Articles by: Stuart Williams

Guitar World

Stuart is a freelancer for Guitar World and heads up Total Guitar magazine's gear section. He formerly edited Total Guitar and Rhythm magazines in the UK and has been playing guitar and drums for over two decades (his arms are very tired). When he's not working on the site, he can be found gigging and depping in function bands and the odd original project.

Articles by: Stuart Williams

Two of the Harley Benton guitars on-sale as part of the company's Cyber Monday sale

Harley Benton is a champion of budget gear – but its Cyber Monday sales are somehow even cheaper

By Stuart Williams published 27 November 23

There are mega savings – including £35 pedals – to be had on this already-affordable brand's electric guitars, acoustics and effects units right now

We challenge you to find a cheaper ’59 Les Paul this Black Friday – as Guitar Center drops its biggest Epiphone deals of the year

By Stuart Williams published 24 November 23

From Silverburst Customs, to a golden ES-335 and the holy grail of Gibson designs, there are some treasures to be found in this year’s sale

Discounts on Yamaha's excellent THRII desktop amps are super rare, but Amazon just started slashing prices across the range for Black Friday

By Stuart Williams published 23 November 23

Looking for the ultimate practice companion? Well, Amazon has just slashed the price of the Yamaha THR10II, THR10II WL, and THR30II WL this Black Friday

Positive Grid's Spark Mini is a practice amp titan – but here are 5 smart amp alternatives we love with Black Friday discounts

By Stuart Williams published 21 November 23

Go outside of the practice amp box with these tech-equipped guitar amps and save money this Black Friday

Our pick of Black Friday Harley Benton guitar and pedal deals just dropped in price even further

By Stuart Williams last updated 25 November 23

There are mega savings to be had on electric guitars, acoustics and pedals right now, and the prices were just reduced again

Funny Little Boxes Skeleton Key review – Josh Homme’s Queens of the Stone Age tones in a box?

By Stuart Williams published 20 November 23

The Skeleton Key is an op-amp distortion pedal that claims to hold the secret to Josh Homme’s guitar sound – but whatever you do, don’t tell anyone. We’re keeping this to ourselves, right?

Are your drive pedals sounding the best they could? Here are 19 ways to get more from your overdrives, distortions and fuzzes – and make them work with your rig

By Chris Bird published 29 September 23

Whether you’re using overdrive, distortion, boost or fuzz, there are plenty of ways you can tweak your setup for maximum tone

How to set up your electric guitar – improve your guitar’s tone and playability with this step-by-step guide

By Stuart Williams published 26 September 23

How to set your intonation and pickup height, keep your guitar in tune and get it playing better than ever

Epiphone Alex Lifeson Les Paul Axcess Custom

Epiphone Alex Lifeson Les Paul Custom Axcess review – this versatile LP is definitely a looker… but should you Rush out to buy one?

By Stuart Williams published 26 September 23

Epiphone unveils its second Alex Lifeson signature model, this time as a Les Paul Custom. However, there’s a Ghost (or not) at the feast…

Unhappy with your electric guitar sound? Start with these 5 tone tips before you try anything else

By Chris Bird, Stuart Williams published 25 September 23

Because great tone begins with getting the fundamentals right, from picks and strings through to pedals

Two Notes ReVolt Guitar review

By Stuart Williams published 11 July 23

The master of speaker emulation turns its hand to analog amp sim pedals

Vox Amplug Set Brian May Limited Edition

Vox amPlug Brian May Special Edition Set review

By Stuart Williams published 12 June 23

Vox’s mini headphone guitar amp gets a royal ascent, courtesy of the Queen guitar legend

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

Gretsch Roots Collection G9500 Jim Dandy review

By Stuart Williams published 16 March 23

A good ol’ fashioned, rootsy strummer from the Gretsch stable with a small body and small price

Chapman ML2 Pro review

By Stuart Williams published 7 December 22

A revamped modern single-cut that proves there's more to Chapman than high-performance T-types

Electro-Harmonix J. Mascis Ram’s Head Big Muff Pi

Electro-Harmonix J Mascis Ram's Head Big Muff review

By Stuart Williams published 2 December 22

The Dinosaur Jr. main man gets his own signature Muff and it's one for connoisseurs and collectors alike

Epiphone Noel Gallagher Riviera review

By Stuart Williams last updated 28 October 22

She’s electric! Noel’s signature invokes ’90s nostalgia with a familiar face

Acoustic guitar case sat on top of colourful wooden platform

Best guitar cases and gigbags 2023: from cost-effective protection, to indestructible travel companions

By Simon Fellows last updated 17 October 23

Road-ready hard case and gig bag offerings for acoustic and electric guitar from Fender, Epiphone, Gator, SKB, Gretsch, MONO and more

Close up of an Orange Micro dark guitar amplifier

Best amps for metal 2023: our top picks for high-gain heroes

By Jonathan Horsley last updated 25 October 23

These powerhouse metal amps from PRS, Orange, Friedman, EVH, and more will have you primed to seek and destroy

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 5 December 23

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

Manson Meta MBM-2 P-90 and MBM-2SF review

By Stuart Williams last updated 28 September 22

We take a look at two new Matt Bellamy guitars built on an identical platform, but with very different offerings – one even comes equipped with a Sustainiac and onboard Fuzz Factory circuit

16 ways to improve your acoustic guitar shows

By Stuart Williams published 12 September 22

Everything you need to avoid disasters onstage, from setup checks to anti-feedback measures and the use of in-ear monitoring

Framus Diablo Supreme review

By Stuart Williams last updated 23 March 22

Tip-top German engineering and quality control meets affordability with this no-fuss six-string

ESP E-II Eclipse Full Thickness review

By Stuart Williams last updated 4 March 22

The Eclipse takes a turn for the traditional with a thick-sliced body, Fishman Fluence Classics and, gulp, a sunburst finish. Is the single-cut brat reaching for its pipe and slippers?

Positive Grid's Spark amp is an ideal last-minute Christmas gift idea for guitar players - save up to $160 on bundles

By Stuart Williams published 7 December 21

Spark, Spark Pearl and Spark bundle prices are still at an all-time low in the lead up to Christmas

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