Jessica Monroe

I remember the first time I plugged into a Fender Mustang modeling amp at a buddy’s apartment. I expected the usual thin, fizzy digital sound I’d heard from cheaper units. What came out of that little cabinet instead was a clean Fender twin tone with just enough breakup to feel alive. That moment sold me … Read more

I still remember the first time I plugged into a Blackstar amp. It was a borrowed HT-5 at a friend’s rehearsal space, and the overdrive hit me like a wall of perfectly sculpted tone. That moment made me realize why so many guitarists start (and stay) with Blackstar. Blackstar Amplification launched in 2007, founded by … Read more

I spent the last three months testing guitar amps that pull double duty as Bluetooth speakers, and I want to save you the hassle of buying the wrong one. The appeal is obvious: one device that handles your practice sessions, plays your favorite backing tracks, and fills the room when you just want to listen … Read more

Recording guitar used to mean buying a separate audio interface, a handful of XLR cables, and at least one mic positioned just right in front of a cabinet. Today, the best guitar amps with USB audio interface combine your amp and interface into a single box that plugs straight into your computer. I have spent … Read more

When I picked up bass for the first time, I made the classic beginner mistake of plugging into a guitar amp and wondering why my low E sounded like a wet cardboard box. Bass needs its own dedicated amplification, and finding the best bass practice amps for beginners can save you months of frustration and … Read more

Practicing guitar at 2 AM in a shared apartment used to mean choosing between annoying your neighbors and not playing at all. That is exactly the problem a good guitar amp with headphone output solves, and the category has exploded with options in . These pocket-sized and mini amps plug straight into your guitar and … Read more

Line 6 modeling amps have come a long way since the early 2000s when players associated the brand with harsh digital tones. I have spent the past two months testing eight current Line 6 amps side-by-side, from the bedroom-friendly Spider V 20 MKII to the studio-grade HX Stomp. What I found surprised me: today’s lineup … Read more

Finding the best overdrive pedals for the money in feels harder than it should. Walk into any guitar shop and you face dozens of stompboxes ranging from under $30 to well over $200, each promising “tube-like warmth” or “vintage mojo.” After spending three months A/B testing 8 popular pedals in my home studio with a … Read more

Distortion pedals are the engine behind every iconic rock and metal guitar tone, from the chunky palm-muted riffs of Metallica to the chainsaw roar of Swedish death metal. We spent over 60 hours testing 12 modern distortion pedals across clean Fender amps, cranked Marshall stacks, and Mesa Boogie Mark series combos to find which ones … Read more

I plugged my Fender Stratocaster into a clean Fender Deluxe Reverb, ran each chorus pedal for two weeks straight, and kept notes on what stayed and what washed out. After comparing eight chorus pedals through the same amp and pickup setup, the results were clear: a great chorus adds shimmer without stealing your tone, while … Read more