Guitarsite News
The Best Nylon String Guitar Roundup
Here we present you with the best nylon string guitars, updated for 2017, sorted into three price brackets to help you find one that suits your budget and playing style. This page is sponsored by Sweetwater so you can click through to get the full specifications, the latest price, and purchase any of the Guitars stocked by Sweetwater that we have recommended. Nylon string guitars have gone beyond conventional classical, flamenco, and Latin American music. Their mellow and punchy tone are now heard on virtually all types of music, including jazz, rock, country, avant-garde, experimental, world and even pop music. As such, manufacturers have been producing many different nylon string guitars to appeal to the needs of more guitarists. With so many to nylon string guitars on the market, choosing one can be a cumbersome task. To help with this, we have combed through what’s available to find those that provide the best tone, build quality and value for money, and we grouped them according to their price range. Note that cedar topped guitars are known for warm tones while spruce topped ones sound brighter, so you’ll want to consider this when taking your pick. You should also go for
Best Practice AMP 2024 – These Are Outstanding
Best Practice AMP 2024 – These Are Outstanding. Practice is the key to unlocking your musical potential. There’s no other way around it. This is why getting the best practice amp is essential. Here we’ll help you find a suitable guitar amplifier to inspire you to play better. Best Tone Vox VT20X A versatile practice amp that combines digital amp modeling with a genuine 12AX7 preamp tube. It produces inspiring tones that include Vox’ distinct British clean sound. Sweetwater Amazon Read Review Best High Gain Amp Blackstar ID:Core 10 V4 Good distortion tone at lower volume is the specialty of the ID:Core 10 V4. This is the perfect practice amp for fans of rock and metal. Sweetwater Amazon Read Review Best Feature Set Marshall Code 25 An affordable practice amp from Marshall, with modern amp modeling, built-in effects, and Bluetooth connectivity Sweetwater Amazon Read Review Easiest to Use Roland Cube 10GX Among the top-selling practice amps in the world. the Cube 10GX combines portability, affordability, features, and good tone. Sweetwater Amazon Read Review Best Overall Fender Mustang LT 25 This amp gives you iconic Fender clean tones in a compact and affordable package, with the modern flexibility of amp modeling and
The Best Electric Guitar Brands
It has now been almost 8 years since we first published our list of the top 5 electric guitar brands. For this 2019 update, we continue with our expanded selection, which features today’s top 10 best brands. This page is sponsored by Sweetwater so you can click through to get the full specifications, the latest price, and purchase any of the Electric Guitars stocked by Sweetwater that we have recommended. When we rated these to see which were the best of the best, we took into consideration their quality, reliability, popularity with professional guitarists, and the impact they’ve had on music. After we originally published our selection of the top guitar brands, it became clear from the feedback we received that many of you wanted us to recommend individual models as well as the top brands, so here is our new selection that features a high-end and an entry-level model for each of the top 10 brands. Things To Consider When Buying An Electric Guitar Musical Preference and Guitar Heroes The style of music you prefer will greatly dictate the type of guitar you want, so it is safest to stick to the guns (or axes) of your heroes. This
The Best Acoustic Guitar Brands
This is the 2019 version of our guide to the Best Acoustic Guitar Brands that we began publishing back in 2010. This year we’ve adopted a new format where we present our selection of the Top 10 brands then provide 2 recommendations from each brand. This page is sponsored by Sweetwater so you can click through to get the full specifications, the latest price, and purchase any of the Acoustic Guitars stocked by Sweetwater that we have recommended. The acoustic guitar’s basic design remains relatively unchanged, even after many years of technological advances. But this does not stop manufacturers from developing new ways to up the overall quality and appeal of the instrument. Here we honor the top brands that continue to meet, if not exceed, the expectations of acoustic guitar players, selected based on a combination of our joint 80+ years of experience and the ratings and feedback from people who have bought them, including our insider access to Gearank ratings. Things to consider when buying an Acoustic Guitar Caring For Your New Guitar The acoustic guitar has a hollow wooden body, which while feels solid to the touch, is a bit fragile, and can be affected by humidity
The Top 10 Best Guitar Amps
