Buying a gift for a guitarist can be tricky, especially if you don’t play yourself. It’s even tougher when the guitarist in question gigs regularly. If you’ve never been in that world, it’s easy to miss what’s actually useful. I’ve received my fair share of duplicate accessories, and while having backups is always handy, six capos might be a little overkill.

I’d also recommend steering clear of things like effects pedals. Sure, the gigging guitarist in your life probably uses them, but choosing the right one on a whim is almost impossible. You’d need to know their preferred brands, current pedalboard setup, whether they have space, and if their power supply can even handle another pedal. The same goes for amps or guitars. Let’s face it, guitarists are a picky bunch, and unless you know them like the back of your hand, it’s unlikely you’ll get it right.

Stick with the products I’ve included in this guide and you’ll give yourself the best shot at finding something they’ll actually use, no polite smiles or fake gratitude required. I have opted for products that are mostly under the $/£30 mark, but if you have more to spend, doubling up and picking up a few of these gifts will certainly keep that guitarist happy. The Guitar World team has also compiled this guide to the best Christas gifts for guitar players which covers an even wider range of options. And don't forget that you may find extra savings amongst this year's Black Friday guitar deals.

So, without further ado, let’s check out my pick of the best gifts for gigging guitar players.

My top picks

Buying advice

When looking for a gift for the gigging guitarist in your life, there are a few things to consider. I’ve worked in a guitar store for the last ten years, and I’ve been through my fair share of festive seasons. When the partner or family member of a gigging guitarist comes in asking for advice, this is what I typically tell them to consider when selecting the perfect gift:

1. Figure out what products they use

Whether that means sneaking into their home studio for a quick look around, or just outright asking them what gear they gig with, it’s the best place to start. You don’t have to be an expert; even noting down a few brand names or product types can go a long way. This not only helps you avoid unwanted duplicates that end up buried at the bottom of a gig bag, but it also gives you a better shot at buying something genuinely useful. If you know they love Ernie Ball strings, for instance, stick with that. Familiarity is your friend here.

2. Stick to a budget

Let’s face it, guitar gear can get expensive fast. Even something as simple as strings, cables, and accessories adds up when you start piling them into the basket. While I’ve kept this list to gifts under (or around) $/£30, it’s still easy to get carried away once you start seeing all the shiny new toys. Setting a clear budget not only keeps your spending sensible but also helps narrow down your options. There’s a lot of choice out there, and having a set price point makes it much easier to focus on practical, useful gifts instead of going overboard.

3. Prioritize practicality

When it comes to gigging, it’s the practical pieces that save the day. Since guitarists are often very particular about the gear they use, sticking to something useful is the safest bet if you’re buying on someone’s behalf. Tone is subjective, so gifting an effects pedal or amplifier can be risky; what sounds great to one player might sound awful to another. The same goes for guitars, where preferences are so personal that even seasoned players get it wrong sometimes. Practical gigging gifts, like the ones on this list, are always a safe choice and guaranteed to get used.

What to avoid

There is a lot of tat out there with many pitfalls that you should keep your eye out for. There are a few things I would avoid if you are buying a gift for a gigging guitarist – selecting one of these might result in your gift being unused, gathering dust in the corner of a studio or in the trash.

Effects pedals

Unless you know exactly what you’re looking for, I would avoid choosing a random effects pedal. A gigging guitarist’s tone is sculpted from the ground up, with very particular choices and you don’t want to purchase an effects pedal that doesn’t suit their style or current setup.

A guitar

Much like an effects pedal, a guitar is perhaps even more personal. You are setting yourself up for failure unless you know exactly what the guitarist wants. Since a guitar is such a tactile choice, picking out a random guitar that you are unsure of is a recipe for disaster for any experienced player.

Unbranded gear

There’s a lot of cheap, unbranded gear online that looks like a great deal, but quality control is often hit-or-miss. Unreliable tuners, straps, patch cables or strings can cause more frustration than they’re worth, especially on stage. Stick to trusted brands that gigging players already rely on, you’ll get much better performance, peace of mind and they’ll not blow up on stage.

Where to shop

Not sure where to shop for gifts? These are the specialist retailers we trust:

In the US

• Guitar Center: Up to 30% off pre-Black Friday deals
• Sweetwater: Shop the all-access early Black Friday sale
• Musician's Friend: New Black Friday deals added weekly
• Positive Grid: Major smart amp savings
• Fender: Save on acoustics and spares

In the UK/Europe

• Thomann: All the latest Hot Deals, in one place
• Gear4Music: Early Black Friday deals are live

You have witnessed the rise of footswitch toppers, also known as pedal toppers, footswitch caps, pedal button toppers or footswitch covers.

These colorful accessories have become de rigeur for modern-day pedalboards – but they’re much more than an aesthetic trend.

Footswitch toppers have soared in popularity thanks to their ability to allow guitarists to more easily distinguish pedals and access difficult-to-reach stompboxes.

Now there are a plethora of options available to guitarists, from budget Amazon plastic offerings to premium aluminum products.

But first, I’ll explain why these dinky devices could be your pedalboard’s new best friend…

Why would I want a footswitch topper?

Access your top tier of pedals

As someone who has been constantly tinkering with his pedalboards for two decades, I’ve found footswitch toppers the easiest way to access pedals on the upper tier of my pedalboard – and I’m not alone.

“There are a lot of clearance issues that arise with pedalboards that contain multiple pedals as well as multiple tiers of pedals,” says Brett Richards, founder of Barefoot Buttons, who were first to bring the concept to market in 2015.

“It can be difficult to trigger a switch when there might be another row of pedals right in front of the switch being activated. Toppers allow you to have a bigger switching surface along with added height to the switches that may need it.”

Make footswitches easier to hit

Being able to physically hit footswitches in the heat of the moment has become more of a challenge as the pedal industry has exploded.

Pedals are increasingly varied in their size and shape, not to mention crammed together closer than ever before. And when you need to hit the right footswitch at the right time in the middle of a performance, that extra surface area can make all the difference.

“Footswitch toppers increase the contact area, giving users greater confidence,” says Mooer’s Senior Product Manager, Leo Wong. “We’ve even developed glow-in-the-dark versions to accommodate dimly lit stage environments.

“These features significantly reduce the stress of live performances, allowing musicians to focus on their playing rather than worrying about hitting the wrong switch in the next section.”

Wong points towards multi-switch combinations on modern multi-effects floorboards and amp modelers as another situation where that increased surface area can help to hit the right footswitches – something I’ve certainly found with my own top-row HX Stomp XL, which has been fully kitted out with footswitch toppers since it was Velcro’d to my ’board.

Make it easier to identify pedals

When you look down at your pedalboard to switch up your sound and you’re faced with a sea of identical chrome footswitches, it can delay your decision-making, especially on poorly lit stages.

That’s where toppers come in: I can categorize certain effects by colors, or even flag up the footswitches I don’t want to hit – ideal for those always-on overdrives.

For me, again, it’s about confidence: if it makes it quicker to find the effect I’m looking for, I make changes faster and focus more on my playing.

As Richards puts it, “They offer a quick and easy visual differentiation between switches. In general, toppers make it a lot easier to navigate your pedalboard.”

Play barefoot

Going sans footwear was easy when all the world was Boss pedals. But the rise of 3DPT (aka true bypass) footswitches has made hitting pedals with no shoes a painful experience.

Not so with footswitch toppers – and as the name suggests, Barefoot Buttons were way ahead of the curve.

“I would play barefoot on stage and always had problems triggering the small switches associated with most effects pedals,” Richards says of the company’s origins.

“Around 2008 or so, I machined some early versions of the buttons. One of my bandmates at the time, Mike Love, was gigging around the country. He would come back home and tell me that people everywhere were asking him about the buttons on his board and where they could buy them.”

They’re fun

Let’s be honest: the world could use a little more color.

And as pedal artwork has gotten more and more extravagant, and guitarists are sharing more and more pics of their pedalboards on Instagram, footswitch toppers help your ’board stand out.

We’re all shallow when it comes to guitar finishes. It was only inevitable that pedalboards would be next…

What types of footswitch topper are available?

There are two main types of footswitch topper on the market. One is the screw-on design pioneered by Barefoot Buttons, which can be adjusted to different sized switches.

The other is the ‘candy’ plastic toppers launched by Mooer in 2016, which fit most common footswitch sizes.

Naturally, Amazon is awash with all manner of cheaper alternatives, but they’re derived from these original designs.

Set screw footswitch toppers

As the name suggests, these accessories use a small hex screw, tightened with an Allen key, to attach to the pedal’s footswitch.

The advantage of this design is you can adjust the fit of the button to your footswitch – which is crucial given the increasing variation of footswitch designs and sizes.

Barefoot Buttons now makes a variety of formats to fit 3PDT footswitches (your regular true bypass design), as well as the increasingly common SPST tap switches found on tap tempo devices. There are also options for larger 3PDT and multi-FX switches, as well as mini versions that don’t block halo LEDs from view.

Brands including Sonicake and RockBoard make variations on Barefoot’s format, while Valeton even offers designs with emojis on them.

The snag with these options is that the craftsmanship does cost more, with single Barefoot toppers starting at $8.95, but you can be sure they will fit whatever footswitch you throw at them. Barefoot offer a compatibility guide for this very purpose.

Plastic ‘candy’ footswitch toppers

Cheap and cheerful, these multicolored footswitch toppers are among the most ubiquitous on modern pedalboards, and were first introduced by Mooer in 2016.

Clocking the rising footswitch topper trend, the firm sought to create their own version, which took a different approach to the set screw design.

“We adopted a plastic molding approach, effectively reducing costs while making assembly and disassembly effortless,” says Leo Wong.

Multipacks are cheap and plentiful, with huge quantities of the toppers available for under $10.

The downside is that these options are only available in one size, so they won’t fit more uncommon switches unless specifically stated.

Toppers for ‘halo’ footswitches

Many modern multi-FX pedals, including the Line 6 Helix and Fractal FM3, are equipped with footswitches that feature ‘halo’ LED indicators around the switch itself.

Unfortunately, if you fit a footswitch topper to one of these, you’ll liable to block the LED, which will only make your onstage job more difficult.

Thankfully, there are alternatives. Mooer’s transparent Shroom toppers allow LEDs to shine through with no obstruction.

Sonicake also offers its own version, while Hotone’s Karat is shaped like a diamond. Barefoot Buttons’ mini designs also allow lights to shine through.

Other designs

D’Addario’s XPND topper offers a hybrid of some of the most common topper types, with a flip-top design that clips onto the footswitch.

It’s tightened by flipping the top down, negating the need for tools while channeling some of the flexibility of the typical set-screw design. Although, like many plastic offerings, it won’t fit all footswitches.

Footswitch toppers are part of the landscape of the modern pedalboard, and we can expect more designs to crop up in the coming years.

Whatever’s next, it’s bound to make your ’board more practical – and more colorful, too...

To get started with guitar plugins, you’ll need a laptop or computer, an audio interface, and a pair of studio headphones or studio monitors. The key barrier you’ll face to getting great performance is latency, but with a relatively new machine and a decent audio interface, you shouldn’t have any issues here. If you do want to know a bit more about what you need to get the best out of your guitar plugins, go check out our FAQs section for more info.

For me, the absolute cream of the crop when it comes to guitar amp plugins is Line 6 Helix Native. Packed with pretty much any amp model and effect you can think of, it’s not the cheapest option but it’s definitely one of the most all-encompassing. If you’re after something on a budget, then check out Positive Grid BIAS FX 2 which has a great selection of amps and effects. Alternatively, if you need a free option you should check out Blue Cat’s Free Amp.

My top picks

Best overall

I’ve been a longtime user of Helix Native and for me, it’s the most all-encompassing choice if you want a guitar plugin. With a gigantic array of amp and effects models and plenty of ways to order your signal chain, it’s a playground for guitar tones that can give you pretty much any sound you desire.

One of the best things about being a Helix Native user has been the consistent updates. At least a couple of times a year I’ve been the recipient of new amps, effects, and cab models for no extra cost. It means the choice has expanded significantly since I first bought it, giving me a huge amount of options for recording and silent practice.

The amp and cab models will require some tweaking to get the best out of them, and you can unlock a lot of extra capacity with the use of third-party impulse responses, but if you’re willing to put a little time into sculpting your sounds you will absolutely be rewarded. I also love the ability to make uber-complex signal chains, run effects in parallel, or put together huge stereo rigs. One for those who love experimenting with effects order and signal chains.

Best budget

If you’re looking for something good quality on a budget, then the standard edition of Positive Grid BIAS FX 2 is a great choice. It’s got plenty of amp and effects models for you to choose from, and a decent amount of customization options when it comes to signal path. It can typically be found for around the $/£100 mark, but if you hold on for one of PG’s regular sales it can be had for a lot less.

The user interface of BIAS FX 2 is really good-looking, making it a pleasure to work with in your DAW or as a standalone. I found it really easy to start putting together my own rigs, as well as creating them from scratch. The guitar match feature is a neat tool for giving you the feel of a different type of pickup if you need it, and it also comes with a metronome and looper, making it a great option for home practice.

A large update to the DSP engine a couple of years ago gave BIAS FX 2 a significant boost, putting it on a similar level to Line 6 and Neural DSP plugins in terms of quality. There’s more than enough choice to keep all but the most experimental guitar players happy in terms of amps and effects, making it excellent value for money.

Best for classic tones

Universal Audio originally designed these amp model algorithms for their range of hardware pedals, and now they’re available via your computer thanks to the release of the Universal Audio Guitar Amp Bundle. Featuring three of the most iconic amps of all time inspired by Fender, Marshall, and Vox, it’s a great option if you like your guitar tones classic.

These are native plugins, so you don’t need any specific UA hardware to use them, unlike their previous guitar plugin offerings. It is a shame that there’s no standalone version though, so you’ll need a DAW to run them. I love that it’s so easy to dial in tones with all three plugins, making light of some of the more complex offerings from the Super Lead and AC30 sounds.

The curation of presets is simply stunning too, thanks to painstaking work by the developers at UA you can instantly get your hands on EVH’s ‘brown’ sound, Brian May-esque lead tones, or SRVs mod by Cesar Diaz. It’s really quite an amazing sound selection, great for recording or practicing late at night with your headphones on.

Best for metal

Coming from one of the most copied metal bands of the modern age, Neural DSP Archetype Gojira X offers quintessential metal tones for players who like to get heavy. Three amp types give you clean, rhythm, and lead tones to choose from, and there’s a nice selection of effects for adding extra texture to your sounds.

Neural DSP plugins are really easy to use, thanks to their excellent selection of presets and this is no different. Featuring sounds from Joel Duplantier himself, as well as a host of others from famous guitar players and producers like Nolly and Ihsahn of Emperor, you’ve got a huge selection of starting points for a variety of metal tones modern and classic.

The amps give you a decent amount of variety in terms of clean and mid-gain tones, but it’s definitely best used for chugging and shredding. I really love the octave and whammy effects, which offer excellent tracking and are perfect for beefing up those heavy riffs and leads. One thing that is a bit of a letdown is the lack of ability to change the signal order, so if you like tweaking your tone you might want to look elsewhere.

Best for effects

If you want a huge selection of amps and effects, IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5 MAX is a great shout. It’s also one of few guitar amp plugins to feature officially licensed models, with 11 brands like Fender, Orange, Marshall, and more.

The interface of AmpliTube 5 is ultra-realistic, so each piece of official gear looks exactly the same as its real-life counterpart, which can’t be said of many of the amp plugins here. It makes it very nice to look at, but it can feel a little bit clunky to use at times. I do like how many possibilities you get for manipulating your signal chain, however, and it’s similar to Helix Native in terms of how deep you can into tweaking it.

AmpliTube does its modeling on a component level, so you get some scarily realistic guitar tones here. The cabs are modeled using around 600 IRs per speaker so you can rest assured you’ll be getting some great sounds out of it. I love the sheer amount of effects it has too, with a massive range of modeled stompboxes that’ll keep even the most picky guitarists busy.

Best for bass

If you’re looking to record or practice your bass guitar with your computer, Neural DSP Parallax X offers a fantastic array of bass guitar tones. Typically you’d have to buy a bigger guitar amp plugin to get some bass tones, so having a dedicated plugin for the low end makes Parallax X stand out in a competitive market.

The user interface isn’t the easiest to use when you first get it, looking more like an EQ plugin than a bass guitar amp plugin, but once you get the hang of it it’s surprisingly powerful. The ability to drag your cab mic around in real time is a nice touch, and you can load in third-party IRs too.

The preset selection is excellent here, with plenty of readily available tones that are great for guitarists moonlighting on the bass for a recording. For actual bassists, you can dive into the built-in EQ and distortion components, as well as a compressor for controlling the low end. One thing to note is that there are no built-in effects besides the ones I’ve just mentioned, so if you like chorus or reverb on your basslines you’ll need to add these in your DAW.

Best for recording

If you’re a regularly recording guitarist who needs quality tones quickly, I highly recommend you go and check out STL ToneHub. I first came across this awesome bit of software while recording at No Studio, using it to back up actual amp recordings from my Orange combo and the studio’s EVH 5150 tube amp head. Needless to say, the results were incredible.

ToneHub features tones from Tue Madsen, Colin Richardson, and Will Putney amongst many other pro producers, so you know you’re getting great quality sounds from professional engineers. The quality of the presets is simply superb, and they’re great for dropping into your mix when you need to double or quad-track guitars.

Some might be put off by the fact that it’s subscription-only, so users who are only practicing at home with their guitar might want to look elsewhere. If you’re serious about getting quality guitar tones for your recorded mixes however, STL ToneHub is one of the best out there.

Best free guitar plugin

If you’re on a super tight budget then you can grab Blue Cat’s Free Amp for absolutely nothing. It’s not the most in-depth of all the plugins we’ve included in this guide, but it can still cover a decent amount of sounds thanks to its three amp models.

The user interface is super clean and easy to use, so you’ll have no issues getting lost in amongst a huge depth of features. You simply get your amp controls and a way to select presets, which means less time faffing and more time riffing.

In terms of tones, you get classic cleans, a nice crunchy mid-gain tone, plus a modern high-gain amplifier so you’re well-equipped to cover a lot of bases. Of course, it won’t quite compete when it comes to realism amongst the other paid options here, but if you’re just getting started or want to try out a guitar amp plugin without committing any cash, there are definitely worse options out there.

Also consider

For me, the above plugins should cover 90% of guitarists' needs when it comes to recording and home practice. I do appreciate not every guitarist thinks like me however, so here are some other options you can consider.

What you need

If you’re just getting started with guitar plugins, I’m here to help. I’ve been using plugins for nearly twenty years now so it’s fair to say that I’ve been there and got the t-shirt. So for all the beginners out there, here’s what you need to get up and running.

Computer

You’ll need a laptop or computer to start with, and ideally, something that isn’t completely ancient. Most guitar amp plugins ask for at least an i3 or i5 processor if you’re on Windows, and an Apple Silicon chip for Mac users. It does vary however, with older plugins requiring older machinery and vice versa.

A lot of plugins can run on older operating systems too, but I’d recommend Windows 10 or Mac OS 11 as a minimum to run your plugins. The general rule is the newer your OS is, the better, but of course that can run the other way as musicians found out with some of the recent Apple OS updates that nerfed their software.

You can probably get by with a machine that has 4GB of RAM, but to be on the safe side I’d recommend at least 8GB. Most newer machines will ship with this as a minimum. In terms of hard drive space, it can be anything from a few MB to several GB when it comes to how much space the plugin will take up so you’ll need to do your own research here.

Most plugin manufacturers list their system requirements on their website, so be sure to check those out if you have an older machine and want to run the latest plugins on it.

Audio interface

If you’re planning on recording or practicing at home with your computer and your guitar, then you’ll need an audio interface. An interface allows you to plug your guitar in, converting your real-world sounds into 1s and 0s that your computer can understand. Working like a tonal middleman, it’ll then convert those 1s and 0s back into analog sound so you can hear it through your monitors or headphones.

In terms of performance at the home studio level, modern audio interfaces are all very similar. To ensure you get good performance for your own setup, the combination of a modern computer and modern audio interface with a good driver on Windows will ensure your chosen guitar plugin performs well.

I recommend the following audio interfaces to get you started, all of which I’ve owned or tested:

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen - a good all-rounder.

Audient iD4 MKII - great sounding option, good for beginners.

Universal Audio Apollo Twin X - one for those who want a more premium experience.

IK Multimedia AXE I/O - a guitar-specific interface.

DAW

Once you’ve got your computer and interface sorted, if you want to record you’ll need to get your hands on a DAW. A good DAW will allow you to start creating your recordings, manipulating your sounds, and adding other instruments like drums, bass, and vocals.

I prefer to use Pro Tools which is the industry standard DAW, but there are a lot of different options out there that you can use like Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, Studio One, and Apple Logic Pro. Many of these have free versions or free trials, so I highly recommend you try out a few to find which works best for your particular workflow.

Studio headphones

I highly recommend going the route of studio headphones for beginners versus monitors, mainly because they’re cheaper, but they also prevent you from running into more complex issues with room resonances that studio monitors can present.

