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 Cajons for the Money
From entry-level models to professional-grade instruments, the cajon market has strong options at every price point. These picks deliver the most for their cost.
Taylor Swift Guitars Explained: Features, Types and Tips
From a compact Baby Taylor to a crystal-covered Gibson J-180, here's the honest breakdown of every guitar Taylor Swift has played — and what it means for anyone thinking of buying one.
Guitar Strings for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Choosing and maintaining guitar strings is one of the first practical skills a beginner should develop. Here is what to buy and how to look after them.
How to Set Up and Use Sound System
Do it in the right order and setup takes half an hour. Here's the exact step-by-step sequence, from speaker placement to a proper soundcheck.
Everything You Need to Know About Guitar Effect Pedal Power Supply
A quality power supply transforms your effects setup from temperamental to bulletproof. This guide explains what to look for, how to size correctly, and why isolation matters.
Everything You Need to Know About Yamaha Amp
“Yamaha amp” covers hi-fi, pro audio and more — but for guitarists it almost always means the compact THR modelling series. Here's the honest rundown.
The Complete Guide to Fender Blues Jr Amp
The Fender Blues Jr is the classic 15-watt tube amplifier that delivers authentic tone affordably. Explore its tonal character, practical advantages, and why musicians love it.
The Best Allen and Heath Mixers for the Money
There's no single best mixer here — only the right one for your gig. Here's the Allen & Heath range sorted by what you're actually doing.
Guitar Gig Bag Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A guitar gig bag protects your instrument during everyday transport — here is how padding, fit, materials and carry options all work together.
Nord Stage 3: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Which Nord Stage 3 keybed should you buy, what to check on a used unit, and whether the newer Stage 4 is actually worth the extra money — the honest version.
Pickguard Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A pickguard protects a guitar's finish from picks and fingernails — but on many electric guitars, it also carries the entire electronics assembly. Here's how they work.
A Guide to Ibanez Jem
Steve Vai's Ibanez JEM didn't just serve his own technique — it reshaped what a generation of rock guitarists expected from a superstrat.
Esp Guitars Explained: Features, Types and Tips
Say ESP and most guitarists think metal, but there's more under the badge than pointy headstocks. Here's the honest, no-hype rundown.
Gibson Les Paul for Beginners: A Complete Guide
The Les Paul is one of the best beginner electrics out there — if you choose the right version. Here's everything a first-timer needs to know, from model choice to first chords.
The Best Ibanez Gios for the Money
No sales pitch — just where your money actually goes well across the Ibanez GIO range, by playing style rather than hype.
Bongo Drumming: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Wood or fibreglass, natural hide or synthetic heads, budget or professional: here is the plain-spoken guide to buying the right pair of bongos.
Tuning Fork Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A plain-spoken look at what a tuning fork actually does, how A440 became the standard, and which type belongs in your case.
Everything You Need to Know About Daisy Chain Hdmi Cables
A daisy chain cable powers multiple effects pedals from one supply. Understand how they work, when to use them, and how to build a reliable pedalboard setup.
Guitars Market: A Complete Buyer's Guide
No hype, just the checklist a shop regular would actually use — specs worth caring about, new vs used, and what a guitar really costs once you add it all up.
The Complete Guide to Upright Bass Strings
Quality upright bass strings dramatically impact tone, sustain, and playability. Understand construction and maintenance for optimal musical expression.
Everything You Need to Know About Epiphone Thunderbird Iv Electric Bass
The Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass brings vintage Thunderbird design at an affordable price. This guide covers its construction, tone and suitability for different playing styles.
Source Audio Pedals: A Complete Guide
Source Audio pedals offer studio-quality effects with expressive control capabilities. Discover how Nemesis, Collider, and Reflex expression pedal transform your sound.
Djembe: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A practical buying guide for djembes: what to look for in materials, construction and tone, budget ranges, brand recommendations, and how to avoid regrettable purchases.
The Complete Guide to Noise Gate Guitar Pedal
Noise gate guitar pedals clean up background noise and hum, producing professional results whether recording or performing. Proper setup eliminates distracting noise whilst preserving dynamics.
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
