Buying Guide
Everything published on Viyolens under Buying Guide — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
The Best Fretless Bass for the Money
Forget chasing one "best" fretless bass — here's how to match the configuration to what you're actually trying to do with it.
Trs Jack Cable: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying the right TRS cable is less about price tags and more about knowing exactly what job you need it to do first. Here's the checklist I run through.
The Best Timbales for the Money
"Best for the money" isn't one fixed answer with timbales. Here's how to think about value at each tier, without pretending there's a single perfect set.
Takamine Guitar: A Complete Buyer's Guide
What genuinely matters before you buy, and the reasoning behind each check, from production line to electronics to body shape.
Music Stand Light: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Even coverage matters more than peak brightness. Here's how to choose the right stand light at any budget.
Dj Equipment: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The right DJ equipment depends on your actual use case and the features that matter to you. This guide breaks down what to look for in controllers, mixers, turntables and monitoring gear—and what to a...
Marshall Acoustic Amplifier: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Marshall's acoustic amplifiers combine legendary tone with acoustic instrument amplification. Whether you're performing acoustically or busking, this buying guide walks you through essential specifica...
Yamaha Music: A Complete Buyer's Guide
There's no single answer to which Yamaha to buy. Here's how to actually work through the decision, category by category.
The Best Positive Grids for the Money
Spark 2, Spark MINI or BIAS software — here's which Positive Grid product is actually worth your money, and why.
Fender Plectrum: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Fender plectrum selection goes far beyond picking a random pick from the drawer. This buying guide explains material composition, thickness tiers, shape differences, and grip options, helping you buil...
Handpan: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A handpan can look gorgeous in a photo and still be a poor build — here's exactly what to check before you pay.
Thumb Picks: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A thumb pick that doesn't fit is useless, and the sizing isn't standardised across brands. This guide cuts through the confusion so you buy the right thumb pick first time.
Direct Box Bass: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a direct box for bass? This guide covers passive vs. active, bass-specific requirements, price tiers, and how to evaluate options for recording and live sound.
Fbt Pa Speaker: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying an FBT PA speaker requires balancing power, sensitivity, frequency response and budget. This guide reveals the specs that matter and common pitfalls to avoid.
Synth Rack: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A synth rack is a professional 19-inch synthesiser module that integrates into larger rigs. This guide covers integrated vs. modular systems, connectivity specs, sound engines, price tiers, and what t...
Common Plugin Boutique Mistakes to Avoid
Most people who've bought a few plugins have made at least one of these mistakes. Here's the full rundown of what catches people out, and how to sidestep each one.
Guiro: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Material, ridge spacing and grip shape change how a guiro feels and carries. Here's what actually matters before you buy one, and what doesn't.
The Best Bass Strings 5 Strings for the Money
The best five-string bass strings, sorted honestly by what you actually play rather than a single made-up winner.
Interface Records: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing a recording interface means matching input/output count, preamp quality, latency and connectivity to your actual needs. This guide covers budget to professional options so you invest in stabl...
4X12 Cabinet: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A 4x12 cabinet is professional gigging gear. This buying guide explains what specs actually differentiate models, matching cabinets to your amp head, common purchasing pitfalls, and how to invest wise...
Yamaha Electric Bass Guitar: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Everything worth checking before buying a Yamaha bass guitar, from BB vs TRBX to bridge design and battery-powered electronics.
Pick Fender: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing the right Fender pick dramatically affects your playing experience and tone. This guide walks you through thickness, materials, shapes, and price tiers to find the perfect pick for your needs...
The Best Genelecs for the Money
There's no single "best" Genelec — just the tier that matches your room, budget and how seriously you'll actually use what you're paying for.
Electric Guitar To Headphones: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Proper amplification transforms silent practice. This guide covers headphone amps, interfaces, and how to choose the right equipment for your needs.
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