If you’re looking to get a guitar amp, then you’re in luck because after much research, we have updated our Top 10 Guitar Amps list for 2016. This page is sponsored by Sweetwater so you can click through to get the full specifications, the latest price, and purchase any of the Amps stocked by Sweetwater that we have recommended. Guitar amplifiers influence guitar tone in a very big way, as exemplified by how the overdriven amplifier changed the musical landscape in the past, which paved the way to modern blues, rock, metal and other modern guitar styles that we now enjoy. So don’t take your quest for a guitar amp lightly, it deserves proper research, dedication and investment. Choosing the right guitar amp for your musical style and budget can be a daunting with the many options that are currently available in the market. So we at GuitarSite researched what people buy and what they want to buy, we also took note of what guitarists rate highly in their reviews and comments, along with artist recommendations – all of which helped us come up with this list of 10 great amps updated for 2016. Things
The Best Guitar Pedals by Effects Category
We are constantly researching the best effects of all types, and for the first time we bring all of that information together in one place with this roundup of the best guitar pedals in each effect category. Our selection criteria included pedals which are in mass production and readily available at most music stores. There are some boutique pedals which we would have included but they are often out of reach due to high prices and a lack of general availability. The following effects categories are included: Distortion, Overdrive, Fuzz, Volume, Wah, Chorus, Phaser, Reverb, Delay, EQ, Tremolo and Compressor pedals. Scroll down below to see which one we have selected in each category. You can also click on the category title in each section to see a full list of the top guitar pedals of that type of effect. Distortion Boss DS-1 The DS-1 is one of those classic pedals which has stood the test of time so well that it’s still in production after more than 30 years since being released by Boss. Get the latest Boss DS-1 price and reviews at Amazon.com Joe Satriani and Steve Vai are two of the most famous guitarists who have put
The Best EQ Pedal Roundup
We bring you the best EQ pedals for guitar, tone sculpting machines that give you ultimate control over your sound. Equalization plays an important role in all aspects of music production, and amplified instruments like electric guitars are not exempt from it. As a result, majority of amps and stompbox effects are bundled with built-in EQ, either through a basic tone knob, 3-band EQ, or other more powerful slider type EQs. Because of these built-in EQ effects, many guitarists have skipped on standalone EQs, leaving them unaware of the advantages that dedicated EQ pedals provide. Experienced players agree that having a standalone EQ pedal provides better chaining flexibility and improved tone shaping. Instead of being stuck with the original signal routing configuration of built-in EQs, you can place a dedicated EQ pedal either before or after a particular effect or amp. This opens up a wide spectrum of tone shaping options for you to enjoy, something that would normally not be available on conventional built-in EQ effects. Whether you want full control over the voice of your guitar, or you’re looking to subtly shape your sound to better work with the changing instruments and venues that you play at, you’ll
Our Best Reverb Pedal Recommendations
From adding subtle depth to your guitar sound, to replicating the space of rooms and concert halls, these highly-recommended reverb pedals will end the dry spell on your tone. Reverb is naturally occurring, so whichever room or venue you are playing, there is just no escaping it, your guitar signal is never really “dry”. Reverb effects enable you to mimic and control these sonic bounces, letting your notes bounce off in a virtual space that you can tweak. The popularity of this effect among guitarists led it to be a standard add-on for amplifiers, and the need for flexibility and portability pushed manufacturers to transition the effect into pedal format. Here we look at the reverb pedals that we, and many others, rate highly, stompboxes that are proven to make guitars sound bigger and fuller. They are listed here for easy comparison, so you can conveniently pick one that fits your particular style and budget. Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano With virtuosos like Yngwie Malmsteen and Vernon Reid endorsing their brand, there’s no denying the popularity and reach of EHX. Their entry for the reverb market is the Holy Grail, which is currently one of their most popular pedals and available
Guitar Speaker Cabinet Roundup
To help you find the best guitar speaker cabinet for your rig, we present you with the most sought after and best selling models available. Aside from considering speakers that match the technical specifications of your amplifier, you also have to consider the size and number of speakers and the type of baffle used. When it comes to size, the smaller speakers are expected to provide better sonic clarity while lacking power. On the other hand, bigger speakers sacrifice some of the frequencies for more power and volume. Cabinets with a single speaker are still the go-to format for many because it is straight forward and affordable. More complex and powerful configurations are also available from two speaker format to the incredibly loud four speaker format. Multi-speaker cabinets allow for stereo setups and better sound dispersion. Picking between “Closed Back” and open back design is another important decision to make. Most of the guitar speaker cabinets made today have a closed back design, meaning the back of the cabinet is totally sealed off. This allows for a tighter and more focused sound that jumps straight at the front, and it emphasizes the lower frequencies better. “Open Back” design is popular
