Andy Fraser 
I’ve long talked about how good the Squier Classic Vibe series is. So it was about time I did a review of one of the models. So here it is: the Classic Vibe 60’s Stratocaster. For those who don’t know the Squier Classic Vibe series is Squiers most high end set of guitars. Still affordable …
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 …
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 …
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 …
As a beginner choosing your first guitar is daunting. You want the best instrument, obviously. But with little or no experience how do you know which is right for you. After playing for more 20 years and having tried almost every type of guitar I feel well placed to recommend the best first guitars for …
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 …
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 …
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’ve spent hours practicing and learning new songs, you’re improving.. so why does your guitar still sound bad? It’s a problem most guitarists have been through. A good sounding guitar can inspire you to keep playing. But a bad sounding one can ruin your motivation. The good news is that in most cases there are …
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 …