A good pair of studio headphones will ensure you’re getting the best possible sound from your guitar tones, isolating you from the room. They’re also a great shout for quiet practice later at night.

There are a million different options when it comes to studio headphones, so if you’re struggling to decide which to go for there are loads of great choices in our best guitar amp headphones guide.

Studio monitors

Studio monitors are a popular choice for guitarists who are primarily into recording, as they allow you to craft other elements of your mix accurately alongside your guitar playing. Be warned however, good studio monitors aren’t cheap, so you’ll need to spend if you’re going this route.

Studio monitors also benefit from an optimized space, which could potentially mean acoustic treatment to your room, monitor stands to get them in the right position, and isolation pads to prevent any sympathetic resonance with your stands or desktop. If you’re just practicing then these aren’t so much of a worry, but if you want to get accurate mixes you’ll need to start diving into these.

Some studio monitors that are good choices for those who want to head down this route:

Yamaha HS5 - a very neutral-sounding speaker.

KRK Rokit 5 G5 - a good option if you want more low-end.

Adam Audio T5V - a more premium option for better sound.

FAQs

How we test

When I test a guitar plugin I’m looking at them from a place of experience. My first guitar plugin was Line 6’s POD Farm which came out in 1998 (although I didn’t start using it til the early noughties) and I’ve been a regular user of guitar amp plugins ever since then. Together with my colleagues on the Guitar World team, we’ve got a considerable amount of real-world experience with guitar amp plugins, and the actual amplifiers that inspire them.

Before getting stuck into the plugin itself, I’ll need to install it and make a note of the installation process. Installing some music software can be a real pain, so I’m looking for an error-free, simple installation that will have me up and running as quickly as possible. All being well, a great guitar amp plugin will install quickly and be seamlessly picked up by my DAW, allowing me to get started straight away.

My next test is to look at the usability of the plugin. I’m looking to see how easy it is to create your own rig from scratch, as well as the general look and feel of things. A good guitar plugin should be easy enough for a newbie to navigate but also have enough depth for more experienced players to get the most out of it. I’ll try it both in my DAW and as standalone if it has that option, all the time being careful to note how easy it is to use.

Next, I’ll look at the sound of the plugin itself, using decades of experience testing and using actual guitar amps. I’m looking to see accurate representations of the actual amps the models are based on, and a similar thing with the effects. I’ll look at how easy it is to get the sound you want when creating something from scratch, how the EQ controls effects the amp and parameter controls affect the pedals, as well as getting in-depth with the cabinets to examine how each cab reacts differently to microphone positions.

Much in the same way we’d test a guitar amp, the sound portion of testing a guitar plugin is the real crux of the matter. This means we’ll spend a good amount of time testing, ideally two weeks or more to really live with the plugin in question and ensure we have a good understanding of how it will perform over time.

Read more about how how we test products and services and how we make our recommendations.

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I’ve been using guitar plugins for a long time, with my first foray being Line 6’s POD Farm back in the noughties, and ever since then, I’ve been using them for the majority of my home recording exploits. Amp plugins make it much easier to audition sounds, tweak settings, and get them fitting nicely into the mix, and with the recent advances in modeling tech, they sound nigh-on indistinguishable from the real thing.

I was provided access to all the Neural DSP plugins in this guide, so you can rest assured I’m not reading from the spec sheet here. I’ve used, recorded, and tweaked every single amp and effect of each plugin, ensuring that they're firmly put to the test to determine which is the very best for your particular use case.

In my opinion, if you’re looking for the utmost versatility in a Neural DSP plugin, you should go for Archetype: Nolly X. For those who prefer their tones on the heavier side of the spectrum, then I’d definitely recommend checking out Archetype: Gojira X.

Neural offers two-week free trials for each of their plugins, which is a great way to audition them before you commit to buying one. I’ve included sound samples for each plugin so you can listen to how they sound in the context of a mix as well as with solo guitar sounds to help you narrow them down. If you want to learn more about Neural’s plugins before you buy, check out our extensive FAQs section, and our how-to-use guide for more info.

My top picks

Best overall

Overview: Of all the guitar plugins I tried out for this guide, I found Neural DSP Archetype: Nolly X to be the most versatile. Whether you want pristine clean tones, mid-gain riffing, or searing leads, it has the versatility to cover everything that you need. With four amp models and seven effects (including the EQ section), it may not sound like much but you can cover a tremendous amount of ground with just this single plugin.

Usability: The interface is incredibly easy to use with everything clearly labeled for you. Even if this is your first plugin it won’t take you long to get up and running. Along the bottom, you have the ability to mix and match your amp and cab models, with them running left to right in order of dirtiness. This means you can quickly mix and match for your base level tone before diving deeper into the amp settings.

Along the top, you have separate options for your pre-amp stompbox section, amplifier, cab, EQ, and post-amp effects. Before the amp, you have your usual selection of compressor, two overdrives, and interestingly, a delay stompbox for some more ethereal sound exploration. After the amp, you can choose from a single delay and reverb. It doesn’t sound like much on paper, but sometimes having fewer options gets you to where you want to be much quicker.

Sounds: The sounds here are simply superb, and whether you’re playing funk, rock, metal, blues, country, or anything else, you’ll be able to dial in a tone that suits you. The four different amps each have their own character and there’s plenty of range within each. So you can get cleanish tones from the first two models as well as more gain-y sounds if you turn up the gain or add some overdrive in front.

The presets are fantastic too, which is where I encountered the first real issue with this plugin. There’s no easy way to save your favorite presets within the plugin itself. Instead, you’ll need to create your own folders on your computer itself, and either drag and drop presets, or go back into the plugin, rename, and then move it to the correct folder. With so many presets to choose from, this honestly feels like a real oversight and something that shouldn’t be that difficult to correct.

Neural DSP Archetype: Nolly X Sound demos

Best for metal

Overview: I had to pick Neural DSP Archetype: Gojira X as my top plugin for modern metal players. Gojira’s tone and techniques are so widely aped now that they’ve become a staple part of the genre, and this plugin gives you those exact sounds quickly and easily. With three amps and matching cabs that give you clean, rhythm, and lead tones plus a great selection of effects it’s the best choice for modern metallers.

Usability: The layout is similar to the other Neural DSP plugins in that you have your individual sections across the top. Gojira X features an additional expression section at the start that gives you a whammy-style effect and an octave pedal, a signature of the band's sound. Next up you have your pre-amp stomps with overdrive, dirt, phaser, and chorus effects.

Next up you’ve got your amp and cab sections, a separate EQ, and then finally your post-amp effects which feature delay and reverb. At the bottom of the plugin you can quickly select amp and cab models, and there’s a link button that allows you to mix and match or automatically select an amp with its matching cab. The ability to freely move the microphones to your preferred position in the cab section is really powerful too.

Sounds: From classic 80s metal tones to modern djent, Gojira X can handle pretty much anything heavy. The three amp models deliver pristine cleans, chunky crunch tones, and saturated lead sound in that order, and while there’s certainly flexibility in the ability to dial in rock and blues sounds, this plugin is definitely performing its best in the metal genre. One thing to note is that if you’re using your own IRs, there’s no way to audition a bunch of them in the plugin, instead you have to load them one by one which is a bit of a pain.

In terms of effects the whammy is absolutely superb, I didn’t notice any glitching manipulating it with my mouse, although you’ll need to delve into MIDI mapping to get the best out of it with an actual footswitch. Having two overdrives in front of the amp allows you to drive the clean amp really hard, getting dirty tones out of it, and provides plenty of saturation options when using the dirtier amp tones. There’s no ability to swap the modulation effects to after the amp which is a shame, but probably not a dealbreaker for most metal players.

The delay and reverb section has an excellent amount of options too. You can add tape saturation and modulation to the delay tails for some expansive warbling tones, and the reverb has a shimmer mode alongside handy low and high cut knobs that let you dial it in nicely when playing with a full mix. With a gigantic amount of presets to get you started from players like Nolly, Lee McKinney from Born of Osiris, Ihsahn of Emperor, and Greg Kubacki from Car Bomb, it’s a modern metal paradise in terms of tones.

Neural DSP Achetype: Gojira X sound demos

Best for clean

Overview: It was a toss-up between this and the Tone King plugin to determine the one with the nicest clean sounds, but in the end, I decided that Neural DSP Archetype: Cory Wong X delivers the best clean tones overall. Again, we’ve got three amp models and matching cabs, a generous nine effects to play with including the EQ section.

Usability: I really love the interface of Cory Wong X, it’s bright and clear without being too harsh on the eyes, and compared to some of the others which are very dark and moody, it’s honestly refreshing to look at. As with the prior Neural plugins the design is the same, you’ve got individual parts of the chain across the top with an expression section that features a wah pedal, a pre-amp effects with envelope filter, compressor, tube screamer, and an additional overdrive pedal.

Next up you have your standard amp and cab sections with the ability to tweak tones, move microphones, and load custom IRs. Post amp you’ve got a selection of chorus, delay, and reverb for dialing in more ambient soundscapes. Along the bottom of the screen, you can quickly select any amp head and cab combo, linking or unlinking them to mix and match tones.

Sounds: I started with the presets and to be honest, I find Cory’s own sounds a little too surgically clean for my taste. If you’re playing your favorite Jimmy Nolen licks or you like these modern, ultra-compressed clean tones it’s fantastic, but I like my cleans with a little ambiance on them. Thankfully with the post-amp effects section, you can absolutely dial in post-rock-friendly clean tones for epic auditory panoramas alongside fast tremolo picking and fingerpicked chord work.

The first amp model appears to be emulating that straight into the mixing console clean tone, with the second offering a warmer, fuller sound. The final amp adds a bit more hair and has a gain switch for some dirtier tones if wish. It won’t do metal tones of course, but you can definitely get some nice classic and modern rock tones out of it once you drive it harder with the two overdrive pedals. It can also do some nice DI bass tones too, making it more flexible then you might at first think.

Neural DSP Archetype: Cory Wong X sound demos

Best for bass

Overview: The Neural DSP: Parallax X plugin looks a little bit different from the rest, and is one of only two plugins the company offers exclusively designed for bass guitarists alongside the Darkglass Ultra and some select sounds in Archetype: Cory Wong X. Here, you have just a single amp and cab selection alongside compression, two flavors of distortion, and an EQ section. Don’t let that put you off though, this is an endlessly versatile plugin for bass.

Usability: I’ll admit to finding the user interface of Parallax X a little bit mystifying at first. At the top, you only have the choice of amp and cab section, whilst at the bottom of the amp screen there’s a section for low compression, mid distortion, high distortion, and equalizer. Each of these can be switched off at will and offer numerous options for tweaking your sounds. It’s quite basic visually compared to the other plugins I tested for this guide.

On the cab screen, you have two speakers to choose from and each can be miked up with varying condensers, dynamic, and ribbon microphones alongside the ability to load your own custom IRs. Again, you can freely move the microphone to any position within a 90-degree radius of the speaker cone, giving you the option for more direct sounds or warmer, softer bass tones.

Sounds: In terms of tones, you might think it’s limited with only one amp and cab to choose from, but you can get a surprisingly huge range of sounds out of it. Whether it’s funky slap tones, punchy pop, or metal grind Parallax absolutely delivered in my tests. There’s a huge array of presets that will cover the vast majority of tones for players, whether you’re a full-time bassist or a guitarist moonlighting on your own recordings.

For the serious bass players, the main amp section works like a graphic EQ and you have three points you can drag around the screen to tweak your tones to your liking. They work as low, mid, and high, with low moving between 70 and 400 Hz, the mids fixed at 400 Hz, while the high end can be moved between 100 Hz and 2 KHz. The additional EQ section gives you low and high cut controls, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, and 1.5 kHz, so there’s a huge amount of scope for nailing your desired bass tone.

The mid and high controls also have their own drive knobs for adding some grind to your tone, and once you get used to the overall look of it, it’s a really powerful interface for mixing in bass tones with drum and guitar sounds. My one criticism is that there are no modulation or octave effects, so if you like to add additional sounds to your bass tone, you’ll need to use plugins or plug regular stompboxes in front of your audio interface.

Neural DSP Parallax X sound demos

Best for rock

Overview: The Neural DSP tone King Imperial MKII would be my number one choice for anyone who plays rock, whether modern or classic. It can also do some phenomenal blues tones, so if you’re not the sort of player who’s into the decidedly heavy-tone skewed lineup Neural offers, this is the plugin for you.

Usability: Tone King has a slightly different look to the plugins I’ve tested thus far for the guide with a similar layout, but a slightly less polished aesthetic versus the newer versions. The general gist is the same though. Across the top, you’ve got expression, pre-amp effects, amp, cab, EQ, and post-amp effects to scroll through. At the bottom of the plugin, there are options to look at the front or the back of the amplifier.

Before the amp, you’ve got a wah pedal in the expression section, and a compressor with two overdrives to help tame or saturate your tones. The amp section offers some pretty standard options with a lead or rhythm channel, plus the option to add reverb and tremolo. As with all the plugins you can manipulate the mic position via your mouse, and there are options to mic the amp in mono or stereo. Finally, the post-amp effects include chorus, delay, and reverb.

Interestingly you can put the amp on standby (why you would want to do this I don’t know), attenuate the output, bypass the rhythm channel, and add some high-frequency compression. You can also change the color by clicking on the Tone King logo, switching between beige, black, green/blue, red, or brown.

Sounds: Out of all the plugins I tested for this guide, the Neural DSP Tone King Imperial MKII was my favorite. As a predominantly rock and metal player, it delivers an incredibly lifelike tube amp tone that’s really akin to playing through a real amp, with some incredibly satisfying amp tones that can cover a lot of ground. Whether you want classic rock, thick blues lead tones, or cutting modern sounds Tone King does it all.

Having a single amp to choose from stops you from getting option paralysis and although it doesn’t have as many presets as some of the others here, there are definitely plenty of options to get you started. It does phenomenal clean tones too, and if it wasn’t so versatile it might well have taken the spot for best cleans in this guide.

With such an excellent effects selection you can get a myriad of sounds out of it from experimental progressive rock tones to your classic rock and blues lead tones. It can’t do high gain, but it will cover pretty much any other style with the right amount of tweaking. The original Tone King is based on the Deluxe Reverb, which as one of the most popular and versatile amps ever made gives you some clue as to what this plugin is capable of.

Neural DSP Tone King Imperial MKII sound demos

Best for djent

Overview: I’ve gone for the Neural DSP Archetype: Rabea X as my favorite plugin for djent tones. That said, you could definitely cover the djent sound with Nolly X, Gojira X, Fortin, and the Soldano SLO-100 plugins. The reason I went for Rabea X over all of those? Well, it might be that low-tuned tones are the core of djent music, but ultimately you’ll need something super versatile to cover the span of sounds djent can contain, and Rabea X is nothing if not versatile.

Usability: We’re back to the more modern Neural plugin look with Rabea X which is a little newer than the previous two. Across the top, you have sections for synth, pre-amp stomps, amp, cab, an EQ section, and post-amp effects. With a full-on synth built into it, you’ve got the potential for some really wild sounds. The synth gives you an arpeggiator, two oscillators, a filter, and the ability to set it as pre or post and blend it into the mix of your overall sound. It’s an instrument in its own right with a huge amount of flexibility.

The pre-amp stomp section features a compressor, octave, fuzz, and overdrive pedals for plenty of gnarly gain sounds. The three amp models cover clean, rhythm, and lead tones with matching cabs that can be stereo-miked with a variety of different sounds. Again, you can load your own IRs if you wish but be warned, it’s painfully slow auditioning them if you don’t know your tones. The usual EQ section features a refreshed look versus the other plugins I tested, and finally, you’ve got delay and reverb stomps to choose from in the post-amp effects section.

Sounds: I picked Rabea X predominantly for its high-gain tones, but really it’ll cover a wealth of styles in the rock and metal sphere. The three amp types can give you spanky or ambient cleans, low and mid-gain crunch tones, and of course, all-out drop G# djent. It really does excel in the high gain though, and will definitely suit the heavier type of guitar player. With presets specifically for baritone and seven-string guitars plus a powerful noise gate, it’s definitely worth looking at if you’re into chugging.

The effects selection is really versatile, with most of the major effects covered. It’s nice to see a fuzz pedal in the selection too, something I didn’t come across much in the other plugins. Although the modeling world hasn’t quite got a good handle on fuzz yet, the vintage setting is particularly nice here. Dialing in more expansive post-rock tones is definitely viable here with some nice settings available on the reverb and delay including a freeze mode on reverb stomp. That said, it would be nice to be able to switch the effects chain around, a criticism that can be made of all the Neural DSP plugins to be fair.

The tracking via the synth is surprisingly good, and although you do get some artifacts here and there, it’s a natural effect of a guitar's dynamic that’s unavoidable. With careful playing, you can definitely make it sound as though it’s an actual synth, and using it to underpin your regular guitar tone makes for some really interesting timbres. Overall Rabea’s plugin is a really interesting one, but I loved it for its heavier sounds.

Neural DSP Archetype: Rabea X sound demos

Also consider

For me, the plugins are above are the ones you should be spending your money on, and will have most bases covered. I did get to test a wider range of the plugins however, so if you didn't quite find what you were looking for above, here's some more for your consideration.

How to use Neural DSP plugins

If it’s your first time using Neural DSP plugins, then like many guitarists you may find yourself struggling to get a good sound. Unlike plugging into a real amplifier, getting great tones out of a plugin requires a little more exploration as there are more working parts in between you and your sound. Here are some tips to get you started.

Input gain

We could write multiple articles on this subject alone, and input gain is something that’s been hotly debated online. There are multiple ways you can get the best sound, but what it really comes down to is ensuring you have a good level of signal going into your audio interface before you start messing with any settings in the plugin itself.

Many guitarists make the mistake of having their input gain too low or too high, which means when you get to the plugin itself it doesn’t sound quite right. To further complicate things, different audio interfaces offer different levels of gain on the input, so there’s no one setting that every guitarist can use.

What it boils down to is making sure you’ve got the right amount of input gain to get a good signal, so not too little, and not too much. Finding the sweet spot will take some experimentation but it’s well worth taking the time if you find you’re not quite getting the sounds you want from the Neural plugins.

Amp/pedal settings

Tweaking and amp and pedal settings is no different from what you’d do with the real deal, and here it’ll all come down to personal taste as to what suits you. You can’t mess with the order of things with the Neural plugins, so if a plugin has its chorus pedal before the amp you can’t change that. Neural plugins do feature a huge selection of presets, so if you’re not really sure what you want it’s easy enough to cycle through these to give you a good starting point.

Cab sims and IRs

In my opinion, the cab is the most important part of the whole sound, and tweaking here can have a significant impact on your overall tone. The built-in impulse responses in the Neural plugins allow you to freely move the microphone position, which gives you a lot of flexibility. You can stereo-mic them with different microphone types, which is what you’d do in actual studio environments.

The ability to load your own cab sims can offer even more flexibility, although as I’ve mentioned in the guide multiple times, the Neural plugins don’t do a great job of letting you audition 3rd-party IRs, so be prepared to slog through them all if you’ve got a large collection. I tried some of my York Audio IRs with the Neural plugins and they delivered some superb guitar tones, so it’s well worth exploring this avenue if you aren’t satisfied with the stock sounds.

EQ and compression

One thing to remember when listening to your favorite guitar player’s tones is that it’s unlikely you’re hearing them without EQ and compression. As a general rule, I like to start with cutting the lows from 60 Hz, and the highs from around 14 KHz. This takes out a lot of the low-end rumble and harsh high-end from the sound, which can give you a much more natural amplifier tone.

Compression is something that needs to be explored to your own taste. Many of the Neural plugins feature a compressor on the pre-amp effects which can help tame some of your playing dynamics. If you’re mixing multiple guitars together during recording, then bus compression can help tie everything together.

FAQs

How we test

When testing the Neural DSP plugins for this guide, I was given access to each of the plugins to personally test each. My tests were carried out using Pro Tools, a MacBook Pro M3 Pro, Yamaha HS5 monitors, Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro headphones, and a Universal Audio Apollo X4 Gen 2 as my recording rig. I used multiple guitars for my tests, including a Fender Telecaster, a Gretsch semi-hollow guitar, a Chapman Baritone, and a PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN.

For each plugin, I’ve provided an audio sample using a recent song I’m working on with my band. It includes a rhythm guitar part and a lead part. All rhythm parts were played with the default plugin setting (where appropriate) and the lead parts used a separate plugin. Apart from the Oxford Limiter on the master bus with a clean limit setting, I didn’t use any other plugins when exporting the audio, to ensure a completely uncolored sound sample.

Each audio sample features an ‘in-the-mix’ version as well as a solo guitar version. This is so you can hear how it might sound in your own productions versus how the guitar would sound on its own. All of the audio samples were played using my Telecaster in series mode, giving a humbucker-esque tone that’s well suited to the heavier style of the sound sample.

