Charlotte Bennett

Line 6 Company Explained: Features, Types and Tips

From the AxSys 212 to Helix, here's how one company convinced guitarists that an amp doesn't need to be a heavy wooden box in the corner.

Guitar Pedal for Beginners: A Complete Guide

A guitar pedal is simpler than it seems. Learn how to plug it in, understand one control at a time, and discover your sound.

Martin and Taylor Explained: Features, Types and Tips

Martin and Taylor are two of acoustic guitar's biggest names, built on completely different philosophies. Here's what actually separates them.

The Best 4 String Bass for the Money

Whether you're spending £250 or £1,600, there is a genuinely excellent bass at every price point — these are the models worth your money and why.

Guitar Faith: A Complete Buyer's Guide

There's a genuinely different guitar for a genuinely different player under the Faith name. Here's how to find yours.

The Best Cort Acoustic Guitars for the Money

Cort's range has clear standouts at each price point. These are the models that offer the most for the money, organised by playing style and budget.

Gibson Sg: A Complete Buyer's Guide

The Gibson SG has been a stage and studio staple since 1961 — and buying one is easier when you know what to look for. Here is the full picture.

Gibson Firebird for Beginners: A Complete Guide

The Firebird doesn't handle like anything else you've played — here's exactly what to expect in your first few sessions, and how to settle in quickly.

The Best Squiers for the Money

No fake tests, just an honest tier-by-tier look at which Squier suits which player, from first-timers to gigging regulars.

Gibson Garage London for Beginners: A Complete Guide

You don't need to know a Tune-o-matic from a tailpiece. Here's how to enjoy your first visit without any of the pressure.

Common Guitar Gig Bag Mistakes to Avoid

Most guitar gig bag problems are avoidable — here are the errors that come up repeatedly and how to prevent each one.

The Best Gibson Es 335s for the Money

There's no single “best” option here — just the tier that genuinely matches your budget, your playing, and how much of the story matters to you.

Common Gibson Les Paul Mistakes to Avoid

The Les Paul is a brilliant guitar, but it has a few specific ways to go wrong. Here are the most common mistakes owners make, and the straightforward fixes for each one.

Bass Effects Pedals Explained: Features, Types and Tips

Bass effects pedals have become a serious part of the instrument's vocabulary. Here is what each type does, how they chain together, and what to prioritise.

Guitar Ibanez Jem for Beginners: A Complete Guide

That handle cut into the body, the wild pickguard — if an Ibanez JEM has caught your eye, here's the honest, patient answer on starting with one.

Finger Picks for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Capo for Beginners: A Complete Guide

A capo lets you change key, match a singer and turn hard chords into easy open shapes — with shapes you already know. Here's how a guitar capo works and how to use one properly.

Common Guitar Nut Mistakes to Avoid

Most guitar nut problems come from a handful of predictable mistakes. Here's what goes wrong and what to do instead.

Gibson Victory: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Buying a Gibson Victory on the vintage market requires care — condition varies widely and originality matters. Here is what to inspect, what to pay and where to find them.

Guitar Pickups: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Before you spend on a new amp or more pedals, it's worth looking at what's under the strings. Choosing the right pickups might be the most direct route to the sound you actually want.

The Best Yamaha Bass for the Money

Where the real value sits across Yamaha's bass range, honestly assessed by budget and by player rather than by spec sheet.

Frets Explained: Features, Types and Tips

Those thin metal strips on the neck do more work than almost anything else on a guitar. Here's what frets are, the types you'll meet, and how to spot when yours need attention.

The Best Gibson Les Paul Standards for the Money

No invented rankings, just an honest steer through the real choices — vintage feel, modern speed, the looks, and a genuinely respectable budget alternative.

The Best Schecters for the Money

"Best" only means anything once you know what you play and what you're happy to spend. Here's Schecter, broken down by tier, the way I'd talk you through it over a coffee.