The Best Electric Guitar Kits To Build
Tired of the same production line guitars that everybody’s using? Standout from the crowd by building your own personalized instrument. Check out these excellent DIY electric guitar kits, which you can build, modify and finish to create your very own “signature” axe. Eddie Van Halen’s DIY guitar, “Frankenstrat“, is a shining example of how talent and creativity can turn cheap guitar parts into one of the most iconic electric guitars in history! Years later, this guitar is being mimicked by big name manufacturers, with price tags that are ridiculously steep compared to how much Eddie himself spent in building the original kit. Thankfully, a number of guitar manufacturers are offering DIY guitar kits at a price point that’s reasonable if not surprisingly low. There are quite a number of electric guitar kits available, ranging from beginner friendly affordable packages to the more expensive kits that feature premium tone woods. From these, we have selected the best electric kits that cover a wide price range and style. In addition to letting you customize the body, neck and finish, these kits are compatible with 3rd party hardware. This means you can install high-end pickups, tuners, and bridges to create your dream guitar,
Pitch Shifter Pedal Roundup
If you are looking to create more expressive solos, add intelligent harmonies, or if you simply want to have fun with unconventional tone textures, these pitch shifter pedals will get the job done. Eventide PitchFactor Harmonizer Because of its versatility and tone shaping controls, the Eventide PitchFactor pedal continues to be the most sought after pitch shifter pedal today. It carries 10 pitch-changing effects from Eventide that big name artists trust in the studio, all packed into a single stompbox. The effects included are Diatonic (scale based shifting), Pitchflex(whammy), Quadravox (up to four pitch-shifted voices), Octaver (low octave), HarModulator, MicroPitch(minute pitch shifting), HarPeggiator(two 16-step arpeggios) , H910/H949 (based on the classic Eventide harmonizer effect), Synthonizer(synth style sound) and the crowd favorite “Crystals”(unique sound that features a combination of pitch shifting, reverb and delay). If you think that with these many effects, the sound maybe compromised, you will be surprised that it retains the same Eventide quality as their rack effect counterparts. If you want nothing less than the best pitch shifter pedal, then look no further than the PitchFactor. Get the latest price & reviews at Amazon.com. DigiTech Whammy The Whammy pedal is easily the most popular pitch shifter in
Roundup of the Best Fuzz Pedals
Although sometimes interchanged with overdrive and distortion, fuzz is distinct from the two. It offers more dynamics than distortion, and more grit than overdrive, and it is well deserving of a spot on your pedalboard. Here we feature the best modern and classic fuzz pedals available in 2016 so you can pick one that fits your style. Fuzz pedals generally fall under two types, Germanium based and Silicon transistor based. Germanium based fuzz pedals are known for midrange-rich vintage-sounding fuzz tones, ideal for adding more crunch to your rhythm tones and violin like sustain to your lead lines. Silicon based fuzz pedals offer higher gain, with a relatively tamer, scooped and edgy flavor. These fuzz pedals are great for mixing with your existing overdrive or distortion pedal, and ideal for adding subtle grit that will not override your original tone too much. Whatever your preference maybe, you will find the best fuzz pedal for your needs right here: The Best Fuzz Pedals This table shows you all of the Fuzz Pedals that we recommend – scroll down below to read our extended reviews for each one. Image Link to Amazon Overview Detailed Description Dunlop JD-F2 Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face There wouldn’t
The Best Delay Pedals for Guitar
Here is our recommended list of the best delay pedals, whether you are looking for the inspiring warmth of analog delays or you need the precision and versatility of digital delays, you can find what you want in this list. Analog Delay Pedals are mostly based on bucket brigade delay circuits that were introduced in the ’70s. These circuits eventually replaced high maintenance tape-head-based delays. Compared to their digital counterpart, analog delays produce shorter and stiffer echoes, but they trump modern tech with their natural sounding and warm tone. If you’re going for classic or old school vibe, then these are the pedals that you should be eyeing. Digital Delay Pedals utilize the latest in digital sound processing technology to produce longer and more transparent sounding delays. Following the steps of amp modeling, some digital delay pedals can mimic analog delays and even go as far as emulating old tape head echoes. Digital delays offer flexibility and extensive control over your sound, crucial features that tipped the scales in their favor for many guitarists. If you want total control over your sound, or if you don’t want your original tone colored by the delay effect, then go for a good