Aside from these tests, I also thoroughly explored the vast majority of the presets for each plugin, auditioning them through my studio monitors and headphones. Here I tried a variety of guitars to determine the sounds of each plugin and to see which category they’d best fit. During this phase, I made notes of how the interface feels, how easy it is to navigate, and whether everything is clearly labeled.

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Ask most players about bass picks and they’ll say thicker is better. While that’s partly true – since bass strings are much thicker than guitar strings – there are benefits to using thinner picks too. Thick picks offer more attack and durability, but thinner, more nimble picks can help you glide through bass runs with greater speed and less resistance.

Don’t get us wrong, the plectrum you like to use is largely down to personal preference. If you are just starting out, there is no substitute for buying a bunch of different picks, trying them out, and ultimately deciding what works best for you. However, this article is designed to help you whittle down the cornucopia of choice and help put you in the correct ballpark. 

On the other hand, if you are a seasoned player, experimenting with different bass picks can push you into new playing styles and expand your repertoire. It is always a good idea to have a variety of picks on hand, exploring different materials, gauges and shapes to keep things fresh. Keep reading to discover the best options on the market from brands like Ernie Ball, D’Addario and Dunlop.

Our top picks

Best overall

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a guitar store worldwide that doesn’t have Jim Dunlop’s color-coded Tortex plectrums hanging on the slat wall – and with good reason. Since its inception in 1981, the Tortex has been an industry standard, with bass players flocking to it from day one, and the popular little turtle doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon.

This staple offers everything a bass player might need in a plectrum. The treated Delrin material is not only durable but also features a unique, almost powdery finish that provides a fantastic grip. The coating is unobtrusive and does an excellent job of staying secure in your fingers. 

There’s a wide range of gauges available, but the 1.14mm stands out for bass players. It’s the perfect “Goldilocks” gauge – not too thick or thin, just right. This thickness is ideal for digging into the strings while still allowing for relatively smooth resistance during fast alternate picking. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the 1.14mm breaking easily under hours of heavy use, making it the best bass pick overall.

Best for grip

For years, Japanese brand Ibanez has been renowned for producing a wide variety of bass guitars, from cutting-edge active shred machines to semi-hollow short-scale models that deliver upright tones. With such a rich heritage, it’s no surprise that it also produce stellar bass picks to complement its instruments.

The Grip Wizard Series plectrums do exactly what their name suggests. Ibanez has finished these picks with sand on both sides for ultimate grip. If you tend to drop a plectrum mid-set, this is the option for you. It clings remarkably well to your fingers, and the only way it will leave your hand is if you put it down.

The teardrop shape is smaller than a standard plectrum but slightly larger than a Jazz III. Its compact size allows you to get close to the strings for controlled and speedy playing when needed. There are three gauges available – 0.8mm, 1.0mm, and 1.2mm – which cover a lot of ground, but those who prefer thinner gauges may find fewer options.

Best variety

The eagle has landed in the plectrum game, and just like its Slinky string range, Ernie Ball is onto a winner with the Everlast picks. Also similar to the Slinky strings, these picks are color-coded to indicate the gauge, matching the corresponding string pack. Pretty handy, right? Especially when you drop your pick on the floor at your desk or during a gig, as they are very bright. 

In terms of material, Ernie Ball sticks with what works: Delrin. It’s durable and responsive, and the non-slip matte finish on the Everlast picks provides a suitably grippy surface – no problems there. While the rounded tip might not be the best choice for ultra-fast runs, it helps produce a warm bass tone with a softer attack.

There’s also a variety of gauges to choose from, ranging from a very heavy 2.0mm for minimal flex to a thinner 0.6mm for less resistance when chugging out quick notes. Overall, the Ernie Ball Everlast is a durable yet versatile solution for a plethora of playing styles.

Best for punk

NOFX lead vocalist and bassist Michael John Burkett – better known as Fat Mike – has been churning out catchy bass riffs with the punk-rock outfit since 1983. A seasoned bass slinger, he’s earned himself a signature plectrum by Jim Dunlop. Surprisingly, it’s not a heavy, hard material for extra attack that he opts for, but rather a 0.6mm nylon pick. 

Sure, 0.6mm is on the thinner side, but nylon is also a highly flexible material, much less rigid than something like Delrin. This flexibility makes it easier to push through the strings for fast licks, providing extra bounce. It might seem counterintuitive, but bass heavyweights like Mark Hoppus and Matt Freeman are also fans of a thinner gauge.

Like standard nylon Dunlop plectrums, Mike’s signature pick offers a bit of grip on both sides. It also features NOFX branding, a nice touch for any die-hard fans. The bright pink color not only stands out but makes it easier to spot if you happen to drop it.

Best for leverage

Dunlop is one of the most recognizable brands in the plectrum game, and its experience and care are especially evident in the Primetone series. Made in the USA, these plectrums are hand-burnished, giving them a glossy finish that allows them to glide off strings with ease. Each pack comes with a signature by the person who has finished the pick, a nice touch from Dunlop. 

The sculpted edges enhance the Primetone’s ability to glide off bass strings, enabling expressive and quick playing. Available only in heavier gauges, the combination of sculpted edges and glossy finish allows the Primetone plectrums to move through strings with minimal resistance – something not typically experienced with these kinds of gauges.

Constructed from Ultex, the Primetone picks are incredibly durable and produce a bright, articulate tone that’s perfect for tight, syncopated funk bass lines. Additionally, the triangular shape of these picks enhances grip and provides leverage for digging in when needed.

Best value

If you ask anyone on the street to draw a guitar, they’d probably sketch a Stratocaster. Ask them to draw a bass guitar pick, and they’re likely to depict the shape of the classic 351 plectrum. This timeless shape, with its rounded tip, is a crowd-pleaser that appeals to a wide variety of players.

Available in three gauges – thin, medium, and heavy – these picks cater to most playing styles. The heavy gauge can withstand the rigors of heavy bass strings, while the thin and medium gauges are preferred by faster players.

Made from celluloid, these picks offer a bit of flexibility without being overly rigid, providing a balanced tone. The surface is smooth but not too slippery; however, if you find it challenging to keep hold of a pick while playing, you might want to consider one with more grip. And let’s talk about the finish – it’s fantastic! The checkerboard design pairs beautifully with the gold Fender logo, making it a perfect fit for any ska band.

Best for thickness

Gravity has been experiencing a notable ascendancy in recent years, largely thanks to collaborations with brands like JHS and Rob Chapman. But is all this hype worth it for bass players? Frankly, yes – especially when it comes to its Stealth Standard picks, which are available in a variety of heavy-gauge options.

Made from acrylic, these Gravity picks are incredibly durable and have a remarkable impact on tone largely due to their stiffness. You’ll notice a significant increase in volume and brightness while using Gravity plectrums, making them ideal for players who appreciate that extra oomph.

However, be aware that Gravity plectrums come with a premium price tag, so you might hesitate to take them gigging or to a sticky-fingered friend's house. That said, there's no denying the premium feel of these picks. They are available in either hand-polished or master-finished options. The former offers a smooth glide over the strings whilst the latter has rougher edges for digging in. 

The identical-tip 'tri-tip' design also adds versatility, meaning that if you drop the pick mid-set, picking it up from the floor is less of a gamble in terms of getting it the right way round.

Best for tone

Graph Tech is best known for its TUSQ composite nuts, which are used by most guitar brands worldwide. However, it's also got a few other tricks up its sleeve, like these fantastic plectrums. Available in three tone profiles – bright, warm, and deep – Graph Tech claims its picks can enhance your tone. After using a TUSQ standard for a while, we can honestly say that while the difference is subtle, it’s definitely there.

TUSQ picks achieve this by replicating the characteristics of tortoise shell and using a high stiffness-to-thickness ratio in these picks. The composite material, the same as that used in its nuts, feels comfortable in hand and provides an articulate attack.

We particularly enjoy the warm option for bass, especially for smooth soul and R&B lines. But if that’s not your vibe, the bright and deep options are worth checking out. Our only complaint is the limited gauge selection; a few more options would appeal to a wider range of bassists.

FAQ

What gauge is best for bass picks?

Ultimately, the best gauge – also known as thickness – of a bass pick will depend on your playing style and technique. The most common bass picks are typically heavier, with gauges like 1.0mm, 1.5mm, or 2.0mm being popular choices among bassists. Since bass strings are thicker than standard guitar strings, a thicker pick tends to last longer, offers more durability, and provides a more pronounced attack when striking those heavy bass strings. A thicker plectrum also grips the bass strings better, producing more volume when you dig in.

However, this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. Plenty of bass players prefer thinner picks. Thin picks are usually classified between 0.5mm and 0.73mm. Fat Mike, Mark Hoppus and Matt Freeman are all said to use 0.6mm plectrums, which are much thinner than you might expect from those kinds of players. Thinner gauges are great for fast playing because they offer less resistance, allowing you to push through the strings more easily, making for more efficient motion.

Your best bet is to experiment with different picks and see what suits your style and genre. Not every pick will give the same results, so it’s handy to have a variety on hand when you practice.

What material is best for bass picks?

There are many different materials manufacturers use to create bass plectrums, each with its own qualities that might appeal to you. Here’s a quick rundown of what different materials offer.

Delrin: Perhaps the most common, Delrin is a stiff plastic that doesn’t have much flex. Also known as acetal, this material offers plenty of bite and produces a bright tone.

Celluloid: Softer than hard plastics like Delrin, celluloid picks tend to wear down faster on bass strings. They feel soft and flexible and were the first alternative to tortoise shell.

Nylon: Like celluloid, nylon is soft and flexible. Nylon picks are popular among bassists who play fast, as there’s less resistance against the strings, allowing for easier movement.

Acrylic: This material is one of the thickest and stiffest. Tonally, acrylic is very bright and has a sharper attack compared to nylon. Acrylic plectrums can also be very thick, so if you prefer a chunky feel, this is the way to go.

What bass pick shape is the best?

Like the materials used, bass picks come in a variety of shapes. The most traditional is the teardrop, featuring a slightly rounded tip that's incredibly versatile across different playing styles. It allows for relatively fast alternate picking, though it may not be as precise as a sharp-pointed pick. The gripped end of the teardrop plectrum is very comfortable – neither too wide to be clumsy nor too short to control.

A rounded pick is exactly as it sounds, with a smooth, circular tip. This shape produces a warmer tone with a subtle attack. Triangular picks, on the other hand, offer three identical tips, making them handy if you switch picks frequently during a set. They provide the largest grip area, so if you often drop plectrums or find smaller picks tricky to control, a triangular pick might be your best option.

How we choose

Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best bass guitar picks available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best bass guitar picks on the market right now.

Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.

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Grabbing a set of the best in-ear monitors for guitar players can reap a number of benefits. First, you’ll hear what you need to hear clearly. They’re also a good way of protecting your hearing from loud on-stage volumes, plus they can help you pull off a slick live show and even improve your performance.

For me, the best in-ear monitors will offer high quality audio, replicating your guitar’s frequency range perfectly, directly into your ears. They’ll also have a good low-end response so you can keep track of where the bass is in your mix, and they’ll be robust enough to withstand the rigors of regular gigging.

Below, you'll find a range of options, but if you'd like to know my top pick before digging in, I've gone for the Shure SE846 - a premium option for guitarists. The IEMs don't come cheap, but they have customization options and offer balanced audio and excellent sound isolation.

If you're looking for further information, I've included a FAQ section below which should hopefully check any queries you may have about in-ear monitors.

My top picks

Best overall

The Shure SE846s in-ear monitors are a top choice for guitarists due to their exceptional sound quality and robust build. They feature four high-definition drivers that deliver a clear and balanced sound, which makes them perfect for hearing the full range of your guitar.

The SE846 also include customizable frequency response settings, and this allows you to tailor the sound to your preference. Sound isolation with these in-ears is excellent, providing up to 37dB of ambient noise reduction, ensuring you can focus on your performance.

However, the big downside with the Shure SE846 is that they come with a high price tag, and some users might find the fit slightly bulky.

Best budget

For guitarists seeking a budget-friendly yet reliable set of in-ear monitors, the MEE Audio M6 PRO are an excellent choice. These IEMs offer great value with their clear and balanced sound, thanks to the single dynamic driver that delivers good detail across all frequencies.

The flexible memory wire ensures a secure and comfortable fit, which is crucial for long practice sessions and performances. The M6 PRO also boast impressive noise isolation, helping guitarists stay focused even in noisy environments. Durability is another strength, with a detachable, replaceable cable that adds longevity to the product.

While the sound quality may not match higher-end models, the MEE Audio M6 PROs provide an excellent entry point for guitarists looking to enhance their audio experience without breaking the bank.

Best mid-range

The Westone AM Pro X30 are a versatile choice, featuring three balanced armature drivers that offer a rich and detailed sound. They excel in delivering a well-balanced mix of lows, mids and highs, crucial for guitarists needing clarity in every note.

The compact and lightweight design ensures comfort and a secure fit. Their party trick is the way they allow some ambient noise in, making them great for live performance where hearing the feedback from the crowd and your bandmates can be a positive thing.

On the downside, the AM Pro X30 lack some of the customisation options found in higher-end models, but their performance and comfort make these a great mid-range option.

Best single driver

The idea behind this incredible set of in-ear monitors from Sennheiser is to replicate the same sort of nuance and dynamics that you get with monitor speakers. This means you’ll hear every minute detail of your playing, making them perfect for bands that utilize a wide dynamic range.

The single driver offers an brilliant, fast response across the entire frequency range, allowing you to hear everything that’s going on in the mix.

The casing of the earphones is made from a resistant metal that’s even stronger than steel and is also resistant to corrosion and scratches. The cable is super hard-wearing too, and you get three sets of foam and three sets of silicone earbuds included in the box.

Best for bass

The Ultimate Ears UE 11 Pro are a premium option, known for their quad-armature design that provides incredible detail and clarity. They feature a dedicated driver for bass, making it perfect for guitarists – and bass players – who want to feel the depth of their lower notes.

The custom-molded fit ensures unparalleled comfort and sound isolation. Robust build quality makes them a durable choice for professional use. However, the custom-molding process and high price might be prohibitive for some, but the investment is worthwhile for serious musicians seeking top-tier performance.

Best home studio

The Audio-Technica ATH-E70 are praised for their accurate sound reproduction, thanks to their triple-armature drivers, which deliver a balanced and natural sound, allowing guitarists to hear their instrument clearly in any mix. The design offers good comfort and sound isolation, essential for stage and studio use.

One of this model's strengths is the durable build and detachable cable, adding to the IEMs' longevity. However, some users may find the fit less secure compared to custom-molded options, and their sound profile might be too flat for those preferring more pronounced bass.

Best customization

The 64 Audio A6t in-ear monitors stand out with their six-driver configuration, offering a wide and dynamic soundstage. They are specifically designed to provide a balanced sound, making them ideal for guitarists who are looking for precision across all frequencies.

The custom-molded fit ensures excellent comfort and top-level noise isolation and one unique feature is the apex module, which reduces ear fatigue by allowing air pressure to escape.

While their customization and sound quality are top-notch, the A6t are on the pricier side, and don't forget that the custom fit process does require an extra step for users.

Best value

Boasting crisp highs and strong and responsive lows, the Shure SE425 IEMs offer guitar players everything they need in terms of monitoring to perform live. They’re also sound-isolating, which isn’t the same as noise-cancelling – it’s a more natural way of blocking out external sound. It means they will essentially work as really good earplugs as well as monitors.

In addition to this, the design of the earbuds allows the sound to emanate closer to your eardrum so the actual volume can be lower, protecting your hearing in the long run.

The cable is detachable from the earphones so if something goes wrong later down the line, it’s likely that you’ll just have to replace the cable instead of the whole thing. You also get a range of foam earbuds to choose from, allowing you to get them as comfortable as possible.

FAQ

Opting for a set of in-ear monitors will no doubt change how you approach live shows, but which one is right for you? There are lots on offer right now, all covering different budgets, so here are some considerations to make first.

Comfort

Comfort is incredibly important when it comes to in-ear monitors. It’s hard to judge how comfortable something will be until actually experiencing it, but when shopping for in-ear monitors, you can look out for models that have interchangeable earbuds and maybe a few different sizes of eartips included.

Of course, for the most comfortable experience, you can go down the custom route. There are many companies out there that take molds of your ears from which to make custom earpieces that fit perfectly in your ear.

Sound quality

The main point of in-ear monitors is to be able to hear yourself properly. As with anything audio-related, the market offers various levels of quality. If you’re playing in local bars but you want to save your ears while still being able to hear yourself, then something at the lower end of the options I've listed above will be fine.

If you’re playing at bigger venues with better PA systems, higher quality mics, preamps etc, then investing in IEMs that offer high-fidelity sound quality will certainly benefit you.

In-ear monitors that provide a clear and balanced frequency range and lots of dynamics will allow you to hear everything that’s going on in the mix so you can adjust your playing as necessary.

A similar thing can be said for the studio. Whether you’re tracking or mixing, using in-ear monitors can provide a different listening experience and, when used alongside monitor speakers, can result in better, more well-rounded mixes

How we choose in-ear monitors

Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar and bass related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best pedal amps available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best pedal amps on the market right now.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability.

Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.

Why you can trust us

Guitar World boasts more than 44 years of expertise and stands as the ultimate authority on all things related to guitars. The magazine and website feature expertly written gear round-ups and top-quality, authoritative reviews penned by a team of highly experienced industry professionals.

Guitar World's inaugural print issue hit the shelves in July 1980, and ever since, it has been captivating players and enthusiasts with engaging lessons, insightful interviews with the biggest guitar heroes, and priceless buying advice for newbie players.

Furthermore, GuitarWorld.com continues this legacy online and serves as the hub of the world's foremost authorities on guitar playing. The site not only hosts content from Guitar World but also showcases articles from respected publications such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar Techniques, and Bass Player.

With a reach extending to 3.8 million players each month, GuitarWorld.com is a go-to destination for guitar fanatics globally.

Meet the experts

If you’ve never considered which cable is best, you’re not alone – even veteran guitarists may never have taken time to mull over what makes a cable good or bad for them. But with this guide we can help you make a confident choice.

What does a guitar cable do?

Firstly, it is worth touching on what specifically a guitar cable – often referred to as a jack cable – does. Fortunately, it’s pretty simple. A guitar cable carries the electrical signal generated by your guitar's pickups to an amplifier or your audio equipment of preference. That’s it. This differs from other kinds of cables that you may find in a stage or studio environment that carry other things aside from electrical signals – for example an XLR (microphone cable) can also carry power.

We go into more detail on how guitar cables work in this explainer feature.

Style

In terms of the appearance of guitar cables, they tend to follow pretty much the same general design, barring the odd wild color – which, unfortunately, doesn't translate to a miraculously better tone, so go with whichever color suits you best! 

That’s because a standard cable, composed of a conductive metal core wrapped in an outer jacket, is at its most effective when it’s a flexible, straight cable – hence why the vast majority of them look the same. There isn’t much room to improve the appearance of a cable without hindering its ability to effectively do its job.

One notorious outlier in appearance is the coiled cable. Coiled cables look cool, but they have drawbacks: owners will agree they take up additional space and never quite fall as you want them to. More importantly, they have higher capacitance due to their longer length (if they were stretched all the way out). Higher capacitance means your guitar’s signal loses some characteristics, notably the high end, making your tone sound more dull. That said, this is usually barely noticeable, so if you love the look, then go for it.

Length

Length is important to factor in when buying a cable. If you’re playing live, are you more of a shoegazing type who will happily stay planted in one spot? Or are you more of an Angus Young type who likes to make the absolute most of the stage? 

There’s nothing more embarrassing than trying to strut your way around the stage, then yanking your lead out of your amplifier and noticing you can no longer hear yourself; rest assured, everybody else noticed it too. Make sure you get a lead that is long enough for your preferred level of stage movement, though do bear in mind that a longer lead will mean a larger price tag and the same capacitance issue we covered with the coiled cable. Alternatively, consider a wireless set-up that gives you total freedom of the stage.

Perhaps you’ve just got hold of your first couple of pedals and now need to connect them up? You could do this with a standard 10ft-long guitar cable, but that will leave a lot of unnecessary cable between each pedal. To avoid this, pedals will typically be joined by patch cables. These will be optimized for pedals by being much shorter –typically only around 6-inches – and feature right-angle connectors to minimize the amount of space taken up by cables on a pedalboard, allowing you to get pedals much closer to each other.

Connectors

Some standard cables may also feature angled connectors – for guitars such as a Gibson Les Paul, which feature their jack input on the bottom, this is a handy addition that keeps you from banging the cable and risking snapping the end off; however this wouldn’t be as suitable for a Stratocaster, which features the jack input on the front and at an angle, which is designed to work best with a standard, straight jack.

Cable durability

Cables have a habit of dying at exactly the wrong moment. Cheaper cables will typically be made of affordable materials, and their components (e.g. connectors) will be both poorer quality and have been soldered weakly, meaning the connections may not last as long, particularly if they’re subject to wear and tear. Fortunately, as cheap cables can come in at only a few dollars each, they’re not too painful to replace; however, it may be an idea to buy multiple cables at once, giving yourself an insurance policy if one of them breaks down.

