The Latest Breaking News from Phil Barker

“A versatile boost/drive asset for your signal chain”: Flattley The Joker review

The latest from the UK-based pedal company gives you licence to rock with the choice of dirt or filth

Guitar World · Jun 21

“The lower mids and bass vibrate through your body – it’s tone you can feel”: Gibson J-185 Century 12-Fret and J-45 Century 12-Fret review

A pair of historic acoustics from Gibson’s illustrious catalog to celebrate its century offlat-tops. But wait, these are 12-fretters. What’s going on?

Guitar World · Jun 20

"An unforgiving beast, but the sort of amp I would urge every player to experience at least once": Marshall x Jimi Hendrix 60th Anniversary JMH Half Stack review

Paying tribute to 60 years of one of the most iconic pairings in guitar history, Marshall releases a signature Hendrix amp bundle, featuring not only an amp and cab, but a Fuzz Face and some very collectable extras.

Guitar World · Jun 18

"Where many modeling amps of this ilk fail to impress me, I found the Reactor to be incredibly receptive, balanced and warm": Positive Grid Reactor 100 Intelligent Guitar Combo Amp review

Positive Grid is branching out from the market-conquering Spark family with a bold new lineup that could spell trouble for the Boss Katana

Guitar World · Jun 2

"Look past the dated interface, and you will discover killer tones": Kemper Profiler Head MK2 review

A product that changed the game upon its initial release gets a long-awaited update. But can it keep up with the increased competition?

Guitar World · May 11

“This is the one processor that brings me significantly closer to joining the virtual amp modeling dark side”: Nux MG-50Li review

It’s glaringly apparent that the new comparitvely affordable multi-effects and amp modeler pedal is a significant leap forward for Nux

Guitar World · May 2

“One is the archetypal vintage workhorse, the other aims to be a hot-rodded example that any custom builder might devise”: Fender 75th Anniversary Vintera Road Worn 1951 Telecaster & American Professional Classic Cabronita Telecaster review

To mark the company’s diamond anniversary, Fender has released a slew of celebratory models. Here’s a pair of polar opposite but equally alluring Telecasters

MusicRadar · May 2

“The new vibrato only adds to the appeal – it’s easy to see how this guitar could do the business equally well for metal, jazz-fusion or function gigs”: Strandberg Boden Standard N2.6T review

A new vibrato design, on a guitar we loved already – will we be tickled pink?

Guitar World · Apr 29

"The AI-assisted future of guitar effects pedals? In its current form, not quite. But its ambition is massive": Polyend Endless review

NAMM 2026's Best in Show winner promises to provide an immersive insight into the future of guitar effects pedals – but is the potential of this stompbox well and truly endless?

Guitar World · Apr 28

“I think this might just be the missing analog link to complete your amp modeling rig”: Victory PowerValve 200 review

Victory's new power amp aims to marry our digitally modeled preamps to a real cabinet, whilst providing tube warmth and feel - is it the best of both worlds?

Guitar World · Apr 24