F's desktop amp presents guitar players with an affordable and inspiring tool for practice. But how does it measure up in an increasingly crowded field?

Fender Acoustasonic Player Jazzmaster review

By Rob Laing published 7 April 23

The American Acoustasonic was widely regarded as the most versatile of Fender's bold hybrid range yet, but how does it translate to the more affordable Player Series?

Harley Benton Evil Twin review

By Rob Laing published 22 December 22

An uber-affordable dual-drive pedal that doubles down on the value to help you stock up that pedalboard for less

Blackstar Dept. 10 Amped 1 review

By Rob Laing published 29 November 22

Blackstar gets serious about scaling down with a pedalboard amp that has all the mod cons

Squier 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster Gold Edition review

By Rob Laing published 28 November 22

The classic Fender offset gets the gold treatment for Squier's big birthday

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 4 July 23

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

Martin LX1E Little martin on a blue background

Best travel guitars 2023: top acoustic and electric travel guitars for portability and performance

By Rob Laing last updated 21 October 22

Top travel guitar choices and buying advice for musicians on the move

SoundLad Liverpool Scran review

By Rob Laing last updated 28 September 22

One of the most versatile Brit-rock in a box drives at this price? Definitely maybe

Two Taylor Academy Series acoustic guitars leaning against a wall

Best acoustic guitars under $1,000 2023: get great tone for less

By Rob Laing last updated 15 November 23

Enjoy superb playability with the best acoustic guitars under $1,000, in a range of sizes, with our guide to the top mid-priced acoustics

Positive Grid Spark Mini review

By Rob Laing last updated 27 October 22

The Spark 40 has got a smaller 10W sibling and it offers a similarly audacious range of sounds and functions in a non-more-portable format – and [spoilers] it sounds huge

Fender Paramount PD-220E review

By Rob Laing last updated 15 July 22

Is this stunning all-mahogany dreadnought the new benchmark for electro-acoustics at this price? The evidence suggests as much

Walrus Audio Slötvå review

By Rob Laing last updated 6 July 22

Cinematic, other-worldly and endlessly inspiring, the Slötvå adds programmable presets to the awesome textured reverb sounds of the Slö, and is a must for adventurous tone-seekers

D’Angelico Premier Bedford SH review

By Rob Laing last updated 4 May 22

Retro cool offset looks with tones to match

Funny Little Boxes 1991 review

By Rob Laing published 21 April 22

The sound of Pearl Jam's Ten in a compact pedal

Fender Acoustasonic Jazzmaster on a grey concrete floor

Best acoustic electric guitars 2023: 11 electro-acoustics for all players

By Rob Laing last updated 21 October 22

The very best acoustic electric guitar models for beginners to pros and for every budget

Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster review

By Rob Laing published 14 February 22

Has Fender hit the sweet spot on price as well as tone with its latest hybrid guitar?

Blackstar Dept. 10 Boost review

By Rob Laing last updated 9 February 22

How much difference does a tube make to a boost pedal?

Blackstar Dept. 10 Dual Drive and Dual Distortion review

By Rob Laing last updated 7 January 22

A truly expanded tube preamp experience in a pedal? Blackstar has nailed it

Supro Delta King 12 review

By Rob Laing last updated 27 October 21

The Blues King is dead. Long live the King! It's out with one much-loved tube combo, in with another that's sure to steal your heart with some regal rock 'n' roll tones

Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 2 HH HT review

By Rob Laing last updated 10 September 21

Charvel widens its appeal with a Tele-inspired electric for all occasions

Fender Mustang Micro review

By Rob Laing last updated 4 May 22

When it comes to portable practice solutions, small is beautiful...

Epiphone Alex Lifeson Les Paul Axcess Standard review

By Rob Laing published 30 July 21

The Rush guitar icon's cut-price, feature-packed signature model deserves its spot in the limelight

Epiphone Emily Wolfe Sheraton Stealth review

By Rob Laing last updated 30 July 21

A Wolfe in Stealth clothing

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