What Makes a Guitar Sound Good?

Before we tackle the burning question of guitar or amp, it’d be good to get to the bottom of what affects an electric guitar’s sound. How do you get great tone? And subsequently, how important is the guitar in finding your perfect sound?

How Does Wood Affect a Guitar’s Tone?

Now there’s a divisive question. To start things off, yes – wood does affect your guitar sound. That’s apparent when you compare a Fender Tele to a Gibson Les Paul. Ash and Alder sound more mid-focused and spanky, while Mahogany is warm and full of sustain.

Then there’s the neck and fretboard wood. Again, a maple neck is going to have a snappier sound than a Mahogany neck. A Rosewood fretboard will sound warm with plenty of attack when compared to the neutral, balanced tone of Richlite, for example. Consider your preferred musical style, and this will influence your choice of tonewood.

If you’re a hard rock or metal player, you might want an accentuated low end with a tight attack. A mahogany body and an Ebony fretboard would do the trick. Blues or country? Alder body with a Maple neck. It’s that simple!

(below) This PRS Private Stock Modern Eagle V features an eye-catching Quilted Maple top and fingerboard in partnership with a Swamp Ash neck and body for an open tone that’s full of sustain, as well as a beautifully articulate and snappy top end.

Want to know more about Electric Guitar Tonewood? Read our article on it here.

How Important are Pickups for a Guitar’s Sound?

The tone of a guitar is a team effort. Woods, strings, hardware – and of course, pickups. Pickups detect the vibrations of your guitar strings and convert them into an electrical signal for amplification.

This essentially makes pickups the bridge between your instrument and the amplifier. With this in mind, they could be considered pretty important. That’s why there are so many different varieties on the market, from single coil, humbucker and P90 to specific models like EMG 81s, Seymour Duncan Hot Rails, Lace Sensor Reds and many more.

These varieties each offer something different. A Mahogany guitar with a single coil in it will sound drastically different to a Mahogany guitar with a pair of EMGs. We’d go so far as to say that pickups make a pretty big difference! For more info on electric guitar pickups, check out our Ultimate Guide here.

How Do I Get the Best Sound Out of My Guitar?

There are a number of things that you can do to make sure your guitar is sounding top-notch – no matter how much it costs.

1. Fresh strings – spend a few weeks or months with the same set of strings and you forget the glorious tone of a fresh pack. Treat yourself and your instrument to new strings at least every few months.
2. A decent setup – setting intonation, action and truss rod can make a huge difference to the resonance and sustain of your guitar.
3. Find the perfect plectrum – struggling to lay down those gnarly riffs? A 0.75mm plectrum won’t do you any favours. Spend some time finding a plectrum that suits your hands and your style – you’ll be amazed at the difference!
4. Practice – yep, we played the most obvious card. Practising improves strength and familiarity, ensuring that your playing sounds clearer and more confident as time goes on.

(below) Taking time to setup your guitar makes a big difference to its sound – and to the way it feels. Check out our repairs and service page for more info!

Bonus Round: the Hands of the Player!

It’s all very well and good considering the make-up of a guitar, but the player is half the battle. Jimi Hendrix’s Strat probably wouldn’t have sounded like it did without Jimi himself at the helm.

Your technique and approach to playing will make a huge difference to the sound of your guitar. A Strat guitar sounds just as good with Mark Knopfler playing it as it does with Eric Johnson. The point being that you have the ability to influence the sound of your electric guitar, just as it much as it has influence over you. Want to use single-coils for metal? Fancy using a hollow-body for punk rock? Own it! But make sure you do your research first…

Looks vs. Feel vs. Sound – What’s More Important?

Though not everyone will admit it, we all care about how our guitar looks – some people perhaps a little too much. In most cases, you’ll see a guitar before you hear it, so it’s got to look the part. Ask yourself this: would you buy a pretty guitar that sounds bad or an ugly guitar that sounds great? Food for thought.

Then there’s the way the guitar feels. This is often a real deal-breaker for players. Your guitar is your instrument, your tool of creative expression. You need to feel comfortable with it. It needs to respond to you, and it needs to allow you to realise your musical ideas – with this in mind, you have to feel totally at home with it.

We’d absolutely always recommend trying guitars before you buy, if possible. Nothing compares to feeling the thing in your own hands – most players know very quickly whether or not they’ll get on with a guitar. At Andertons Music Co, we’ve got a number of sound-proofed demo rooms and playing areas for this exact purpose.

