Shoegaze is known for its ambience and heavy use of effects. Lots of reverb, delay and gain. If you’re looking to play shoegaze you’ll want a guitar that can get a good distorted tone but also is capable of doing that ambient, droning almost sleepy sound. You might want a tremolo too. So let’s take a look at some of the best guitars for shoegaze. I’ve covered most budgets, from the very affordable to expensive and high end models. I’ve also tried to cater for different types of showgaze sounds (dream pop etc). So I’m confident you’ll find a guitar that suits the sound you’re aiming for. Tab ..read more

Pop punk is the ideal place for beginner guitarists to start. So many new guitarists begin by learning songs by the likes of Green Day, Blink-182 etc. Why? Because they’re relatively easy and fun to play. Most pop punk songs use power chords and regular strumming patterns. Maybe some palm muting. And beginners often find these are quick and easy to pick up. So you can be playing songs you know and that sound good early on. Below I’ve chosen 22 pop-punk songs that are perfect for beginners. These tracks are not only fun and simple to play but will also help you develop essential guitar skills ..read more

I bought the Supro 1605R a few years ago and have been meaning to do a review of it. Back then it was known as the Supro 1605R, but a year or two later it was rebranded and relaunched as the 64 Reverb. The differences? As far as I can tell the only change is the 1605R has an Eminence-designed SS8 speaker, the 64 Reverb has a Jensen C8R speaker. Aside from that they are identical amps though, just in case you’re confused. Mine was a total impulse purchase. I’d been looking for a small tube amp for practice. The Supro had been on my list but I’d decided against it because of the price. One day ..read more

The scale length of a guitar refers to the vibrating length of the strings. It’s one of the most important factors affecting the feel, tone and how the guitar plays. Understanding guitar scale length is essential whether you’re a beginner buying your first guitar or an experienced player doing a setup. The distance between the nut and bridge has a noticeable effect on how a guitar feels to play and the tones it can produce. In this guide I’ll explain everything you need to know about scale length – from what it is and how it’s measured to the impact it has on string tension, fret spacing, act ..read more

The Squier Affinity and Squier Contemporary series are two of Squier’s most popular guitar ranges. They offer good quality guitars for a reasonable price. But how do they compare in terms of build quality, sound and value for money? Having owned an Affinity Strat and tried some of the Contemporary’s I’ve got a good idea how they match up. So I’ll take a look at the differences between the Squier Affinity and Squier Contemporary Stratocasters, Telecasters and other models. Table of Contents Toggle The Main Differences Between the Squier Affinity vs Squier Contemporary Squier Affinity vs Squ ..read more

Squier’s guitar lineup includes several cool and creative series. Like the fairly new Contemporary and Paranormal ranges. They stand out as being that bit different when compared to the likes of the Affinity or Sonic series. But what exactly are the differences between the two collections? And how do you choose which is right for you? Simply, the Contemporary series delivers very sleek and modern versions of classic Fender models. The Paranormal series goes the other way and resurrects obscure old Fender designs or creates new mashups. They’re aimed at different players with different tastes ..read more

Legendary amp makers Soldano has just announced the launch of the ASTRO-20, a new 20-watt tube amplifier that promises to deliver the coveted Soldano lead tone in a flexible, compact and affordable format. At just 20 watts, the ASTRO-20 is significantly lower powered than Soldano’s flagship Super Lead heads, making it easier to push the power amp tubes into overdrive at reasonable volumes. This makes it an ideal amp for home use or smaller gigs where ear-splitting volume is not required. The compact 1×12 combo design also improves portability compared to a full-sized multi-channel head and sta ..read more

Should you buy a used guitar? Or stick to a new one? You can get some great bargains buying used. Out of all the guitars I own my favorites were bought 2nd hand. But there’s no denying it’s more risky. There’s no safety net of a manufacturers warranty or being able to replace it if it’s damaged. And if you don’t know what you’re doing you could buy a used guitar that isn’t what you think. It might be broken, need serious work or even be a fake. So if you’re unsure which to go for I’ll take you through the pro’s and con’s of buying new vs used. And hopefully help you to make the right choice ..read more

Martin Guitar, the iconic American acoustic guitar manufacturer, has just marked a major milestone – 190 years in business. To celebrate this impressive achievement, the company has announced the release of a special anniversary model guitar, the D-19 190th Anniversary. Martin Guitar was founded in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin, who had emigrated from Germany to New York City. The company started as a small workshop located at 196 Hudson Street in lower Manhattan. Nearly two centuries later, Martin has become one of the most renowned and respected guitar brands worldwide. The limited edi ..read more

Gibson has just announced the release of two new Les Paul electric guitar models designed specifically for younger players and those with smaller hands. The Les Paul Modern Lite and Les Paul Modern Figured aim to bring the classic Les Paul experience to a new generation of guitarists. The Les Paul Modern Lite retains the essential features of a Les Paul while dramatically reducing the weight. Its slimmed-down mahogany body with a contoured back promises comfort whether sitting or standing. The slim-taper neck has a rounded profile suited for smaller hands. Despite its lighter weight the guit ..read more