Articles by: James Farmer

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 last updated 5 June 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 last updated 6 June 23

Show the drummer in your life 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

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

Gear4music Black Friday deals 2023: All the info you need to save big this Cyber Weekend

By Daryl Robertson last updated 14 September 23

The latest on the big Black Friday savings at Gear4music

Image of various microphones from Rode, Shure, and Blue

Black Friday microphone deals 2023: Where and when to find the biggest microphone bargains

By Daryl Robertson last updated 11 September 23

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

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 27 March 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 expert 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 16 June 23

Our expert guide to the best electronic drum kits from Roland, Yamaha, Alesis and more - plus full reviews and 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 15 August 23

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

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

By Jonathan Horsley last updated 19 July 23

Our expert pick 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 13 June 23

Our expert guide to the best in-ear monitors for practice, performance and production, 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

Man wearing headphones plays a Roland electronic drum set at home

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

By Chris Barnes last updated 24 August 23

Find the right Roland electronic drum set for you

Line 6 Helix multi-effects pedal on a concrete floor

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

By James Farmer last updated 9 August 23

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

A variety of different electric guitars lying on the floor

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

By Chris Bird last updated 14 September 23

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

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

By Michael Astley-Brown last updated 28 March 23

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

Close-up of a Sterling by Music Man Ray4 bass guitar's body against a reddish brown background

Best cheap bass guitars 2023: top budget basses for every style of player

By Chris Bird last updated 20 October 22

Take a tour through our pick of the best budget bass guitars for beginner to intermediate players

Two spruce-topped acoustic guitars leaning against a wall

Best acoustic guitars under $/£1,000 2023: 10 of the best options for beginners and experts

By Jonathan Horsley last updated 23 February 23

Your guide to the best mid-priced acoustic guitars for under a grand

Two people conduct a conversation via two USB microphones

Best USB microphones 2023: 11 all-in-one mics for streaming, vlogging, podcasts and voiceovers

By Chris Corfield last updated 19 October 22

These USB-equipped mics will make your content creation so much easier

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