Articles by Matt McCracken, Junior Deals Writer

Guitar World

Matt is a Junior Deals Writer at Guitar World and has been playing guitar as his main instrument for well over 20 years. He also plays drums, bass, and keys producing out of his home studio in Manchester, UK. He has previously worked for Dawsons Music, Northwest Guitars, and freelanced for various magazines and blogs, writing reviews, how-to's, and features. When he's not downloading the latest VSTs or justifying yet another guitar pedal purchase, you'll find him making a racket with Northern noise hounds JACKALS.

Articles by: Matt McCracken

Positive Grid Spark Mini amp on the floor with a guitar cable

Celebrate Father’s Day with irresistible free gifts and money off Positive Grid’s Spark amps and BIAS software

By Matt McCracken published 29 May 23

Unleash great tone with these incredible Father’s Day deals on Spark, Spark Mini, Spark GO, BIAS software, and more

Three guitars with an American flag in the background

Get yourself up to 35% off loads of guitar gear in the massive Guitar Center Memorial Day sale

By Matt McCracken published 26 May 23

With huge discounts on big brands, now’s your chance to save money on Fender, Gibson, Schecter, PRS, Boss and loads more

Multiple guitars and effects pedals lying on the floor with an American flag

Save up to 40% on a huge range of guitar gear with the Musician’s Friend Memorial Day sale

By Matt McCracken published 26 May 23

These Memorial Day deals see hundreds of dollars off top brands like Fender, Gibson, PRS, Boss, Universal Audio, and more

Close up of Gretsch resonator guitar on a blue wooden surface

Best resonator guitars 2023: our pick of the best dobro guitars for blues, bluegrass and country

By Matt McCracken published 26 May 23

Release your inner hound dog with these super strummers from Gretsch, Epiphone, Fender and more

Charvel Pro Mod San Dimas guitar on a blue background

Best guitars for shredding 2023: unleash your inner guitar god with these supersonic six strings

By Matt McCracken published 5 May 23

Shred the competition with our pick of the finest face-melting axes from Ibanez, Charvel, ESP, Schecter, and more

Guitar Center’s Guitar-A-Thon has landed, promising up to 20% off the hottest guitar gear

By Matt McCracken published 13 April 23

Get your hands on some super savings with Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, and loads more

Strymon BigSky and Strymon BlueSky V2 side by side

Strymon BigSky vs Strymon BlueSky: which reverb is best for your 'board?

By Matt McCracken published 31 March 23

We put two of Strymon’s top-tier pedals head to head

Man plays electric guitar with Line 6 Helix Native

Here's your last chance to save a massive 50% on Line 6 Helix Native in its spring software sale

By Matt McCracken published 29 March 23

Get your paws on some of the best amp and effects modeling software around with these tempting spring deals

First look: Positive Grid Spark GO review

By Matt McCracken published 29 March 23

We get an exclusive first look at the brand-new mini amp from Positive Grid

Guitar neck profiles explained: find your perfect playing partner

By Matt McCracken published 22 March 23

Discover more about how your guitar neck profile affects your guitar’s playability

Two Fender Player Plus Series guitars with a Marshall guitar amp in the background

Save big on Player Series bundles with up to $180 off in Fender’s Spring Sale

By Matt McCracken published 20 March 23

Take a tasty discount when you bundle Fender’s renowned Player and Player Plus guitars with some awesome accessories

EarthQuaker Devices Tube Screamer clone on a wooden floor

5 alternatives to the DigiTech Bad Monkey that you can actually afford

By Matt McCracken published 17 March 23

Swerve the hype and bag yourself a bargain whilst everyone's attention is elsewhere

Vidami Blue review

By Matt McCracken published 16 March 23

Not your usual kind of guitar pedal, this Bluetooth-powered stompbox streamlines your workflow with rapid-fire guitar tracking and intuitive video learning

Guitar Tricks tutor playing a Telecaster

Get a month of Guitar Tricks online lessons for just $1

By Matt McCracken published 10 March 23

This exclusive offer for Guitar World readers gives you access to over 11,000 lessons – all for less than the cost of some new guitar picks

Positive Grid Spark Mini amp with a coiled guitar cable

Best mini amps for guitar 2023: power up your practice with these tiny towers of tone

By Matt McCracken published 10 March 23

Short on space? Practice anywhere with these small guitar amps that pack a punch

Universal Audio OX Amp Top Box on top of a guitar cabinet

Don't miss out on a huge $300 off the excellent Universal Audio OX Amp Top Box at Guitar Center

By Matt McCracken published 28 February 23

Get perfect guitar tones for less with this powerful reactive load box that’s ideal for studio and stage work

A Fender Strat and Jackson 7-string guitar leaning against a Vox amp with a Line 6 HX Stomp in between.

The Musician’s Friend Presidents’ Day sale has just dropped, with up to 40% off an array of amazing guitar gear

By Matt McCracken published 20 February 23

Get yourself some serious discounts on big brands like Fender, Gibson, Line 6, Jackson, and loads more

Electric guitar with a HSS pickup configuration

Single coils vs humbuckers: Which pickup type is right for you?

By Matt McCracken published 16 February 23

They both offer a unique flavor of guitar tone, but is one pickup really better than the other? We deep dive into the debate

Orange Pedal Baby guitar amp on a blue background

Best amps for pedals 2023: maximize your tone with our choice of the best pedal platforms

By Matt McCracken published 15 February 23

Unleash the potential of your pedalboard with these high headroom amplifiers from Fender, Roland, Orange, and more

Unlock 50% off Fender Play annual subscriptions and get a two-week free trial with this mega-deal

By Matt McCracken published 24 January 23

Master the guitar with Fender Play’s expert tuition, now at half price for a year’s worth of lessons

Best guitar capos 2023: 10 top choice capos for acoustic and electric guitar

By Chris Bird published 18 January 23

A capo is a great way to boost your creativity on the instrument. Here’s our top picks for electric and acoustic guitar, ukulele, 12-string and beyond

Positive Grid Spark Mini on a concrete floor with a guitar cable

Best desktop guitar amps 2023: 10 amplifiers for portable practice

By Nick Guppy last updated 12 May 23

The desktop guitar amp market is getting crowded, but our top picks from Yamaha, Blackstar, Fender, and more might just be the finest money can buy

TC Electronic Sub 'N' Up octave pedal on a flight case

Best octave pedals 2023: fast track your way to fat guitar tone with these powerful pedalboard additions

By Matt McCracken published 12 January 23

Make your riffs slap harder and solos fly higher with our expert selection of the best octave pedals you can buy today

Positive Grid's OMNYSS amp and effect suite on a space background

Positive Grid OMNYSS review

By Matt McCracken published 6 January 23

Designed for sonic explorers, Positive Grid’s OMNYSS takes your guitar tone to hitherto unimagined realms

Various guitar picks on Blackstar amplifier

Best guitar picks 2023: 12 recommended plectrums to upgrade your playing

By Jonathan Horsley published 4 January 23

Our guide to the best picks for bass, acoustic and electric guitar

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