Benjamin Wood
Benjamin taught himself guitar and, later, how to build and mod his own pedals in a spare room in Derby, driven more by curiosity than any grand plan. He loves the point where tone meets electronics. He writes about guitars, effects and gear.
The Best Jackson Electric Guitars for the Money
At each price point, some models are significantly stronger than others. Here's where the value actually sits and what you're trading away at each level.
Expression Pedal: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Polarity switches, build quality, and which models actually work with your gear — a practical buyer's guide to the expression pedal.
Yamaha Bass for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A gentle, practical starting point for anyone taking up the Yamaha bass for the very first time — no experience assumed.
Ludwig Drum Kit: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Ludwig drum kits span several distinct lines aimed at different budgets. Here is what each tier includes and how to choose the right one for your level.
Left Handed Acoustic Guitars Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A left-handed acoustic guitar is more than a right-handed one restrung. Here's what actually changes inside, and why it matters.
Yamaha Drum Kit: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing the right Yamaha drum kit means understanding shells, hardware, cymbals and budget allocation. This guide walks through what actually matters when buying acoustic or electronic Yamaha drums.
Vox Ac30 for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Two channels, a couple of knobs and a reputation to live up to — here's the jargon-free way to get comfortable with your first Vox AC30.
Positive Grid Explained: Features, Types and Tips
From the Spark amps to the BIAS software range, here's what Positive Grid actually makes, how its key features work, and how to get more out of them.
Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Majesty Electric Guitar: A Complete Guide
Music Man electric guitars represent the pinnacle of American-made instrument craftsmanship, delivering innovative design, superior build quality and distinctive tone that appeals to discerning profes...
Common Gibson Garage London Mistakes to Avoid
A few avoidable errors crop up again and again with visits to this particular venue. Here's what to check before you go.
Integrated Amplifier: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The practical buyer's guide — what matters when matching amplification to your speakers, sources and budget.
The Ultimate Guide to Left Handed Guitar
A left-handed guitar reverses more than just the body—it's engineered from the nut to the bracing for players who hold it backwards. Understanding those structural differences is the first step to fin...
Chorus Pedal Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A chorus pedal splits your signal, delays a copy and varies its pitch to create a lush, doubled sound — here's how it works and how to use the controls effectively.
Tambourine for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Playing the tambourine well takes more than shaking it. This beginner's guide covers correct hold, the basic shake, head strikes, and the thumb roll — and how to use them musically.
The Best Cymbals for the Money
Price and quality do not track together in cymbals. A tier-by-tier look at where your money buys real improvement — and where it just buys a name on the box.
Handpan Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A handpan looks like two dented steel shells stuck together — here's the anatomy, history and craft behind that deceptively simple shape.
Positive Grid for Beginners: A Complete Guide
New to guitar and handed a Positive Grid amp? Here's exactly what to focus on for your first session, and the beginner mistakes worth avoiding.
The Complete Guide to Peavey Speakers
Peavey speakers deliver professional-grade amplification with proven durability and reliability, trusted by touring musicians and studios worldwide.
A Guide to Strymon Timeline Pedal
The Strymon Timeline is a professional digital delay with twelve algorithms, 200 presets, stereo I/O and deep MIDI integration. This guide covers what each feature means.
Zildjian Cymbals: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A practical buyer's guide to Zildjian cymbals — what the series differences mean, where the value is at each price level, and what to look for when buying used.
The Ultimate Guide to Evh Guitars
EVH guitars exist because one guitarist got tired of asking other companies to build what he wanted. Here's how Eddie Van Halen's design became a production line.
Common Harley Benton Bass Guitar Mistakes to Avoid
Most disappointment with a budget bass comes down to a handful of avoidable mistakes, not the instrument itself. Here's how to dodge every one.
Marshall Studios: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The Marshall Studio range covers three very different circuit characters from three different eras. Buying the wrong model gives you the wrong tones. Here's how to choose right.
The Complete Guide to Gibson Modern
Gibson modern guitars refine the classic designs that built the brand whilst addressing contemporary player needs. Discover weight relief, improved hardware, and ergonomic necks that make modern Gibso...
What Benjamin Wood covers
ESP
High-performance electric guitars with fast playability, strong output and a bold look suited to rock and metal.
Fender
Fender guitars and related instruments trusted for classic design, tone and versatility.
51 topics
Fender Stratocaster
The fender stratocaster is a versatile electric guitar known for bright tones, comfort and wide genre appeal.
8 topics
Guitar Tuners
Reliable tuning hardware for acoustic, electric and bass guitars, with options for upgrades, replacements and classic re...
1 topic
Les Paul
Iconic solid-body electrics known for sustain, thick tone and a classic rock and blues feel.
14 topics
Sheet Music & Learning
Your guide to sheet music, scores, music theory books, and graded exam resources for UK musicians — from beginner method...
54 topics
Stratocaster
Iconic double-cut electric guitars with versatile tones, comfortable contours and wide appeal across many genres.
21 topics
Telecaster
The Telecaster delivers bright tone, simple controls and reliable versatility for stage, studio and rehearsal.
17 topics
