Latest articles by Stuart Williams
“Sounds great, bridges the gap between guitar and bass very nicely, and does so with heaps of character”: Shergold Telstar Standard Bass review
The revived UK brand unleashes a guitarist-friendly short-scale four-stringer that’s easy to play, and easy on the wallet
“For those who revere the harder-edged sound Marshall brought us in the ’90s, it hits the spot”: Marshall Studio 900 head and combo review
A sometimes-overlooked Marshall from the ’90s is the latest to get the Studio shrinkage treatment
I've been using Positive Grid's Spark Neo guitar amp headphones for weeks – and it's got me playing a lot more regularly
Guitar-specific headphones meet a wireless transmitter, and it's all tied together with Positive Grid's Spark app functionality. But, this isn't the full Spark picture you might be used to
"Throw your Cantrell staples at the Dirt, and you’re rewarded with authenticity": Funny Little Boxes Dirt pedal review
Funny little Boxes' tone quest continues with an attempt to recreate Jerry Cantrell's guitar tones from Alice in Chains' Dirt, but it's really a great all-rounder
“What ran the risk of being a toy-like guitar actually proved to be some serious fun”: Lava ME Air review
Lava is hellbent on revolutionizing the acoustic guitar. Forget what you know about spruce and cedar – this one’s boasting about carbon fiber and onboard effects
I’ve been reviewing this Telecaster/Les Paul mash-up and have fallen in love with it – now the Squier Paranormal Troublemaker is 25% off un the Fender Cyber Week Sale, and I’ve got it in my basket
This Squier cheekily treads the line between Fender and Gibson classics beautifully – and it's currently just $315. Grab it while you still can
"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 2025: 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 2025: 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
