Stuart Williams
Stuart is a freelancer for Guitar World and heads up Total Guitar magazine's gear section. He formerly edited Total Guitar and Rhythm magazines in the UK and has been playing guitar and drums for over two decades (his arms are very tired). When he's not working on the site, he can be found gigging and depping in function bands and the odd original project.
Latest articles by Stuart Williams
![Funny Little Boxes Dirt Distortion - Alice in Chains-inspired distortion pedal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ads9fZmKzRNBBMsrTTkoTd-320-80.jpg)
"Throw your Cantrell staples at the Dirt, and you’re rewarded with authenticity": Funny Little Boxes Dirt pedal review
By Stuart Williams published
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
![Lava ME air acoustic guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BcdzgTSHwei7RUYzXjyEZD-320-80.jpg)
“What ran the risk of being a toy-like guitar actually proved to be some serious fun”: Lava ME Air review
By Stuart Williams published
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
![Squier Paranormal Troublemaker Telecaster deal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/svmPysyMT7sztQd6ExT2z4-320-80.jpg)
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
By Stuart Williams last updated
This Squier cheekily treads the line between Fender and Gibson classics beautifully – and it's currently just $315. Grab it while you still can
![Universal Audio UAFX Knuckles '92](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x3yyNbLCQyDHLqxoBdtwKZ-320-80.jpg)
"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
By Stuart Williams published
Universal Audio's guitar rig take-over bid continues, and this time it's aiming for classic '90s Californian high-gain tone
![Epiphone Jimi Hendrix Love Drops Flying V](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Lw3yLyRrcKFs6gaK2KHti7-320-80.jpg)
“A great statement guitar. It looks fantastic, plays well and sounds superb”: Epiphone Jimi Hendrix Love Drops Flying V review
By Stuart Williams published
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
![Godin Lerxst Limelight Alex Lifeson signature guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oErG5yh7RAV8ApWkLn4L3T-320-80.jpg)
“One of this year’s most versatile electrics”: Godin Lerxst Limelight review
By Stuart Williams published
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
![LTD EC-201FT](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LBmJeSAj7XqGgUUKvK2aMR-320-80.jpg)
“A very playable, quality guitar for bridge-heavy rock”: ESP LTD EC-201FT review
By Stuart Williams published
The single-pickup resurgence continues as we ask: is one really all you need?
![JHS Hard Drive](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UgKCq2QTSccm7JcBHnDHTB-320-80.jpg)
“This all-original distortion circuit is a home run for fans of ’90s guitar tones”: JHS Hard Drive review
By Stuart Williams published
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
![Line 6 POD Express](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4eBBqvFkgpCCJUSdcPWbmL-320-80.jpg)
“An excellent all-rounder”: Line 6 POD Express review
By Stuart Williams published
Nostalgic digital modeling with hands-on control, the POD Express is big on sounds, small in footprint
![Charvel Pro-Mod Relic San Dimas Style 1 Relic HH FR PF](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZYgxtN2czg8UBFssJALPyA-320-80.jpg)
“A hard-rocking Superstrat”: Charvel Pro-Mod Relic San Dimas Style 1 Relic HH FR PF review
By Stuart Williams published
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
![Third Man Hardware x Donner Triple Threat](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4KseL33mG7DgWATnNTzasM-320-80.jpg)
“A great grab ’n’ go pedal”: Third Man Hardware X Donner Triple Threat review
By Stuart Williams published
A three-in-one, all-analog pedal for around 100 bucks? Jack White, you are spoiling us
![Fender Tom DeLonge Starcaster](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zTReL89MWMpNP9rgBSvbNg-320-80.jpg)
“A bare-bones rock guitar designed for energetic playing”: Fender Tom DeLonge Starcaster review
By Stuart Williams published
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
![Martin LX1E Little martin on a blue background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pKHRv8NKehz8CxFBNR2DyG-320-80.jpg)
Best travel guitars 2025: top acoustic and electric travel guitars for portability and performance
By Rob Laing last updated
Top travel guitar choices and buying advice for musicians on the move
![Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 glamor shot](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9pyscAcuFfNVs688jD4XCf-320-80.jpg)
“It goes beyond Foo Fighters”: Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 review
By Stuart Williams published
The best of Foo, or a mere Pretender? Grohl’s long-awaited new signature model is here
![An Orange Rockerverb 100 guitar amp](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SeB72yPhZDJ6WChe8RyYL6-320-80.jpg)
Best amps for metal 2025: our top picks for high-gain heroes
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
These powerhouse metal amps from PRS, Orange, Friedman, EVH, and more will have you primed to seek and destroy
![Electro-Harmonix Pico Attack Decay](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BtgS6PNTRXQeimdaLiUR4R-320-80.jpg)
“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
By Stuart Williams published
The transient shaper you've needed all your life – but just didn't know it yet
![Electro-Harmonix Pica POG](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hRDvkh3LUmdDA5H9uUJw7e-320-80.jpg)
“Everything from synthy stacked lines to organ-style tones are easily and quickly achievable”: Electro-Harmonix Pico POG review
By Stuart Williams published
Papa's got a brand new POG and it might be tiny but it packs the same octave-shifting power as its larger siblings
![Taylor Beacon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fvH9FhSoSMHfaK8RD22RcU-320-80.jpg)
“It’s like having a smartwatch display strapped to your headstock”: Taylor Beacon review
By Stuart Williams published
This feature-packed clip-on tuner also boasts a metronome, timer and flashlight – and it won't break the bank
![Boss DS-1 pedal from different angles](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/abMqjvfRzwJMQYiFr5rMRh-320-80.png)
Anatomy of a BOSS pedal: 10 ingenious design features that changed stompboxes forever
By Stuart Williams published
10 pedal design features popularised by BOSS
![Boss GK-5 pickup](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sBPDS5kG6PmMUB8ELmctna-320-80.jpg)
Why should keyboard players have all the fun? A history of BOSS guitar synths
By Stuart Williams published
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](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mCJQj6bFDvZcskpRyMrymG-320-80.jpg)
Electro-Harmonix Pico Platform Compressor/Limiter review – small, affordable and makes you sound better
By Stuart Williams published
This new launch from EHX is now one of the mini compressor pedals to beat
![Two of the Harley Benton guitars on-sale as part of the company's Cyber Monday sale](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KPNbdkbdGWrqkLVZPq7pSN-320-80.jpg)
Harley Benton is a champion of budget gear – but its Cyber Monday sales are somehow even cheaper
By Stuart Williams published
There are mega savings – including £35 pedals – to be had on this already-affordable brand's electric guitars, acoustics and effects units right now
![These 6 Harley Benton Black Friday deals make the affordable guitar brand even more appealing](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9pnH8PSbUczmi3fHNpeB28-320-80.jpg)
Our pick of Black Friday Harley Benton guitar and pedal deals just dropped in price even further
By Stuart Williams last updated
There are mega savings to be had on electric guitars, acoustics and pedals right now, and the prices were just reduced again
![Epiphone deal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5Nsp6Z4Dcj7wCxAwme5mRK-320-80.jpg)
We challenge you to find a cheaper ’59 Les Paul this Black Friday – as Guitar Center drops its biggest Epiphone deals of the year
By Stuart Williams published
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
![Yamaha TH](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x2tX6opcJNqrtk472A9Kej-320-80.jpg)
Discounts on Yamaha's excellent THRII desktop amps are super rare, but Amazon just started slashing prices across the range for Black Friday
By Stuart Williams published
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
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