Guitarsite 2024 Best Electric Guitar Under 1000
Guitarsite 2024 Best Electric Guitar Under 1000 If you’re looking for a top-notch electric guitar that won’t break the bank, you’re in for a treat! Shopping for the best electric guitar under 1000 is more than just purchasing an instrument—it’s a bold declaration of your musical prowess on electric guitar. Best Offset Guitar Squier J Mascis Signature Jazzmaster The Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster is an electric guitar that combines classic nostalgia with modern-day playability. Sweetwater Amazon Read Review Best Vintage Style PRS SE Silver Sky The PRS SE Silver Sky is more than just a budget-friendly version of John Mayer’s signature guitar. It’s a testament to how far import models have come. Sweetwater Amazon Read Review Best Dual Humbucker Epiphone Limited Edition 1959 Les Paul The Epiphone Limited Edition 1959 Les Paul pays homage to the iconic Gibson Les Paul of yesteryears while adding its own twists. Sweetwater Amazon Read Review Best Super Strat Ibanez Genesis RG550 The Ibanez Genesis Collection RG550 pays homage to the golden era of shred metal guitars while incorporating modern features. Sweetwater Amazon Read Review Best Build Quality Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS02T The Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS02T is a guitar that combines classic aesthetics with contemporary features. Sweetwater Amazon Read Review
Archtop Jazz Guitars
Take a look at the archtop jazz guitars that top cats use, great instruments to start your own quest of finding your jazzbox. Distinguished by its arched top, warm tones and elegant looks, the archtop or “jazzbox” continues to be a staple in Jazz music. As a testament to the efficiency of its design, archtops have stayed pretty much the same through the years, with only a few aesthetic and tonal variations. Gibson’s iconic hollow body guitars continue to dominate in this market, thankfully there are now more alternative and affordable options from other manufacturers. Since we’ve done all the legwork, all you have to do is sit back and relax, while we present you with the guitars that the jazz masters use, we’ve also provided some useful videos for reference as well as affordable alternatives. Gibson L5 Wes with his Gibson L5 Gibson Wes Montgomery L-5 CES Gibson L5 is the quintessential “jazzbox” and is certainly the most influential archtop jazz guitar. It was initially introduced as an acoustic archtop but was later modified to have a pair of P-90 pickups and was named L5 CES. The Gibson L5 CES then went on to be the standard on which
Get Out of the Garage 2013 Contest
Get Out of the Garage is a competition that aims to discover and assist deserving independent artists by giving them a chance to record at the Converse Rubber Tracks Studio Make Better Contest Entries:Soundproof your Room This competition was created by Converse and Guitar Center, and it is supported by multiple big name guitar manufacturers including Fender, Martin, Vox, Ernie Ball, Dunlop and many more. The winning artist will literally get the chance to “get out of the garage”, to record a 3-song EP at Converse Rubber Tracks in Brooklyn, in collaboration with writer and producer Dev Hynes, who is known for his work as Blood Orange. The recording will then be digitally distributed by Tunecore as part of the prize package. After recording, the deserving independent artist will take the stage in Austin at the Fader Fort event presented by Converse in 2013. This is a four day event dedicated for new talents, it has helped many then-unknowns such as The Black Keys, Kendrick Lamar, Florence and the Machine, Yelaworlf, M.I.A., Odd Future, Cold War Kids, Kid Cudi, Feist and many more. To get them ready for the performance, the artists will be outfitted with new gear from Fender,
Gifts for Guitar Players
Christmas 2017 is fast approaching, and since we have taken it upon ourselves to save guitarists from awkward presents – we have updated our gift recommendations. This guide is meant to help those wanting to buy gifts for guitarists but don’t quite know what to get. Guitarists tend to be picky, so we made every effort to select gift items that will be unique yet still acceptable for the majority of guitar players. With these items, you can be sure that the lucky guitarist who receives your gift will take your kind gesture to heart. If you’re interested in our suggestions you can click on the pictures or the links and they’ll take you through to Amazon.com. Featured Guitarist Gift: The History of the American Guitar Filled with great photos of historic guitars and the stories that they come with, this coffee table book is a must have for any guitarist. Students and experienced players alike are mesmerized by its photography, which include hundreds of guitars from the early 1800s to modern day production. If your friend is a guitarist, or is interested in guitars, then this will make a great gift. Check the latest price and reviews at Amazon.com.