Alternatively, premium cables will typically be more durable, being made from higher quality components and with more care taken in the manufacturing process, so they should last longer and wear much better. Many cables now come with warranties, which cover you if they break – though this will not include any excessive damage if you don’t look after them. You will also likely need to keep track of your original purchase receipt, so don’t lose it!

Other features to look out for

It’s always worth looking for a shielded cable, which will have a material that stops electrical interference from the outside world being picked up by the conductive part of your cable, which can produce hum. If you consider that a typical stage will have multiple amplifiers, pedalboards, powered microphones and a PA system, there are a lot of different electrical signals going on which typically don’t play nicely with your guitar’s own. Shielding can only do so much to stop noise/hum entering your circuit – your guitar itself will be the biggest culprit of opening the door to noise – but every little helps and the best cables will have excellent shielding.

Some cables have additional features, such as circuit breaker switches, that mean you can silently unplug and switch instruments – we’ve all been there, unplugging your guitar while it’s still plugged into the amp and faced with a big ‘pop’; this switch avoids that. This is something to consider if you make a lot of instrument changes during a set.

99 percent of guitars will use standard jack cables, but there are odd occasions where a specific cable needs to be used; for example if the guitar needs to transmit additional data aside from just an electrical signal from the pickups. 

Where using different cables is becoming more common, however, is with effects pedals. Some pedals feature stereo input and output, which may come in the shape of two standard mono jacks for the left and right signals coming out of the pedal, or one single stereo jack or TRS cable – this is the case on the MXR M300 reverb pedal. 

These cables are easy to find, and much more common to use for stereo instruments such as keyboards, but it’s something to consider if you want to make use of the stereo capabilities of your pedals.

Should you build your own cables?

If you have a penchant for DIY, then perhaps buying a ready-made cable isn’t for you. Why not build your own? There are even a number of manufacturers who will package up the equipment for you to do this, and you don’t necessarily need a soldering iron either, as some offer solderless cable kits.

Typically, players would lean towards building their own cables if they needed a specific length, for example when building a pedalboard and there's a requirement for a patch cable of a certain length. Whilst patch cables come in many lengths, nothing satisfies the neat-freak more than having a cable that fits perfectly between your pedals. Building your own cable also gives valuable insight into how cables are built and how to fix them when they break.

Conclusion

Most guitar cables will do a job for you, regardless of which specific one you go for. If you’re keen to get going as quickly and cost-effectively as possible, budget own-brand cables may be ideal, but these likely won’t deliver the durability of more expensive cables, so it may be worth making a larger initial investment to save money down the line.

Above all, always make sure you buy the right cable for the right job – for example the often unheralded little patch cable is a crucial component in building the tonal kingdom at your feet and should be given as much thought as your primary instrument cable. They may not be exciting, but every guitar cable in your circuit should be given the consideration and investment it deserves.

Fender amps have been so many players’ number one choice since the 1950s, and they still are to this day. Look on any stage, big or small, or in any studio, and it won’t be long before you spot a Fender amp. 

There is a huge range of Fender amps across the line-up, from affordable solid state models aimed at beginners in their bedrooms to versatile modeling amps, all the way to pro-level amps designed for grand stages – and we've played pretty much all of them. In this guide we’ll break down the different Fender amp models available today, looking at the sorts of tones they’ll produce and the prices you can expect to pay. We've also provided a handful of recommendations that we swear by if you're looking to pick one up. 

All Fender amps can be categorized as either solid state/modeling or tube, so that's how we've broken them down for this guide. 

• We've broken down Fender's guitar ranges, too

Solid state & modeling amps

Fender Frontman ($80-100)

These are very basic, entry-level amps primarily aimed at beginners. They’re affordable and easy to use, with just a few controls. You’ve got the option of clean and distorted sounds with some EQ options too. There are 10W and 20W models, so probably not enough to play live with, but perfect for home use or jamming with other guitar players.

If you’re after your first amp to cover a range of different genres and want to keep things simple and straightforward, then the Frontman series is for you.

Fender Champion ($130-400)

These are basic modeling amps, which means they recreate the sound of a bunch of other, more expensive amps. The Champions are still affordable, and provide excellent value for money, but they offer a wide range of different tones.

Whether you want sparkling clean tones or chunky, distorted sounds, the Champion amps can do it. There is also a small but useful range of effects on board too, so you can start getting a little more experimental with your sound. They’re great for beginners, but more experienced players may also enjoy using them. 

Unlike many other modeling amps, the Champions don’t have any screens or menus to navigate, which makes them incredibly easy to use. There’s no scrolling through presets here – simply dial in your tone using the knobs laid out in front of you and away you go. With models ranging from 20W to 40W, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs. 

Fender Mustang ($160-480)

The Mustang range represents a sleek, modern approach to guitar amplifiers. These are modeling amps and they contain a plethora of different tones, suitable for any style of music you can think of. Cleans, overdriven sounds, metal tones – they’re all in there. 

You’ve got tons of different options when it comes to selecting your amp voicing; from classic Fender models to more mid-heavy British-style sounds and beyond, the Mustangs cover a lot of ground. There’s then a very extensive effects section. 

When you first plug into one, you’re instantly greeted by some incredible presets that you can easily scroll through. Some of these have even been crafted by some big artists. You can, of course, tweak these to your liking, or create your own from scratch. 

You can make all the changes on the amp, or you can download the Fender Tone app and control your sounds via your smartphone or tablet (not available on all models) – whichever you find easier. Within this series, you’ve got a range of different models going all the way up to 100W amps ready for the stage.  

Fender Tone Master ($950-1,350)

Each model within the Tone Master series focuses on one specific vintage amplifier and tries to replicate the sound and behavior of that amp. The Tone Masters are modeling amps and are equipped with some pretty amazing technology. 

For years, players have lusted after the full, rich clean tones associated with old Fender amps. There’s then the way that they break up as you gradually turn them up – doing this has created some of the most iconic rock tones ever heard. However, doing so isn’t always practical – these old amps didn’t have master volumes so the only way to get any gain was by running them loud. 

The Tone Masters allow you to get those luscious clean tones as well as the cranked overdrives at sensible volumes. They also respond and compress in a very similar way to the originals – plenty of experienced players can’t tell the difference in a blind test. In addition, they’ve got some really cool modern features like being able to take a direct output from the amp with speaker emulation for sending to a PA or audio interface.

If you want the sound and feel of a classic old Fender amp, but you want it lighter and more practical for the modern age, then these are for you!

Tube amps

Fender Bassbreaker ($800-1,100)

The Fender Bassbreaker amps all do something slightly different, but their overall aim is to be versatile. If you’re getting a Fender amp, you probably want some nice clean tones, which these amps can dish out. However, they can also overdrive really nicely too, so if you need to cover a range of tones with a reliable but relatively affordable tube amp then check out the Bassbreakers. 

Hot Rod ($650-1,200)

The Fender Hot Rod series has been around for years and a good few of the models within it are some of the best-selling tube amps on the market. 

They’re all tube and they range from the super simple 15W Pro Junior, armed with just a volume and a tone knob, all the way to the 2x12” speaker-equipped Hot Rod DeVille 212 rated at 60W that will allow you to shift some serious air when you need it to. 

The Hot Rods are fairly versatile – of course you’ve got the signature Fender clean tones, but most of them also allow you to dial in a bit of grit at sensible levels too. If you’re after high-gain then perhaps look elsewhere. They do take pedals well too, so if you’re after a relatively blank canvas for your pedalboard then one of these could be what you’re looking for. 

These are solid, reliable tube amps and they won’t break the bank. They’re real workhorses and as such, you’ll see them on stages and in studios all over the world.

Super-Sonic ($1,500-1,700)

The Fender Super-Sonic is somewhat of a slept-on amp, particularly in the rock world. It’s a wildly versatile amp – you’re able to dial in thick, glassy cleans, not too dissimilar to a Deluxe Reverb, but you can then switch over to a ferocious dirty channel that’s got enough gain on tap to deal with most styles of rock. Whether you want Texas blues crunch, or gnarly classic rock punch, it’s all there. 

Vintage reissues

Fender makes a wide range of pro-level tube amps that are based on specific models from what many consider to be the company's golden era. Fender’s ’65 and ’68 reissues are snapshots of the famed Black Panel and Silver Panel eras and give players vintage tones and features. You’ll also see a few other models reissued from other years such as ’64 or even the late ’50s (the latter will be tweed covered). 

If you want a Fender amp that’s going to sound and react how they did back then, without seeking out a genuine vintage model, then this is the way to go. It’s worth noting that these don’t have master volumes, so if you want overdrive out of the amp, then the only way you’ll get that is by cranking up the volume! If you’ve got the capacity to turn them up then you will be rewarded with some of the best-sounding crunch you’ll ever hear.

Amps like the Vibro Champ and the Princeton can be turned up without things getting crazy loud, but you’re still talking way above bedroom levels. Some players like to use these lower wattage models live as, when set right, they can get clean tones fairly loud, but with a bit of a boost from a pedal can be pushed into beautiful overdrive. 

Our recommendations

Solid State/Modelling

Tube amps

In the simplest terms, a guitar cable carries the signal produced by the guitar’s pickups to wherever it needs to be. The signal produced by (passive) pickups is quite weak; it’s a low DC current with a small voltage. This then passes through the cable and is eventually amplified by your amp, and the signal is heard through the speaker. 

You might also hear guitar cables being referred to as leads, or cords – but all these terms are interchangeable. 

In this piece we’re going to look at everything from the materials most cables are made of, exactly how they work, plus explore how factors such as capacitance and cable length can have an impact on cable performance. 

What are guitar cables made from?

Most guitar cables are constructed using a copper core – you might see other high-conductivity materials being used here, such as gold, but copper is most common – as the aim is to transfer the signal from one end to the other. Next up is an insulating layer, then a wire-braided shield to help prevent external interference. Finally, cables have a durable, but flexible outer jacket.

Guitar cables are unbalanced – that means that only one copy of your signal is passing through it. This is opposed to a balanced cable which carries your signal alongside an inverted version of it – this helps cancel out any extraneous noise it picks up along the way.

As a result of our guitar cables being unbalanced, things like fluorescent lights, mobile phones and other electronic equipment can interfere and cause a slight hum or unwanted noise, which is then of course amplified by our guitar amp. This is why shielding is such an important part of a cable. High-quality cables may boast multiple layers of shielding to ensure this unwanted noise is kept to an absolute minimum. They may also have different materials for the outer jacket to ensure longevity and durability.

Jack plugs

At either end of the cable is a 1/4” jack connector plug. These are connected to the copper core and are the part of the cable that connects to your equipment. They’re often made from steel or brass and coated in gold or nickel.

Whilst you might look at ‘gold-plated’ and instantly think that they will sound better, it’s worth noting that they don’t really make a difference. Gold is used because it doesn’t corrode – that said, so little gold is actually used that it can wear off over time. Nickel, on the other hand, is tougher.

In our experience, if the jack plug looks like it’s thin and won’t withstand a great deal of wear and tear, then it probably won’t! Guitar cables are available with straight jacks or angled jacks, which can be better suited to particular guitars or pedals. 

Capacitance

If you’ve been looking around at different guitar cables, you might have noticed the word ‘capacitance’ being knocked around. Without getting too technical, all guitar cables hold some level of electrical charge as they are essentially just a really long capacitor, going from the pickup in your guitar to wherever you’re sending it. A higher capacitance means that it can hold more charge.

With guitar cables, we don’t want there to be lots of electrical charge present – we want the signal to flow smoothly from one place to another. Capacitance actually has an impact on the sound you hear from your amp, too. Higher capacitance cables will mean that your top-end frequencies are gradually rolled off, resulting in a darker, less trebly tone. Conversely, low capacitance cables will mean that that treble roll-off is lessened and you’ll get a brighter sound.

Cable length

The effect of cable length on your tone is very much related to capacitance. Regardless of how low-capacitance your cables are, you’ll still get more capacitance the longer your cable is. Many claim that you can start hearing a difference with a regular, good-quality (but not amazing) cable around 15-18ft. At this point, what you’ll hear will be very subtle, but the longer the cable is, the more those treble frequencies will start to disappear. 

That’s one of the reasons some players try and choose the shortest cable they can get away with. Another workaround is to use a buffer pedal. These help combat the top-end roll-off you experience with long cable runs by enhancing the signal. If you’re using a complex pedalboard then you can play around with the buffer’s placement to see where it works best. 

There are players out there that use the treble-taming properties of longer cables to their advantage though. If you’ve got a really bright guitar and amp, then a long cable with higher capacitance could work to your advantage, cutting out the frequencies you don’t want and focusing on the ones you do. 

Patch cables

If you’re building a pedalboard, then you’ll likely want a number of small guitar cables to connect your pedals to one another. These are called patch cables. 

They are designed exactly for this purpose and mean that you don’t have huge lengths of cable running between your pedals – this would result in both increased capacitance and an unholy mess!

When investing in cables for your ‘board, it’s worth opting for the best quality ones you can afford. Using a bunch of cheap cables between multiple pedals could potentially mean that you’re gradually sucking the tone from your signal between each pedal.

The jack plugs are especially worth considering on patch cables too – if space is at a premium, then you might want flat, or ‘pancake’ plugs, as these let you fit your pedals closer together.

Final thoughts

In general, it’s worth buying good quality guitar cables. While they won’t add anything to your tone (despite some marketing claiming that they will), bad cables can take away from it. 

Cheap, poorly designed cables can be really susceptible to interference, and might even make noise as you move them along the floor – not ideal if you’re active on stage! Also, if you’ve invested carefully in your guitar, amp and pedals, then it’s worth paying a bit extra to make sure they’re properly connected and can be heard as intended.

Quality guitar cables might not be the most exciting things to spend your money on, but they’re definitely worth it. Plus, the old saying ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ is incredibly relevant here!

If you’re looking to breathe some life into a classical or Flamenco guitar, then there’s no better or easier way than fitting it with a set of the best nylon guitar strings. 

Whether you’ve inherited an old classical and you fancy learning guitar yourself, or you’re a seasoned player looking to perform some regular maintenance, the best nylon guitar strings will improve the instrument’s sound, feel, tuning and intonation. 

Nylon guitar strings have come a long way since their inception. Many classical and Flamenco guitars were actually strung with catgut strings, among other natural materials, until around World War II. Now though, they’re made from nylon and other similar synthetic materials. 

There are loads of different ones on offer, and will suit different guitarists and playing styles. We’ve picked out what we reckon are the best nylon guitar strings, covering a range of features and budgets. 

Product guide and reviews

Buying advice

Tension

With all of the best nylon guitar strings, you’ll see them labeled as either soft/low, medium/normal or hard/high/strong tension. This is sort of similar to the gauges that you’d see on electric and steel acoustic strings in that it affects how they feel under the fingers and the sound you get. 

Nylon strings are naturally softer than steel strings, but soft tension are the most easy-going on your fingers. The reduced tension means you don’t have to press down quite as hard, which can help those just starting out. You’ll usually get a super mellow tone with a relatively slow attack to the notes. 

Conversely, hard tension nylon strings provide a brighter and snappier tone, with a quicker attack – they’re slightly louder too. There’s more tension, so slightly more pressure is required to press the string down properly. The higher tension also means they’re well suited to hybrid guitars that feature a truss rod running through the neck. Players who use a pick might also like the resistance that the higher tension provides. 

As you’d expect, medium tension strings sit somewhere in the middle making them a good starting point if you don’t know which way to go! 

Ball end

When you take them out of their packet, most nylon strings don’t have anything at either end. When restringing, you feed the string through the hole and then make a loop and tie it underneath itself. Some find this to be quite fiddly and tricky, but after a bit of practice, it’s easy enough (there are plenty of tutorial videos out there showing you what to do).

Some manufactures do offer ball ends on their nylon strings. This makes installing the strings a lot easier – all you need to do is feed the string through the bridge and the ball end will hold it in place. 

Materials

You might expect nylon strings to be made of, well, nylon – and you’d be sort of right. The thinnest three strings are usually made from a single nylon filament. Sometimes, you might see carbon strings advertised – the treble strings here are made from fluorocarbon and sound brighter and puncher. 

The bass strings (the three thicker ones) feature a core, wrapped by windings – not unlike electric and steel acoustic strings. With nylon strings, the core is usually a multifilament nylon or composite material, and the windings are made from copper – often coated in silver or bronze.

Silver is a touch warmer sounding, and 80/20 bronze tends to be brighter and snappier, with more sustain. Sometimes, you might have a naturally dark or bright sounding instrument, so choosing your strings to complement or counterbalance this can help you nail your tone.

Can I use steel strings on a classical or Flamenco guitar?

Whilst you will be able to fit steel strings to your classical or Flamenco guitar, they are not designed for it, and you could end up damaging your guitar. Steel strings apply more tension to the neck, and, given that most nylon-strung guitars aren’t fitted with a truss rod to strengthen them, that tension could then warp the neck and, over time, make it unplayable. 

How we choose

Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar and bass related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best nylon guitar strings available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best nylon guitar string on the market right now.

Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.

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• Best acoustic guitars under $500: including acoustic electric guitars
• Check out the best acoustic guitar pickups

And so began a long line of Fender signature guitars and basses, which continues to grow to this day. There are lots of different models available today, all boasting different specs, tailored to each artist. Some players want particular pickups, different neck profiles, more versatile control panels – even new, one-off finishes.

Fender endorses a massive range of artists, too – from country and metal, to blues and R&B – basically any genre you can think of, Fender probably has a finger in that pie.

We’ve picked out five of our current favorite Fender signature models (we've stuck to electric guitars for this feature as there currently aren't enough great signature basses to justify a separate list), as well as highlighting some other artists that we think are crying out for a Fender collaboration.

5 Fender signature models we love

Using a few of Marr’s early-to-mid ’60s Jaguars as a starting point, Fender and the former Smiths man have created a highly modded indie machine.

Starting off with a pair of Johnny Marr signature Bare Knuckle single-coils, you get all the chime and bright, articulate twang you’d expect from a Jaguar, with a little more focus and resonance from the fact that the polarity of the pickups hasn’t been reversed.

The switching system is actually very different to your typical Jag though. Instead of the three individual switches, there’s a four-way toggle switch – this gives you each pickup, and then the option of both pickups in series, and in parallel. What would normally be the rhythm circuit switch at the top is now a high-pass filter switch, alongside a second filter switch that only works when the pickups are in series.

One mod that many players make on a Jag, and indeed has also been made on this, is replacing the classic saddles with Mustang saddles so that the strings sit in place better, as well as altering the bridge screws slightly so that there’s more stability. 

All in all, it’s an incredibly well-made and well-thought out Jaguar that is perfect for the modern player. It has come about from years of road-testing prototypes before the finished product was released. Go and watch Marr play any of his shows, and you’ll see him using these live.

This is probably one of the most striking signature guitars that Fender offers. Finished in the amazing Chrome Glow and more recently, Blue Marlin, you can make an impression before even playing a note.

Whilst it’s visually got some futuristic vibes about it, the multiple Grammy award-winning H.E.R.’s signature guitar has a variety of both modern and vintage features adorning it. It’s fitted with a trio of Vintage Noiseless pickups. These give you a nice variety of classic early Strat tones. They’re bright and clear, but also have a nice, warm attack. Plus, with them being Noiseless, you don’t suffer from any background hiss or hum, making this an excellent tool for recording musicians.

The neck profile is a comfortable mid-60s C – this will likely be very playable for a wide range of guitarists, it’s neither too thick nor too thin. Everything else – hardware etc – is pretty much everything you’d expect from a top-of-the-range Mexican Fender Strat. It holds its tuning nicely, the vibrato system works well and so on.

It’s nice that Fender are branching out from the typical rock and blues players and endorsing someone from the R&B world. H.E.R. is an incredible artist and a very talented player, so it couldn’t be more deserved! 

This is a made-in-Mexico take on a US-made Custom Shop’s take on a 1960 Strat. Fender wanted to make a more affordable version of the grunge star’s most prized battle axe, and it’s fair to say that they absolutely nailed it with this. 

Though not everybody likes a relic job, the attention to detail on the finish is excellent – better than most you’d find without paying a good amount extra. The relic on the neck feels really nice, and coupled with the slim neck profile actually makes for a very fast-playing guitar. 

The pickups fitted are vintage-voiced, as per Mike’s original 1960 Strat. They’re bright without being cutting, and offer amazing clarity and note separation. Of course, you get that incredible, warm neck position Strat tone, which really excels through a mildly driven tube amp. It can handle a good amount of gain and fuzz too – as you’d hope from one of grunge’s biggest players. Though, as any good Strat should, it cleans up beautifully too.

To be honest, this just makes for a really nice 1960 Strat reissue, without paying Custom Shop money. Looking at it, you wouldn’t really know it’s a signature model, so it will appeal to anyone that’s a Strat fan, as well as Pearl Jam super fans.

Read our full Fender Mike McCready Stratocaster review

Here you’ll find a premium, no-nonsense twin-humbucker Telecaster from one of blues’ hottest young stars – Christone ‘Kingfish' Ingram.