If you don’t have a chance to explore the feel of a guitar, you could make an estimated guess. Mahogany bodies tend to be heavier, satin finished necks are often easier to play, thinner neck profiles are faster still – and so on!

What Makes an Amp Sound Good?

We’ve explored the things to consider when shopping for a guitar. So how about amps? Let’s dig a little deeper to see if we can answer our question.

Do I Need a Valve Amp or Solid State Amp?

One of the most common things you’ll come across when looking at amps is the pros and cons of valve amps vs. solid state amps. Valve amps are powered and amplified using vacuum vales (or ‘tubes’), while solid state amps use electronics (transistors and similar components) to make noise.

Many guitarists swear by valve amps. Vacuum valves produce a warm, dynamic tone that handles volume extremely well. By comparison, solid state amps aim to reproduce similar tones, but many musicians can easily tell the difference. If you crank a distorted valve guitar amp alongside a distorted solid state amp, you can generally hear a difference in clarity and warmth – though this is subjective and depends on the amps in question.

So, are valve amps better than solid state amps? While valve amps arguably produce a richer sound, they tend to be more expensive. Not only that, but vacuum valves are generally considered to be a little more fragile – they need to be looked after! Valves will degenerate in terms of sound quality as they age, while solid state amps remain consistent. If you’re looking to play at high volume and make the most of dynamics in your tone, valves are always a good choice. But for practice and home use, solid state amps get the job done and tend to be a bit cheaper.

Combo vs. Stack

A guitar amp stack consists of at least two components: a head and a speaker cabinet. You can always add more cabinets to this sort of setup if you feel like making more noise or looking like more of a rockstar.

A combo guitar amp, as the name suggests, combines both of these components into a single unit. Combos provide you with both consistent tone and volume without the need for any external speakers. On the flipside, stacks are more versatile in that they can be chopped and change to find your own sound. This also comes in handy when gigging – you can easily show up to a gig with an amp head and use a shared backline.

You can find out more about amp combos and stacks here.

Do Speakers Make a Difference to Guitar Tone?

To this, we can safely say yes. Different speaker sizes, materials and configurations can have a huge effect on tone. If you listen to a preamp or distortion pedal without a cabinet, it often leaves a lot to be desired.

If you’d like to know more about the different types of guitar cabinets on the market, check out our article here!

Does Volume Affect an Amp’s Tone?

This depends on a number of things. First of all, valve guitar amps tend to sound a little hotter and more responsive at loud volumes because the valves are pushed to operate at a higher temperature. This is essentially the cause of natural overdrive, as your signal starts to break up and distort in an organic way. Many guitarists consider a cranked, overdriven valve amp to be something of a tonal holy grail.

Then there’s a guitar amplifier’s power rating, or wattage. This determines the amp’s capacity to handle volume; the higher the rating, the higher the volume can go without sounding rubbish. That’s why low wattage solid state amps tend to sound a little flat at high volumes. Higher wattage amps tend to cost more because they can handle more – making them better for gigging or recording at high volume.

Bonus Round: Modelling Amps!

If you’re working digitally via a computer, modelling amps are certainly a thing to consider. Using sophisticated software, modelling amps aim to replicate the sound and behaviour of real amps and can provide fantastic results without the need for a bulky setup. Will they sound totally convincing compared to the real thing? A trained ear will arguably notice the difference, but again, it completely depends on what’s important to you personally. For practising at home, or even home recording, modelling amps make a lot of sense.

Summary: New Guitar or New Amp?

So we’ve established what to look out for in a guitar and an amp. We’ve boldly gone where no guitarist has gone before – well, not quite, but we like being thorough.

There’s an awful lot that makes a difference to the tone of your guitar and amp. But more importantly, different components in your rig have varying effects on your tone and on your playing experience.

Many will say that a bad guitar into a great amp might just sound nice, while a great guitar into a bad amp probably won’t. But you’ve missed a number of crucial details. How does the guitar feel? How does your rig look? Will you be gigging or practising, or both? What sort of style do you play? Each of these questions emphasises the importance of your guitar and amp in different ways. Without your amp, your guitar is nothing. Without your guitar, your amp is nothing. In summary, consider these points when making your choice:

• Sound – do you prefer clean or distorted? Warm or bright? Or a decent all-rounder?
• Feel – this only really refers to the guitar but is extremely important. As mentioned earlier, your guitar is your musical tool – you have to be totally comfortable with it.
• Looks – we all want to look the part. Again, the guitar arguably plays a bigger role here.
• Volume – while some guitars offer more output, volume is largely dependent on the amp. Will you be gigging? Practicing? Louder amps tend to cost more, depending on their design!
• Style – requirements for metal will be different to requirements for jazz fusion. With jazz and blues, you may want a little more dynamic versatility, while metal is a bit more straight to the point!

