Gear & Reviews

An owner of both compares the Fender Player and the Squier Classic Vibe on pickups, neck, tremolo and resale, and says when the Fender is worth it.

Tuning instability almost always has a mechanical cause: here are the eight I check, in order, with a diagnosis routine and a cost range for each fix.

Thomann’s house brand against Fender’s budget brand: specs per dollar, consistency, availability where you live, resale and support, with a verdict by situation.

The three most popular modeling amps of 2026 compared head to head, with a clear verdict for apartment players, rehearsals and beginners.

The two most recommended first electric guitars go head to head: neck, pickups, factory setup, consistency, looks and resale, with a verdict by player profile.

“What’s the best acoustic under $200 for a beginner?” is one of the most-asked questions in English-speaking guitar forums — and the community is remarkably united on the answer. Here’s an honest round-up of what owners and teachers actually recommend, plus the things that matter more than the brand name. Where these takes come from…

The single-coil vs humbucker question gets answered with physics everywhere online. This piece is different: it’s what players actually report after gigging, recording and living with both — how they really sound and feel in the room, the genres people gravitate to, and the catches the spec sheets don’t mention. Where these takes come from…

Squier or Epiphone? It’s one of the great beginner debates in English-speaking forums. We’ve covered the head-to-head spec comparison elsewhere — this piece is about what owners say after living with each: how they hold up, what they’re best at, and which player each one really suits. Where these takes come from A synthesis of…

“What’s the best first amp under $200?” is one of the most common beginner questions in English-speaking forums — and the answers have never been better. Modern budget amps pack modeling, effects, headphone outputs and USB recording into a bedroom-friendly box. Here’s an honest round-up of what owners and teachers actually recommend. Where these takes…

Harley Benton has a cult following in English-speaking forums for one reason: the value is almost unbelievable. But there’s a catch most buyers outside mainland Europe hit fast — it’s a Thomann house brand, sold only through Thomann in Germany. So getting one usually means importing. Here’s an honest round-up of what owners report, and…