“Still the ultimate suite of software guitar tools”: Native Instruments Guitar Rig 7 Pro review By Andy Jones published 16 January 24 One of the most versatile guitar plugins just got revamped – but is it worth the upgrade?
“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 15 January 24 Gibson’s guitar tuition app promises to teach us all a lesson
“An ultra-fast guitar that you’re going to want to burn many fretboard miles on”: Jackson American Series Virtuoso review By Paul Riario published 15 January 24 The new go-faster bolt-on Superstrat from the Jackson USA line is a speed machine with a build that justifies the price tag
“If we were told these two Les Pauls were made in completely different factories, we’d believe it”: Gibson Les Paul Modern Figured and Modern Lite review By Dave Burrluck published 12 January 24 Two new Les Pauls are added to the Modern strand of Gibson’s expanding USA guitar range with quite a specification and cost difference. Which one to go for?
“Affordable, gig-worthy stompboxes that bring pro-level polish and timeless tones to any rig”: Universal Audio UAFX Evermore, Heavenly, Orion and 1176 review By Chris Gill published 11 January 24 Offering studio hardware in a compact, pedalboard-friendly format, UAFX is democratizing reference-quality guitar tones – and we can't get enough of it
“A great and affordable option for players seeking a stripped-down hot rod shred guitar”: EVH Frankenstein Relic Series review By Chris Gill published 10 January 24 Meet the new Frankenstein, same as the old one, just without the stripes, and with a lived-in feel that's as comfortable as well-worn denim
"The Sitka spruce dreadnought body provides plenty of projection, with a naturally balanced tonality throughout": Taylor 110e acoustic guitar review By Chris Corfield published 10 January 24 Taylor’s workhorse classic won’t win any prizes for aesthetics, but you might just fall in love with it anyway
"It’s built to a very high standard, and will no doubt last a long time on anyone’s board": Korg Pitchblack X review By Richard Blenkinsop published 9 January 24 Accurate, clear and easy to read, and affordable – is this the tuner pedal you need on your pedalboard?
“A stunning-looking guitar that covers pretty much any musical base”: Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom review By Neville Marten published 9 January 24 Epiphone’s collaboration with blues maestro Joe Bonamassa continues unabated, with this sexy take on one of JoBo’s own favourite axes. But is a grand and a half just too grand?
MXR Joshua Ambient Echo review – a delay pedal that gives you the Edge, with a range extending from the traditional to the experimental By Trevor Curwen published 8 January 24 A new delay pedal from MXR is a rare event, but this fully featured, U2-themed soundscape generator is worth the wait
Tech 21 SansAmp Street Driver 48 review – a new Frank Bello signature amp pedal that delivers the full range of the Anthrax bassist's tones, and then some By Joel McIver published 30 December 23 Yes, the monstrous drive tones are unmistakable, but this impressively versatile SansAmp unit is not only about unhinged distortion that will terrify your neighbour’s cat
Dinosaural Cogmeister review – with three gain sections, can this triple threat cover all your dirt needs? By Trevor Curwen published 19 December 23 Designed by Dan Coggins of Lovetone fame, the Dinosaural name makes a welcome return – with all your boost and drive options in a single pedal
Patrick James Eggle 96 Contour Top review – astonishing craft married to stellar sounds with a feel that few can match By Dave Burrluck published 17 December 23 Named after a state route in Georgia, the 96 is Patrick James Eggle’s now quite long-running answer to the souped-up Stratocaster. How does it fit into the empire?
Origin Effects DCX Bass Tone Shaper & Drive review – an exhaustive pedal that will give your bass a range of sounds you never knew you needed By Joel McIver published 14 December 23 Designed to add analog color to your tone, Origin Effects’ DCX Bass unit gives you a host of old-school studio sounds in a box
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
Mod Electronics Phase/Off review – a phaser pedal so good you won't mind assembling it yourself By Paul Riario published 11 December 23 For the DIY enthusiast with a steady hand on the soldering iron, this phaser from Mod Electronics might just do the job of one, two, or even three classic modulation units
Fender California Series King Vintage review – This guitar is sure to cut through the noise of a busy open-mic night, and there’s an abundance of character in the tone By Daryl Robertson published 8 December 23 Fender’s regal dreadnought is a love letter to the company’s past, and might just be the big-voiced acoustic you need in your life
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?