Simon Fellows
When Simon's childhood classical guitar teacher boasted he 'enjoyed a challenge', the poor man had no idea how much he'd underestimated the scale of the task ahead. Despite Simon's lack of talent, the experience did spark a lifelong passion for music. His classical guitar was discarded for an electric, then a room full of electrics before Simon discovered the joys of keys. Against all odds, Simon somehow managed to blag a career as a fashion journalist, but he's now more suitably employed writing for Guitar World and MusicRadar. When not writing or playing, he can be found terrifying himself on his mountain bike.
Latest articles by Simon Fellows
Best online guitar lessons 2024: remote learning for guitar players – every platform tested by experts
By Chris Schwarten last updated
Online lessons are great for developing your guitar skills from the comfort of your home or on the go – our experts have thoroughly tested options for all playing levels and for every budget, including a free option
Best bass effects pedals: 10 of the best pedals for every type of bassist
By Simon Fellows last updated
Our guide to the finest sounding effects pedals for bass players, including fuzz, compressors and multi-effects
Best ukuleles for beginners 2024: top picks from soprano to tenor
By Simon Fellows last updated
The best beginner ukuleles from Fender, Epiphone, Martin, Kala, Gretsch and more – prices starting from $30
Best high-end electric guitars 2024: the finest guitars money can buy
By Simon Fellows last updated
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
“An exceptional platform for novices, intermediates and advanced guitarists alike”: Guitar Tricks review 2024
By Chris Schwarten last updated
A behemoth of a guitar tutorial site that’s evolved over decades into one of the very best online learning experiences around
“An accessible, contemporary tuition platform that screams quality”: Fender Play review 2024
By Chris Schwarten last updated
A beautifully executed, modern take on traditional guitar, bass and ukulele tuition
Best guitar cases and gig bags 2024: from cost-effective protection, to indestructible travel companions
By Simon Fellows last updated
Our road-tested hard case and gig bag offerings for acoustic and electric guitar
Best tube amps 2024: unlock incredible tone with our pick of the greatest tube amps you can buy right now
By Simon Fellows last updated
There isn’t anything quite like a real tube amp. Bathe in warm, organic tones with our pick of tube amps from Fender, Mesa/Boogie, Vox, Tone King, Orange, Supro and more
Best acoustic guitars under $1,000 in 2024: get great tone for less
By Rob Laing last updated
Enjoy superb playability and sound with our guide to the top mid-priced acoustics
Is there a benefit to buying a more expensive guitar as your first?
By Simon Fellows published
Entry-level or mid-grade? Which guitar offers better value for the beginner? If you’re just starting out, will an entry-level axe do, or should you invest in a fancier guitar with a price tag to match?
Best pedalboard power supplies 2024: juice your ‘board with our recommendations
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Make sure your effects are firing on all cylinders with our pick of the best pedal power supplies from Strymon to Ernie Ball
Fender Play vs Yousician: Which online lessons are right for you?
By Simon Fellows published
These titans of online guitar tuition take a very different approach to teaching. What sets them apart and which is the best one for you?
Best free online guitar lessons 2024: Where learning guitar costs nothing
By Simon Fellows published
Many of the finest online guitar tuition sites, apps and channels are yours for free. The only investments you need to make are time and effort!
Best guitar tuners 2024: chromatic, polyphonic, and strobe options
By Chris Bird last updated
Find the best guitar tuner whatever your budget, with our top picks from the likes of Boss, Korg, TC Electronic and D’Addario
Best bass guitars 2024: long and short-scale bass options for beginners to pros
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
Our pick of the world’s finest low-end monsters, with the best bass guitars from Fender, EBMM, Yamaha and more…
Best classical guitars 2024: nylon-string guitars for every budget
By Chris Corfield last updated
From classical, flamenco and crossover, to acoustic-electric models and beyond, these are the best nylon-string guitars around right now
11 reasons every beginner guitar player should take lessons
By Simon Fellows published
We truly believe that investing in structured guitar lessons is the best way to improve as a player – and here's why
Best patch cables 2024: tidy up your ‘board with our pick of the best patch leads
By Alex Lynham last updated
Need to organize a messy pedalboard? Patch cables are a simple and creative cable solution for your guitar pedals
“If you’re a beginner then you’ve lucked out with this app. The pathway is simply superb”: Gibson: Learn & Play Guitar app review
By Simon Fellows published
Gibson’s guitar tuition app promises to teach us all a lesson
13 essential things to learn when you first start playing the guitar
By Simon Fellows published
Start your guitar playing journey right with these invaluable tips for beginners - from gear choice and posture, to dialing in a killer amp tone
Quick! Save up to $210 off three of our favorite Fender Player Strats at Guitar Center in this time-limited pre-Black Friday deal
By Simon Fellows published
Buy a Fender Player Strat at Guitar Center before November 15 and save hundreds of dollars
Best solid state amps: A killer selection for those who play, dirty, clean, or anything in between
By Simon Fellows last updated
From futuristic modelling, to good old fashioned transistor tech, here’s our expert pick of the best solid state amps money can buy
Best fingerstyle guitars: the finest guitars for fingerstyle, whatever your budget
By Simon Fellows published
Take your playing to the next level with our selection of the best guitars for fingerstyle from Martin, Yamaha, Taylor, Washburn, Larrivee, Cordoba, Fender…
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