James Harrison

The Best Martin and Taylors for the Money

From the GS Mini to the D-28, here's which real Martin and Taylor models actually earn their price at every budget.

Roland Cloud: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Signing up is easy. Signing up for the right tier, without paying for instruments you'll never open, takes a bit more thought. Here's the honest checklist.

Guitar Wall Mount for Beginners: A Complete Guide

No need to be handy for this one — here's the simple, honest version of putting your first guitar on the wall.

The Best Music Stands for the Money

There's no single best stand, just the right tier for the job. Here's what changes as you spend more, without the marketing spin.

The Best Fretless Bass for the Money

Forget chasing one "best" fretless bass — here's how to match the configuration to what you're actually trying to do with it.

The Complete Guide to Cuatro Guitar

The cuatro guitar is the heartbeat of Puerto Rican folk music, a small four-stringed instrument with a bright, metallic tone rooted in colonial history.

The Best Alesis Nitro Max for the Money

A feature-by-feature look at where the value in the Alesis Nitro Max actually comes from, and who benefits most.

The Best Cowbells for the Money

Which type and tier of cowbell actually earns its money for drum kit, Latin styles, a tight budget and the studio.

Electric Guitar: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Buying an electric guitar involves several key decisions. Here are the most important choices and specific model recommendations at each budget level.

Common Stage Piano Mistakes to Avoid

Most stage piano problems come from signal routing decisions and preparation habits. Here are the errors that consistently affect live performance and how to correct each one.

Bass Strings for Beginners: A Complete Guide

You don't need to understand every option to buy a decent first set of bass strings. Here's the short version, aimed at getting you playing.

Flare Audio: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Thumb Picks: A Complete Buyer's Guide

A thumb pick that doesn't fit is useless, and the sizing isn't standardised across brands. This guide cuts through the confusion so you buy the right thumb pick first time.

The Best Expression Pedals for the Money

Boss EV-30 for versatility, Mission EP-1 for premium boards, Dunlop DVP4 for space-saving — here are the expression pedals worth buying.

The Complete Guide to Victory Amplifiers

Victory Amplifiers have earned a formidable reputation among serious players for exceptional build quality, intuitive design, and genuine sonic versatility.

Washburn Guitars for Beginners: A Complete Guide

140 years of history and a dozen unfamiliar model names. Here's the gentle, honest starting point for total beginners.

The Best Cort Bass Guitars for the Money

Cort builds instruments that consistently outperform competitors at the same price. Here are the specific models that represent the best value across the range.

The Best Strobe Lights for the Money

No single 'best' strobe light exists, so here they are grouped honestly by tier: mobile DJ, function-band gigging, and professional touring fixtures.

Gretsch White Falcon Guitar Explained: Features, Types and Tips

White, gold and impossible to miss — here's what the Gretsch White Falcon actually is, how it's built, and why players still reach for one.

Hard Guitar Case: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Common Guitar Wall Hanger Mistakes to Avoid

A Guide to Rickenbacker Electric Bass Guitar

A Rickenbacker bass looks and sounds like nothing else. Here's what actually makes one different, where the design came from, and who made it famous.

Precision Bass Explained: Features, Types and Tips

The Complete Guide to Jaguar Short Scale

The Jaguar short scale guitar offers distinctive playability advantages and unique tonal character, challenging the perception of short-scale instruments as merely beginner options.