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.
Articles by James Harrison
Everything You Need to Know About Noise Gate Pedal
A noise gate pedal cuts noise during pauses in your playing by closing when your signal drops below a threshold. Essential for high-gain rigs, single-coil pickups and noisy live environments.
Student Clarinet for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Learning clarinet feels overwhelming at first, but within weeks you'll produce recognisable tones. This guide covers setup, practice routines, lessons, and how to build confidence as a complete clarin...
Gibson Sg Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The Gibson SG is a double-cutaway, all-mahogany classic that has been on stages and records since 1961. Here is everything you need to know about how it works and which version suits you.
Warwick Bass Guitar for Beginners: A Complete Guide
No jargon, no hype — here's exactly what a beginner needs to know before buying a first Warwick bass guitar.
The Complete Guide to Pioneer 2 Channel Mixer
Pioneer 2 channel mixers are the industry standard for DJ mixing. Explore what they do, key features, recommended models, and essential techniques for aspiring and professional DJs.
The Complete Guide to 12 String Martin
Martin 12-string guitars deliver legendary quality and distinctive 12-string tone. Century-old craftsmanship meets modern engineering in these iconic instruments.
Music Business: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The music business is complex but understandable. This guide covers revenue streams, contracts, and key concepts every artist should know.
The Best Esps for the Money
From the LTD EC-256 to the E-II Eclipse, these are the ESP and LTD models that offer the best combination of quality and value at each level of the market.
The Complete Guide to One Compressor
A compressor plugin is the most essential mixing tool. Learn how compression works and how to apply it confidently across your mix for professional results.
Martin Guitar Production Numbers: A Complete Guide
Martin guitar production numbers unlock the history of your vintage instrument. Discover how to decode these numbers, determine build dates, and authenticate your Martin across nearly two centuries of...
Column Pa System: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Selecting the right column PA system means matching power to venue size and understanding coverage patterns. Learn what specs matter and which tier suits you.
The Complete Guide to Pink Electric Guitar
A pink electric guitar makes a visual statement while performing identically to conventional colours. Explore types, brands and what to consider before choosing pink.
The Best Drum Samples for the Money
The best drum samples depend on genre and workflow. This guide picks the top options across hip-hop, acoustic, rock, electronic and budget categories.
The Complete Guide to Jhs Effects Pedals
JHS Effects pedals have earned a stellar reputation for exceptional sound quality and innovative designs. Whether you're seeking overdrive, compression, or modulation, this guide explores what makes J...
Squier Telecaster for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A Squier Telecaster is one of the best starting points for anyone learning electric guitar. Here's everything a nervous first-timer needs to know.
Gibson Sg Left: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a left-handed Gibson SG involves navigating a smaller market than right-handed models. This guide helps you make an informed purchase without settling for compromise.
The Ultimate Guide to Gibson Es 335
The benchmark semi-hollow since 1958 — here's the honest, no-hype explanation of how a Gibson ES-335 works and why it still matters.
The Complete Guide to Baritone Guitars Acoustic
Acoustic baritone guitars deliver deep, resonant bass tones with the organic warmth of traditional acoustic instruments. Discover how they work, their musical applications, and why they appeal to fing...
Tambourine: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a tambourine well means making the right call on head, jingles, and size. This buyer's guide covers every variable and which brands are worth trusting.
Squier Bass Guitar for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A Squier bass guitar is one of the best starting points for any new bassist — here is everything you actually need to know, from choosing the right model to getting your first proper setup.
The Best Sonor Drum Kits for the Money
The AQ2 wins at entry level, the Force series justifies its price for regular gigging, and the SQ1 is the professional standard that lasts a career.
Fender Mustang Lt25 for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Presets instead of knobs can look intimidating at first. Here is the plain-English guide to your first session on a Fender Mustang LT25.
Jazzmaster Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The Jazzmaster is one of the most distinctive electric guitars Fender makes—a guitar built for expression rather than simplicity. Understanding a Jazzmaster means understanding its floating vibrato, i...
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 topicsPopular topics
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Index- Guitars 1,525
- Pianos & Keyboards 491
- Drums & Percussion 278
- Orchestral Strings 76
- Wind & Woodwind 97
- Brass Instruments 70
- Folk & World Instruments 108
- Studio Recording 484
- Music Software & DAWs 250
- DJ & Electronic Production 199
- Live Sound & PA 143
- Music Accessories 165
- Sheet Music & Learning 63
- Music Genres 285
- Music News & Industry 246
- Hi-Fi & Home Audio 64
- Artists & Bands 39