ThorpyFX ER-2 Uni-Vibe review – the new standard for modern Uni-Vibe pedals? By Trevor Curwen published 13 December 23 Over five decades since Jimi Hendrix famously used one at Woodstock, ThorpyFX creates its dream Uni-Vibe
Fender Tone Master FR-12 review – the FRFR cab your amp modeler has been waiting for By Nick Guppy published 11 December 23 Intended to partner the Tone Master Pro, the relatively affordable FR-12 performs its purpose flawlessly – but its practical applications stretch beyond serving Fender's flagship modeler
Epiphone Kirk Hammett 'Greeny' 1959 Les Paul Standard review – it may be $1.5k, but this is the best-quality Epiphone we've ever played… and better than some Gibson USA builds By Dave Burrluck published 8 December 23 It's one of the most talked about builds of 2023, but how does the latest Greeny model fare when it's put under the microscope?
Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster review – a bargain baritone that can get properly heavy By Matt McCracken published 8 December 23 The Squier Paranormal range’s only baritone offers some unusual sounds for explorative players at a bargain price, but is it more jack of all trades than master of one?
Seth Baccus Argonaut Classic and Argonaut Classic Baritone review – not another boutique Fender bender, but a fresh shot at an original offset design By Dave Burrluck published 1 December 23 It’s been a long time coming, but Seth Baccus’s Argonaut is finally here and sets a new level for offset design. Guitar‑making rarely gets better than this!
Fender Highway Series Parlor and Dreadnought review – Fender reinvents the acoustic once again… and the results took us by surprise By Neville Marten published 30 November 23 Following the success of Fender’s Acoustasonic series come two somewhat more traditional-looking electros. Packed with Fender/Fishman innovation, could they be even cooler?
Neet the boutique guitar built out of old floor joists, reclaimed Fender parts… and a Squier Affinity neck: Maybury Upscaler Fish Hook S review By Dave Burrluck published 28 November 23 British builder Jason Snelling aims to turn reclaimed wood, parts and pickups into viable and vibey Strat-style guitars
Joe Doe by Vintage Gas Jockey review – a madcap pairing of the Stratocaster and Firebird designed by a UK screenwriter By Dave Burrluck published 22 November 23 The new 2023 Joe Doe by Vintage range boasts a totally fictitious history but some refreshingly different takes on the classics
IK Multimedia Axe I/O One review – a nicely priced audio interface designed for guitar and bass players By Trevor Curwen published 20 November 23 The latest in the Axe I/O family is a compact and portable recording solution with dedicated features for electric guitars
Gibson Greenybucker and Custombucker review – the affordable way to give your guitar a Custom Shop upgrade? By Dave Burrluck published 15 November 23 The modding world has gone pickup crazy, and now Gibson has joined the fray with its Pickup Shop. We put two of its flagship humbuckers under the microscope
Haynes Demeanour review – the golden age for UK guitar making continues with this rock-ready offset By Dave Burrluck published 6 November 23 This fresh take on the classic offset outline teams humbucker and P-90 pickups with top-name hardware and stunning looks
Cream T Aurora Custom V2 review – a stunning Tele-meets-Gibson design with easy pickup swapping: is this the future of electric guitars? By Dave Burrluck published 2 November 23 Cream T’s fledging guitar line-up was upended earlier this year, but now its core model, the Aurora, is back, and with it, its radical pickup swapping feature
Electro-Harmonix Nano Metal Muff review – a surprisingly versatile distortion pedal that does more than just metal By Trevor Curwen published 1 November 23 A small but mighty fuzzstortion for all your metal needs, but this has an appeal beyond the denim and leather cohort
Turnstone TG review: the most expensive guitar we’ve ever reviewed – but is it worth it? By David Mead published 30 October 23 At £12,240 (nearly $15,000), this premium-level model from the renowned UK-based acoustic builder is the most expensive guitar we have reviewed, but it might also be one of the best. Want to know what a high-end acoustic plays like? Read on…
Origin Effects Halcyon Gold Overdrive review – finally, a Klon-inspired drive pedal that’s much more than just a clone By Trevor Curwen published 26 October 23 Origin Effects takes on the infamous golden overdrive and makes it more versatile than ever
Electro-Harmonix Nano Pulsar review – a flexible, if not entirely up-to-the-minute, tremolo pedal By Trevor Curwen published 25 October 23 The Nano range offers classic EHX tones in a more compact format, but this downsized version of the Pulsar tremolo manages to add more controls to the format
Fender Vintera II ‘60s Stratocaster and ‘50s Nocaster review: keenly priced Strat and Tele models that evoke the golden age of guitar building By Neville Marten published 19 October 23 The original 2019 Fender Vintera models offered a fine and affordable snapshot of Fenders from a particular ‘vintage era’. So, what do the Mk II class of 2023 Vinteras bring to the table?
Electro-Harmonix Nano Q-Tron review – John Mayer’s fave filter, now pedalboard-friendly By Trevor Curwen published 18 October 23 EHX has been doing some Nano-sizing of its most popular pedal designs and has duly shrunk the Q-Tron envelope filter – but is it still a big deal for your sound?
J. Rockett HRM V2 review: a beautifully voiced Dumble-style drive pedal of the sort that encourages you to keep playing By Trevor Curwen published 17 October 23 With its latest HRM V2 pedal, J. Rockett refines the Hot Rubber Monkey-modded Dumble sound
EMG JMaster Pickup Set review: vintage-voiced Jazzmaster tones with zero noise By Dave Burrluck published 16 October 23 The modernist pickup maker turns its attention to the wild and wacky Fender Jazzmaster to give it an active pickup makeover