One of the main unique features of this guitar is the use of two custom-made humbucking pickups, voiced especially for the main man himself. These excel through a nicely overdriven rig, delivering powerful, punchy tones but with plenty of clarity and note definition. They will growl and rip when you need them to, but will also clean up real nice as well, making them extremely versatile.

What’s really nice about the layout of this twin-humbucker set-up is that each pickup has its own volume and tone knob. That way, you can dial back on one pickup, cleaning it up, and then switch to the other for an immediate boost without using any pedals.

The Mississippi Night finish on this signature model is beautiful, with a subtle purple shimmer to it. The large headstock and bullet truss rod also add to the whole vibe of the guitar. The ‘V’ neck profile might not be to everyone’s taste, but many players, including Kingfish swear by them!

Here’s a signature guitar that’s a Jazzmaster in shape, but not much else! Fender and Jim Root of Slipknot have done away with the classic, indie/surf vibe and gone for an all-metal chug and shred machine.

It’s a simple slab of mahogany, covered in a nice and simple flat white finish. The ebony fingerboard and black hardware then provide a striking contrast, so whilst it’s unfussy in its design, it certainly makes an impact!

The V4 Jazzmaster is fitted with Root’s signature set of EMG pickups – the Daemonum open-coil active humbuckers. These aren’t too dissimilar to the legendary EMG 81/60 set in that they are clear, articulate and deliver a massive punch, but they’re also really dynamic. As you’d expect, they handle masses of gain really well, so if you’re playing heavy music then this is one of the best signature Fenders you can get. They also handle low tunings very well, keeping a nice, tight bass response without getting ‘flobby’ sounding. 

Another nice, player-centric touch is the use of fluorescent fret markers on the upper part of the neck. This will mean that they glow slightly on a dark stage, so that if you’re playing live, you’ll always know where your hands need to go when the lights dip low. 

Read our full Fender Jim Root V4 Jazzmaster

5 Fender signature models we'd love to see

So, those are the best models from the here and now. Here are 5 more we'd love to get our hands on in the future. 

1. John Frusciante

It actually seems pretty crazy that one of rock’s biggest players (and Fender advocates) doesn’t have a signature guitar. He’s known for slinging a ’62 Strat on the stage and in the studio, so a replica of that in the future wouldn’t be a huge surprise. 

There was even talk of him playing a replica a few years ago, so naturally the rumor mill started up with talks of a signature Fender in the pipeline. His bandmate Flea also has a signature Jazz bass, so there’s a connection there (not that Frusciante would have trouble getting in touch with Fender).

Even an affordable take on his unique Tele with the ‘F’ on the scratchplate would be cool; he’s probably known more for using a Strat but he does use that too – more so in recent years.

2. Nandi Bushell

At 13 years old, Nandi Bushell has done more than most of us could ever dream of – she has played at the likes of Wembley Stadium, The LA Forum and the O2 Arena, and has jammed with the upper echelons of rock royalty. 

Nandi is a multi-instrumentalist and is often seen shredding the drums as well as playing a Mustang bass and, more interestingly, a short-scale purple Strat. She has a smaller Squier and a similar, slightly bigger and upgraded Fender model, too. 

Nandi is undeniably cool, and for young people to see her playing all these different instruments on some of the biggest stages in the world must be incredibly inspiring. If Fender were to release a signature Squier or Fender with her specs and now iconic Prince-inspired purple finish, I can’t imagine a better starting point for young beginners.

3. Madison Cunningham 

Madison Cunningham is a true triple threat – an incredible songwriter, amazing vocalist and outstanding guitar player. Her use of open tunings and superb command of the instrument leads to some of the most interesting guitar work we’ve heard in a long time.

Madison often uses a Jazzmaster, and was actually involved in the campaign for the Vintera II range. A little while ago, she also hosted a giveaway for a really cool hand-painted Jazzmaster that matches the artwork for her album Revealer. 

Something that matches her specs for keeping up with different tunings, and that provides her distinctive, woody, throaty tone would be nice. Especially if it had a unique, eye-popping finish! 

4. John Squire

Despite there being a blatant opportunity to make a Squier John Squire signature model, there’s also a fair bit of sense in producing a Fender for the ex-Stone Roses legend too. He’s probably one of the most influential players of the late ’80s/early ’90s and no doubt inspired countless youngsters, particularly in the UK, to pick up the instrument. 

He even touched on a signature model recently when talking to Jimmy Page. The latter asked him if Gibson ever approached him about making a signature guitar, to which he replied, “No, maybe I play too many Strats.” If that’s not an invitation to Fender, then we don’t know what is!

With his recent work with Liam Gallagher, he’s mostly been playing Stratocasters, most notably a red Todd Krause Custom Shop model. A reissue of this, complete with inscribed Fools Gold lyrics could be a great shout for Fender!

5. Mateus Asato

Yes, yes, we know he’s with Suhr, but forgive us for getting excited when he popped up on Fender’s recent video celebrating 70 years of the Strat with a modern take of Jimi Hendrix’s Voodoo Child (Slight Return). This is also alongside the Fender video of him at the ‘Jazzmaster Jam’, playing one of their then-new Ultra offsets. 

He’s currently got a few different signature Suhrs – a Classic T (available with Lollar Gold Foils or single coils) and an HSS Classic S. There’s no sign of him moving away from Suhr, but we’d love to see an affordable take on either one those from Fender.

Mateus wowed everyone a number of years ago when he essentially invented the genre of ‘Instagram guitarist’, and then moved on to play for some of the biggest artists in the world. I also don’t think there are many people that have done as much for pink Strats than he has (though Fender artist Tyler Bryant might have something to say about that!).

Best Fender signature guitars: Buying advice

Looking to pick up a Fender signature model for yourself? Here's where you should start when searching for the right one for you. 

Get the look

Most Fender signature guitars are quite subtle, which is good as it means you don’t necessarily have to be a fan of the person whose model you’re wielding. For example, you might not be a huge Slipknot fan, but Jim Root’s Jazzmaster is the perfect guitar for a range of styles of metal. Basically, if you want to play heavy music, this guitar has you covered. Plus, with its subtle, sleek, plain white finish, it’s not blatantly a signature model.

So, as much as we'd like to say that looks don't matter, they clearly do – so go with your eyes as well as your ears.

Mexican or US-made?

Many artists choose, with Fender, to make their signature models more affordable by making them in Mexico, as opposed to the US. You’ll usually get higher quality hardware and electronics on the US-made Fenders, but rest assured it’s still great on the made-in-Mexico guitars too.

Better hardware will mean that the guitar resonates better, and will likely stay in tune more. Better electronics and pickups mean you get a wider frequency range, so your top end is more treble-y, and your bottom end is bassier. All in all, the differences are subtle, but they’re definitely there. 

Pickups

Pickups play the biggest part in how a guitar sounds, aside from you. Usually, signature models will feature pickups that are voiced either specifically for that artist, or pickups that already exist but perfectly suit the style of music they play. 

If it’s a metal players’ guitar, then it’s likely that the pickups will be better suited to metal than indie, or country for example. The classic Strat and Tele pickup configurations are pretty versatile, so will work for lots of styles of music, unless they’re voiced in a particularly extreme way. 

If you want to activate multiple pedals, change parameters, tweak amp settings, or even control other instruments with just the click of footswitch, then a MIDI foot controller will allow you to do that. As we're looking at guitars here, the majority of options in this guide are pedal switchers with MIDI compatability, although we have included some that can change other parameters like amp channels and settings, as well as interfacing with other MIDI-enabled instruments.

Our team is chock full of gigging guitarists, many of whom have used MIDI controllers in our rigs when playing live. If you're deliberating about whether or not to add MIDI to your setup, you can rely on our first-hand experience to guide you through. If you still find yourself questioning something, go have a look at our FAQs section which has loads of common questions answered.

The quick list

Best overall

In mid-2023, the Gig Rig controllers entered a new era with the introduction of the G3. This professional-grade MIDI solution side-steps computer-based programming. Providing a more hands-on relationship than the PBC/10, set-up time feels minimal as you plug in and play with full routing features available from its interface. The LCD display simplifies navigation, ensuring efficient programming with a kinesthetic touch. 

This fully-featured pedalboard brain accommodates up to 12 effect loop slots, recallable in 99 memory banks, each containing up to 28 presets. The G3 multiplies pedalboard arrangement by recalling endless presets and MIDI-enabled pedal parameter changes.

The G3 provides app-based and web-based programming via Bluetooth, facilitating convenient on-the-fly editing of the switcher's routing for tweaks on the road and between live sets.

Best for beginners

On the opposite end of the spectrum, there's the Fender Switchboard Effects Operator – a user-friendly switching solution packed with essential features to automate your board. Ideal for guitarists easing into MIDI switching without diving into complex programming. 

Externally, Fender's faux-wooden design sets it apart in MIDI controller aesthetics. Internally, its LCD interface can color-coordinate effect loops with pedals, aiding in both programming and performance orientation. By tapping footswitches in any order, users can swiftly rearrange their pedalboard layout. 

Offering four mono effect loop points and one stereo effect loop, it may have fewer pedal compatibilities compared with others, yet it brings a simplified approach to maximizing pedalboard potential.

Best budget

More a true MIDI foot controller versus the majority pedal switchers with MIDI on this list, the Behringer FCB1010 is a great choice if you're on a budget, or you're using a rack mounted amp and effects modeler like a Kemper. 

Famously utilized by Trivium, the FCB1010 packs plenty of flexibility when it comes to tweaking, allowing you to set 10 individual footswitches across 10 banks, which should be plenty for even the most complex rigs. 

The dual expression pedals are a nice addition for guitarists too, allowing you to use  multiple wah, volume, or expression settings without requiring further button presses. It's not the most durable MIDI foot controller we've ever come across, but at this price it's still an absolute steal.

Best compact

The MIDI controllers that we have discussed so far take up a fair bit of pedalboard estate right? Fear not, The ES-5, Boss’s compact counterpart to the ES-8, retains similar functionality but caters to guitarists with smaller set-ups and simpler switching needs.

With five effect loops and flexible pedal routing per patch, it's ideal for small but versatile rigs. The ES-5 serves as an accessible entry point into MIDI programming, allowing guitarists to adjust digital MIDI-enabled spatial and modulation parameters throughout a set without diving too deep into intricate setlist and song section programming. Boss provides powerful software for the ES-5, facilitating detailed MIDI parameter control and programming just like its larger sibling.

Best pro option

Finding its way onto boards built by the likes of Mason Marangella of Vertex Effects and his guitar tone podcast co-host Brian Omillion, the RJM PBC/10 is the professional board-builder’s choice and the ultimate solution for effortlessly navigating repertoires. 

The PBC/10 stores up to 1000 songs and can organize them into setlists. Each footswitch can transmit up to 20 MIDI messages across 16 MIDI devices, maximizing the tonal recall from MIDI-enabled pedals – power, unlimited power. 

Offering a more technical approach than other MIDI controllers on this list, Mac and PC editing software provides in-depth control over every tiny detail. Though elusive in the marketplace, direct availability from RJM warrants consideration for achieving top-tier pedalboard results.

Best flexibility

Our old faithful pedal maker, Boss, has arrived on the MIDI control scene with the ES-8. This MIDI controller aims to provide user-friendly switching and all the functionality at an accessible price point. 

Boss has designed a MIDI controller that can control up to eight effect loops with flexible arrangement options, parallel effect chains and MIDI parameter changes that will recall far-reaching tones on the fly. 

Analog circuitry provides a warm and slightly colored signal path, with programmable buffers for volume consistency across patches. The digital display simplifies hands-on programming, while Boss's free ES-8 system software enables detailed MIDI parameter control and programming.

More options...

As a pedal industry constant for decades, it is no surprise Electro-Harmonix’s Super Switcher delivers. Offering a fully-featured effects brain with simplified programming, it's ideal for streamlined pedalboard control. 

Featuring six effect loops and a permanently engaged seventh insert loop for always-on pedals like light drives or volume pedals, EHX focuses on the simpler needs of guitarists while providing MIDI outputs for advanced digital parameter control. Using the eight buttons on the front, programming is easy and intuitive. 

The Super Switcher offers two modes: Instant access for engagement of effect loops, and Preset mode for intricate MIDI parameter recall. The Super Switcher functions as both a simple tone switcher and an advanced MIDI-programmable preset creator. The choice is yours. 

The Gig Rig’s G3 Atom’s size alone is a game-changer in high-end switching, condensing the formidable routing capabilities of our previously recommended G3 – holding all that programming power in a lightweight, robust, and compact frame. Much like its larger counterpart, navigation through the menu is intuitive, featuring a user-friendly layout free from unnecessary complexity. 

Despite its size, the G3 Atom serves as a potent central brain for any pedalboard, packing effortless parallel routing programming with blend controls, ensuring a tasteful balance between two affected signal paths. 

Gig Rig's Generator power supply ensures pedal isolation and noise reduction, while gold relays in the effects loop preserve tone integrity and eliminate unwanted noise without compromising on sound quality.

Tailored to a specialized audience, the 12 Step footswitch reimagines traditional MIDI foot control, serving as a keyboard-mapped controller for triggering single notes and chords. Its pressure-sensitive pads allow users to add drones, choral textures, and shift harmonic centers, offering tonal beds for endless shredding.

The highly programmable 12 Step sends MIDI signals to compatible pedals, providing parameter expression via its pressure-sensitive pads. Compatible with digital set-ups and DAWs, it can integrate live expression with virtual instruments and plugins, as seen and used by guitarist Avi Bornick in John Scofield’s Uberjam Deux band and Munaf Rayani of Explosions In The Sky.

With its PC and Mac software editor, the 12 Step facilitates in-depth MIDI routing, encouraging users to explore the full potential of digital experimental live set-ups.

FAQs

How we test

A MIDI controller is a significant investment so you'll want to be sure you're getting the right one. When we recommend MIDI controllers we're doing it off the back of years and years of using them for live shows, whether that's fully MIDI-enabled rigs or using a switcher to change effects patches.

Like any guitar pedal we test, we'll jump straight into using it alongside our regular pedalboard. For a MIDI controller, this means setting up any MIDI-enabled pedals we have to determine how user-friendly the whole process is. We'll aim to test this alongside the general usability of setting up patches, hooking it up to a DAW, as well as how any software works versus the actual interface on the pedal.

We'll also be looking at the durability of the unit, as a MIDI controller by definition is something used on a gigging pedalboard. It has to be able to put up with the rigors of life on the road, so we'll closely examine the construction of the unit to ensure it feels rugged enough for purpose.

Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.

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We're well aware that guitar stores – even visiting them online – can be intimidating places, and guitars themselves aren’t exactly the easiest products to understand, especially if you have zero experience with them. 

Below you’ll find our five key tips for selecting a guitar for your child, as well as a few recommendations to help get you started.  

1. Be aware of your child’s musical ambitions

Okay, so your child has asked for a guitar – but what type of guitarist do they want to be? Guitars come in two main flavors, acoustic and electric, and the type of music your little one wants to play will determine which you should buy. 

If they are rock fans with ambitions of playing face-melting solos and gut-punching riffs, then you’ll need to go down the electric route. However, if they want to follow in the footsteps of Ed Sheeran or Taylor Swift and become singer-songwriters, then an acoustic guitar is the instrument for them. 

Now, you’ll hear many teachers recommend that all students start on an acoustic instrument – or worse yet, a beginner classical – but we don’t agree with this viewpoint. We believe that every student should start with the instrument they want to play in the first place. Not only will this ensure they are engaged from the beginning, but it means there’s no wasted time. 

So, before you start looking at guitars for your child, have a conversation with them about their favorite artists and what they want to learn. This should inform which style of instrument you purchase. 

2. Pay careful attention to the size

Guitars come in various shapes and sizes, so it’s important to select the correct one for your child. As a general rule of thumb, you want to make sure your little one can easily reach the end of the neck while in the seated position without stretching too much. 

Typically we’d suggest that under 12s should opt for a 3/4 or short-scale guitar as these instruments are much smaller and easier to navigate if you only have little arms. For older kids – 12 and up – we’d recommend going with a full-sized guitar. That said, if you are going down the acoustic route, you may want to avoid the dreadnought shape, as these can be a little cumbersome to get your arm around. 

If you are worried about what size is right for your child, the best thing to do is visit your local guitar store and try out a few models. You’ll quickly recognize when a guitar is too large or too small for them.  

3.  Price vs quality

When it comes to beginner acoustic or electric guitars, you really don’t need to spend too much to get a great instrument. That said, you want to ensure that you are buying the best quality instrument you can afford. The better the instrument's build quality, the better it will play and the more chance your little one has of sticking with it!

We highly recommend sticking to the major brands. Big companies such as Squier, Epiphone, and Yamaha will always guarantee a certain level of quality, meaning you can buy with confidence, knowing you are getting them a good guitar. 

Yes, you’ll probably be able to find something a little cheaper on Amazon, but in our experience, it won’t exactly be the most playable instrument in the world – and an unplayable guitar is about as useful as a chocolate teapot! 

4. Don’t forget the accessories

To give your child the best possible chance of sticking with the guitar, you’ll want to ensure they have everything they need to play properly. A selection of guitar picks, a spare set of strings, a guitar strap, a guitar tuner, and a gigbag for carrying it around to and from lessons are all must-have accessories. 

Of course, electric players will require an appropriately sized practice amp and a guitar cable to connect the two. 

Check out our guide to beginner guitar gear essentials and accessories to learn more. 

5. Get their new guitar professionally setup

The term “setup” refers to the process of adjusting a guitar to make it as playable as possible. Now, whether it’s a $100 beginner electric guitar or a $4,000 Custom Shop model, every guitar will benefit from a professional setup. This is not something you’ll be able to do yourself, so we highly recommend speaking to a professional. Your local guitar store is a good place to start. 

A good setup will ensure that the action – how far the strings are from the fingerboard – is set correctly and that your child can play their new instrument with minimal effort. It will also guarantee that the intonation is set correctly and that the guitar plays perfectly in tune all the way up the neck. 

Of course, there is an extra cost associated with getting your instrument professionally setup, but it can make all the difference and transform a once difficult guitar to play to one that is effortless. 

Beginner guitar recommendations 

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• Try something new with one of the best beginner ukuleles
• Get all you need with the best accessories for beginners

Looking for something to make your guitar sound more interesting but don’t want to spend a lot? It turns out there is loads of choice when it comes to budget pedal options. Case in point: the best budget delay pedals can deliver everything from subtle slapback to shimmering, spacey echoes. We've rounded up our top picks in this guide. 

Delay can be used in so many different ways. It can be kept always on with the repeats and delay time knocked down so that it’s almost like a double-tracked guitar sound, it can be kicked in to make solos sound bigger, it can be used to make it sound like there are two guitarists playing different things, and so much more. However you plan on using a delay pedal, there should be something here that ticks the boxes you’re looking to tick. 

We’ve highlighted the best cheap delay pedals currently on the market that will give your guitar sound more texture, without breaking the bank. We’ve tried to keep most of the options under $100, though some of the more premium choices may creep just above that.

The quick list

Best overall

Intuitively laid out, but easily customizable, this no-frills offering from JHS has to be one of the best budget delay pedals you can buy right now. The toggle switch lets you go from analog to digital style delay, giving you the most popular options straight away. The three knobs then allow you to dial in your sound.

Like everything else from JHS, it sounds great – the analog delay is warm and gritty, and the digital delay gives you pristine and clean repeats, plus you can dial in delay times ranging from 80-800ms. It’s also built solidly, making this a super reliable choice for around the $100 mark.

It’s very simple and easy to use; it doesn’t have the most exciting design in the world, but you can get a wide range of incredible sounds from it!

Best customization

This little delay pedal might look simple on the surface – and it can be if you want – but there’s a lot of exciting things bubbling beneath the surface. Straight out of the box, you can use the three knobs to dial in a nice, tape-style delay tone with up to 800ms delay.

However, when you connect it to the Toneprint app, you can change the delay style to a digital, analog, shimmer or pretty much any other type. There are loads of artist-crafted presets, but you can also make up your own. All of this can be done via your smartphone by beaming the signal from your phone’s speaker to your pickups.

There’s only one footswitch on the pedal, but it’s sensitive to the pressure that you apply to it, so it basically becomes an expression pedal, allowing you to control different parameters in real time. You can also choose to use it as a tap tempo, ensuring that your delay is perfectly in time with what you’re playing. 

Read the full TC Electronic Flashback 2 Mini review

Best analog

This is a great sounding, compact analog delay pedal with up to 550ms of delay time, and as short as 30ms, giving you a wide range of different sounds at your disposal. You can thicken up your whole tone by setting the delay time and blend quite low, or add a more traditional delay sound by cranking them up.

The classic analog delay tone is lush and warm, and reminiscent of those legendary old Electro-Harmonix Memory Man units. There’s then an additional modulation switch which gives you the option of adding in some subtle chorus to give some more movement to your tone. 

It’s really easy to use and dial in a great sound, and it’s pretty small so it doesn’t hog too much precious space on your board. One of the best cheap delay pedals around, plus it’s from one of the biggest pedal companies in the world.  

