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
Common Steel Band Drums Mistakes to Avoid
Most steelpan mistakes come down to one thing: treating it like an ordinary percussion instrument instead of the finely tuned instrument it actually is.
The Best Shakers for the Money
No model numbers, no pretend bench-testing — just an honest breakdown of the market by tier, so you know what you're actually paying for.
The Best Fender Precision Bass for the Money
There's no single 'best' Precision Bass — just the right tier for your budget and how you play. Here's the honest, tier-by-tier breakdown.
Samba Music Instruments: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying samba music instruments means building a balanced ensemble, not one drum kit — here's what actually matters, instrument by instrument.
Guitar Pedal Harmonizer: A Complete Guide
A harmonizer pedal generates harmonic voices that follow your playing, creating rich textures from a single guitar. Learn how they work and why tracking quality matters.
The Complete Guide to Stage Monitoring
Stage monitoring delivers customised audio mixes to performers, allowing tight ensemble playing and confident delivery. Professional monitoring separates amateur shows from polished productions.
The Complete Guide to Portable Pa System
A portable PA system lets musicians and event organisers amplify sound anywhere. Discover the options and how to select the right portable PA for your situation.
Instrument Insurance: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing an instrument insurance policy without a framework means either paying too much or getting the wrong cover. This buyer's guide works through every decision in order.
The Complete Guide to Telecaster Vintage
The vintage Telecaster represents one of the most sought-after electric guitar variations among collectors and professional musicians, embodying a rich heritage spanning nearly seven decades.
A Guide to Yamaha Acoustic Guitars
Yamaha acoustic guitars have been the choice of beginners, singers and touring musicians for sixty years. No hype—just reliable instruments that work.
Medeli Digital Piano: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Medeli digital pianos range from budget entry-level to near-professional instruments. Here's how to identify which models genuinely suit your level and needs.
Case Mic: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing the right case mic for recording doesn't require breaking the bank. This guide explains what matters when purchasing a microphone for guitar amps and live capture.
The Complete Guide to Electric Piano Keyboard Yamaha
Yamaha electric piano keyboards combine authentic piano character with modern features and legendary reliability, making them ideal for beginners, serious musicians, and professional performers.
The Complete Guide to Usb Mic And Headset
A USB mic and headset combination offers professional recording capabilities without complex equipment. Discover how to select the right setup for your recording, streaming, or podcasting goals.
Harp Guitar for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Nervous about starting harp guitar? This beginner guide reveals why harp guitars suit newcomers perfectly and walks you through your first rewarding weeks.
Hk Audio for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Professional speakers reveal the truth about your playing. HK Audio systems are built for accuracy and durability—exactly what beginners need to develop their ear.
Marshall 1987 Amp for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Getting started with a Marshall 1987 amp doesn't require technical expertise. This beginner's guide covers safe operation, controls, tone settings, and first steps so you play confidently from day one...
Bass Hard Case for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A quality bass hard case is insurance for your instrument. This beginner's guide walks you through why protection matters and how to choose the right case.
Choir Vst: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choir VST plugins range from budget samples to world-class professional libraries. This buying guide breaks down price tiers, essential specs and common mistakes so you pick the right choir VST for yo...
Analog Drum Machine: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A comprehensive guide to purchasing analog drum machines, covering sonic design, durability assessment, workflow philosophy, integration capabilities, and budget considerations.
Ibanez Iron Label: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Comprehensive guide to buying Ibanez Iron Label guitars. Understand construction design, specifications, pricing, and common mistakes when choosing this metal-focused guitar line.
Power Supply 9V for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Starting with effects pedals? Understand 9V power basics, how to choose between batteries and power supplies, and what to check before buying.
Ezdrummer: A Complete Buyer's Guide
EZdrummer is the go-to virtual drum plugin for songwriters and producers. Here's how to choose the right version for your needs and budget.
The Complete Guide to Amps For Stereo
Professional stereo amplification enables accurate studio mixing by delivering transparent, low-distortion signal reproduction essential for reliable monitoring decisions.
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