Matt McCracken
Matt is a Junior Deals Writer here at Guitar World. He regularly tests and reviews music gear with a focus on guitars, amps, pedals, modelers, and pretty much anything else guitar-related. Responsible for over 60 buying guides, a large part of his role is helping guitarists find the best deals on gear. Matt worked in music retail for 5 years at Dawsons Music and Northwest Guitars and has written for various music sites including MusicRadar, Guitar Player, Guitar.com, Ultimate Guitar, and Thomann’s t.blog.
A regularly gigging guitarist with over 20 years of experience playing live and writing and recording in bands, he's performed everything from jazz to djent, gigging all over the UK in more dingy venues than you can shake a drop-tuned guitar at. When he's not holed up in his home studio recording new songs or tweaking pedal settings, you’ll find him making a racket with Northern noise hounds JACKALS.
Latest articles by Matt McCracken

With up to 80% off at Reverb this Black Friday is it time to forget about new models in favour of second-hand?
By Matt McCracken published
You don't have to buy brand new to get a great deal this Black Friday thanks to the Reverb early Black Friday sale

The Black Friday deals have finally arrived in the UK and Europe thanks to Thomann - grab up to 70% off in the early Cyberweek sale
By Matt McCracken published
Thomann has kicked off Black Friday officially with amazing deals on Neural DSP, Boss, Epiphone, and loads more

I’m well beyond beginner level, but Til changed my mind about online lessons - now you can save $20 off your first lesson with a pro player
By Matt McCracken published
Get a one-to-one lesson from a pro guitar tutor with this Guitar World-exclusive deal from Til

Best budget guitar amps under $500 in 2025: cost-cutting amplifiers for the budget-conscious player
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Get great sounds and features without blowing your budget – from affordable tube amps to wallet-friendly digital modeling amps and everything in between

One of our top-rated guitars just got a huge discount in the Musician’s Friend early Black Friday sale – and it's not a Fender or Gibson
By Matt McCracken published
Musician's Friend just launched their early Black Friday sale, with more deals being added each week

Best guitars for kids 2025: top electric and acoustic guitars for children
By Daryl Robertson last updated
The top kid’s guitars available today and everything you need to know to get your child started with the guitar

Jackson Pro Plus XT Soloist SLAT HT6 Baritone review
By Matt McCracken published
We get low with this fast-playing, all‑black modern metal machine

"The articulation is sensational even with the overdrive knob cranked, and every note rings true no matter what you’re playing”: Universal Audio UAFX Enigmatic ‘82 Overdrive Special pedal review
By Matt McCracken published
Has UA committed heresy with its digitization of the holy grail of guitar tone? We find out…

Did someone say Black Friday? Positive Grid is already offering a massive up to 50% off smart amps and software right now
By Matt McCracken published
PG has gone early with super savings on desktop amps, software, accessories, and more

Best acoustic guitar picks 2025: our choice of picks for acoustic playing from Dunlop, D'Addario, and more
By Richard Blenkinsop published
Get the connection between player and strings right with the best acoustic guitar picks

Best beginner electric guitars 2025: kickstart your musical journey with these epic electric guitars for beginners
By Chris Corfield last updated
So you're a budding guitarist? Get started with our pick of the best beginner electric guitars from Squier, Yamaha, and Epiphone

Best Fender amps 2025: famous tube combos to digital headphone amps
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
From beginner practice amps to touring-grade tube combos, these are the best amplifiers from the industry's most famous brand

“The best wireless headphones for musicians you can buy right now, despite a few flaws”: Yamaha YH-WL500 review
By Matt McCracken published
Promising ultra-low-latency performance, have musicians finally got usable wireless headphones on their hands?

“It’ll suit those players who like to hit hard and make their guitar really shout”: Epiphone Masterbilt Texan review
By Matt McCracken published
We put this unsung acoustic hero through its paces and find out if it’s deserving of more plaudits

“Continually surprised me with beautiful, unpredictable overtones”: Martin D-28 review
By Matt McCracken published
I get hands-on with arguably the most legendary acoustic guitar of all time. Will it live up to the hype?

Best Christmas gifts for bass players 2025: the ultimate festive gift guide for lovers of low-end
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Show your bass-playing buddy, parent, or partner some love this Christmas with 22 brilliant gift ideas for bass players

A personalized Fender and a $400 saving? Count us in! Fender's Mod Shop is currently offering free upgrades for a limited time
By Matt McCracken published
Get free upgrades on Fender bodies, necks, pickups, hardware, and more when you buy a Mod Shop guita

Best metal guitars 2025: hell-raising electrics for shredders on any budget
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
From extended-range guitars to Flying Vs, here's our pick of killer metal guitars from Jackson, ESP, Ibanez, and more

Fender Mustang Micro vs Mustang Micro Plus: is it worth upgrading?
By Matt McCracken published
We put Fender’s two headphone amps for guitar in a room together to duke it out

Guitarists, the Amazon Big Deal Days are all about accessories - here's 7 essential picks for you
By Matt McCracken last updated
Streamline your practice and performance with these cheap deals on guitar accessories

Mooer's massive up to 30% Amazon Prime Day effects sale includes Devin Townsend's formidable Ocean Machine II
By Matt McCracken published
If you’re after some cheap guitar pedals there are loads of great deals in the Amazon Big Deal Days event

Get ahead of the Black Friday game with the Beat the Rush sales event on Reverb– up to 44% off guitar gear
By Matt McCracken published
Forget Amazon Big Deal Days, all the best deals for guitarists are over on Reverb

“The perfect online guitar lessons platform if you’ve already got some playing under your belt”: Til review
By Matt McCracken published
We check out the guitar lessons platform that does things the old way for the new generation
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!