Articles by: James Farmer

MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians

James is a freelance writer and former Junior Deals Writer at MusicRadar. Before writing, James worked as a guitar salesman at a local music store, so he knows a thing or two about matching people with their perfect instruments. James also has experience working in other areas of the music trade, having worked for the online music distributor, RouteNote. James is a guitarist, bassist and drummer and has also toured the UK and Europe with his old band Hypophora.

Articles by: James Farmer

Best guitar cables 2023: leads and patch cables for all budgets

By Rob Laing published 17 January 23

Advice on picking the best guitar cable for you and why choosing the right cable matters, with options from Mogami, Ernie Ball, Fender and more

Gift box adorned with a blue bow on a dark wooden floor

Best gifts for musicians 2023: 50 affordable present ideas for music-makers (which they'll actually use)

By Matt Parker published 6 January 23

Shopping for a drummer, guitarist, DJ, producer or content creator? Here’s some gift inspiration for the muso in your life

Close up of man playing a drum kit with brushes

Best gifts for drummers 2023: 48 brilliant ideas to treat the drummer in your life

By Chris Barnes published 6 January 23

Show your favourite drummer some love with our pick of the coolest drum accessories, gadgets, handmade gifts, last minute ideas and more

Close up of the strings and sound hole of a cheap acoustic guitar

Best cheap acoustic guitars 2023: 13 top picks for those on a budget

By Jonathan Horsley published 3 January 23

Your guide to the best cheap acoustic and electro-acoustic guitars out there, with amazing value options from Martin, Taylor, Fender, and more

Image of a red Telecaster guitar on a wooden floor

Best Telecasters 2023: 12 of the best Fender Telecasters for every budget

By Ed Mitchell last updated 8 February 23

Our pick of the best Telecasters that prove Leo Fender’s first born is still the most versatile guitar design of all time

Cyber Monday Andertons 2022 deals are still out there: loads of Christmas deals now available

By Daryl Robertson last updated 29 November 22

If you missed Andertons' Cyber Monday sale fear not, there are still some excellent savings to get your hands on

Black Friday studio headphone deals 2022: today's top deals on over-ear and in-ear monitors for producers and musicians

By Simon Arblaster published 26 November 22

Your place for all the headphone deals from Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Amazon and more

Black Friday studio monitor deals 2022: today's top deals on active speakers of all sizes

By Simon Arblaster published 26 November 22

Price drops on Mackie, M-Audio, Avantone and more

Image of various music gear with Casio piano, Apple MacBook Pro, Beyerdynamic headphones, Roland drums, and Fender Stratocaster guitar

Gear4music Black Friday deals 2022: the official sale is still live

By Daryl Robertson last updated 26 November 22

The latest on the big Black Friday savings at Gear4music

Image of various microphones from Rode, Shure, and Blue

Black Friday microphone deals 2022: top deals still out there on condenser, dynamic, and USB mics

By Daryl Robertson last updated 26 November 22

Your place for all the microphone deals from Shure, Rode, AKG, Blue Microphones and more

Black Friday Andertons deals 2022: their biggest music gear sale of the year is live

Black Friday Andertons 2022 deals are still out there: the best deals from their biggest sale

By Daryl Robertson last updated 26 November 22

Your place for the latest still-live Black Friday deals all everything from guitars to drums, keyboards, recording gear and more from Andertons

TC Electronic Polytune next to a Gibson Les Paul

Best guitar tuners 2023: from tuning pedals and clip-ons, to guitar tuning apps

By Rob Laing last updated 8 February 23

Keep your all-important tuning on point with the best strobe, polyphonic and chromatic tuners

Younger man teaching older man how to play guitar

Best guitars for beginners 2023: become a star in the making with 9 beginner-friendly acoustic and electric guitars

By Chris Corfield published 16 November 22

Check out our recommendations for the best guitars for beginners, kids and guitarists with small hands

Man plays a Yamaha electronic drum kit in a lounge

Best electronic drum sets 2023: top picks for every playing level and budget

By Chris Barnes last updated 25 January 23

Our guide to the best electronic drum kits from Roland, Yamaha, Alesis and more - plus full reviews and expert buying advice

Pair of black IK Multimedia iLoud Micro budget studio monitors forming part of a home studio setup

Best budget studio monitors 2023: pocket-friendly home studio speakers, most pairs under $200/£200

By Chris Corfield last updated 27 January 23

The best cheap studio monitors for home recording, with affordable options from IK Multimedia, M-Audio, JBL, PreSonus and more

Fender Tonemaster Deluxe and Twin Reverb in a room with wooden floor and blue walls

Best guitar amps 2023: Our pick of the best combos, heads and pedalboard amps for all budgets and abilities

By Jonathan Horsley published 4 November 22

20 of the best guitar amps for rock, metal, blues and more, including tube, solid-state and digital modelling amplifiers

Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case

Best in-ear monitors 2023: IEMs for stage and studio

By Chris Corfield last updated 27 January 23

Our ultimate guide to the best in-ear monitors for musicians and producers, no matter your budget

Yamaha Stage Custom drum set in a studio with spotlights behind

Best drum sets 2023: top drum kits for beginner to pro drummers

By James Farmer published 28 October 22

Explore 17 of the best drum kits for the studio, stage and bedroom from Ludwig, Pearl, Tama, DW and more

Best cheap electric guitars 2023: 10 epic budget electrics

By Chris Corfield last updated 3 February 23

Our experts pick the best cheap electric guitars for rock, metal and blues players on a budget

Alesis Nitro Mesh kit against a wall and sat on a rug

Best Alesis electronic drum sets 2023: our pick of Alesis electronic drums for beginners to pros

By James Farmer published 27 October 22

Our expert guide to finding the perfect Alesis electronic drum set for your budget and skill level

The 6 best Roland electronic drum sets 2022: The top Roland e-kits for beginner to pro drummers

Best Roland electronic drum sets 2023: The top Roland e-kits for beginner to pro drummers

By Chris Barnes last updated 27 October 22

Find the right Roland electronic drum set for you

Headrush and Line 6 Helix multi-effects pedals on the floor

Best multi-effects pedals 2023: 12 of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers

By James Farmer last updated 31 January 23

Our guide to the best multi-effects pedals will help you get your head around amp modelling pedals and multi-FX

Fender Jazzmaster, Stratocaster, and Telecaster on a aquamarine background

Best electric guitars 2023: our pick of guitars to suit all budgets

By Chris Bird last updated 27 January 23

Find the top electric guitar for your budget and playing style, whether you play rock, metal, blues or beyond

Ditto Jam X2 Looper on a light blue background

Best looper pedals 2023: 12 loopers to fatten up your live guitar performances

By Michael Astley-Brown last updated 19 October 22

Explore our pick of compact and floorboard loop stations and the best looper pedals for guitarists at every budget

Closeup of the pickup and fingerboard of the Epiphone EB-0 bass guitar in cherry red

Best beginner bass guitars 2023: 10 epic beginner basses for all

By Chris Corfield last updated 19 October 22

For those just starting out, we’ve picked out the best beginner bass guitars from the likes of Squier, Epiphone, Sterling, Ibanez and more

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