Latest articles by Alex Lynham
Big Muff vs Fuzz Face: what's the difference?
The Big Muff and Fuzz Face are the two most famous fuzz pedals ever produced. Let's compare the two
Boss DS-1 vs Boss DS-2: What’s the difference?
Considering one of these iconic Boss distortion pedals? Here's everything you need to know before you take the plunge
Best EQ pedals: must-have effects to tame your tone
Our expert pick of EQ pedals for the discerning player from the likes of Boss, Chase Bliss Audio, MXR and more
Best Tube Screamer clones: top alternatives for all budgets
Ibanez Tube Screamer not doing it for you? Here’s our expert pick of killer Tube Screamer alternatives from EarthQuaker Devices, Mooer, JHS and more
"That otherworldliness comes from very tight rhythm playing": Kevin Shields on hiding music inside his new Fender pedal, his Jazzmaster setup secrets and what guitarists overlook about his technique
My Bloody Valentine's sonic architect on how he made a fuzz pedal that responds like an amp, that time he gigged without his rig, and why he has an entire pedalboard for one part in one song…
Kevin Shields shares the secret to ensuring your Fender Jazzmaster or Jaguar won’t go out of tune – and it’s not a Mastery bridge
The My Bloody Valentine guitar genius and offset expert says he has a method that achieves tuning stability without aftermarket components
DOD Compressor 280 review
A good compressor is a guitarist's best friend and this compact optical comp is the sort of pedal you might never turn off. Do the market-leading Boss and MXR comps need to be worried?
DOD Gonkulator review
And now for something completely different: a cult pedal that combines ring modulation and distortion
DOD Envelope Filter 440 review
For those who find the wah too much work, the envelope filter is a godsend. You'll get plenty of vocal, squelchy synth joy here – but does this DOD classic work better for bass?
DOD Overdrive Preamp 250 review
A cult classic returns. But is this yellow-boxed drive still worthy of the hype?
Harley Benton Twoface review
Meet the no-nonsense, one-stop blues box that partners TS-style drive with tremolo for a measly 85 bucks
Best mini pedals for guitarists: our pick of space-saving effects for your pedalboard
Honey, I Shrunk The Rig! Get compact with our pick of the best mini guitar pedals
Maestro Agena, Arcas, Mariner and Orbit review
Gibson's expansion of its freshly-revived Maestro effects continues apace – we put its compressor, phaser, tremolo and envelope filter to the test
Best flanger pedals 2024: flange pedals options from Strymon, Boss, TC Electronic and more
From jet flange to old school tape cool, we've got the lowdown on the best flanger pedals on the market
Best boost pedals 2024: including the best clean boost pedals for guitar
Vamp up your tone with the best boost pedals for guitarists, as well as the best clean boost pedals for making your electric guitar solos really sing
Best Boss pedals: Give your playing a fresh lick with our top Boss pedal picks
If you're searching for the boss of Boss pedals we've got everything you need to take your sound to the next level
Best DAWs for guitarists: guitar-friendly music-making software
Getting started with guitar recording? These are the digital audio workstations you need to know for Mac, PC and mobile
Best guitar VSTs: our pick of the top plugins for guitarists
The hottest studio software essentials for guitar players from the likes of IK Multimedia, Positive Grid, Eventide, Neural DSP and more
Best pedals for blues overdrives, reverbs and more, primed for blues
Assembling a pedalboard for a blues gig? Start here with our picks from Ibanez, Analogman, Boss and more...
Best distortion pedals for metal: standalone and stacked gain stages, plus 'amps in a box'
Our pick of metal-friendly distortion stompboxes from Amptweaker, Friedman, Two Notes, Ibanez and more
Best cheap looper pedals: 7 essential budget loopers for your ‘board
Yes, it really is possible to land a budget looper pedal from just $79 – we’ve got options from TC Electronic, Electro-Harmonix, Boss and more
Boss GX-100 Guitar Effects Processor review
Boss is back with its leanest, meanest multi-effects floorboard yet – now with touchscreen control
Clutch on keeping their chops up, employing "loose cannon" pedals and writing songs about the Boss Metal Zone Covid-19 conspiracy
Neil Fallon and Tim Sult explain how Sunrise on Slaughter Beach became one of the US hard-rock institution's most tonally varied albums – in every sense