So what matters most to you? The above should help point you in the right direction. Your amp is crucial to your musical style and the volume you’ll be playing at, while your guitar has a direct effect on your playing experience and tone. There’s no right or wrong answer!

A final thought: here’s Chappers and the Captain with their take on the question:

We hope you enjoyed exploring with us. Want to learn more? Check out some more interesting content right here.

The post Should I Spend More On a Guitar or an Amp? appeared first on Andertons Blog.

Learning guitar can be one of the most rewarding hobbies you’ll ever pick up. Whether you’re 17, 37 or 77, there’s no expiry date on making music. Thanks to affordable beginner instruments, great-sounding practice amps and an endless supply of online lessons and resources, there’s never been a better time to begin your guitar journey.

If you’re just starting out, no matter your age, here are our top tips for learning to play guitar as a newbie…

Manage your expectations and enjoy the process

The most important thing when learning guitar is to keep your expectations realistic. No one becomes a rock star overnight. Even teenagers jamming away in their bedrooms have had to put in the hours to develop their skills.

There’s no doubt that improving at guitar takes practice, but progress comes from consistency, not cramming. If you’re short on time, make the most of the time you do have. Practising for 20 to 30 minutes a day will take you much further than saving everything up for one long weekend sesh.

And whatever schedule works for you, don’t forget to actually enjoy the process. Playing guitar has loads of benefits beyond simply learning a new skill. There’s nothing quite like sitting down and playing a song you’ve learnt or finally mastering a piece you’ve been working on for a while. It’s a rewarding challenge that can be a lot of fun, and who knows, you might even end up writing songs of your own one day!

But above all else, don’t rush. The joy of playing guitar comes from the small victories: learning your first chord, playing along to your favourite song or coming up with a new riff. It’s a fantastic creative outlet that can fit into almost any lifestyle.

Shop affordable guitars and gear for beginners

One of the best things about learning guitar these days is how affordable and reliable entry-level gear has become. Brands like EastCoast, Squier, Ibanez and Jackson all produce excellent beginner electric guitars that sound and feel great without costing a small fortune. Many even come as part of handy electric guitar starter packs, complete with a practice amp and all the guitar accessories you need to start playing.

Here at Andertons, we stock a wide range of beginner-friendly guitars and instrument bundles, so it’s easy to find the perfect axe to inspire you without breaking the bank.

Best electric guitars for beginners

Some of our top starter electric guitars include:

• EastCoast electric guitars: Plenty of budget-friendly models based on legendary designs with impressive build quality for the price.
• Squier Sonic Series guitars: Iconic looks and flexible tones, making them a great fit for everything from rock and funk to indie and pop.
• Jackson JS Series guitars: Perfect for aspiring rock and metal players, with slim necks, aggressive styling and a powerful sound.
• Ibanez GIO Series guitars: Stylish, comfortable guitars with versatile electronics and a range of cool colour options.

Ready to start rocking?

Shop all beginner electric guitars

Best acoustic guitars for beginners

Here are some of our favourite starter acoustic guitars:

• EastCoast acoustic guitars: Affordable, comfy to play and available in a range of steel-string and classical options, making them an excellent choice for complete beginners.
• Alvarez Artist Series guitars: Well-built instruments with impressive projection, rich tone and great playability, offering exceptional value for money.
• Fender acoustic guitars: Stylish, dependable acoustics that are easy to play and available in a variety of body shapes to suit different players and musical styles.

Superb starter strummers

Shop all beginner acoustic guitars

Make the most of practice amps and modern tech

Gone are the days when you needed a big, noisy amp to get a half-decent sound. Thanks to modern compact electric guitar amp combos and modelling amps, it’s simpler than ever to get amazing tones at low volumes, or even through headphones.

Options like the Boss Katana Series, Fender Mustang LT25 and Positive Grid Spark 2 are hugely popular with beginners with their built-in effects, Bluetooth connectivity and intuitive controls. With a small practice amp, you can jam quietly at home, play along to backing tracks and experiment with different sounds, all without needing a huge setup.

