Latest articles by Stuart Williams
"Thumping low-end that doesn’t muddy up, and all the throatiness that the real thing does so well": Universal Audio UAFX Knuckles '92 Dual Rec amp pedal review
Universal Audio's guitar rig take-over bid continues, and this time it's aiming for classic '90s Californian high-gain tone
“A great statement guitar. It looks fantastic, plays well and sounds superb”: Epiphone Jimi Hendrix Love Drops Flying V review
Prepare to kiss the sky with Epiphone’s latest ‘Inspired By…’ model, as the Gibson Custom Shop collaboration bears fruit with a Hendrix classic with a serious spec
“One of this year’s most versatile electrics”: Godin Lerxst Limelight review
Alex Lifeson's signature HSS S-style is a classic of the genre with tones to burn and a world-class vibrato unit. Yes, do all rush out at once and try it
“A very playable, quality guitar for bridge-heavy rock”: ESP LTD EC-201FT review
The single-pickup resurgence continues as we ask: is one really all you need?
“This all-original distortion circuit is a home run for fans of ’90s guitar tones”: JHS Hard Drive review
Josh Scott’s tribute to ’90s guitar tones brings us gain and lots of it, in a versatile stompbox that has Mesa/Marshall vibes, grungy grit, and EQ’ing options for those who like it scooped
“An excellent all-rounder”: Line 6 POD Express review
Nostalgic digital modeling with hands-on control, the POD Express is big on sounds, small in footprint
“A hard-rocking Superstrat”: Charvel Pro-Mod Relic San Dimas Style 1 Relic HH FR PF review
With a super-charged Strat vibe and a contrasting relic finish, Charvel’s San Dimas Style 1 is swapping Spandex for slippers as the 80s blueprint reaches middle age
“A great grab ’n’ go pedal”: Third Man Hardware X Donner Triple Threat review
A three-in-one, all-analog pedal for around 100 bucks? Jack White, you are spoiling us
“A bare-bones rock guitar designed for energetic playing”: Fender Tom DeLonge Starcaster review
The Blink-182 guitarist’s second signature model in a year takes the form of Fender’s offset semi-acoustic – and it’s an instant classic
Best travel guitars 2024: top acoustic and electric travel guitars for portability and performance
Top travel guitar choices and buying advice for musicians on the move
“It goes beyond Foo Fighters”: Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 review
The best of Foo, or a mere Pretender? Grohl’s long-awaited new signature model is here
Best amps for metal 2024: our top picks for high-gain heroes
These powerhouse metal amps from PRS, Orange, Friedman, EVH, and more will have you primed to seek and destroy
“A hugely creative tool with the power to unleash spooky, ethereal sounds, or take you on a full-on psychedelic hippie freakout”: Electro-Harmonix Pico Attack Decay review
The transient shaper you've needed all your life – but just didn't know it yet
“Everything from synthy stacked lines to organ-style tones are easily and quickly achievable”: Electro-Harmonix Pico POG review
Papa's got a brand new POG and it might be tiny but it packs the same octave-shifting power as its larger siblings
“It’s like having a smartwatch display strapped to your headstock”: Taylor Beacon review
This feature-packed clip-on tuner also boasts a metronome, timer and flashlight – and it won't break the bank
Anatomy of a BOSS pedal: 10 ingenious design features that changed stompboxes forever
10 pedal design features popularised by BOSS
Why should keyboard players have all the fun? A history of BOSS guitar synths
Your guitar isn’t limited solely to traditional sounds. Roland and BOSS have been at the forefront of guitar-based synthesis for decades – and they’re showing no signs of stopping
Electro-Harmonix Pico Platform Compressor/Limiter review – small, affordable and makes you sound better
This new launch from EHX is now one of the mini compressor pedals to beat
Harley Benton is a champion of budget gear – but its Cyber Monday sales are somehow even cheaper
There are mega savings – including £35 pedals – to be had on this already-affordable brand's electric guitars, acoustics and effects units right now
Our pick of Black Friday Harley Benton guitar and pedal deals just dropped in price even further
There are mega savings to be had on electric guitars, acoustics and pedals right now, and the prices were just reduced again
We challenge you to find a cheaper ’59 Les Paul this Black Friday – as Guitar Center drops its biggest Epiphone deals of the year
From Silverburst Customs, to a golden ES-335 and the holy grail of Gibson designs, there are some treasures to be found in this year’s sale
Discounts on Yamaha's excellent THRII desktop amps are super rare, but Amazon just started slashing prices across the range for Black Friday
Looking for the ultimate practice companion? Well, Amazon has just slashed the price of the Yamaha THR10II, THR10II WL, and THR30II WL this Black Friday
Positive Grid's Spark Mini is a practice amp titan – but here are 5 smart amp alternatives we love with Black Friday discounts
Go outside of the practice amp box with these tech-equipped guitar amps and save money this Black Friday
Funny Little Boxes Skeleton Key review – Josh Homme’s Queens of the Stone Age tones in a box?
The Skeleton Key is an op-amp distortion pedal that claims to hold the secret to Josh Homme’s guitar sound – but whatever you do, don’t tell anyone. We’re keeping this to ourselves, right?
Are your drive pedals sounding the best they could? Here are 19 ways to get more from your overdrives, distortions and fuzzes – and make them work with your rig
Whether you’re using overdrive, distortion, boost or fuzz, there are plenty of ways you can tweak your setup for maximum tone