Best Semi Hollow Guitars
The Results Are In for the 6 Best Semi Hollow Guitars When it comes to tone and aesthetics, semi-hollow guitars have a special elegance to them. Here, we feature the best semi hollow guitars, covering everything from the iconic Gibson 335, to modern alternatives like the Squier Starcaster. Best Retro Pick Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster A semi-hollowbody electric guitar that pays homage to the iconic Fender Starcaster from the ’70s. Sweetwater Amazon Read Review Best Budget Pick Ibanez Artcore AS73 Part of Ibanez’ Artcore collection that balances affordability, aesthetics, and sound quality. Sweetwater Amazon Read Review Best Overall Gibson ES-335 The legendary semi-hollow body guitar used by iconic guitarists who left their indelible mark on the music world. Sweetwater Amazon Read Review Best Classic Design Guild Starfire IV An excellently crafted semi-hollow electric guitar that exudes retro charm while delivering brilliant tones. Sweetwater Amazon Read Review Best Modern Pick PRS SE Zach Myers 594 An impressive instrument that combines elegance, versatility, and exceptional craftsmanship. Sweetwater Amazon Read Review We’re reader-supported. When you click product links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Semi-hollowbody guitars are undoubtedly one of the most fascinating musical
Best Portable Bass Amp
Carry convincing and inspiring bass tones with you wherever you go, see our list of highly recommended portable bass amps. While beginners and students get the most benefit from portable amps, professionals will also find them to be practical alternatives to bulky amps in many situations, such as songwriting, practicing and small venue gigs. So whatever your skill level is, you’ll want to consider having one of these compact amps ready for when inspiration strikes at odd places, or for quick jammings. Like last time, we considered important factors like weight, size and portability features that include durability, reliability and the ability to be battery powered. Also prioritized are amps that sound good for both individual practice and for low volume jamming. If you’re looking for full sized amps then check out our roundup of the Best Bass Amps instead. Roland Micro Cube Bass RX Roland’s portable amp Cube series is very popular because they are affordable, flexible and reliable, and they are packed in lightweight and convenient cube combo amp configuration. This practical and effective design is also applied to the Roland Micro Cube Bass RX, helping it secure the top spot in this best portable bass amp roundup.
Mini Guitar Effects
These select mini guitar effects will let you save on cash and precious pedalboard space without sacrificing your tone. Mini guitar pedals are popular because of their portability and set up convenience. We have listed down the small guitar pedals that will let you consistently carry your tone anywhere, without breaking your bank and your back. Note that being small will have its drawbacks, these pedals may compromise some tone shaping controls in order to be smaller and lightweight. However this loss of control can also be a good thing, as it can simplify setup and shorten tweaking time. Our selected mini effects pedals cover all essential effect types including distortion, booster, modulation, wah and delay. Electro-Harmonix Nano LPB-1 If you are looking for an affordable booster pedal that does not color your tone and does not take too much space on your rig, you should give the Electro-Harmonix Nano LPB-1 pedal a try. This humble pedal is a reissue of the LPB-1 (Linear Power Booster) circuit, a sought after circuit design that is still being used as base, if not outright cloned, by many “boutique” pedals. This is a straightforward booster pedal, with just a single boost knob and