Best tape-style

The Fender Hammertone series of effects pedals represents great value for money from one of the most trusted names in the guitar world. The Space Delay is a really cool analog-style delay pedal with a modulation switch that allows you to add in a little more texture. 

From a basic snapback, to more ethereal, ambient and atmospheric sounds, the Space Delay can do quite a lot, whilst remaining simple and easy to use. Three knobs allow you to dial in delay time, repeats and volume while small toggle switches control the modulation (on/off) and delay pattern (there are three different ones). 

The delay has a touch of nice analog-style saturation and tape-esque warble to give your repeats a classic sound. Should you wish to control the sound of the modulation more, there are internal trim pots for adjusting the rate and depth.

This can be used as a nice, basic delay pedal but there’s actually quite a bit going on under the hood, allowing you to get experimental if you want to. 

Read the full Fender Hammertone Space Delay review

Best compact

The Ibanez and Maxon AD9 pedals are favored by a range of players, and have been since the 1980s. The Ibanez ADMini aims to replicate the sound of those but package it into a much smaller casing. The result is an incredible analog delay pedal made in Japan that takes up barely any space on your pedalboard.

The repeats are warm, with that lovely, natural tone degradation, and you can dial in delay times from as little as 20ms to 600ms. This makes it suitable for a range of uses, from big, spacey, experimental riffs to simply adding some girth to your regular sound, or perhaps a rockabilly style slapback.

It is more towards the expensive side of cheap, but it’s built really well, and it sounds fantastic. The only thing to bear in mind is that the repeat and blend knobs are quite small, so they might not be easy to dial in for some people. 

Best digital delay

The warble and saturation of analog-style delays can be great for those seeking a more old-school tone; however, some players prefer the pristine, untouched repeats of a digital delay. 

The TC Electronic Prophet is a really easy to use digital delay pedal that isn’t going to break the bank. It’s housed in a solid metal casing; it’s not compact like some of their other pedals, but it isn’t huge – something to bear in mind though. Individual knobs control the delay time, how much delay signal is mixed in with your dry sound, and how many repeats you get. There’s then a separate switch that controls the pattern of the delay: you’ve got the choice of 1/16, 1/8 and 3/8 patterns.

If you’re seeking a pedal with a longer delay time, then a digital delay could be the way forward – this one has up to 1300ms. It’s super easy to use, and it does the job really well!

Cheapest option

With fully analog circuitry and an extremely attractive price tag, there isn’t much to not love about the NUX Analog Delay. It allows you to get the classic, lush ’80s-style bucket brigade device analog delay sound, and it’s really easy to use. 

With three simple knobs and a very natural sound, it’s impossible to get a bad tone from this pedal. There aren’t huge delay times on tap, but it is particularly effective if you’re wanting to fatten up lead sounds or introduce some texture to your tone. You can also dial the time right down for some really cool double-tracking style sounds.

For players seeking a straightforward analog delay pedal on a budget, the NUX is one of the best budget delay pedals you can get your hands on!

Best slapback

This is a really interesting delay pedal, and it’s affordable – it’s also nice that it comes with a power supply. It’s a slapback delay pedal, so if you’re after something with longer delay times, then this isn’t for you. 

Old school country and rock’n’roll players will love it. It’s actually a reissue of an old pedal, except this time it’s encased in a very pedalboard-friendly casing. Unlike many other delay pedals, this has a switch that controls your delay time – you’ve got the option of either 45ms, 65ms or 100ms. On the shortest delay time, you can get some really cool double-track kind of tones.

You can then dial in how much you want to hear the repeats, but then you’ve also got a gain knob that adds analog-style saturation to your sound. It increases the input going into the pedal so it essentially works as a really nice boost to push your preamp. 

Buying advice

With the best budget delay pedals, you’re getting something that’s probably only going to do one thing really well – in most instances, you won’t be overwhelmed by different options, menu screens or multiple footswitches and channel switching. That said, there are still a few things to think about before parting with your money. 

Digital vs analog

There are different types of delay out there, and they all have their unique tonal characteristics. The two most popular styles are analog and digital; in fact all delay pedals can be categorized as one of these. Analog delay pedals utilize something called a bucket brigade device (BBD) and digital units use digital processing.

In terms of sound, a sweeping generalization could be that analog delay pedals sound lo-fi, and digital ones sound hi-fi.

The repeats on an analog delay pedal will sound slightly different each time as the signal degrades naturally. They usually sound warmer, and the delayed signal may have a touch of saturation added in. The repeats on digital delays on the other hand usually sound pristine, clean and clear, though some digital units may offer a variety of different delay sounds through modeling.

Modulation

On some delay pedals, quite often on analog ones, you’ll find that there’s a modulation switch or knob. This usually blends in some of the chorus or vibrato to your repeats giving them a little more movement, or contributing to a sort of warbling sound. It isn’t always for everyone, but it can sound really interesting, and help add character to your guitar sound, especially if you’re going for a more old-school tone.

Size

As with any new pedalboard addition, size should be considered when looking for the best cheap delay pedal. If you know you want to fit as many tonal options on your board as possible, then go for something compact. If that’s not an issue, then you’re less restricted. A similar consideration is also where the jack inputs and outputs are located, as this could affect how you put your board together. 

How we choose budget delay pedals

Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us all. We live and breathe everything guitar and bass related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best budget delay pedals available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best budget delay pedals on the market right now.

Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.  

Related buyer's guides

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With the advent of an infinite universe of free online guitar lessons, learning the guitar is now easier and more affordable than ever before. As a result, fewer players are now less likely to jack it in, blaming a lack of direction and a dearth of accomplishment. Which is a very good thing indeed.

So, where should you start? What’s the best platform and who’s the best online teacher? It depends on your preferred learning style, your current skill level and the kit you’re likely to have to hand. There are online tuition sites, streaming long form content that’s best consumed on a tablet or laptop. Then there are mobile apps aimed predominantly at novices, which typically offer short, fun lessons as part of a gamified learning path. Finally, there’s YouTube, where thousands of tuition channels take deep dives into specific guitar skills and individual songs.

The catch? Well, like anything that’s freely available online, there’s an awful lot of poorly taught dross out there. So, to sort the wheat from the chaff, read on for our expertly curated list of the very best, free online guitar tuition sites, apps and channels. If you're looking for consistent, paid-for options, check out our guide to the best online guitar lessons overall.

Our top picks

Product guide

Three great mysteries of the Universe trouble me the most. Is there life beyond Earth, why aren’t pizza boxes round, and why hasn’t Justin Sandercoe been knighted for services to music yet? Or at the very least, awarded with an Order of Australia?

Over the past couple of decades, session musician turned guitar instructor Sandercoe has helped millions worldwide learn how to play the guitar for free. Zilch. Nada. Probably the most influential guitarist the general public has never heard of, he’s been endorsed by legendary talent as diverse as Mark Knopfler, Sir Brian May, Tony Emmanuel and Steve Vai. Simply put, JustinGuitar is an online learning resource that’s just as professional and every bit as comprehensive as any of the major paid-for platforms. 

There are graded learning paths for beginners, intermediates and advanced players, a well-stocked song library plus scores of lessons on technique, tone and basic music theory. A handful of courses do demand a small fee, but everything else costs nothing, unless you fancy stumping up a donation.

You can just surf the JustinGuitar YouTube channel, but for the best possible experience I recommend starting at his website, justinguitar.com. Here you’ll find all of his videos plus a wealth of additional tools and resources. There’s also a library of clearly written JustinGuitar books and a smartphone app for novices.

Read our full Justinguitar review

We’re a modest bunch here at Guitar World, a team that takes its promise to provide you with the very best, unbiased, independent content very seriously. However, sometimes you’ve got to stand up and be counted, to step forth into the limelight while yelling, "Look at me, yes, over here, me!"

That’s right, Guitar World really does feature some of the very best free online tuition available on the net. It’s a bold statement but trust me, it comes from the heart, not our marketing department.

On our website, guitarworld.com, you’ll find thousands of tutorials under the Lessons tab in the top menu bar. The beauty of this content lies in its diversity. The lesson vault is constantly being fed into by journalists, teachers, session players and even famous guitarists. Every conceivable genre is covered – a quick glimpse at the site today reveals tutorials on blues, rock, funk, neo-soul and jazz. Also under the spotlight are the playing styles of Gary Clark Jr, Steve Morse, Joe Bonamassa and B.B. King. The remarkable thing is that all this content was posted within the last few hours. Tomorrow there’ll be more, and the next day more still.

Editorial is one of our strengths, evident in the quality of our written guides and tutorials that delve deep into technique and theory. These bite-sized gems, written by experts from Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar Techniques and Bass Player magazines as well as Guitar World, are perfect for guitarists looking to spend 15 minutes or so learning a new technique or brushing up on an old one.

The Guitar World YouTube channel is just as varied with, admittedly, some bias towards rock and metal. Here you’ll find a massive number of technique, riff and song videos, plus method playlists featuring Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Joe Satriani and more.

Guitar World doesn’t offer a clear learning path like JustinGuitar. Instead, it focuses on bringing variety into every guitar player’s life – fresh, quality content from some of the world’s greatest musicians, and plenty of it. 

Guitar Tricks is one of the best known and most well-respected names in online guitar tuition. What sets it apart from its competitors, such as Yousician, JTC Guitar, Truefire and Simply Guitar, is that it’s possible to sign up for a free account that’ll give you access to a good chunk of meaningful content.

At the very heart of guitartricks.com is the platform’s Core Learning System, which kicks off with a two-level guitar ‘Fundamentals’ pathway before funnelling users through one of four specialisms – Acoustic, Blues, Rock and Country. Sign up for a free account and you’ll have access to some of the first Fundamentals level and a smattering of the second – about a dozen lessons in all. The tuition from featured instructor Anders Mouridsen is top rate, as are the production values. GuitarTricks doesn’t take a gamified approach to learning, instead an instructor guides you, helped along the way with multiple camera angles, full notation and plenty of notes for guidance.

Guitar Tricks’ YouTube channel reveals a hoard of additional tuition videos – currently there’s about 850 and counting, across 26 playlists. Often, these videos are the first couple of installments of a paid-for course, the hope being that, once hooked, you’ll sign up for a full subscription. That’s not always the intention, many have been produced solely for the channel. All share Guitar Tricks’ affinity for quality tuition.

You can try month of full-fat Guitar Tricks for a single dollar right now. 

Read our full Guitar Tricks review

Fender Play is the slickest online guitar tuition service that’s ever graced my screen by far. The aesthetic is clean, the videos are beautifully shot and the tutorials are impeccably executed. There are clear learning paths for acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass and ukulele, which span a broad range of genres including rock, blues, pop, country and funk. 

Refreshingly, it’s a service that embraces a good amount of contemporary music, rather than just the ’60s and ’70s blues/rock content that many of its competitors peddle. Diversity is evident within its teaching team too, with a mix of ethnicity and genders represented. 

Quality of this kind costs money – $150 a year to be precise, more if you pay monthly. However, as well as providing a 14-day trial, Fender has also made 13 beginner guitar lessons available on its website for free, by following this link. These lessons cover a gamut of useful beginner topics to get you up and running quickly, including primers on chords and scales. There are also five songs you’ll be playing in no time, from the likes of Green Day and the Jackson 5.

The same 13 lessons can be found on Fender’s YouTube channel, together with a stack of product vids, jam tracks, music documentaries and star player interviews.

Read our full Fender Play review

If navigating your way through the often wild and unfiltered world of YouTube guitar lessons fills you with dread, GuitarApp has taken on the role of lessons aggregator, filtering the best that YouTube has to offer into clear categories. Site layout is clear and well-structured, making it easy to find the content you're looking for – from beginner lessons and song tutorials, to genre guides and artist content.

Full disclosure, the team at GuitarApp don't create any of their own content, but we feel they do offer a valuable service to those who find YouTube a minefield of varying quality and consistency. They've also seen fit to branch out beyond guitar lessons to highlight recording tutorials, DIY guitar projects and popular channels like That Pedal Show. So, in short, GuitarApp is a useful, curated tool for guitarists looking to consume quality guitar content without YouTube's algorithm serving up videos you would never watch.

A cool feature built into both the app and desktop versions of Guitar App is the ability to loop a section of the video you're watching, enabling you to zero in on a particular part and dial it in. You can also adjust playback speed to something more manageable should you need it.

Away from the video content, you'll also find a tuner, metronome, interactive chord library and ear training games available within both the web and mobile versions, which are also useful tools on their own.

Jazz guitar barely gets a mention on most tuition sites and apps, often just a cursory lesson or two if that. In their defense, there are some good reasons for this. First, as a genre, jazz polarizes the guitar community. Second, jazz guitar is theory heavy, which means that it’s rarely suitable for complete novices, the demographic that most tuition sites target. 

On a more positive note, if you’re an enthusiastic intermediate or advanced player who wants to broaden your playing horizons then jazz is a great option. If you feel the need to dig deeper into music theory, then jazz will make an excellent companion. And, if you’re into blues, neo-soul or funk then a little jazz, a close relative of these genres, will enhance your playing skills, chops and licks immeasurably. You’ll be in good company. Nile Rodgers was a jazzer before he turned to funk, Jeff Beck frequently dabbled with fusion and five-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist Mark Lettieri is an active member of the ‘jazz collective’ Snarky Puppy. 

Jazz Guitar Online has everything a jazz novice needs to get started and then some. There are detailed free lessons covering jazz chords, arpeggios, scales and licks, plus studies on two classic jazz standards – Autumn Leaves and Summertime. All lessons are exceptionally comprehensive, commonly featuring video, audio samples, notation/tab, guidance notes, chord diagrams and fretboard maps. Jazz-blues is often referenced too, which will make many players feel more at home with the content.

Additionally, Dirk Laukens, the jazz teacher behind Jazz Guitar Online has made two ebooks freely available – The Beginner’s Guide To Jazz Guitar, which runs to 198 pages, and The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary. Paid-for courses and a small library of e-books can be purchased from the online shop, but frankly it could take months, if not years, to work through all the free stuff.

At the time of writing, Rick Beato’s YouTube channel has a staggering 3.94 million subscribers and 751,680,877 views. Figures that will, no doubt, have risen by the time you get to read this. What do his viewers flock to see? How does this silver-haired guy in late middle age have such a hold over his audience?

In short, Rick’s an authentic, engaging host with a gift for creating a huge spread of feel-good content. He’s the real deal, just as capable of dishing out life lessons as he is guitar lessons. That air of authenticity is born of decades working as a session musician, audio engineer, producer, studio owner and university lecturer. He knows his stuff too, having earned a master’s degree in jazz guitar studies from the New England Conservatory of Music, and having lectured at Berklee.

Whether you’re looking to enjoy guitar lessons, song breakdowns, theory explanations, insights into chords and scales, or just the odd rant about music and the music industry, then Rick’s your guy. Just don’t look for too much structure because I sense that when an idea takes Rick’s fancy he just puts it out there, regardless of what came before or is likely to appear after.

He's an attentive, knowledgeable interviewer, never trying to steal the limelight from his very famous guests – Sting, May, Lukather, Malmsteen, Frampton, Johnson, Trucks – always giving them plenty of time and lots of space to talk.

If you aspire to become a guitarist then subscribe to a platform like Guitar Tricks or Simply Guitar. If, however, your ambition is to become a well-rounded musician head over to YouTube and let Rick educate and entertain you in equal measure.

Lauren’s a self-taught guitarist on a quest to help novices learn the basics with fun and ease. I’m focussing on her YouTube channel here, but you can also sign up for a free crash course in guitar playing on her website. Just be warned that you will be subjected to an awful lot of guff persuading you to enroll on to one of her paid-for courses, of which there are about half a dozen or so. Sure, everyone has to make a living, but this level of hard sell feels a little unnecessary.

Stick with Lauren’s YouTube channel and you’ll find an abundance of well-organized content that’s perfect for complete beginners. There are more than 600 videos here, primarily covering rhythm skills, finger dexterity and fingerpicking techniques, plus a seemingly infinite number of tips and tricks. There’s also a whole bunch of fun, if a little cheesy, arrangements of newbie guitar classics such as Yesterday, Brown Eyed Girl, Cecilia – you get the picture.

It's easy to get a bit sniffy about this kind of ‘camp fire’ content, but Lauren’s an enthusiastic teacher and a great communicator. Her lessons are enjoyable, easy to follow and rarely last more than eight minutes – bite-sized nuggets that are easy for beginners to digest. So often tutorial sites expect novices to dive in at the deep end way too soon, leaving many confused, disappointed and disillusioned by the whole learning process. Not so with Lauren. You’ll be splashing about in the shallow end for quite a while, but at least you’ll be having fun!

Ask around about free guitar lessons and two names are certain to crop up – Justin Sandercoe of JustinGuitar fame, and Marty Schwartz of Marty Music. Marty was a conventional, face-to-face music teacher, working in elementary schools and with private clients, before posting to YouTube changed his life for good. His audience numbers are now so large, they’re almost impossible to comprehend. More than 4.1 million guitarists subscribe to his channel which, to date, has been viewed almost 790,000,000 times.

Multiple factors account for his phenomenal popularity. He’s an engaging teacher for a start, amiable, sharp and witty, without ever letting too much humor distract from the topic he’s trying to explain. He also teaches a lot of beginner content, often using songs that are trending, such as highly searched for classics and contemporary hits. Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Murder On The Dancefloor was posted on the day I wrote this guide, a song that’s resurfaced due to the popularity of Saltburn, the Netflix drama. Tomorrow? Who knows, it could easily be something from Pantera. Finally, he’s one of the most prolific teachers on YouTube, typically posting a video a day. 

Somehow, despite his crazy release schedule, there’s a solid structural foundation to Marty’s posts. Technique videos are released on Tuesdays, riff lessons on Sundays, livestreams on Saturdays and so on. The tutorials are professionally shot, short and to the point. It’s hard to fault Marty, but if you don’t like today’s video don’t worry, there'll be another one along tomorrow.

Expert advice

How to choose the best free lessons for you

Costs can quickly mount when you’re learning to play the guitar, more than most of us appreciate. If we assume you’ll take an hour’s lesson every fortnight for five years at a cost of $50/£35 per session, that’s a total outlay of $6,500/£4,550. Sadly, not all of us have that level of disposable income to hand.

One alternative is to sink your money into an online tuition subscription, which will likely cost in the region of $600/£400 over the same period. That’s a huge reduction, but the most attractive option for the cash-strapped newbie guitarist must be free lessons. Quality tuition that won’t cost you a dime.

Are free lessons actually any good?

The old adage ‘there’s no such thing as a free lunch’ may be sage advice for most things in life, but not guitar lessons. That’s because there are some astonishingly good free online resources out there that can be just as comprehensive, and equally as effective, as their paid-for competitors. How come? For the most part, these services aren’t totally altruistic, instead they are often funded through social media monetization, ad revenue or act as trial gateways to more extensive paid-for services.

Should I avoid YouTube for guitar lessons?

YouTube-based tutorial channels are a good case in point. Other than a minority of noteworthy examples, such as JustinGuitar, few feature complete learning pathways, instead choosing to focus on individual songs or skills. Why? Because it’s this kind of content that trends on YouTube, particularly classics by the likes of The Stones or current hits by Taylor Swift and her contemporaries. Posting trend-worthy content is a cornerstone of recruiting views and subs, which is why YouTube producers focus so much attention on it.

No matter, you still get to learn, while somebody else foots the bill. Just be wary of, quite literally, freely chopping and changing between channels or sites, because grazing half a tutorial here and a song riff there won’t get you very far in the long term. Instead, try your best to stick with a pathway or channel until you’ve exhausted it, deviating only if you need to find an alternative perspective on a particularly puzzling musical predicament.

Even if you do decide to go down the route of paid-for lessons or an app sub, these free resources are still wonderful assets for supplementing your learning.

How we choose products

Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing, creating and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar gear and service related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in practice, live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best free online guitar lessons available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best free online guitar lessons on the market right now.

Find out more about how we make our recommendations, how we test each of the products in our buyer's guides and our review policy.

When imagining the classic rock band lineup, it’s impossible not to think about the bass guitar. It’s synonymous with the genre, and for good reason. The electric bass guitar arrived at the dawn of rock 'n’ roll and has been integral ever since – and we've hand-selected what we believe are the bass guitars for rock right now so you can get in on the action.  

Not all bass guitars are optimized for rock though, with some more suited to jazz, funk, or metal. However, there are two clear things that the best bass guitars for rock should do: provide definition to cut through a busy mix that's often dominated by electric guitars and produce enough low end to totally fill a room. Now, there is a little more nuance to it than that, but if a bass can do those two things, it’s well on the way to becoming a perfect rock bass guitar.

For those who are just starting out in the world of bass guitars and are looking for a companion on their journey to the land of rock ‘n’ roll, or for those searching for the very best rock bass at any price point, the instruments on our list will help you find the best bass guitar for rock.

Quick list

Best rock bass overall

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Fender could have let things slip after more than 70 years of the Precision Bass, but it most certainly hasn’t. Among the latest in Fender’s American-manufactured precision basses, the American Professional II has kept the recipe largely the same since it first rocked and rolled in the ’50s, but it's been refined wherever possible.

