Buying Guide
Everything published on Viyolens under Buying Guide — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
The Complete Guide to Guitar Power Attenuators
A guitar power attenuator lets you push your tube amplifier's power section into overdrive whilst reducing output to neighbourhood-friendly levels. Learn how they work and what to look for.
Presonus Studio One: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A practical buyer's guide to PreSonus Studio One — understanding what each version tier includes, when to upgrade, and how it compares to competing DAWs.
3/4 Size Guitar: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a 3/4 size guitar requires understanding scale length, body dimensions, wood quality, and playability factors. This guide walks you through key specifications, price tiers, and pitfalls to avoi...
Agogo Bells: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Classroom set or handmade Brazilian bell? Here is how to match agogo bells to how you actually play, what to check on the weld and beater, and the pitfalls to avoid.
Balalaika: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Not every triangular instrument on sale is built to be played. Here's how to check a balalaika's neck, bridge and strings before you buy, and where your money is best spent.
The Best Roland Synthesizers for the Money
Roland's range can be overwhelming — here is an honest guide to the instruments that are actually worth your money.
Auden Acoustic Guitar: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying an affordable acoustic guitar requires strategy — price isn't the only measure of value. This guide shows you what to prioritise when buying an Auden acoustic guitar and what realistic expectat...
The Best Epiphone Explorers for the Money
That angular shape gets attention before you've even plugged in. Here's which Epiphone Explorer actually earns its keep, and for whom.
Common Yamaha Keyboard Mistakes to Avoid
Even great instruments get let down by avoidable mistakes. Here are the most common errors with Yamaha keyboards — and how to sidestep each one from the start.
Stage Monitor: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a stage monitor means navigating specs that can mislead as much as they inform. Here's what actually matters: power, SPL, driver size, and the brands that deliver without overcharging.
Behringer Compressor: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Behringer compressors offer affordable entry points to dynamic processing, but quality varies across the range. This guide explains what to check and whether a Behringer compressor is right for you.
Peavey Vintage 30: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Considering a Peavey Vintage 30 speaker for your amp? Learn what to check before buying, including specifications, compatibility, authenticity, and whether this legendary speaker suits your tone and b...
Guitar Pedal: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Benjamin Wood cuts through the noise and explains what actually matters when buying a guitar pedal — from the right questions to ask yourself to the specs that affect real-world usability.
String Action Guitar: A Complete Buyer's Guide
String action—the height of strings above the fretboard—determines playability more than most buyers realise. This guide explains the specs, how to measure action correctly, and how to evaluate it bef...
Everything You Need to Know About Roland Keyboards
From the 1974 EP-30 to today's ZEN-Core synths, here's how Roland's keyboard ranges fit together — and how to tell one family from another.
Prs Se Explained: Features, Types and Tips
PRS SE gets plenty of chat online, not all of it useful. Here's the honest, straightforward version of what you're actually getting.
Boss Amplifier: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing a Boss amplifier requires understanding wattage, speaker size, effects quality, and your intended use. This buying guide cuts through marketing to help you make an informed decision.
Common Fender Jazz Bass Mistakes to Avoid
The honest rundown of what actually catches people out, straight from years of watching it happen at the merch stall and the second-hand counter.
Guitar Strap: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing a guitar strap is simpler than it looks once you know what the variables actually mean — here's everything to consider before you buy.
Steinberg: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Cubase alone comes in three editions, before you've even looked at Nuendo or Dorico. Here's how to buy the right Steinberg product without overpaying.
Washburn N4: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Considering a Washburn N4 classical guitar? This buying guide covers tone, build quality, price comparisons, and exactly what to check before you commit.
Pedal Board: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Sizing, power supply checks, mounting and budget tiers explained plainly — the honest checklist for buying a pedal board that actually fits your rig.
Fender Acoustic Amplifiers: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Selecting Fender acoustic amplifiers requires matching wattage to venue size and understanding key features. This guide helps you choose the right model.
Cable Microphone: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Shopping for a cable microphone? Understand specifications, microphone types, impedance, and what to check before buying one that suits your application.
Buying Guide is filed under
All topics
Epiphone
Accessible guitars with classic styling, covering electrics, acoustics and semi-hollows for players at every level.
28 topics
Epiphone Les Paul
Classic single-cut electrics with thick tone, long sustain and strong appeal for rock, blues and lead players.
5 topics
ESP
High-performance electric guitars with fast playability, strong output and a bold look suited to rock and metal.
Fender
Fender guitars and related instruments trusted for classic design, tone and versatility.
51 topics
Fender Stratocaster
The fender stratocaster is a versatile electric guitar known for bright tones, comfort and wide genre appeal.
8 topics
Fender Telecaster
The fender telecaster delivers bright, punchy electric guitar tone with dependable playability for stage and studio use.
11 topics
Kids Guitar
Scaled-down guitars for younger players, with comfortable sizes that make learning easier and more enjoyable.
Les Paul
Iconic solid-body electrics known for sustain, thick tone and a classic rock and blues feel.
14 topics
