James Harrison

Common Pedal Steel Guitar Mistakes to Avoid

The mistakes I've watched enthusiastic new players make over and over, and the simple fix for each one.

Fender Effects Pedals: A Complete Guide

Fender launched their effects pedal range in 2018, expanding beyond guitars and amplifiers into gain, modulation, delay and reverb. This guide covers the complete range, how each pedal works, and how...

The Complete Guide to Double Bass Drum Kits

Double bass drum kits deliver the speed, independence, and distinctive sound that metal and fusion drummers crave. Discover what you need to know about setting up and playing dual kick drums.

Natal Jazz Drum Kit: A Complete Guide

A proper jazz drum kit combines smaller drums, high tuning, and quality cymbals for the responsive, articulate tones essential to jazz ensemble playing.

Octave Pedal for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Headphone Amp Explained: Features, Types and Tips

A headphone amp does more than just turn up the volume. It buffers the signal from your audio interface and delivers the clean, dynamic sound your headphones need to shine.

Sound System Explained: Features, Types and Tips

From a wedding speaker on a stand to a festival's line array, here's what a sound system actually is, and the honest pros and cons of the main options.

Acoustic Guitar Strings: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Buying acoustic guitar strings is simpler than the forums make it. Know your guitar type, gauge and alloy, and you've got a decent set. Ignore the marketing hype and pick what actually works for your...

Fender Guitar for Beginners: A Complete Guide

If a Fender has caught your eye as a first guitar, that's a genuinely sensible instinct. Here's exactly why, and what to look at first.

Common Epiphone Mistakes to Avoid

Most playability problems on a budget guitar come down to four correctable issues — setup, strings, neck relief and gain setting. Here is how to address each one.

Guitar Nut: A Complete Buyer's Guide

A replacement guitar nut looks simple until you realise how many variables can go wrong. Here's exactly what to check before you order.

Drum Heads for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Drum heads are one of the most important — and most replaceable — parts of a drum kit. This beginner's guide explains exactly what to look for and how to get started without getting lost in the jargon...

Yamaha Digital Pianos and Keyboards: A Complete Guide

Yamaha pianos and keyboards span beginner-friendly models to professional concert instruments — each delivering reliability, sound quality, and value at every price point.

Common Djembes Drums Mistakes to Avoid

The avoidable mistakes that trip up most djembe owners, from rushed tuning to bad storage, and the simple fix for each one.

The Ultimate Guide to Pedal Treble Booster

A treble booster isn't just a brighter boost — it tightens your low end and drives a valve amp into classic British rock overdrive. Here's how one works, who made it famous, and how to choose the righ...

Floyd Rose: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Get the compatibility wrong on a Floyd Rose and it either won't fit, or it'll fit badly enough to cause you grief for years. Here's what actually matters.

Fender Guitar Amp Explained: Features, Types and Tips

Common Fuzz Pedal Mistakes to Avoid

Most fuzz problems are avoidable once you understand why the circuit behaves the way it does. Here's what goes wrong most often and how to fix it.

The Complete Guide to Audio Mixer With Bluetooth

An audio mixer with Bluetooth combines wireless convenience with real-time mixing control. Ideal for podcasters, live streamers, buskers and small-venue operators.

Common Music Man Mistakes to Avoid

The same handful of avoidable mistakes come round again and again with this brand. Here's how to skip learning them the expensive way.

The Best Subwoofer with Speakers for the Money

Forget chasing a single 'best' subwoofer — here's what each price tier honestly gets you, and where your money actually does the most work.

Common 4 Channel Mixer Mistakes to Avoid

Most mixer problems come down to six recurring errors: wrong gain setting, wrong input type, phantom power risks, USB multitrack misunderstanding, overused effects and ignoring output balance. This gu...

8 Channel Mixer Explained: Features, Types and Tips

Eight channels is the sweet spot for a lot of applications. Here's what this type of desk actually does, how the different types compare, and who each version suits.

Addictive Drums: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Addictive Drums 2 is worth the attention — but the buying process is modular. Here's what you actually get, what to buy first, and what to skip for now.