Sam Beattie
Articles By Sam
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Acoustic Piezo vs. Soundhole Pickups – What’s the Difference?
We all know how nice an acoustic guitar sounds when it’s strummed. Whether it’s round the campfire or on the sofa, it’s pretty darn soothing. But what about when you plug one in?
19 Dec 2025 - 4 min read
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Should I Buy a Combo Amp or Head and Cab?
You’re in the market for a new guitar amplifier. Chances are you know the sound that you’re after, and you might even have a particular brand in mind. But do you buy an all-in-one combo or a separate head & cab setup? In this article we’ll explore the pros and cons for both rig types to help you make the right decision!
14 Aug 2025 - 7 min read
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Guitarist’s Guide To Playing At Home
Every legendary guitarist began their journey at home, and chances are you will too. But how do you get the best tone, keep the noise down, and stay inspired in your home setup? This guide will help you make the most of playing guitar at home.
14 Aug 2025 - 8 min read | 55 min watch
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Electric Guitar Tonewood Guide
Regulation changes in recent years have seen instrument manufacturers getting more and more adventurous and outside-the-box with their wood choices. With more types of tonewood in circulation than ever before, it’s difficult to know what’s what – in this article, we’ll look at the most commonly-used tonewoods in the industry, their tonal characteristics, and dig a little deeper into the burning question: how much difference does your choice of tonewood really make?
4 Jul 2025 - 18 min read
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Bass Guitar Tonewood Guide
The tone of your bass guitar is undoubtedly the result of a team effort; pickup types, string gauges, scale lengths and bridge designs are just a handful of things to consider. But arguably one of the biggest contributing factors is the choice of wood for the body, neck and fretboard, not least because they make up 90% of the construction of your guitar! Different combinations can yield different results, and while pickups, hardware and other components can be changed in time, tonewood stays put once it’s assembled. Different manufacturers tend to have their favoured wood choices, but in recent years the industry has seen a shift in trends. In this article we'll take a look at some of the most popular options available on the market today!
25 Jun 2025 - 9 min read | 17 min watch
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Acoustic Guitar Tonewood Guide
Tonewoods are arguably the most important factor to consider when building or choosing an acoustic guitar. They play a huge part in the tonal characteristics of your instrument, not to mention the aesthetics and feel. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most popular tonewood options for acoustic guitars, and how each section of the guitar is affected!
25 Jun 2025 - 26 min read
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NAMM Show 2025: Day 5 Roundup
It's the last day! New from Hiwatt, Gibson, and a few familiar faces at NAMM 2025!
26 Jan 2025 - 5 min read | 19 min watch
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Studio Monitors Vs Speakers, What’s the Difference?
What sets studio monitors apart from their home audio counterparts? Let's find out...
29 May 2021 - 5 min read
