Buying Guide
Everything published on Viyolens under Buying Guide — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
Brass: A Complete Buyer's Guide
What to check, what to spend and where buyers most often come unstuck when choosing a brass instrument, new or second-hand.
Koto: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A good koto is judged by its wood, its bridges and how honestly every string responds — here's exactly what to check before you buy.
Sibelius: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Sibelius comes in three editions with one name — here's exactly how to work out which one is worth your money.
Ableton Live: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying Ableton Live means picking the right edition, not just any edition. Here's how to choose without overspending or underbuying.
Instruments Tambourine: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Headed or headless, steel or bronze, mounted or handheld — a clear-headed look at what actually matters when you're choosing a tambourine.
The Best Fender Telecasters for the Money
You don't need the priciest Telecaster on the wall — you need the right tier for what you actually play. Here's the honest breakdown, no hype.
Apogee Electronics: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Before you spend anything, work through the inputs, preamps and connectivity that actually matter when buying an Apogee Electronics interface.
The Best Epiphone Les Pauls for the Money
Not one crowned champion, but the right pick for your budget and style. Here's how the Epiphone Les Paul tiers actually compare on value.
The Best Soundbars for the Money
Slim TVs sound dreadful, and a soundbar is the tidy fix. Here's how to judge which soundbar is genuinely the best for your money — for films, telly and music alike.
Amplifier: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The amplifier that suits you starts with your speakers, not a spec sheet — here's the sensible order to make the decision in.
Erhu: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Two strings, no fingerboard and a bow threaded between them — buying an erhu doesn't have to feel like guesswork. Here's exactly what to check first.
Focusrite: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Scarlett alone now runs from a one-preamp Solo to a rackmount 18i20 — here's how to work out which Focusrite actually fits your sessions.
What to Look for When Buying Violas
Choosing a viola is quietly trickier than choosing a violin — there's no standard size, and setup matters enormously. Here's what actually counts when you buy one.
Electro Harmonix: A Complete Buyer's Guide
One brand name covers fuzz, phase, delay and more. Here's what to actually check before buying an Electro-Harmonix pedal, from power specs to vintage pitfalls.
Preamp Amp: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A preamp and a power amp only sound good together when their levels agree. Here's exactly what to check, in order, before you buy either half.
Epiphone Les Paul: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A no-nonsense checklist for buying an Epiphone Les Paul: what specs actually matter, and how to avoid the common pitfalls.
