Jonathan Horsley
Jonathan Horsley has been writing about guitars and guitar culture since 2005, playing them since 1990, and regularly contributes to MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitar World. He uses Jazz III nylon picks, 10s during the week, 9s at the weekend, and shamefully still struggles with rhythm figure one of Van Halen’s Panama.
Latest articles by Jonathan Horsley
![Fender Standard Series: Launched at NAMM 2025, Fender's new affordable lineup comprises [L-R] the Jazz Bass, HSS Stratocaster, Stratocaster, Telecaster and Precision Bass](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/omnmbYXPH73KEG8JJzihMf-320-80.jpg)
NAMM 2025: Strats and Teles at $599? Fender launches budget-friendly Standard series
By Jonathan Horsley published
Five classic models, sweet finishes like Candy Cola and O.G. Butterscotch Blonde... These are going to be popular

NAMM 2025: Sterling By Music Man unveils Tosin Abasi, Rabea Massaad’s Sabre and Fluff Bruce models
By Jonathan Horsley published
Three creatively spec'd classics from the Ernie Ball Music Man signature series remixed for a more affordable price point – and you can get the Kaizen with six or seven strings

NAMM 2025: Classic sounds, classy looks – meet Marshall's new overdrive pedals series
By Jonathan Horsley published
Get Plexi, JCM800, DSL drive and more at sensible volumes from a range of pedals that look like Marshall amps and sound like 'em, too

NAMM 2025: Orangewood unveils Seymour Duncan-equipped rubber-bridge Juniper II acoustics
By Jonathan Horsley published
For all your indie-folk needs, the new and improved Juniper II: now with a splittable Seymour Duncan Hot Rails pickup and a baritone option for low-end plunk

NAMM 2025: Joe Satriani teams up with IK Multimedia for Tonex One preloaded with 20 of his presets
By Jonathan Horsley published
Finished in chrome to match his Chrome Boy Ibanez signature guitar, this small but mighty Tonex One has the tones for Ice 9, Summer Song and more

NAMM 2025: Orange launches Baby series, solid-state amp heads that weigh 3kg but pack a 100W punch
By Jonathan Horsley published
Baby's got backline: small amps, heaps of volume, with all-analogue designs and gig-friendly features

NAMM 2025: AmpRx launches Brownie, a “voltage optimising” power supply for tube amps
By Jonathan Horsley published
Could this be your tube amp's secret weapon? AmpRxs latest allows you to control the voltage your tube amp is getting, promising consistent sound and enhancing its longevity

NAMM 2025: “An outstanding selection of chorus tones” – Nobels unveils $99 CHO-mini stereo chorus
By Jonathan Horsley published
It is a hard-working unit requiring a small piece of pedalboard real estate – and it's only $99

What are the best online guitar lessons in 2025? I review guitar gear for a living and these are my favourite lessons platforms
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
My pick of the best online guitar courses will get your playing up to speed from the comfort of your own home, whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player

NAMM 2025: Eastman unveils FullerTone series: electrics with retro vibes, innovative bolt-on builds
By Jonathan Horsley published
The FullerTone neck joint is a bolt-on with a long tenon that offers three times greater neck to body contact

NAMM 2025: ESP unveils signature models for Mick Thomson, Will Adler and more in epic launch
By Jonathan Horsley published
It's that magical time of the year when ESP drop dozens of new models, and once again the metal guitar specialist has gone big with artist collabs

NAMM 2025: Morley teams up with Pantera’s Rex Brown for signature wah with “intense monstrous sweep”
By Jonathan Horsley published
Based on Brown’s Pro Series II Wah, with gnarly glow-in-the-dark details, this Sweetwater exclusive is available now

NAMM 2025: PRS unveils “roadworthy workhorse,” a Swamp Ash comeback and new core series electronics
By Jonathan Horsley published
PRS makes an impressive start to its 40th anniversary year with two high-end electrics, hardware upgrades for S2 and select Bolt-on models – and what about those DMO humbuckers?

Pigtronix unveils Cosmosis I, shrinking its ambient reverb into a compact single-footswitch pedal
By Jonathan Horsley published
One small footprint on your pedalboard, one giant leap for your electric guitar sound

NAMM 2025: Has Mooer captured the amp profiler market with the feature-packed GS1000?
By Jonathan Horsley published
Mooer Audio harnesses the power of AI and its MNRS profiling tech to take on on Neural DSP, Kemper and IK Multimedia head-on

NAMM 2025: “Muscle… rich multi-dimensional sound” – IK Multimedia unveils Tonex Cab FRFR speaker
By Jonathan Horsley published
The Tonex Cab is the most compact 1x12 FRFR speaker on the market but it packs a wallop

NAMM 2025: Boss unveils Waza Tube Amp Expander Core, a home recording powerhouse for tube amp owners
By Jonathan Horsley published
The feature-packed reactive load box is reimagined with a smaller footprint that's ideal for the home recording enthusiast, and guitarist with a tube amp and neighbours

NAMM 2025: Boss launches V-800 V-Guitar Processor and promises to “completely transform” your sound
By Jonathan Horsley published
The V-800 can turn your electric guitar into a sonic chameleon, nailing the tones of another electric, turning it into an acoustic, a sitar or a huge range of sounds – and it works with bass guitars too

Shergold Masquerader Standard SM11 review
By Jonathan Horsley published
Another home run from Patrick James Eggle? This Masquerader could be the real deal for those seeking an affordable doublecut with a difference

NAMM 2025: Verso unveils Sine, a totally unique electric guitar with a freely movable pickup system
By Jonathan Horsley published
Just when you think you have seen it all, along comes the Verso Sine, with its moveable pickups and Sine pad that allows you to mechanically control the volume for swells and tremolo effects

Walrus Audio expands utility range with the Canvas Rehearsal, a practice tool for your pedalboard
By Jonathan Horsley published
Plug your guitar in, send audio to the Canvas Rehearsal via Bluetooth or cable, and there are a number of customisable metronome features on hand to make you a better player

A backline icon returns as Mesa/Boogie officially releases twin-channel 90s Dual Rectifier
By Jonathan Horsley published
The sound of '90s hard-rock, metal and grunge lives again
![Orianthi [left] wears a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses as she takes a solo on her signature PRS electric guitar; Michael Jackson wears mirrored shades and a gold bullet-belt as he performs at the half-time Super Bowl show in 1993.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tza9Zx5GwG6h38uSoxjLda-320-80.jpg)
Orianthi on what she learned from Michael Jackson and the King of Pop's ear for guitar tone
By Jonathan Horsley published
The pop icon died before Orianthi got the chance to play live with him but the intensity of the rehearsals left a lasting impression on the Aussie guitar phenom

“Inspired by the popular Iron Label series”: The new Ibanez Blackout acoustics are… kinda metal
By Jonathan Horsley published
Three fresh cutaway electro-acoustics from Ibanez for those who enjoy throwing the horns while playing cowboy chords around the campfire – and there is even a 7-string

“One of the most unique pieces to come through our showroom”: Mike Bloomfield’s '66 Tele for sale
By Jonathan Horsley published
Restored to its original specs, steeped in mojo, played by one of the all-time greats, this Tele could be yours for a cool $325,000. And judging by the demo videos, it sounds as good as it ever did.
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