Reviews

“Delivers surprisingly good amp models and one of the best AI practice tools I’ve ever used”: JBL BandBox Trio review

By Matt McCracken published 13 February 26

The first foray into guitar amps from JBL combines room-shaking volume with the ability to dismantle your favorite tracks in real-time

"The combination of onboard multi-effects and a looper on a travel acoustic is an inspirational proposition here": Cort Earth GO 3/4 Dreadnought guitar review

By Rob Laing published 11 February 26

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

“Far, far from limited to our man in terms of its potential use”: Fender Johnny Marr Signature Special Jaguar review

By Dave Burrluck published 10 February 26

It’s been 13 years since we saw the first Johnny Marr Jaguar, and with little fanfare his second signature landed at the end of 2025. What’s changed?

“Set your preconceptions of the band and brand aside – this is a very capable bass”: Epiphone Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3 review

By Stuart Williams published 9 February 26

A cult-classic Gibson bass gets a ressurection courtesy of Epiphone and Green Day's Mike Dirnt

“If a guitar looks like a dread, then it’s going to sound like one, too. But not here”: JWJ Chorale Select review

By David Mead published 7 February 26

This latest acoustic from JWJ aims to provide a better blend between a singer’s voice and the guitar, all via cunning lutherie

“An outline that’s both striking and original with an almost bygone vibe”: West Valley Indiana review

By Dave Burrluck published 6 February 26

A new name on the UK’s vibrant guitar-making scene, West Valley comes to market with a vision inspired by the golden era of guitar design

“At long last, a DAW puts the guitar at the very heart of its operations”: Fender Studio Pro 8 review

By Phil Weller published 5 February 26

PreSonus' Studio One DAW has been rebranded and bestowed with a revised workflow, impressive AI features, and amp sims. Is this the DAW every guitarist has been waiting for?

“An incredibly powerful, immensely versatile pedal that crams gold-standard modeler experiences and sounds into the smallest form factor possible”: Neural DSP Quad Cortex mini review

By Matt Owen published 4 February 26

Neural DSP's third hardware launch is the one everyone has been waiting for. But what does a stripped back control layout mean for the overall playing experience?

“Runs the gamut from boost through to fuzz-flavoured distortion”: Dinosaural Hypoid Drive review

By Trevor Curwen published 3 February 26

Dan Coggins makes the drive section of his award-winning Cogmeister powerhouse available as a pedal of its own

"Fractal's renowned amp modeling at a lower entry price": Fractal AM4 review

By Pete Emery published 2 February 26

Roadtesting Fractal's renowned amp modeling at a price that could make a serious splash in the compact modeler market