Latest articles by Dave Burrluck
“It provides that switchable ‘clean’ tone instantly”: Mars-Tronic Perfecto Clean Switch review
No, it’s not a device that instantly removes gunk from your guitar, but the Mars-Tronic Perfecto Clean Switch could prove handy once we can work out exactly what it does…
“An almost timeless design from the hands and ears of one of the greats”: Lowden GL-J review
A Lowden electric? The GL-10 – originally introduced in 2018, and recreated for Ed Sheeran – now gets a semi-solid sibling
“We’re not hearing $1,750 difference”: Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard and Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s Mahogany Top review
Two recent Les Paul launches from Gibson and Epiphone take a nod back to the ’50s in style. But not only are they made on different continents, they’re very different in price. Which is best? Let’s find out
“Plays like something several times the price”: Shergold Masquerader SM11 Standard review
An original British guitar model – beloved of leftfielders like Bernard Sumner and Julian Cope – updated, modernized, and punching well above its new, lowly price point
Meet West Valley Guitars, the UK brand making offsets like you’ve never seen before
Josh Stopford wanted to make a more player-friendly offset, a more feminine guitar – and finished in Tahitian Coral, this might be the coolest boutique offset we've played in a while
How Paul Reed Smith created the ultimate Dragon for PRS Guitars’ 40th Anniversary
Debuting PRS’s “throaty” new McCarty III humbuckers, the Private Stock 40th Anniversary McCarty Dragon is a work of art and a triumph of engineering – and, says Smith, it’s built to play
“A smartly turned-out spin on a modern classic”: Jet Guitars JS-45 Elite review
Based in Slovenia and made in China, Jet Guitars’ impressively wide range of mainly lookalikes is now heading upmarket. The seatbelt sign is on…
Why Gibson’s B.B. King ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ 1974 ES-355 is a technical knockout
Gibson and B.B. King have had many Lucilles over the years but it is this one commemorating the King of the Blues' legendary Zaire the heavy-hitter we've been waiting for?
“A unique and frankly inspiring instrument”: Cream T Astra Custom ‘Decades’ review
The Astra ‘Decades’ aims to stand apart from the generic Tele-style guitar. So if you want more sounds, not to mention pickup swapping, you just might fall for its charms – Dumbucker included…
Having problems with your shiny new guitar? Try these fixes first
Final quality control on new instruments can vary. Do we all need to learn to do a little DIY?
“An instrument this writer would happily gig with, no hesitation”: Godin Radium review
Along with making guitars for Alex Lifeson, Godin’s standard electric range has plenty to offer. We take this pared-down roots-rocker for a long overdue spin
“We love it when Gibson gets it right”: Gibson ES-330 and Les Paul Studio review
Along with its high-profile limited-edition releases, Gibson continues to consider the working musician, as this pair illustrates: two new additions that couldn’t be more different!
“It was like creating the electric I wanted when I was 13”: Andy Powers on making the A-Type
An all-new electric from the man who makes Taylor one of the biggest names in acoustic design, the A-Type is typically high-end, thoroughly original, and might well be a modern classic in the making
It weighs under 6lbs and you can swap the pickup instantly: meet the guitar that wowed Billy Gibbons
Fresh out of the Cream T Custom Shop, this high-end electric with Guitar-X pickup swapping and a honeycomb body is pointing the way to a brighter (lighter) future for electric guitar
How Gibson’s Quick Connect pickups are the Les Paul mod anyone can do – no soldering required
As Gibson finally adds some Quick Connect pickups to its Pickup Shop lineup, we revisit this simple no-solder method to mod your Modern guitar
“Anyone with a troublesome Telecaster needs to hear these”: Bare Knuckle Nomads Set review
Tim Mills has done it again. The third collaboration between Bare Knuckle and Rabea Massaad might be the best yet
"A lot to applaud:" Gretsch Electromatic Pristine Ltd Jet Single-Cut with Bigsby review
Always the ‘Les Paul’ of the Gretsch line since it first appeared back in the 50s, the Jet gets a snazzy Electromatic makeover. Style over substance? Let’s plug in…
“Could this be one of the most unique and musically inspiring electric guitars we’ve ever encountered?” Powers Electric A-Type review
Originally launched in early 2023, the Powers Electric A-Type is that rarest of things in guitar design: a true original
PRS’ Jack Higginbotham on the history of the SE line
PRS might well be 40 years old in 2025, but the SE guitars seem to be catching up – with a 25th anniversary celebration planned for 2026. Where does the time go?
“A handsome, versatile instrument that deserves a second chance”: Gibson Victory Figured Top review
It hardly set the world alight on its first release, but tasteful upgrades may yet see the new Victory models receive the recognition they deserve
“A slightly different and very usable character”: Radioshop Telecaster Wiring Mod review
‘Modern’ Telecaster wiring, as it is so often called, is now 57 years old. But Radioshop Pickups has come up with a new spin, and we are very much here for it
How Chapman Guitars reinvented itself with a new factory, fresh ideas and the help of industry guru Trevor Wilkinson
Teaming up with Harmony Musical Instruments in India to make their guitars, Rob Chapman's brand is ushering in a new era – and it has Trevor Wilkinson on-call as consultant
“World-class... It just feels like a vintage classic that never was”: Daniels Gravitas review
A fascinating reimagining of Gibson’s Firebird, the Gravitas sticks with vintage vibe and mojo. Oh, and that sound…
“The perfect all-rounder for any musician”: PRS SE Custom 24 Semi-Hollow Piezo review
As PRS begins celebrations for its 40th anniversary in 2025, its SE division continues to release models that push the quality to price ratio. This new Custom might well be the best yet – and it’s piezo-loaded!
