Latest reviews

Latest

EHX Spruce Goose

“This slant on the Bluesbreaker offers real flexibility at a manageable price point”: Electro-Harmonix Spruce Goose review

By Trevor Curwen published

We have a gander as Electro-Harmonix debuts its enhanced take on Marshall’s Bluesbreaker overdrive sounds

Fender Vintera II '50s Jazzmaster

“While many contemporary offsets simply borrow the outline, there’s a lot more to these original recipes”: Fender Vintera II ’50s Jazzmaster, ’70s Jaguar and ’70s Competition Mustang review

By Dave Burrluck published

Can’t afford a vintage Fender? Neither can we. So until we win the lottery, the Vintera range aims to satisfy our lust. Let’s jump on the offset train and go back in time…

Boss RV-200 Reverb

“It’s one of Boss’ most eagerly anticipated pedals ever – but is this featured-packed reverb worth the wait?” Boss RV-200 Reverb review

By Michael Astley-Brown published

The long-awaited twin-footswitch reverb pedal has taken the flagship RV-500 format and downsized it to pedalboard-friendly proportions, all while adding an all-new Arpverb algorithm

PJD guitars St John Standard Plus

“On playability alone it feels like we’re playing a much more expensive guitar”: PJD Guitars St John Standard Plus review

By Dave Burrluck published

Back in 2023, revitalised Brit-maker PJD rejigged its range to start with the new solidbody hardtail Standards. Need an offset with a vibrato? No problem: here comes the Standard Plus

Vintage ProShop V72 Custom Build

“A very endearing, characterful instrument… a guitar that looks and feels old, played-in and used but is perfectly fit for purpose”: Vintage Proshop V72 Custom Build review

By Dave Burrluck published

With guitars seemingly getting more expensive by the day, is a bespoke build now just a thing for the very well-off? We go in search of a more affordable route from the UK…

Sterling By Music Man SUB Series Stingray Ray4 review

“It delivers a lot of the classic Stingray sound and it plays like a dream”: Sterling By Music Man SUB Series Stingray Ray4 review

By Richard Blenkinsop published

The most affordable take on the Stingray might just be one of the greatest budget basses money can buy

JWJ ‘The Hog’

“Quite simply one of the best ‘entry level’ acoustic guitars we’ve experienced”: JWJ Guitars “The Hog” review

By David Mead published

Last year, we were mightily impressed when we looked at UK builder Rich Jones’ Parlour and Orchestra acoustics. This time it’s the turn of his entry-level, all-mahogany dreadnought

Nik Huber Krautster III

“It’s not just immaculate craft on show – it’s a real-world player’s guitar and would be a crime to keep cosseted in a case”: Nik Huber Krautster III review

By Dave Burrluck published

We take advantage of the rare chance to get our hands on a Nik Huber guitar and celebrate 15 years of the stripped-down Krautster. Does guitar making get any better?

Vox amPlug 3 AC30 review

“The sleeker design and stellar tones still make this one of the greatest headphone amps on the market”: Vox amPlug 3 AC30 review

By Daryl Robertson published

Vox gives their famous headphone amps a facelift – but how do they stand up to the competition?

Ernie Ball Music Man Luke 4 SSS

“Strat connoisseurs should find that the pickups deliver the tonal qualities of their dreams”: Ernie Ball Music Man Luke 4 SSS review

By Chris Gill published

The EBMM x Steve Lukather collab celebrates a landmark anniversary with a triple-single coil model that is ridiculously effective and well put together

Shergold Provocateur Standard SP12

“Don’t let its modest price tag fool you – this charming guitar offers a smorgasbord of contemporary features and tones”: Shergold Provocateur Standard SP12 review

By Daryl Robertson published

This affordable UK electric is sure to provoke a positive reaction

Flattley Guitars DG Fuzz

“Much more versatility than you’d expect in a fuzz pedal of this lineage”: Flattley DG Fuzz review

By Trevor Curwen published

The UK pedal builder releases an upgraded 1960s-style silicon fuzz with a buffer and extended tonal options

A Universal Audio Apollo Twin X audio interface on a wooden floor with an electric guitar and a MacBook

“A powerful tool for recording guitars, and there’s plenty to grow into”: Universal Audio Apollo Twin X review

By Matt McCracken published

This premium audio interface is packed full of pro-level features, but is it overkill for recording guitar at home?

Audient iD4 MkII audio interface

"A quick, simple way for guitarists to get a high-quality signal into their amp simulator of choice": Audient iD4 MkII review

By Chris Corfield published

Slick design and some nice added features make for a great value guitar interface

Stage Right by Monoprice SB100 Reverb

“An exceptional amplifier with modern features and tone that can handle any gig”: Stage Right by Monoprice SB100 Reverb

By Paul Riario published

Don't be fooled by the generic looks: this super-affordable but super-powered new 100-watt tube head from Monoprice's Stage Right guitar amp series is a serious contender

Revv Shawn Tubbs Tilt Boost

“A wonderfully refined boost pedal that makes your rig more ‘alive’ and present”: Revv Amplification Tilt Boost review

By Paul Riario published

Inspired by the runaway success of Shawn Tubbs’ Tilt Overdrive, the Tilt Boost offers a small-footprint boost pedal with some serious EQ-shaping, amp-punching power

Sterling By Music Man St. Vincent Goldie

“A must-try for fans of guitars that push the boundaries of instrument design”: Sterling by Music Man St. Vincent Goldie review

By Matt Owen published

A streamlined – and more affordable – take on one of the most exciting guitar designs in recent memory

Universal Audio UAFX Lion '68

“Just like driving a Plexi Super Lead flat out, but accessible at lower volume levels – and won’t cause permanent ear damage”: Universal Audio UAFX Lion ’68 Super Lead Amp review

By Chris Gill published

UA sought to capture the tone and feel of one of the most legendary guitar amps of all time in a pedal – and the Lion nails the brief

Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite

“A punky-edged rock ’n’ roll machine that’s light on your shoulder but far from lacking in heft”: Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite review

By Dave Burrluck published

This is the lightest solidbody LP we’ve ever encountered, and comes in snappy colors with classic rock tones

Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 review

“The Komplete Audio 6 is perfectly capable of delivering clean audio from a variety of sources, including guitars being fed into Amplitube”: Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 review

By Chris Corfield published

The most fully-featured sub-$200 interface around? You bet