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.
The Best Tuner Pedals for the Money
The best-value tuner pedal is the one that matches your setup: accuracy level, display readability and board space. Here are the recommendations at each price point.
Boss Drum Album for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A BOSS drum machine is faster to set up than most people expect — this guide covers the connection, the pattern selection, the recording workflow and what to do once the drums are down.
The Complete Guide to Marshall Class 5
Discover the Marshall Class 5, the compact five-watt tube amp delivering authentic Marshall tone. Learn about its features, performance and whether it suits your playing style.
The Complete Guide to 7 String Prs
7-string PRS strings are specifically engineered for extended-range instruments, delivering tonal clarity and reliable performance across diverse playing styles.
Common Ibanez Guitars Mistakes to Avoid
Buying the wrong Ibanez costs money or months of frustrated playing. Here are the mistakes people make and how to avoid them.
The Best Guitar Capos for the Money
The best capo isn't always the most expensive one. Learn which price tier suits your playing, how to avoid wasting money, and when a premium capo is actually worth it.
Tonex Pedal for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Most players have their Tonex Pedal making sound within twenty minutes. Here's how to get set up properly and get the most from it quickly.
Behringer Xr18: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The Behringer XR18 is genuinely good value, but the real cost includes a tablet and a network plan. Here's what to check before you buy.
Common Tannoy System Mistakes to Avoid
A Tannoy system performs only as well as its specification, installation and commissioning allow. These are the most common errors and how to avoid them.
The Best Rickenbackers for the Money
No fake shoot-outs or invented scores here, just a straight breakdown of which Rickenbacker earns its keep for which job, and which one to skip.
The Complete Guide to Prs Amp
PRS amplifiers stand at the premium end of the guitar amp market, combining Paul Reed Smith's renowned craftsmanship with sophisticated tube amp design. Built for musicians who demand tonal musicality...
Guitar Amp for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A first guitar amp does not need to be complicated. Here is what you actually need to know — types, controls, wattage and how to get a decent sound from the start.
Crash Cymbal: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a crash cymbal means knowing what to listen for. Here is how to approach the decision, what the variables mean, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Common Yamaha Drum Kit Mistakes to Avoid
Planning to buy a Yamaha drum kit? Avoid these common pitfalls: overlooking cymbals, poor tuning, non-standard sizes, and more. Know what experienced drummers regret.
The Complete Guide to 12 String Rickenbacker
The Rickenbacker 12-string electric guitar represents one of modern music's most distinctive and recognisable instruments, defining the sound of rock, folk-rock and alternative music.
The Best Tama Drum Kits for the Money
The best picks from the Tama range at entry, mid and professional price points — chosen for value, build quality and what each level actually delivers in practice.
The Complete Guide to Tanglewood Bass
Tanglewood bass instruments deliver surprising quality for the price, making them ideal for students, budget-conscious players and backup instruments. British craftsmanship at affordable prices.
The Best Percussion Instruments for the Money
Forget top-ten lists of specific products — here's how to work out the right category and tier of percussion instrument for what you actually need.
Tuning Fork for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A patient, step-by-step introduction to the tuning fork for absolute beginners, from your first tap to your first successfully matched pitch.
Thumb Picks for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A thumb pick gives your thumb a defined, punchy bass attack for fingerpicking — but getting the right fit and getting past the adjustment period is what most beginners need guidance on.
Yamaha Fg830: A Complete Buyer's Guide
No hype, just the honest version: what the Yamaha FG830's spec sheet actually means, what to check before you buy, and whether it's worth your money.
Common Keeley Mistakes to Avoid
The avoidable slip-ups, from feeding a pedal the wrong voltage to judging a Blend control after thirty seconds.
Warwick Bass for Beginners: A Complete Guide
An honest take on starting out on a Warwick bass — is it a sensible first instrument, what RockBass actually gets you, and a plain-English setup checklist.
Vox Amps Guitar Center: A Complete Guide
Vox amplifiers have shaped guitar tone for over seven decades. This comprehensive guide explains their distinctive character, explores the main series available today, and helps you find the perfect V...
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 topics
