Latest articles by Richard Blenkinsop
Best budget delay pedals 2025: Get echo and slapback for not much greenback
From analog to digital, we check out the best cheap delay pedals to upgrade your 'board for less
“It delivers a lot of the classic Stingray sound and it plays like a dream”: Sterling By Music Man SUB Series Stingray Ray4 review
The most affordable take on the Stingray might just be one of the greatest budget basses money can buy
Should you play guitar with a pick or fingers? We weigh up the tone and technique benefits of both approaches
Use what you’re born with, or stick with a pick? We take a close look at the tones and techniques associated with playing guitar and bass with fingers and pick
Best classical guitars 2025: nylon-string guitars for every budget
From classical, flamenco and crossover, to acoustic-electric models and beyond, these are the best nylon-string guitars around right now
Best Epiphone guitars 2025: classic Les Pauls, Flying Vs and more
From good old-fashioned Les Pauls to contemporary shred machines, we look at the best Epiphone guitars available today
Short-scale vs long-scale bass: what's the difference?
Get the lowdown on the low-end - we look at the differences between short-scale and long-scale basses
Fender Jaguar vs Mustang: What’s the difference?
We dive into the nitty gritty of differences and similarities between Fender’s unique Jaguar and Mustang models
Best dreadnought guitars 2025: big body acoustics for powerful tone
Looking for bassy lows and crystal clear top end from your acoustic? These budget-spanning dreadnoughts all fit the bill
"It’s built to a very high standard, and will no doubt last a long time on anyone’s board": Korg Pitchblack X review
Accurate, clear and easy to read, and affordable – is this the tuner pedal you need on your pedalboard?
10 mistakes every beginner guitarist makes
From gear choices to learning paths, these are the most common beginner guitar faux pas that every new player makes – and how you can avoid them
Best DIY guitar kits 2025: self-assembly project guitars for every budget
The best DIY guitar kits for budding luthiers – build your own acoustic or electric guitar today
Best guitar cleaning kits and tools 2025: keep your guitar looking and sounding sweet
Take a look at our expert pick of guitar cleaning and maintenance products to help keep your instrument in tip-top condition
Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb review
Some of the best cleans and pushed overdriven tones in a friendly 22W combo
Best fretless basses 2025: get more vibrato and texture from your bass guitar
From electric to acoustic, modern to vintage, we take a look at the best fretless basses on offer
Best tube amps under $1,000 2025: get amazing guitar tones under a grand
Level up your rig with the best tube amps under $1K from the likes of Fender, Marshall, Orange, Vox and more
Active vs passive pickups: What’s the difference?
Join us as we weight up the differences between active and passive pickups to see which is right for you
How to assemble the ultimate live acoustic guitar rig
From how to banish feedback to sweetening your tone through EQ, get yourself gig-ready now
8 ways to keep your kids interested in playing guitar
Keep outside distractions away with eight entertaining and supportive ways to help your child stick with the guitar
Best bass pickups 2025: Improve your bass sound with options from Fender, Aguilar, Seymour Duncan and more
Step up your bottom-end game with our expert selection of pickups for upgrading your bass
Orange Learn review
An accredited course in rock guitar for newcomers and more experienced players
Singular Sound Aeros Gold Edition looper pedal review
A compact, powerful and functional loop pedal with an easy-to-read touchscreen - what's not to love?
Best tube amps under $500 in 2025: get that classic, warm tone for less money
Get great guitar tone on a budget with our pick of affordable tube amps from the likes of Blackstar, Marshall and Vox
Boss Katana vs Line 6 Catalyst: Which should you buy?
Which of these killer affordable modeling amps is the best use of your budget?
