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 Complete Guide to Fender Baritone Guitar
The Fender baritone guitar sits perfectly between guitar and bass, delivering dark, articulate tone. Discover current models, playing techniques, and whether a baritone suits your music.
Common Charvel Guitars Mistakes to Avoid
The same handful of avoidable mistakes trip up Charvel buyers again and again — here's the honest, mate-in-a-shop rundown.
Electronic Drum Kit Explained: Features, Types and Tips
From trigger pad to sound module to audio output — here's a clear-eyed breakdown of what's actually inside an electronic drum kit and how each component affects your playing.
What is the Usb Cable?
Quality TS cables form the foundation of reliable signal transmission in guitar setups. Explore cable construction, applications and maintenance practices.
Bass Amp: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A bass amp buying guide that cuts through the marketing and gives you what you need to know—without the hype or confusion.
Guitar Knobs Explained: Features, Types and Tips
Guitar knobs do more than they look like — here is a clear rundown of types, materials, shaft fitting and what actually matters when choosing one.
Archtop Guitar for Beginners: A Complete Guide
The archtop has specific setup requirements, a particular amplification approach and a playing tradition worth understanding from the start.
The Ultimate Guide to Snare Side Drum Head
The snare drum head underneath your snare is as important as the one you strike. This guide explains the three main thicknesses—2-mil, 3-mil and 5-mil—how to tune a snare drum head properly, and when...
Common Orange Bass Amp Mistakes to Avoid
Most problems players have with Orange bass amps come down to a handful of avoidable mistakes — here's what they are and how to fix them.
The Complete Guide to Guitar Picks Cool
Cool guitar picks have evolved far beyond the basic triangular pieces of plastic that dominated early electric guitar playing. Modern cool guitar picks combine functional design with distinctive aesth...
The Best Gretsch Guitars for the Money
No invented shootouts, just an honest steer: which tier and body type of Gretsch actually suits your playing and your budget.
The Complete Guide to Amplifier For Busking
An amplifier for busking must be portable, reliable and legally appropriate for outdoor use. This guide explores what defines a good busking amplifier and specific models suited to street performance.
Childrens Electronic Drum Kit Explained: Features, Types and Tips
Pads, sensors, modules and the three kit types you'll come across — a plain-spoken rundown of what a children's electronic drum kit actually is before you start comparing prices.
Pa Subwoofer for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Setting up your first PA subwoofer doesn't have to be complicated. This guide explains what a sub does, how to connect it and what to adjust — no jargon required.
The Ultimate Guide to 3/4 Size Guitar
A 3/4 size guitar delivers genuine playability advantages—it fits smaller hands, projects a brighter tone, and offers portability without sacrificing quality. Far more than a beginner's instrument.
Common Speaker Stands Mistakes to Avoid
Most speaker stand mistakes are simple to avoid once you know what to look for. Here's a no-nonsense list of the errors that catch people out and what to do instead.
8 Channel Mixer for Beginners: A Complete Guide
The front panel looks complex but follows a consistent logic. Here's what each section does and how to use it — from plugging in your first microphone to running a live mix.
Tannoy System: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a Tannoy system involves more than choosing a speaker model. This guide covers the questions to ask and the factors that matter most.
Congas: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying your first set of congas isn't complicated once you strip away the jargon. Here's the honest version of what to check.
The Complete Guide to Guitar String Action Gauge
A guitar string action gauge represents an essential tool for serious players and luthiers seeking precise measurement of string height above the fingerboard.
Guitar Pro: A Complete Buyer's Guide
It's not an expensive purchase, but there are enough versions and add-ons to get wrong. Here's how to buy the right combination first time.
Keeley: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The honest, no-hype version of what to check before you buy — from power requirements to which effect actually solves your problem.
A Guide to Percussion Box Drum Cajon
The cajon percussion box drum is a versatile hand-struck instrument with roots in Peru. Learn about its tones, playing technique and why musicians across genres love this authentic percussion box drum...
Common Usb Mixer Mistakes to Avoid
Wrong gain, missing phantom power and monitoring through the computer instead of the desk account for most beginner problems — these are the consistent errors and their fixes.
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
