Richard Blenkinsop

Richard Blenkinsop

After spending a decade in music retail, I’m now a freelance writer for Guitar World, MusicRadar, Guitar Player and Reverb, specialising in electric and acoustic guitars, bass, and almost anything else you can make a tune with. When my head’s not buried in the best of modern and vintage gear, I run a small company helping musicians with songwriting, production and performance, and I play bass in an alt-rock band.

Latest articles by Richard Blenkinsop

Woman holding a phone while standing with an acoustic guitar

Best guitar tuner apps: top free and paid options

By Richard Blenkinsop last updated

Our list of the best guitar tuner apps for musicians on the move

Plugins & Apps
Darkglass Aggressively Distorting Advanced Machine on a pink background

Best distortion pedals for bass: thicken up your low end with these aggressive bass stompboxes

By Richard Blenkinsop last updated

Browse our choice of the gnarliest distortion pedals for bass from Darkglass, Fender, Source Audio and more

Effects & Pedals
Fender Vintera 60s Jazzmaster on a rug

Best guitars for indie rock: iconic brands and signature sounds from Fender, Rickenbacker and more

By Richard Blenkinsop last updated

Grab your skinny jeans, paisley shirts and Wayfarer sunglasses, as we take a look at the best guitars for indie rock currently on the market

Guitars
Man sits on a sofa with his guitar viewing a lesson on his laptop

Guitareo review 2024

By Richard Blenkinsop published

A detailed selection of well presented guitar tuition videos that make learning fun for beginners and beyond

Lessons
Close-up of TC Electronic Bodyrez acoustic guitar pedal

Best acoustic guitar pedals 2024: essential pedals to transform your acoustic tone and boost creativity

By Richard Blenkinsop published

Our guide to the best acoustic guitar pedals for creativity, great live tone and banishing feedback, with top picks from the likes of LR Baggs, Fishman and MXR

Effects & Pedals
Boss Katana 50 MKII review

Boss Katana 50 MKII review

By Richard Blenkinsop published

One of the most popular modelling amps around gets the perfect upgrade

Combo Amps
Ibanez miKro GRGM21 review

Ibanez miKro GRGM21 review

By Richard Blenkinsop published

A small, portable electric guitar that’s perfect for kids and grown-ups on the move

Electric Guitars
Vox Adio Air GT review

Vox Adio Air GT review

By Richard Blenkinsop published

A compact, portable desktop modeling amp capable of huge tones

Desktop Amps
Orange Crush 20 review

Orange Crush 20 review

By Richard Blenkinsop published

An all-analogue twin channel amp, dishing out tube-like tones at bedroom-friendly levels.

Guitar Amps
Epiphone DR-100 review

Epiphone DR-100 review

By Richard Blenkinsop published

A budget dreadnought that way outperforms its price tag

Acoustic Guitars
Martin LX1E Little Martin review

Martin LX1E Little Martin review

By Richard Blenkinsop published

A three-quarter size acoustic that sounds bigger than most of its competition

Acoustic Guitars
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