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
Stream Mixer for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Starting with a stream mixer doesn't require technical mastery. This guide reassures first-timers by focusing on essential controls, simple setup steps, and common worries that hold beginners back.
Fender Plectrum for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A Fender Plectrum is a four-string acoustic instrument that's perfect for beginners. This guide shows why it's an approachable first instrument and walks you through your first week of playing.
Mic And Mixer for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Home recording doesn't require professional-grade gear. This beginner-friendly guide shows you the simplest way to set up a mic and mixer, plus common pitfalls to avoid.
Double Bass Bow for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Proper double bass bow technique is essential for creating beautiful tones. We'll teach you correct hand position, basic techniques and how to avoid common mistakes.
Fender Classic Series 70S for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Considering a Fender Classic Series 70s as your first guitar? Learn why these guitars suit beginners, which model to choose, proper setup, maintenance, and how to build confidence.
Guitar String Winders for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Discover how guitar string winders transform string changing from tedious to quick and easy. Learn proper technique and avoid beginner mistakes.
Fender Guitar Picks: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Purchasing Fender guitar picks requires understanding thickness, materials, and product lines. This guide explains what matters and helps you avoid wasting money on unsuitable picks.
Double Reeds: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Purchasing quality double reeds transforms your playing experience. This buying guide covers construction quality, price tiers across oboe, English horn, and bassoon, plus avoiding costly mistakes.
Ear Training App for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Beginners often think ear training is impossible. It's not. This guide shows you how to get started with ear training apps, what skills to focus on, and how to build real musical listening ability thr...
Nord Digital Piano: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Shopping for a Nord digital piano? This guide covers keyboard action, Nord model differences, price tiers, connectivity, and pitfalls to help you make the right purchasing decision.
Akai Digital Piano for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A beginner's guide to getting started with an Akai digital piano, from initial setup through your first month of practice, with practical tips for building sustainable habits.
The Complete Guide to Audio Cable Types
Understanding audio cable types is essential for building clean, professional-sounding rigs. This guide explains every cable type you'll encounter—when to use each one and how to choose quality connec...
Soundproofing Studio for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Soundproofing your studio doesn't require professional renovation. This beginner guide covers practical techniques, budget tiers, and realistic expectations for noise reduction.
The Complete Guide to Acoustic Electric Ibanez
An acoustic electric Ibanez combines responsive construction and professional electronics, making it ideal for both intimate unplugged performances and full-scale amplified work.
Strymon Guitar Effects for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A beginner's guide to Strymon guitar effects. Discover which pedals suit beginners, how to start simply, and build your effects knowledge step by step.
The Complete Guide to Resonator Guitar Guitars
The resonator guitar combines a unique metal cone resonator with expert lutherie to produce a bright, cutting tone perfectly suited to slide, bluegrass and contemporary acoustic music.
Cool Electric Guitars for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Your first cool electric guitar should inspire you while playing well. This guide helps beginners find instruments that look great, feel comfortable, and sound good.
Sigma Acoustic Guitar Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A Sigma acoustic guitar offers solid-top construction at prices most competitors match only with laminates — the result of a long-standing commitment to accessible quality.
Guitar Classic Yamaha for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Starting classical guitar is exciting, and choosing the right instrument matters. This beginner's guide focuses on Yamaha classical guitars—why they're perfect for learners, how to select one, and how...
Battery Powered Pa: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing the right battery powered PA requires understanding wattage, battery endurance, and portability trade-offs. This guide helps you invest wisely.
The Complete Guide to Large String Instrument
Large string instruments produce some of music's most resonant and expressive sounds. This guide covers the major instruments, their unique characteristics and what it takes to learn and play them.
The Complete Guide to Christmas Number 1 In 1993
The Christmas number 1 in 1993 was a theatrical rock triumph that captured the festive season with powerful vocals and energetic instrumentation, becoming a memorable moment in UK chart history.
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