Latest articles by Richard Blenkinsop
Best metal guitars 2025: hell-raising electrics for shredders on any budget
From extended-range guitars to Flying Vs, here's our pick of killer metal guitars from Jackson, ESP, Ibanez, and more
Best guitars for jazz 2025: smooth swinging options for jazz cats
From archtops to solid bodies, these are the best jazz guitars on the market today from top brands like D’Angelico, Gibson, Squier, and more
"This is an excellent, compact pedal that helps you tune accurately and quickly": Peterson StroboStomp Mini review
A super accurate, sturdy, and reliable tuner with ‘sweetened’ options for those who want them
Fender vs Squier: what’s the difference?
Everything you need to know about the Big F and its budget-friendly sister company – a guide to the history, spec and tone differences between Fender and Squier
Best overdrive pedals 2025: explore which drive pedal is right for you
Overdrive is one of the most essential guitar effects pedals. These are our top picks for every budget
Best humbucker pickups 2025: buck up your guitar with mellow lows and punchy mids
From PAF replicas to modern day active tone monsters, our experts pick the best humbucker pickups on offer right now
Best Klon clones 2025: Our pick of the best Klon Centaur Klones for every budget
From straight-up klones to full reimaginings, here are some of the best Klon Centaur-inspired pedals on the market today
Best acoustic bass guitars 2025: Unplug and play with our pick of top acoustic basses
Our expert guide to the best acoustic bass guitars will instantly boost your low-end game, and enable you to play at home or on the go
Best bass compressor pedals 2025: our pick of pedals to get your low-end in line
We look at the best compressors for bass, from some of the biggest names around including Origin Effects, Empress Effects, Boss, and more
Best high-end electric guitars 2025: the finest guitars money can buy
If money were no object, this is the all-star list of high-end axes from Gibson, PRS, Fender, and more that you’ll want in your collection
Best Squier guitars 2025: Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jaguars and more for the budget-conscious player
From budget Teles, to vintage-spec’d Strats, we look at the best Squiers available today
Best amp modelers 2025: rack-mounted and floorboard options for every budget
Want a bunch of amp sounds packed into one unit? Start your research with our pick of the best amp modelers for guitarists
Best budget bass guitars 2025: our top pick of basses under $500/£500
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 guitars for small hands 2025: compact, thinline and slim-necked options for all ages
Our pick of compact electric and acoustic models from Fender, Taylor, Epiphone and more
Fender amps explained: from tubes to modeling, here's everything you need to know about Fender amplifiers
On the hunt for a new amp? Here's our guided tour of everything Fender has to offer when it comes to guitar amps
Everything you need to know about guitar cables – from what they’re made of to how they work
Get to know the science behind your guitar cables’ operation and the additional factors that can have an impact on cable performance
Best nylon guitar strings 2025: top picks from D'Addario, La Bella, Ernie Ball and more
Warm and mellow to bright and snappy; we look at the best nylon guitar strings on offer
Best reverb pedals 2025: from spring to shimmer, these are our top picks for your pedalboard
Take a deep dive into the cavernous world of 'verb and explore the best reverb pedals for every budget
ESP vs LTD Guitars: What's the difference?
Looking for a capable guitar for playing rock or metal? We explore the history, spec and tone characteristics of ESP and its affordable sub-brand LTD
5 Fender signature guitars you need to try – and 5 we can't believe they haven't made yet
Our pick of Fender artist collaborations, plus the five players whose autographs we’d like to see adorning signature guitars in the future
Best guitar wireless systems 2025: set your playing free, from the rehearsal room to the stage
Fed up with cumbersome cables? Here's our pick of the best wireless guitar systems for every budget
Flatwound vs roundwound bass strings: What’s the difference?
Mellow and warm or bright and snappy? We look at the key differences between flatwound and roundwound bass strings
“You might not be fooled into thinking it’s a tube amp, but it’s close enough for silent practice”: Blackstar amPlug 2 FLY review
An affordable silent practice tool with three channels and three effects that covers ground for all guitarists
