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 Allen and Heath Sq5 Mistakes to Avoid
Layer confusion, gain mistakes, ignoring scene recall and running old firmware — here are the SQ-5 errors that cost engineers the most time.
Record Cleaner Brush for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Starting a vinyl collection? A record cleaner brush is your first defence against dust and degradation. This beginner's guide covers essentials for vinyl care and protection.
Ampeg B 15: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The Ampeg B-15 is legendary bass amplification with warm tube tone and portable form factor. This guide compares vintage originals vs modern reissues and helps you decide if B-15 suits your needs.
Common Tablet Stand Mistakes to Avoid
The easy-to-make mistakes that leave musicians with the wrong tablet holder, and how to sidestep every one of them before you buy.
The Complete Guide to Cool Reverb Pedals
The best cool reverb pedals deliver far more than vintage spring emulations. From shimmering ambient effects to experimental reverse textures, find the reverb pedal that inspires your playing.
Orange Effects Pedals for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Orange effects pedals bring professional tone and straightforward design to beginners. This guide covers the range, what to expect, and how to start your effects journey.
Efnote Drum Kit: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Selecting an EFNote drum kit requires understanding their market position and comparing models across responsiveness, sound quality, and build durability. This guide covers practical purchasing decisi...
The Complete Guide to Monitor In Ear Sennheiser
Sennheiser monitor in-ear systems provide performers with personalised audio mixes during live performances. These professional-grade wireless systems deliver reliable connectivity and clear sound qua...
Harmony Guitar: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a harmony guitar requires understanding which instruments work best for layered chord work and rich harmonic textures. This guide helps you select an instrument that shines in harmonic contexts...
Guitar Strap Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A guitar strap keeps your instrument where it needs to be, but there's more to them than meets the eye — here's what actually matters.
Asm Synthesizer: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing an ASM synthesizer demands careful consideration of your musical goals, budget, and technical needs. This buying guide walks through essential criteria including sound engines, keyboard actio...
Amp Mixer for Beginners: A Complete Guide
An amp mixer doesn't need to intimidate you. Learn how to balance levels, apply basic EQ, and set up your first mixer confidently with this beginner-focused guide.
Wireless Studio Headphones for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Wireless studio headphones offer freedom but introduce latency and battery management challenges. This beginner's guide shows you what to expect and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Record Player Mixer: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Selecting a record player mixer requires understanding design types and your specific application. This guide explores passive vs. active designs, critical specifications, and helps you invest wisely...
Sterling Guitars: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Sterling guitars offer exceptional value and playability in the mid-market. This buyer's guide helps you choose the right model and understand what you're actually investing in.
The Complete Guide to Weighted Keyboard 88 Keys
A weighted keyboard 88 keys provides authentic piano technique development with digital convenience. Discover the best full-size weighted keyboards.
Boss Amplifier for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A Boss amplifier looks intimidating at first with all its controls and features. This beginner's guide breaks down the essentials, shows you how to get a great tone quickly, and reveals common mistake...
Bass Amp Blackstar for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Starting with a bass amp blackstar doesn't have to feel overwhelming. This guide covers setup, tone dialling, and common mistakes to avoid.
Synthesizer Keys for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Synthesizer keys might seem complex, but they're genuinely beginner-friendly. Our guide covers getting started, learning without theory overload, and building confidence fast.
The Best Attenuators for the Money
Nobody needs the priciest attenuator on the shelf. Here's how the market actually breaks down by tier, so you spend on what you'll use.
Black Acoustic Fender Guitar for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Starting with a black acoustic Fender guitar? Our beginner guide walks you through what to expect, how to handle finger soreness, and how to keep motivated as you learn.
Hk Audio Pa Speaker: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing the right HK Audio PA speaker for your event or venue can feel overwhelming, especially with the range of models and specifications available. This guide covers what to look for.
Peavey Evh for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Starting with a Peavey EVH doesn't require advanced knowledge. Learn proper startup, knob control basics, initial tone settings, and how to play without fear.
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