James Farmer
James is a freelance writer and former Junior Deals Writer at Guitar World. Before writing, James worked as a guitar salesman at a local music store, so he knows a thing or two about matching people with their perfect instruments. James also has experience working in other areas of the music trade, having briefly worked for online music distributor, RouteNote. James is a guitarist, bassist and drummer and has also toured the UK and Europe with his old band Hypophora.
Latest articles by James Farmer

Best guitar cables 2025: recommended instrument cables for electric, acoustic, and bass guitar
By Richard Blenkinsop last updated
Plug in with confidence using our expert guide to the best instrument cables from, Mogami, Ernie Ball, George L’s, and more

Best electric guitars 2025: our top picks for every playing style, ability and budget
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Useful buying advice and our expert pick of the best electric guitars for newcomers to pro players

Best tremolo pedals 2025: 8 top pedal choices, from old-school vibe to chopped-up tones
By James Farmer last updated
The best tremolo pedals on the market right now, from the likes of TC Electronic, Electro-Harmonix, Boss, Strymon and JHS

Best Strat-style guitars 2025: Our choice of the finest S-style guitars for all budgets and players
By James Farmer last updated
Don’t want a Fender? Here’s our expert pick of the top Strat-style electric guitars from the likes of Ibanez, Yamaha, G&L, PRS and more

Best budget bass guitars 2025: our top pick of basses under $500/£500
By Richard Blenkinsop last updated
Need to tackle the low-end on a budget? Not to worry, our experts have run the rule over our favourite bass guitars that come in under $500/£500

Best amps for metal 2025: our top picks for high-gain heroes
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
These powerhouse metal amps from PRS, Orange, Friedman, EVH, and more will have you primed to seek and destroy

Best Tube Screamer clones 2025: top alternatives for all budgets
By James Farmer last updated
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

Best electric guitars under $1,000 2025: 8 killer options for beginners and pros
By James Farmer last updated
From vintage-style classics to modern options, here's our pick of electric guitars that deliver for less than a grand

Best guitar accessories for beginners 2025: our pick of beginner guitar gear essentials
By Chris Barnes last updated
Start on the right foot with the best beginner guitar and bass accessories – including strings, picks, cables, tuners, cases and more

Squier Classic Vibe ‘50s Stratocaster review
By James Farmer published
Squier does it again, with the only budget Strat you'll ever want (and need)

Positive Grid Riff review
By James Farmer last updated
This affordable, compact audio interface from Positive Grid just made recording guitars even more accessible

Best pedals for blues 2025: Overdrives, reverbs and more, primed for blues
By Alex Lynham last updated
Assembling a pedalboard for a blues gig? Start here with our picks from Ibanez, Analogman, Boss and more...

Best beginner guitars for metal 2025: 10 top axes to cover all your metal needs
By James Farmer last updated
Explore the very best in beginner metal guitars from the likes of Squier, Epiphone and PRS, including a selection of great options under $500/£500

Best Ibanez guitars 2025: 13 standard and signature Ibanez models for every budget
By James Farmer last updated
Our pick of the best Ibanez guitars for beginner to pro players, along with useful buying advice

Squier Bullet vs Affinity: Which one is right for you?
By James Farmer published
We compare two killer budget guitar ranges from Squier to help you spend your hard-earned cash wisely

You can already save hundreds this Independence Day with Guitar Center's early 4th of July sale
By James Farmer published
There's amazing deals to be had on guitars, amps, effects and more with up to 35% off deals in every department

Save up to 60% off guitars and accessories this month at Musician's Friend
By James Farmer published
The Musician's Friend Electric Guitar Month saves you hundreds on guitars and gear from the likes of Gibson, Fender, Sterling by Music Man, Hagstrom and D'Addario

Fancy a new Strat? These are the best Memorial Day Fender Player Stratocaster deals available now
By James Farmer published
This Memorial Day, grab one of Fender's most popular Strats - the Player Series - for less

Guitar Center's Memorial Day sale is here! Save up to 35% off a host of guitar gear and accessories
By James Farmer published
Update and upgrade your setup for less this Memorial Day, thanks to Guitar Center

Get up to 30% off Stage and Live Sound gear in Musician's Friends 'Take the Stage' sale
By James Farmer published
Time to upgrade your live sound and setup? Save up to 30% on a range of gear until May 22

Save 50% on Guitar Rig 6 Pro, now only $99.50!
By James Farmer published
Thanks to this epic Native Instruments plugin deal, you can take your guitar tracks to greater heights - and save some money at the same time

PRS SE Silver Sky vs Fender Player Stratocaster: which is better?
By James Farmer published
The new kid on the block vs the one that started it all

Buy one plugin, get one free with this killer Valentine's Day plugin deal from Waves
By James Farmer published
Grab any of Waves’ epic guitar plugins, and you’ll get your choice of 100 plugins absolutely free of charge
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