Fender’s V-Mod II split-coil pickup encapsulates classic P-Bass tones with the kind of clarity and punch you need for rock playing, and the sustain from the HiMass bridge helps its player exude musicality.

The playability of this bass is where it stands above the rest, with the ‘63 P Bass neck profile – the holy grail of bass necks – partnered with modern touches such as the sculpted neck heel, making it truly effortless to play. It simply doesn’t get better than this, from Fender’s standard range, for playing rock music.

Best with humbuckers

There are a handful of truly iconic rock bass guitars, and the StingRay is among them. Holding the mantle of the first bass guitar to feature an on-board active EQ, the StingRay took rock bass to a new level of flexibility, becoming the choice of the creative and virtuoso. This is in no small part due to its exceptional playability, which has endured to this day.

The MusicMan neodymium humbucker is one of the greatest pickups in rock bass history and its latest iteration has been tuned to give even more output, which means you can do just about anything on this bass, from crushing hard-rock gain to blues-derived smooth rock.

When you get to this price point, it’s the attention to detail that really sets a bass apart, and with features like the roasted maple neck, stainless steel frets, and rolled fret edges, this bass sits firmly amongst the best that money can buy.

Best short-scale bass

Short-scale basses such as the Mustang have become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly for those who have come from an electric-guitar-first background, as the scale length feels a bit closer to a standard electric guitar. The Player Mustang’s scale might be short, but it isn’t short on tone.

The Mustang Bass has a really unique character, almost like a small, angry dog, which has a bite as bad as its bark. With surprising low end that is sensational for subby sounds and a distinctive and characterful hollowness in its middle position, it’s a great shout to throw drive pedals in front of and get some particularly dirty rock tones.

You can grab the Player Mustang in a number of different pickup configurations, but for us, the PJ version – featuring one Precision pickup and one Jazz pickup – is the perfect combination for rock music and makes this pint-sized bass a jack of all trades. Just beware of the heavy neck and head, which you may find sagging towards the floor.

Best for vintage tones

The Rickenbacker 4003 is an iconic instrument that has featured on countless records due to its unmistakably thick and resonant low end, which alone makes it worth every single penny – and quite a few will be needed because this doesn’t come cheap.

Independent tone and volume controls, with a 3-way switch for the pair of Rickenbacker single-coil pickups, mean you have superb control over your sound, allowing you to roll the tone knob back and achieve laid-back grooves or crank everything up to ten and rip walls down.

The party trick? It has to be the ‘Rick-O-Sound’ stereo output, allowing you to take the output from each pickup to separate amps. Plug the bridge into something a bit more bitey and the neck into a warmer amp with a big cabinet – an Ampeg SVT and an 8x10 cab would be our suggestion – and you can create some truly insane blended tones. It’s a luxury instrument at a luxury price but should be considered by those who can afford it.

Best for beginners

Despite the Affinity J Bass coming in at a modest price point and lacking in frills, its classic Fender look means it still dazzles, and if you were to have a graph of its sound quality versus price measured against comparably priced basses, it’d be off the charts. As can be expected of a Fender-family Jazz bass, its impressive versatility makes it a great instrument for a player looking for something that can do it all. For guitar players looking for an affordable bass to lay down some demos with, look no further.

The satin neck is surprisingly nice for an instrument of this price and makes it super easy to play for beginners, and even aficionados will struggle to set it apart from instruments double or triple the price. It’s the guitar I learned to play bass on and I’ve thrown it around plenty of gigs, yet it continues to surprise me just how excellent a rock bass guitar it is.

If you’re a particularly small player, or buying this for somebody younger, bear in mind that this is a full scale instrument with a pretty big body – you may want to look at short scale alternatives, such as Squier’s extremely affordable Sonic Bronco Bass.

Best under $1,000

The Thunderbird may well be Gibson’s most iconic bass instrument ever and has been a mainstay in their catalog since launch, however they also come with a hefty Gibson price tag. As is so often the case, Epiphone have come to the rescue of those looking to get their hands on one of Gibson’s legendary shapes at a fraction of the price. And Epiphone’s Thunderbird doesn’t just look as special as Gibson’s, it sounds pretty close too. Dual humbuckers produce outrageous tones with bags of output that will happily drive an amp into overdrive when pushed.

Whilst other Epiphone Thunderbirds can be found on the new and used market for less, the ’60s is our pick of the bunch, with design cues that replicate the original versions of the Thunderbird, including adjustable tune-o-matic bridge and dual tone headstock, making it play and sound just as good as it looks.

Its classic shape is an area that can be its downfall, with the heavy neck and huge headstock meaning it tends to want to dive towards the floor, though this can be compensated against with a robust strap. You’ll also struggle to pick up a good cheap case for it, and given it’s a thing of beauty, you’ll want to invest in a hard case, which will set you back $100+.

Best Fender alternative

Sire has earned a name for itself for crafting bass guitars with classic looks and great tone, at a near-unbeatable price point. They’re also great for accessibility, catering for both 4 and 5-string players, as well as those who are left-handed, all of which are available on their brilliant P5R model.

Marcus Miller is best known for his jazz and funk bass playing, but don’t think for a second that his name being attached to this bass means it isn’t just as suitable for playing rock. The P5R doesn’t just look very similar to a classic P Bass, it sounds like one too, with the ‘Marcus Vintage-Precision Revolution Pickup’ delivering excellent attack and clarity that jumps out through a congested frequency spectrum.

At this price point, the temptation of a tried-and-tested Squier may be a little too strong for many, but with details such as rolled fretboard edges, real bone nut, roasted maple neck and an all-steel bridge, the Sire P5R sits above anything in Squier’s bass range for feel and playability.

Best for modern tones

Warwick is synonymous with producing high-end, modern bass guitars that are loaded with active electronics and are found on stage in the hands of wildly technical players. Its Chinese-made RockBass line offers similarly high standards at an attainable price point.

The Corvette Classic is distinguishable by its midrange growl, something that really suits playing rock music. This is courtesy of the active MEC J/J pickups, that provide plenty of punch and supreme clarity, cutting through a mix with ease. If you’re concerned about active electronics in your bass, the Corvette will quell those worries, with Warwick’s patented ‘easy access electronics compartment’ making managing battery changes straightforward.

For fans of classic bass looks, this probably won’t be a shape for you, but if you’re looking for something a bit different, the flamed maple veneer is a thing of beauty and an option not found on many ‘traditional’ rock basses.

Best on a budget

The second iteration of Orange’s O-Bass retains the affordability of its predecessor, and from the outside you’d be forgiven for thinking nothing much had changed at all, barring the headstock now being black. However, Orange has invested in better woods (African okoumé for the body and purpleheart for the fretboard) which make this a far better balanced instrument – something the original model really struggled with, as it was very neck heavy.

Harking back to the original Fender P Bass, with a slab body and one single pickup – though this has a custom wound split humbucker – the O-Bass is a perfect instrument for those who want something that really grinds, and its unique pickup positioning gives it a distinctive tone and a chunky high register.

Whilst it may be no-frills from a construction standpoint – the hardware being the main area you feel this – it looks the part and catches people’s eyes on stage. It’s also impressively affordable. If you want to stand out from the crowd, this is a great alternative to a Squier Precision Bass.

Best for guitarists

Whether you consider the Classic Vibe Bass VI a true bass guitar or not is up to you, but you’ll find it in the ‘Bass’ section at any music store, so we’re including it here. The Bass VI is a 6-string instrument that is tuned a whole octave down from a traditional electric guitar, so don’t confuse it for a baritone – it offers low-end tones, but with playability closer to a standard electric guitar.

The addition of two extra high strings means it works really well for higher-register playing, particularly with overdrive and distortion pedals, that can take you into realms of filth that you would struggle to achieve on a conventional bass, though if you’re not careful it can get pretty muddy, pretty quickly, down at the lower end of the neck.

If you’re looking to get chugging sub-bass low end, this won’t hit the spot, but for experimental rock bassists, this is a really unique option that opens up so many tonal possibilities you would struggle to replicate on a ‘normal’ bass guitar. Equally, for those who perform solo or in a two-piece with a drummer, this is a great option to bridge the gap between electric and bass – split your output into a bass amp and a guitar amp with plenty of drive and this thing wails!

Buying advice

Fingers? Picking? Or slappin’ da bass?

To this day, bass players will argue about the best way of playing the bass – fingers or pick, or slap? The fact is that a good bass should be able to be played any way you like, even if you are changing playing style mid-song. We recommend always getting a good set-up and restring on your instrument after purchasing it so you know it is optimized for your style.

If you’re a Flea disciple and have a tendency to break into slapping bass solos midway through a rock epic, you may want to lower the action a bit, which will make the slaps much cleaner and won’t leave your slapping hand bruised to bits, however you may experience a bit of fret buzz.

Still not sure? We explore the pros and cons of playing with fingers or pick in this feature.

P vs J basses

P and J. One letter ‘B’ away from a tasty sandwich? Or the two most iconic letters in rock bass history? In this instance, we want to discuss the latter.

P, standing for ‘Precision’, and J, standing for ‘Jazz’, are two styles of bass developed by Fender in the ’50s and ’60s, that established the electric bass guitar as a core part of popular music. The P Bass first arrived in 1951 and changed the entire bass – and rock music – world irrevocably. Originally a slab-bodied, single (split) pickup workhorse, with a unique (at the time) 34” scale-length, the P Bass was a monumental change from the basses that preceded it, which were typically uprights. Much of this design has remained largely the same, with minor revisions made throughout the 1950s, during which time the P Bass became the quintessential sound of rock‘n’roll’s low end.

After enjoying a period of growth in popularity during the ’50s for its P Bass, in 1960 Fender decided to add another bass guitar to its roster – the Jazz Bass. Seen by some as a more premium instrument, the J Bass featured two pickups, which made it more tonally flexible, whilst its Jazzmaster-style body also caught the eye. Fortunately, the J Bass didn’t come in and blow the P Bass out of the water, both grew together as did the rock genre, with players favoring one over the other based on their individual needs.

The P Bass has an unmistakable, tight-attack, that really cuts through a rock mix. Its overwound split pickup is perfect for those looking to add a little hair to their sound, as it tends to run hotter than J Basses. This makes it great for funk music, as well as rock.

The J Bass can be tamed, and rolling back the tone and volume can give you thick, warm, almost double-bass tones that are more suited to its namesake, jazz, as well as soul and R&B. Having two pickups, however, means you can blend-in both to create really well defined notes, which has seen even the heaviest rockers experiment with J Basses.

So which is better for rock music? Either! They both have unique characteristics, and while a J Bass may have slightly more versatility with its two pickups, the P Bass is one of the forefathers of rock‘n’roll and its tonal range is perfect for rock music. They both have ridiculous credentials and both have featured across countless rock records. Frankly, deciding between the two is more than a little tough… even Fender knows that, which is why PJ bass instruments – featuring the best of both – are such popular fixtures in their catalog. So you don’t have to choose!

How we choose

Okay, we are very aware that bass guitars are very subjective - and things get even more complicated when you start digging into genre-specific basses. That said, no matter our personal preference, there are a few key criteria that a bass guitar must meet for us to consider recommending it as one of the best bass guitars for rock.  

We choose to test products based on a company’s popularity and reputation, as well as our own experiences and expertise. 

For us, a bass must deliver on build quality, playability and tone - and for rock music, we need the assertive tone that'll ensure the bass is heard over the noise of the pounding drums and loud guitar. 

Read more about how we find the best bass guitars for our buyer’s guides and exactly how we test each instrument. 

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While it might not grab the spotlight like a whacky pedal reissue or a shiny new guitar, the cabinet is a crucial element in your bass rig that shouldn't be underestimated. Truth is, the best bass cabinets have the power to elevate your tone, setting you apart from the crowd. Moreover, owning your own cabinet ensures a totally consistent tone at every gig. It's high time to bid farewell to the worn-out, battered cabinets that lurk in the darkness at every local venue (we've all had our share of those, haven't we?).

Although your amplifier lays the groundwork for your electrified sound, it's the cabinet that channels and delivers all that tonal goodness to your ears. With this power comes a great responsibility – hence, selecting the right cabinet option is crucial. This prompts a few thoughts: What speaker set-up works best for me? What power handling do I need? And do I truly need yet another bass guitar? Well, maybe skip the last one – let's face it, you can never have too many guitars! But when it comes to your bass cabinet, it's no laughing matter.

So today, we’re going to help you out and bring you the best bass cabinets currently on the market. From Aguilar to Fender, and circling back to Ampeg, whether you're seeking an 8 x 10" powerhouse or craving the latest innovations, rest assured there's a bass cabinet here that will truly elevate your bass tone.

Best bass cabinets: Quick list

Best bass cabinets available today 

Best overall

If you’ve spent just 30 seconds searching for bass amplification online, chances are you’ll already be familiar with Ampeg. With over 75 years of bass amplification history, Ampeg is the real deal. Inspired by the infamous ‘60s Ampeg B-15 amplifier, the Portaflex PF-115HE emerges as our best overall choice for bass cabinets. 

The PF-115HE delivers exactly what you need from a working musician’s bass cabinet; a commanding, tight low-end that gives you plenty of control. The 1” HF compression driver is equipped with 3-way attenuation for when you need to dial in a bit more sizzle or want to cut out particular frequencies. Capable of handling 450 watts of power, this thing will shake a few windows if need be and will manage medium-to-large venues with ease. 

Ampeg’s B-15 is one of music’s most popular bass amplifiers, so it’s no surprise that the iconic silver grille cloth and its ‘flip-top’ design have been pinched for this cabinet. The flip-top is primarily designed to work in collaboration with a Portaflex head, however, it also opens up to reveal ideal storage space for any cables, pedals or other gigging paraphernalia you may need to hide. 

Okay, this cab isn’t exactly dead weight, but it would have been more handy to have the carry handles mounted to the side as opposed to the top. However, this isn’t a dealbreaker as the built-in casters are lifesavers for moving it around. 

Best for portability

Let’s face it, gigging can be an energy drain and the older you get, the less it agrees with your body. So, if you’re looking for a bass cabinet to make gigging easier on your back, check out the Traveler 102P from Markbass. 

This rectangular little wonder may be small in stature, but don’t let that fool you. It’s capable of handling 400 watts of power with two 10-inch neodymium speakers that deliver punchy, articulate bass. The adjustable piezo tweeter allows you to fine-tune it to your liking, preventing the high-end from being overly dominant or too overwhelming in the mix.

Sometimes whilst gigging local venues, space can be a problem, so being able to use the Traveler both horizontally and vertically is a useful feature. Also handy for surviving local venues is this cab’s robustness. The cab's sturdy multi-ply poplar construction is shielded by a durable carpet-like covering, complete with thick plastic corner reinforcements. Trust us, it's built tough.

Weighing just under 15kg, your back will thank you, especially if you're used to lugging around an old 8 x 10" Ampeg. Although pleasingly portable, having only one side handle gives your bandmates an easy get-out-of-carrying card. So be prepared to shoulder this burden alone. 

Best value

TC Electronic is king of budget musical equipment and the BC208 cab has rightfully earned the crown of best value bass cabinet on our list. Firstly, this thing is rugged. The hard plywood construction has been coated in an anti-skid material, keeping it firmly rooted in place while on the stage. Meanwhile, the stylish heavy-duty metal grille protects the two 8-inch custom drivers found underneath. 

As expected with 8-inch speakers, this cab is going to give you a tight, focussed sound. It does a very impressive job of delivering every detail of your sound without distorting too quickly, even at higher volumes. Although there isn’t a tweeter present, mid and high-range frequencies are handled pretty well and the cab punches well above its speaker configuration and small price tag.

Hearing our bassist play through two of these, it's impressive how the BC208 projects sound. Pound for pound, there aren't many that match its performance. While it handles 200 watts, ideal for smaller venues, linking two for mid-size capacity places might be necessary. Robust, lightweight and affordable, there isn’t really much to dislike here.

Best for volume

There aren’t many bass cabinets as familiar with arena stages as the Ampeg SVT-810E. Used by bassists like Bill Wyman, Cliff Williams and Krist Novoselic, the SVT has had many famous advocates, and as the adage goes, if it’s good enough for them, it’s probably too good for us. 

Ampeg’s SVT amplifier series debuted in '69 with much aplomb. This mammoth cabinet utilizes the same design techniques and speakers as its famous predecessor. You may be thinking that eight ten-inch speakers are overkill, and you possibly have a point, but when you stand in front of them and feel the air pushed into your face, you’ll immediately understand the excess. The low-end is absolutely massive and the volume this cabinet is capable of is insane. 

With such powerful bass, the low and midrange frequencies need to cut through and we’re pleased to report the SVT-810E does this pleasingly well. The headroom and clarity on offer is next to none, even at incredibly high volumes the cabinet behaves impeccably well. Although it takes a bit of pushing, when naturally overdriven, the cabinet truly sings. However, this may only be achievable in larger venues. 

If you sign up for a cabinet that’s affectionately known as ‘the fridge’, you’ll not be surprised to discover that it’s pretty darn heavy, 140lbs to be exact. However, the weight is intrinsic to the cabinet's soul; it's essential for embodying the true SVT tone and the combination of the aforementioned speakers and the birch wood cabinet cannot be substituted. 

Best midrange punch

When people think of Darkglass, thoughts of heavy music usually follow. However, the DG212NE cabinet is proving that the Finnish company shouldn’t so easily be pigeonholed into one particular category. 

This cabinet is capable of a plethora of very musical tones. This is largely thanks to its two 12-inch custom-designed Eminence neodymium speakers that utilize a bi-amp design with 500 watts per side. It provides a superb clean platform for your preferred head and the midrange punch is very pleasing. Rest assured, with 500 watts per speaker, this thing can blow your head off, so if you’re competing with a particularly rambunctious drummer you’ll have all the power you need. 

Don’t get us wrong, the DG212NE will still provide you with Darkglass’ iconic distorted, chunky bass when you need it, but equally pleasing is the cabinet’s crystalline response and overall versatile performance. The 1” P Audio HF driver tweeter takes care of the high-range frequencies, freeing up the 12” Eminence speakers to do the heavy lifting of the low end. Therefore, the cabinet is very well balanced. 

As well as versatility, this cabinet has been constructed with carbon fiber Tolex which sports the distinctive, sleek Darkglass look. Not only does it turn heads, but it's also pretty lightweight for a cabinet this size, weighing in at 19.7kg. Combine that versatility with its weight, and Darkglass has just aced the gigging cabinet game. 

Best for beginners

The Fender Rumble series is the go-to option for fresh-faced bassists who are relatively new to the game. However, the series isn’t just home to 15-watt practice combos. Nowadays, the Californian giants are creating giggable bass cabinets for those after a straightforward and affordable option. Enter the Fender Rumble 210. 

True to its name, you've got a pair of 10-inch Eminence ceramic magnet speakers handling the lows, while the switchable compression driver takes charge of the highs. The result is a powerfully articulate low end with Fender’s infamous transparent mids and pretty clear highs thanks to the compression driver. There is a slight vintage character which is low and thick, so this cab should please old-heads. 

The ported plywood enclosure is as sturdy as it gets and this cab has been designed to stack others on top without flinching. At 16.8kg it’s one of the lightest cabinets on our list, so if you’re looking for a gigging buddy, there’s plenty of appeal here. Capable of handling 700 watts of bass power, this humble cab can shift plenty of air but its biggest appeal is the simple set-up and plug-in and play capabilities. No fuss, zero hassle. 

More options...

Aguilar is slightly younger than heritage brands like Ampeg and Fender. However, don’t be deterred by its comparative youth as, since its inception in the mid-’90s, the New York company has risen to international acclaim in the bass community. With a well-earned pedigree, you can expect fantastic quality when it comes to its equipment – and the SL 112 bass cabinet is no exception.

The SL series is Aguilar’s lightweight cab range that packs a punch without compromising on tone. The SL 112 utilizes a 12-inch cast-frame neodymium driver and a phenolic tweeter with an integral phase plug. On offer is a beautiful woody, vintage bass tone with a silky low-end. It’s definitely not a neutral response, but the color it adds to your bass tone is incredibly musical with tasty vintage flavorings dripping all over. 

Although 250 watts of handling power isn’t the juiciest on our list, the volume on offer here is surprising. These custom-designed crossovers work wonders, directing frequencies to the right speakers for a serious boost in sound projection. We’re not recommending this for huge capacity venues, but for those smaller pub gigs, the SL 112 will have you covered. 

So, we know this is not the choice for purists or vintage tone seekers, but if you've committed to using a digital modeling floor unit live, then this FRFR (full range, flat response) cabinet could be the missing link in your rig. 

Offering a respectable 140 watts of power, this cab will seriously improve the low-end capabilities of any Spark amplifier or multi-effects unit, but it's worth noting that this speaker will not work with a traditional amp head.  

In our glowing 4-star review, we praised this cab's lightweight and sleek design, punchy sound and modest price tag. 

Read our full Positive Grid Spark Cab review

Best bass cabinets: Buying advice

What do I need to know about bass cabinets? 

