Rob Laing
Rob has 20 years of experience writing, reviewing, interviewing and editing for guitar magazines and websites, including Guitarist and Total Guitar.
Over the years he's interviewed artists including Metallica, Black Sabbath, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, but he's lost count of all the guitar gear he's tested.
He's now Reviews Editor for GuitarWorld.com, Guitar World magazine and MusicRadar guitars, heading up our in-house reviews team to give you in-depth and honest tests of the latest guitar gear. He eats and dreams reviews.
Latest articles by Rob Laing

By Simon Fellows last updated
Stand and be heard – embrace the creative opportunities an acoustic electric guitar presents, whether live on stage or in the studio

By Matt Parker Published
It’s the biggest launch of the year for the Big F – and it’s not just a new lick of paint

By Matt McCracken last updated
I've tested dozens of the best guitar practice amps to find the ultimate home practice rig, from mini tube combos to digital modeling amps

By Rob Laing last updated
My top travel guitar choices and expert buying advice for musicians on the move

By Matt Parker Published
Whether it was fun, frustrating, or forced us to think differently, these are the 12 pedals that GW staffers say have actually changed the way they play

By Rob Laing Published
The ultimate distillation of Fender's continuously underrated offset?

By Ross Holder last updated
We check out the top Squier guitars, including the Classic Vibe series, Affinity series, Debut models, and Paranormal series guitars

By Rob Laing last updated
Enjoy superb playability and sound with our guide to the top mid-priced acoustics from the likes of Epiphone, Fender, Martin and more

By Rob Laing Published
The Polyphonic Drop Tune pedal first landed in 2014, and now a limited run in a new finish gives us a good opportunity to check where it stands today

By Rob Laing Published
EQD founder Jamie Stillman on the pedal that made the company famous, why the overcomplicated is not for him, and the stompbox that serves death metal and country guitarists alike

By Rob Laing Published
The latest FullerTone design might just be the best yet, and a big statement from Eastman

By Rob Laing Published
Guitarists Drew Goddard and Mark “Hoss” Hosking break down In Verses’ long gestation period, reveal their Soundgarden-level tunings, and share Govan’s unexpected bagpipe connection

By Rob Laing Published
Onboard HyVibe H2 effects with a looper on a mini travel guitar – too good to be true?

By Janelle Borg Published
Govan is the band’s first ever guest soloist since their inception over two decades ago

By Rob Laing Published
Tired of compromising your signal chain and listening experience as an amp pedal user? Strymon might have the solution with its unique DI / headphone amp PCH

By Rob Laing, Pete Emery, Stuart Williams, Connor Flys, Matt McCracken, Paul Riario, Daryl Robertson, Matt Owen, Phil Weller, Neville Marten, Alex Lynham, Martin Smith, Trevor Curwen, Jamie Dickson, David Mead Published
Platinum Award-winners, forward-thinkers and new classics from our favourite guitars, amps, effects, plugins, bass gear and more

By Rob Laing Published
Orangewood's second-ever electric guitar release leans into its acoustic roots and a high spec, but can it win you over from the established giants of semi-hollow guitars?

By Rob Laing Published
Its announcement stirred up plenty of opinion online, but is the reality really so controversial?

By Rob Laing Published
Fender's new high-end range is lightly aged and heavily priced

By Rob Laing Published
This is a sequel you need to see and hear

By Rob Laing last updated
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

By Rob Laing Published
The Amazon-exclusive Debut Series is aimed at beginners, but could it also be ideal for modders and guitarists who need a bass for recording too?

By Rob Laing Published
The Acoustasonic finally gets much more affordable for players, and some things have had to give to get there

By Rob Laing Published
HeadRush was early to spot a demand for giggable FRFR cabs in the market, and now it has seen another one for home users – has it got it right again?
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