Latest articles by Dave Burrluck
“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!
“Built to a standard that few can come close to”: Patrick James Eggle 96 Rob Harris Signature review
When the guitarist for acid jazz/funk band Jamiroquai gets together with top luthier Patrick James Eggle, is it Virtual Insanity or will the results Blow Your Mind?
“The playability and the fast response make it a pleasure”: Chapman Law Maker Legacy review
The last Chapman guitar we reviewed was made in the UK. This new 2024 model is crafted in India. It’s time to catch up with this globe-trotting troupe
“At this level and price it’s a serious starter, spare or – as it ever was – a wicked slide guitar”: Guild Polara Deluxe review
Guild has revamped its ’70s-era Polara range. We spent some time with this mid-range 2024 model: a modern pawn-shop prize or a copy too far?
“Sharply produced instruments with superb playability”: PJD Custom Carey Elite and Carey Custom review
Becoming well-known for its streamlined, cost-effective production models, UK maker PJD is now catering for the bespoke sector of the market. We try them on for size
Investigating the mystery mods of Andy Summers’ mongrel Telecaster
Plenty of modded or self-built guitars have powered the careers of big players. But the origins of one heavily used guitar remain a mystery…
“It reminds me of a saturated Clapton mid-boost or tubular Santana tone”: Black Ice Boost review
A passive boost you can retrofit to your guitar to thicken up single coils – no battery required
“Full-fat P90 roar”: Gibson Charlie Starr Les Paul Junior and Epiphone USA Collection Coronet review
Introduced in 1954 and always overshadowed by ‘proper’ Les Pauls, the 70-year-old Junior is now rather senior. With two just released, it’s time to celebrate the Junior style
Meet the Tamar, a futuristic headless multi-scale electric from UK builder Yarde Guitars to rival Strandberg
James Yarde's creation is one to watch, with awesome humbucker tones that are splittable down to “hot Tele” single coils
Up close with the Gibson Custom Shop reissue of Jeff Beck’s ‘YardBurst’ 1959 Les Paul Standard
We take a closer look at another stunner from the Murphy Lab that celebrates a pivotal moment in rock history, and one of its greatest ever players
“You’ll have some serious fun here”: Vintage REVO Series Custom Supreme & Trio review
Vintage already offers a huge number of affordable and tidily made electrics, but for 2024 we get a whole new retro-inspired range – and 15 new models. Where to start?
“An open-tuned five-string guitar is unique… you just can’t help bashing out those classic Keith Richards riffs”: Newman 5 String review
A story that starts on a Rolling Stones USA tour in the early ’70s, Ted Newman’s distinctly shaped design is now being made here in the UK. But the first model is missing a string!
The innovative tech that brought Yamaha’s groundbreaking 2024 Pacificas to life
Yamaha’s new Pacifica Professional and Standard Plus have a familiar shape, but deliver a revolutionary take on the much-loved S-style, drawing on a collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs and what the brand learned from the Revstar
How PRS made the SE NF3 – and what makes it different from the Silver Sky
We catch up with PRS Guitars’ COO, Jack Higginbotham, to get the lowdown on the company’s hotly hyped new budget bolt-on – and whether a USA model is on the cards…
“Looks, feels and sounds thoroughly professional”: Yamaha Pacifica Standard Plus PACS+12M review
Yamaha’s long-running double-cut gets a high-end makeover, offering pro spec and radical new pickups – is this the new boutique S-style to beat?
“The whole guitar feels very alive in your hands”: PJD Guitars St John Apprentice review
There’s no shortage of great-quality UK-made guitars, but for under a grand, PJD’s new Apprentice model is leading the charge in terms of quality and cost
“A vibrant Fender-y voice, lightweight feel, original style”: Ancoats Guitars New Islington review
Proudly made in Manchester, England, Ancoats’ guitars mix up retro themes that stand out in the market. We take this third-generation New Islington for a spin
“Try a higher string action until you get used to using it”: How to set up your guitar for slide
Lights, camera... High action? We explore that and more as we walk through what you Cooder, woulda, shoulda do when getting your guitar ready for the slide
“His passing leaves a big hole to fill”: Remembering Nick Guppy, Guitarist magazine’s guitar amp guru
Mesa/Boogie, Bad Cat, Blackstar, Boss and more pay tribute to longtime Guitarist writer Nick Guppy, who died suddenly in April
“Comes across as very much a PRS guitar, not a retooling of someone else’s design”: PRS SE NF3 review
This new SE-exclusive NF3 uses a similar bolt-on platform to John Mayer’s Silver Sky model – but is a very different guitar. How so? Let’s find out
“The immaculate craft and lutherie is unmatched”: PRS S2 Standard 24 Satin and S2 Vela Satin review
As PRS’s more affordable USA-made S2 line moves into its second decade, the series gets a revamp with – at last – USA-made pickups and electronics. What took so long?
“Ted Newman Jones builds beautiful guitars. He made some five-strings for Keith. He’s great”: Played by Keith Richards and Billy Gibbons, Newman guitars are some of rock’s greatest secret weapons – and a new model seeks to preserve their legacy
Used by everyone from The Rolling Stones to Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Mike Campbell, Newman guitars have a unique place in rock history. And thanks to a new enterprise, they’re making a comeback
“Light weight, raw resonance, superb playability”: Manson Guitar Works Verona Junior review
The latest release from Matt Bellamy’s guitar brand is a single-pickup workhorse that comes in two body shapes with uncompromised playability and sound at an aggressive price. Prepare to be impressed