Just like a guitar cabinet, a bass cabinet is pivotal in any amplification set-up. Unlike a combination amp which houses both the amplifier and speakers in one contained unit, if you're using a separate amplifier head, you'll need a corresponding cabinet. Essentially, a cabinet is a box, often wooden, that houses the speakers. The amplifier head delivers the power while the cabinet serves as the speaker hub for your booming bass tone. Simple enough, right?

Matching the cabinet with your amp's power

Ensuring your cabinet's power matches that of your amplifier is critical. If your amp exceeds your cabinet's capacity, you risk damaging the speakers by overdriving them – an expensive mishap you'll want to avoid. Thankfully, it's a simple process to get it right. Amplifier load is expressed in impedance (ohms), usually 4, 8, or 16 ohms. Just match the amp's ohms to the cabinet's, and you'll be good to go without any worries. Although this sounds pretty straightforward, there is a cabinet graveyard out there with a number of fried speakers, so make sure you pay close attention. 

How we choose products

Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar and bass related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best bass cabinets available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best bass cabinets on the market right now.

Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.

Related buyer's guides

• Best bass guitars: long and short-scale options for beginners to pros
• Best bass amps for practice: top combos for chopping it up at home
• Best budget bass amps: punchy low-end for a low price
  

From innovative tuning tools to interactive learning aids, state-of-the-art amps and must-have accessories, we’ve curated this selection of beginner-friendly gadgets that are sure to transform your practice routine. 

That said, it's not just pure beginners that will reap the benefits of these killer guitar gadgets. So, if you are an intermediate player looking to make some progress in your playing, then you'll want to read on, too. 

Clip-on guitar tuner

In the beginning, it can be very difficult to tune your guitar by ear. Now, while you'll most definitely develop your ear over time, we highly recommend picking up a clip-on guitar tuner. These handy devices will allow you to tune your guitar in seconds giving you more time to focus on the fun part – playing the guitar!  

Below you'll find three of our favorite tuners that cover various price points. 

Capo

What does a capo actually do? Well, very basically, a guitar capo is used to change the key of your instrument. So, if you were to place your capo on the second fret of your guitar and play a standard E major chord, you’ll now be playing an F# major instead – simple. 

So, if you plan on learning songs in a myriad of different keys, a capo is a must-have accessory that every beginner guitarist should have in their gigbag or case. 

Headphone amp

Having a fun and engaging amplifier that makes playing the guitar fun is a sure-fire way to improving your practice routine – and if they also help you keep the noise down, even better. 

Below you'll find three of our top desktop amps that come loaded with inspiring effects and amp models. So plug in your guitar, pop on your headphones and get lost in the wonderful world of excellent guitar tone.  

Practice amps

Looking for something a little bigger and more featured-packed than a headphone amp? Well, below you'll find our pick of the best practice amps on the market right now. These amplifiers sound so good that they are guaranteed to inspire you. 

Looper pedals

When you are first learning how to solo, it helps to have some context. That's where a looper pedal comes in. These humble stompboxes grant you the ability to loop chord progressions and riffs so you can practice soloing over the top, improving your timing, sense of harmony, and feel. 

Online guitar lessons

So, if you really want to improve as a player, it pays to get some lessons. Now, we are aware that it's not always practical to go for one-to-one lessons with a guitar teacher, but that's where these online lessons come in. 

There are many great online learning platforms available today, and each comes with its own approach and song library. Below are our three favorites. 

New to guitar? Here’s our pick of the gear you need to get started

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Distortion is, arguably, the most widely used effect in the guitar world. From a light sprinkle of grit to dank, overly saturated fuzz, the best cheap distortion pedals we're looking at today will take the sound of your guitar to another level, using some of the simplest and most effective methods imaginable, and for less money than you'd expect.

There’s something truly magical about hearing a sound traverse the sonic spectrum, from jangly clean to something far more harmonically rich. 

In this guide, we’ve rounded up some of the best cheap distortion pedals around today. Pedals to help your solos soar and add that extra dimension of heaviness to those chugging riffs. And, best of all, with the pedals we’ve collated here, you too can achieve this wondrous effect for not a lot of cash at all.

Best cheap distortion pedals: Quick list

Best cheap distortion overall

Another classic on the list, the Boss DS-1 has surely been the ‘first’ pedal many a guitarist has got to grips with over the years. The combination of a low price point, rigid build quality and perfectly usable distortion sounds have made it a staple for players of all experience levels. 

It’s possibly not the option to choose if you’re looking for that crushing low-end you’d find in more extreme metal styles, but as a tool in the arsenal of pretty much any other genre, the Boss DS-1 distortion pedal is a solid option.

Best MOSFET distortion

The reborn DOD pedals continue to impress, with the Gunslinger a worthy addition to this list. We liked the MOSFET flavour here; more fizz than chunk, so it imparted a nice extra dimension when used in conjunction with our amp’s gain. 

The high and low controls are responsive enough, and reward more dynamic playing styles, but we can’t help wish we also had control over the pedal’s midrange sounds. For the price though, it’s a great alternative to some of the more widely-used pedals in the list. 

Best cheap distortion for punk

The original ProCo RAT is surely one of the best-known and most widely-used distortion pedals of all time, appearing at the feet of some of rock guitar’s biggest names for decades. The new version picks up the baton and changes… not a huge amount. But that’s fine! 

The RAT 2 works nicely in conjunction with amp gain, meaning you can dial in as much or as little as you need to jumpstart your on-stage tone. Plenty of players use the RAT as little more than a boost pedal, although there is bags of raspy character on offer if you need it. We’re also big fans of its build quality. This is a solid pedal, so much so that ProCo offers a five-year warranty on it, even if you happen to abuse the poor thing so much it falls apart. That’s confidence for you. 

Most affordable distortion pedal

For players searching for an inexpensive way to add both overdrive and distortion to their sound, the Behringer OD-300 might be just the ticket. Sure, it looks garish and the build quality is nothing to write home about, but the ability to choose via a control knob whether you want drive, distortion or a blend of the two is brilliant. 

For beginners, it’s pretty much the perfect package to help you decide whether your tonal needs are best served by drive or distortion. Credit too for the ability to power the pedal by a standard 9v battery, which isn’t a given at this price range. At this price, even when you’ve outgrown it you can keep one in your gigbag as a backup.

Best cheap distortion for rock

If you’re familiar with the Swedish band Grand Magus, then you’ll instantly picture the tones on offer from the TC Electronic Grand Magus. If not, then allow us to paint a picture. Too heavy to be called rock, but definitely not metal, Grand Magus (the band and pedal) occupies the middle ground and does it with aplomb. Think of a heavy tone, but one which still allows clarity from individual notes without becoming oversaturated. The pedal offers a simple set of controls, covering gain and volume, along with a tone control which helps shape the EQ slightly (although not a huge amount, it must be said.)

We liked the overall build quality and the fact the jack connections are at the top of the pedal – meaning it can sit nicely on top of an amp as an always-on tone sculptor without falling off. Most of all, however, we liked the price, which is peanuts for one of the more characterful pedals in the list.

Best cheap distortion for metal

As one of the granddaddies of guitar drive and distortion, the Electro Harmonix Muff series covers gains and drives of just about every flavor, but none more metallic than the Metal Muff. With the EHX Nano Metal Muff, Electro Harmonix has taken the concept and shrunk it down, without removing any of the original's penchant for heaviness. This is not, it must be said, a subtle drive pedal. It is, however, one of the most tweakable on the list, with the usual drive and volume controls and then a full 3-band EQ section to truly dial in your dirt. 

We also loved the built-in noise gate, with on-pedal control, so in the rare quiet parts of your playing, you’re not faced with a wall of interminable humming. 

Best cheap distortion for build quality

We’re big fans of JHS. The JHS 3 Series Distortion, part of the Kansas City brand's low-cost pedal line-up, was arguably the best-sounding pedal we tested, with both the levels of distortion and the overall tone-shaping functions a cut above most others on the list. The filter control, for example, functions as an entire 3-band EQ in one knob, and we found it easy to dial in a sound which sat perfectly in the context of a wider band performance.

We particularly liked the ‘gain’ switch, which took us from a roomy, open overdrive into something much more saturated. Perfect for those moments when you need to let rip, but don’t necessarily want an all-out metal pedal. 

Best for versatility

Another entry showing off the low-cost option from a high-class operator; the Walrus Fundamental Distortion is one of the simplest pedals in the Walrus stable, yet its know-how with more esoteric pedals means the company has brought something to market that combines simplicity with complexity in a fairly unique way. 

The Fundamental is simple because it has basic gain, volume and tone controls – utilizing sliders, rather than knobs – which allow you to dial in your perfect sound. But then, should you want it, there’s room to explore new sounds thanks to the three different distortion types. Dark, Si (silicone) and LED each offer a slight variation on the formula, and make this a pedal which could feasibly be at home on the pedalboards of players in a range of genres. 

Best cheap distortion pedals: Buying advice

How to choose the best cheap distortion pedal for you

Choosing the best cheap distortion pedal can be tricky. With so many variables, it can be hard to decide which pedal will suit you and your playing style best. Especially when you consider that distortion is a broad church, largely linked to the specific sub-genres of music in which they’re commonly found. Each offers a slight variation on the theme, running the range from warm saturation to shredded speaker madness. 

Typically, distortion is most at home powering heavier styles of music, like metal in all its different forms. However, even within the metal genre, you’ll find significant differences. For thrash and other technical styles of metal, you’ll want a pedal that allows you to scoop out the midrange from your sound, so a degree of EQ control is essential. Alternatively, for doom and stoner types of metal, you might want to think about how the pedal will interact with your amp’s gain, especially if you’re using a valve amp. The right distortion pedal here can make all the difference, allowing you to effectively push your amp even further while adding a bit of its own character into the mix. 

When you’re looking for a cheap distortion pedal, there are a few things to keep in mind. Not all pedals are created equal, and you often get what you pay for. There is value to be found in the cheaper pedals though. Look out for pedals with a built-in noise gate. A noise gate actively listens to your signal and only outputs a sound if it detects a loud enough signal, i.e. when you play a chord. Without that input, it engages a mute function, so you don’t get that constant low-level hum associated with higher gain pedals and amps. 

Fundamentally, distortion is one of the simplest yet most effective effects out there. The difficulty comes in finding the one that is right for you. And, whether you’re searching for your first distortion pedal, or adding an extra element to an existing pedalboard, hopefully, this guide will shine a light on some of the more inexpensive options available to you.

How we choose products

Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar and bass related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best cheap distortion pedals available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best cheap distortion pedals on the market right now.

Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.

Related buyer's guides

• Best cheap guitar pedals: more budget stompboxes you need to try
• Best fuzz pedals: add some extra filth to your tone

Many people think of Epiphone as the budget version of Gibson, and while that isn’t completely untrue, they do have a rich history that goes beyond being bought out in the late ’50s. Epiphone has been making instruments for over 150 years now and you’ll actually see many of the best Epiphone guitars being used in studios and on stages around the world by amateurs and pros alike.

Starting out making lutes, banjos, acoustic guitars and other instruments, Epiphone was acquired by Gibson in 1957 and remained in the US until 1970. Production then moved to the Far East and that’s where most Epiphones are made today. 

Epiphone produces more affordable versions of Gibson’s most popular models – the Les Paul, SG, Explorer and more, but they do also make some guitars that are exclusive to them, like the Casino. The quality of Epiphones is very, very good – you might even find that the certain Epiphones give some of the cheaper Gibsons a good run for their money.

There are lots of different models on offer, with many of them looking the same; they even have incredibly similar names too. We’ve picked out what we reckon to be the best Epiphone guitars on the market right now. We have only included electric guitars (they make so many good acoustics that it wouldn’t be right to include just a few here!), and we have stayed away from the more expensive USA-made models.

Best Epiphone guitars: Quick list

The best Epiphone guitars available today 

Best Epiphone for tone

One of the most talked about guitars of 2023, the Epiphone version of Kirk Hammett/Peter Green/Gary Moore’s ‘Greeny’ Les Paul, whilst expensive, is probably the best new Epiphone guitar you’ll get your hands on. In a lot of ways, it’s a Gibson in all but name – it’s got the open book style headstock, Gibson Custom Shop pickups, plus if you close your eyes and play it, you’ll convince yourself you’re playing a full-fat USA Les Paul.

Yes, it’s expensive for an Epiphone made in China, but honestly, it really is a fantastic electric guitar. It’s made incredibly well, it looks amazing, especially with its satin-style finish, and it really sounds the part too. The Gibson Greenybuckers fitted in this guitar are almost identical to the ones you get in the Custom Shop version (the difference is that these are wax-potted). They dish out the highly sought-after vintage PAF tone really well, though these perhaps sit at the hotter end. If you’re seeking classic rock or old-school blues tones, then the Epiphone Greeny is a perfect choice; that said, stick it through a really distorted amp and you’ll still get great results. 

The Epiphone Greeny is very much inspired by the much more expensive Gibson models, and whilst expensive for a Chinese-made guitar, still comes in a lot cheaper than those and doesn’t compromise on quality. 

Read our full Epiphone Kirk Hammett Greeny 1959 Les Paul Standard review

Best Epiphone for punk

What you can’t do with two P-90s, a volume and tone knob for each and a three-way pickup selector, we don’t want to know about. The Les Paul Special is a real back-to-basics rock and roll machine, but it’s also really versatile. 

Sitting sonically somewhere between a regular single coil and a humbucker pickup, a P-90 can give you the best of both worlds. They’re bright and cutting without sounding thin, and they can be beefy and thumpy without being muddy or boomy. Whether you’re playing clean or driven, they stay articulate and clear, plus if you’re playing through a distorted rig, they’ll clean up nicely as you back the volume down. 

The design is as stripped back and simple as you can get without sacrificing any sort of versatility or practicality, and the TV Yellow finish is an absolute classic. Great value, and definitely one of the best Epiphone guitars out there. 

Read our full Epiphone Les Paul Special TV Yellow review

Best Epiphone overall

The Casino is a guitar in its own right, in that it’s not a direct copy or recreation of a Gibson model (though it is similar to a Gibson ES-330). Used by the likes of the Beatles, Paul Weller, Gary Clarke Jr, Elliott Smith and loads more, the Casino is a hollowbody guitar fitted with a pair of P-90 pickups – and for us, is definitely one of the best Epiphone guitars out there.

The hollow body helps it resonate really well, both unplugged and amplified. It does also mean that it’s more prone to feedback if you’re using a fair bit of gain, though when used carefully, this can actually lead to some really cool results – you can get notes that last forever when controlled right! The pickups have plenty of midrange and top end bite, so you’ll cut through the mix nicely, plus they compress slightly in all the right ways. 

The trapeze tailpiece adds a touch of class, and the Vintage Deluxe tuners keep your guitar in pitch whilst retaining the vintage aesthetic. Unless you’re playing really heavy music, there isn’t much this instrument can’t do – no wonder it’s been a best-seller since the early ’60s!

Best Epiphone for style

This is another model made in partnership with Gibson’s Custom Shop. This one takes us back to 1958, and what at that time was a radical new guitar shape – the Flying V. Even now, it’s one of the most striking guitars there is. Also, while it might be on the more expensive side of things for an Epiphone, this is a pretty good recreation of one of the rarest and most valuable guitars ever made. 

The Epiphone ’58 Flying V is made using korina wood, like the originals. It’s also fitted with Gibson Burstbucker 2 and 3 pickups, and high quality electronics. It’s a great sounding guitar – powerful, but dynamic. Whether you’re into heavy metal or slow blues, the ’58 Flying V can cater for it all, and look insanely cool whilst doing so. It’s not the easiest guitar to sit down with, though the rubber knee rest strip on the bottom of the body does help. 

It’s a fantastic recreation of a legendary guitar, built very well with some high quality electronics inside. All in all, one of the best Epiphone guitars on the market. 

Read our full Epiphone 1958 Korina Flying V review

Best value for money

It doesn’t get much more classic than an old-school Les Paul. The Epiphone Les Paul Standard 60s is a modern recreation of some of those early Les Pauls. A vintage Gibson would likely set you back hundreds of thousands; this one, a matter of hundreds. 

Like all other Les Paul Standards, this one has a mahogany body topped with a maple cap. It’s got Epiphone’s ProBucker 2 and 3 pickups in there that deliver the perfect classic rock tone, though should you want to play heavier music, the bridge pickup in particular will allow you to do that just as well.

In comparison to the ’50s version, the ’60s model has a slimmer neck which many players find more comfortable, especially if you use your thumb to reach around the top of the fingerboard. It’s also got a set of fantastic Grover machine heads which do a great job of holding the guitar’s tuning, and there are also some really nice finishes available. 

Best Epiphone for metal

Looking at this guitar, you might think that its most striking feature is its shape – it’s a really cool cross between an Explorer and a Futura, hence the name. However, we think the pickups are probably the star of the show here.

The Epiphone Extura Prophecy is fitted with a pair of Fishman Fluence Proprietary pickups that offer you three distinct tones. The first is the classic Gibson PAF tone, so if you want to cover some classic rock territory, then you can. You’ve then got a modern, high output voice that’s perfect for contemporary metal and other heavier styles of music, plus a beautiful, glassy single-coil sound. This makes it supremely versatile, allowing you to change sounds quite drastically at the flick of a switch.

Add into the mix some high quality hardware, slim neck profile and some insane finishes and you’ve got what has to be one of the best Epiphone guitars out there, particularly for more modern players.

Best for playability

The Gibson SG really is a do-it-all guitar; whether it’s blues, rock, metal, country, pop or whatever else you’re playing, the SG – in particular this Epiphone 60s Maestro Vibrola – can tackle everything. It’s a guitar based on a model from 1961 and is dripping in vintage mojo. There have been a few changes to bring it more in line with the needs of modern players though: there’s a slimmer neck profile, 12” fingerboard radius and medium jumbo frets, making it superbly playable all over the neck.

The pickups are Epiphone ProBucker 2 and 3; the latter being slightly overwound in the bridge position leading to a higher output that sounds immense through a high gain rig. They’re inspired by some legendary Gibson pickups, so they deliver that classic warm PAF-style sound that so many people are after. The old-school vibrola allows you to add some subtle vibrato when it’s called for, though it might not give enough for those wanting more extreme dive-bombs. 

Best Epiphone for jazz

Now this is a guitar that screams class. It’s a design that has been around for over 70 years and is perfect for guitar for jazz. The hollowbody design gives it plenty of resonance, and a deep, luscious tone, further enhanced by the Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers. 

With it having two pickups, and a volume and tone knob for each, you can get a variety of sounds from this guitar. The maple body does lend a touch of brightness to the sound, which means that it works for a lot more than just jazz – old school rock and rollers will love it, as well as blues and country players too. Dial back on the tone knobs though and you’re instantly back in that dark, warm jazz tone territory. 

Wine Red and Sunburst are two classic color options, and the Frequensator Split Trapeze tailpiece is a beautiful finishing touch. It’s also got a very playable Slim Taper ’60s C neck profile and sturdy, quality tuners. 

Best Epiphone guitars: Buying advice

Body shape and weight considerations

The body of the guitar can have a big impact on how comfortable it is for you. Something like an SG or Les Paul is generally pretty comfortable to play standing up or sitting down, as the curves of the body allow for it easily – a Flying V not so much!

Also bear in mind the body construction. A Les Paul Standard has a mahogany body topped with a maple cap, which can end up being fairly heavy. A Les Paul Special does away with the maple cap, so will generally be lighter; the same goes for most SGs. A hollowbody is likely to be even lighter still, so if you’re standing up playing for long periods of time, then that could be worth considering. Just remember though that a hollowbody guitar is going to be more prone to feedback. 

How we choose products

Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar and bass related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best Epiphone guitars available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best Epiphone guitars on the market right now.

Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.

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The dreadnought’s imposing shape, with its broad, ruler-straight shoulders and wide waist, is etched into our subconscious; its tone is destined forever to ring on in our ears. The big dread’s appeal is simply inescapable to the point that, for many, it’s utterly irresistible.

A large part of the dreadnought’s charm is its versatility. It’s most at home belting out strummed chord patterns or flat-picked melodies and runs, but fingerstyle falls well within its comfort zone too. Bass response may be there in spades, but it’s rarely overpowering in the way that some jumbo guitars can be. A good dread will also exhibit a mildly scooped midrange, making it the perfect choice for singer-songwriters who require plenty of space for their vocals to shine.

The dreadnought’s beefy shape was created by Martin in 1916 to produce an acoustic guitar that had enough punch and volume to be heard alongside other band instruments of the day, including drums, saxophones and acoustic bass.

Its popular tonal signature has remained a performance mainstay ever since, despite the introduction of amplification just a decade or so later. These days, as well as Martin, plenty of brands offer dreadnoughts, so I’ve picked some of the very best examples for you, regardless of your playing style or budget.

To get you started, my no.1 pick goes to the iconic Martin D-35 thanks to its rich tone, clear notes and superb build quality. And if you're after more dreadnought information, check out my FAQ section where I've highlighted all the info you need to make an informed purchasing decision.

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Best overall