James Harrison
James learned guitar in a cold Leeds practice room and taught himself to fix his own gear when he couldn't afford to replace it. That DIY instinct became a lifelong obsession with how instruments are built and why some just feel right. He writes buying guides and gear features for players who want the honest version, not the sales pitch.
Articles by James Harrison
Common Phono Stage Mistakes to Avoid
Most vinyl playback problems come from a predictable set of errors. Here are the mistakes that come up most often and the correct approach in each case.
The Complete Guide to Fender Precision Guitar
The Fender Precision Guitar revolutionised bass playing since 1951, establishing the benchmark for electric bass instruments with legendary tone and unmatched reliability.
The Complete Guide to Guitar Note Tuner
A reliable guitar note tuner is essential for every guitarist. Discover the different types, how they work, and which one suits your needs.
The Ultimate Guide to Guitar Pickups Humbucker
The straight-talking guide to what a humbucker is, how it cancels hum, and why it became the default pickup for rock, blues and metal.
Guitar To Speaker: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choose the perfect guitar speaker cabinet. Understand impedance requirements, speaker sizing, and avoid costly purchasing mistakes for optimal tone.
A Guide to Gibson Sj 200 Guitar
Gibson's flagship super jumbo has been turning heads since 1937. Here's what the SJ-200 actually is, where it came from, and who it suits.
Blues Brothers: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Starting a Blues Brothers collection means choosing which releases matter. Here's how to buy smart—prioritising the masterpieces and avoiding padded compilations.
Rane for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Rane equipment might seem intimidating for beginners, but it's actually perfect for learning. This guide explains why and how to get started.
Epiphone Lp Junior: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Expert guidance on selecting an Epiphone LP Junior. Understand specifications, evaluate quality markers, and make an informed purchase decision.
Headphone Dac: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing a headphone DAC means balancing power, connectivity, and sound quality against your budget. This guide covers essential specs, common pitfalls, and how to match a DAC to your headphones.
The Complete Guide to Acoustic Steel Guitar
An acoustic steel guitar is a versatile instrument with bright, resonant tones suited to multiple genres. Learn how to select, play, and maintain your acoustic steel guitar for years of enjoyment.
The Best Analog Mixers for the Money
Not every analog mixer is worth its price tag. This guide identifies the models that genuinely deliver — from the Yamaha MG12 for tight budgets to the Allen & Heath Zed-22FX for professional live work...
Fusion Drum Kit for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Starting your drumming journey feels daunting when exploring fusion drum kit options. This beginner's guide removes the fear, offering encouragement and practical step-by-step guidance for choosing yo...
Busking Pa for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Stepping out with a busking PA for the first time feels daunting, but it's far simpler than you think. This beginner's guide gives you the reassurance and practical first steps to amplify your music c...
Two Channel Mixer for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Getting started with a two channel mixer doesn't have to be intimidating. This beginner-friendly guide walks you through the essentials, from understanding basic controls to avoiding common pitfalls.
Bass Book: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A buying guide for bass instruction books covering categories, skill levels, teaching approaches, and how to select materials matching your goals.
Dj Flight Case: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing the right DJ flight case protects expensive equipment against the rigours of touring and storage. Learn how to match case size to your setup, evaluate construction quality, and avoid common p...
Mixer For Studio for Beginners: A Complete Guide
New to home studio mixing? This beginner guide explains what a mixer does, how many channels you need, USB versus analog options, and essential features to start recording quality audio.
Common Short Scale Electric Bass Mistakes to Avoid
The short-scale bass is accessible but not forgiving of poor habits — here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Guitar Slide: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Too big and it flops, too small and it pinches. Here's the honest, no-nonsense route through buying a guitar slide that actually fits your hand.
Fender Strings for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Fender strings guide for beginners: understand gauges, install confidently, avoid common mistakes, and focus on playing rather than worrying about your choice.
Hardware Compressor: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Purchasing a hardware compressor requires understanding critical specifications, build quality, and sonic character. This buyer's guide covers everything you need to know before investing in your firs...
The Complete Guide to Mic And Arm
A quality mic and arm system is essential for professional recording. Learn about boom arms, shock mounts and proper positioning for optimal results.
The Complete Guide to Lighting Controllers
Lighting controllers let you synchronise stage lights with music in real time. Learn how they work, what features matter, and how to operate them effectively.
What James Harrison covers
Acoustic Guitar
An acoustic guitar is a versatile steel-string instrument for strumming, fingerstyle, songwriting and live performance.
23 topics
Electric Guitar
A versatile amplified instrument for rhythm, lead and genre-spanning performance, from clean tones to high-gain sounds.
27 topics
Fender Stratocaster
The fender stratocaster is a versatile electric guitar known for bright tones, comfort and wide genre appeal.
8 topics
Guitar Guitar
Guitar guitar is a broad category for instruments and accessories suited to players at every level and style.
Guitar Tuners
Reliable tuning hardware for acoustic, electric and bass guitars, with options for upgrades, replacements and classic re...
1 topic
Music Accessories
Essential music accessories for UK musicians: instrument cases, stands, cables, straps, tuners, metronomes, and instrume...
75 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 topicsPopular topics
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Index- Guitars 1,525
- Pianos & Keyboards 491
- Drums & Percussion 278
- Orchestral Strings 76
- Wind & Woodwind 97
- Brass Instruments 70
- Folk & World Instruments 108
- Studio Recording 484
- Music Software & DAWs 250
- DJ & Electronic Production 199
- Live Sound & PA 143
- Music Accessories 165
- Sheet Music & Learning 63
- Music Genres 285
- Music News & Industry 246
- Hi-Fi & Home Audio 64
- Artists & Bands 39