Pick up a practice amp

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Use guitar learning resources

Alongside modern guitar gear, the other area that’s come on leaps and bounds in recent years is resources for learning guitar. Whether you prefer one-to-one guidance or learning at your own pace online, there are more options than ever right at your fingertips. For example, you can:

• Take lessons with a teacher, either in person or over video call.
• Explore free content on YouTube, or follow structured courses from platforms like Fender Play, JustinGuitar and Yousician.
• Use smartphone apps for tuning, chord charts, metronomes and tracking your progress.

Pros and cons of different guitar learning options

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to learn guitar, and each comes with its own advantages and drawbacks:

• Traditional teacher (in-person): Offers personalised feedback, structured lessons and accountability, but can be more expensive and less flexible when it comes to scheduling.
• Remote teacher (video call): Provides many of the same benefits as in-person lessons, with the added convenience of learning from home. However, it still requires regular scheduling, plus a reliable internet connection!
• YouTube tutorials: Free and available on demand, making them a great option for beginners. The downside is that quality can vary, and there’s no one to spot mistakes or help you avoid bad habits.
• Online learning platforms: Structured courses with interactive features and the flexibility to learn at your own pace. On the flip side, they can lack the personalised guidance of a dedicated teacher.

Famous guitar players who started later

Still think you’re too old to learn guitar? Think again. Here are just a few examples of guitar icons who didn’t even pick up a guitar until a little later in life:

• Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave) only started taking guitar seriously when he was at college.
• Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest) didn’t pick up the guitar until his late teens.
• Wes Montgomery, one of the most influential jazz guitarists of all time, didn’t start playing until he was 20.

If they could all go on to shape entire genres, there’s every reason to believe you can learn to play your favourite songs, join a band or compose music of your own.

Tips for learning guitar as an adult

With so many tools and resources available today, learning guitar has never been more accessible. As we’ve discussed, there’s a plethora of learning material online, much of it completely free. And if you’d prefer to go the traditional route, there are still loads of experienced guitar teachers out there who can help take your playing to the next level, either in-person or remotely.

If we had to condense our advice into a few essential tips, these would be our key takeaways:

• Learn songs you love: Scale exercises are important, but don’t forget to learn a few of your favourite songs along the way. It’s a great way to stay motivated and keep practising fun.
• Be patient with your fingers: There’s no getting around it, your fingers will feel clumsy at first. You might even find they get sore and tired. But stick with it, and your strength and dexterity will improve over time.
• Balance practice with life: Life has a habit of getting in the way, so keep your practice schedule realistic. Even short, regular sessions can make a big difference.
• Don’t compare yourself to others: It’s easy to be impressed by players on YouTube and social media, but everyone progresses at their own pace. Try to focus on your own improvement rather than comparing yourself to somebody else’s highlight reel. Just keep pushing, and you’ll be amazed how far you can go!

Final thoughts

No matter your age, you’re never too old to start playing guitar. With affordable gear, powerful practice tech and more learning resources than ever before, all you need is the willingness to pick up a guitar and the motivation to keep going.

Take things one step at a time, enjoy the process and celebrate the small wins along the way. Before long, you’ll be playing your favourite songs and discovering just how rewarding making music can be.

Ready to get started? Check out our huge range of beginner instruments, including electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass guitars and classical guitars.

FAQs

Am I too old to learn guitar at 40/50/60?

Not at all. Many people start in their 40s, 50s or even later. Consistency and enjoyment matter far more than age.

Will my fingers be too stiff to play guitar?

It will probably feel awkward at first, but with regular practice, your fingers will gain the strength and flexibility they need.

Should I start on acoustic or electric guitar?

Choose the one that suits the music you want to play. Acoustic guitars are great for strumming and songwriting, while electric guitars are more versatile and easier on the fingers.

Do I need a teacher, or can I learn online?

Both options are still valid. A teacher can provide tailored guidance and may be better at keeping you accountable, but plenty of people successfully learn using online courses and apps.

How long will it take to learn my first song?

With regular practice, many beginners can play a simple song within a few weeks. The key is to focus on consistency rather than trying to learn everything at once.

What’s the best affordable beginner guitar?

Models from EastCoast, Squier, Yamaha and Epiphone are popular choices for new players, thanks to their combination of quality, playability and value for money.

Can I practice guitar quietly in a flat or apartment?

Yes! A small practice amp or amp modeller with headphones makes it easy to play without disturbing your neighbours. You can also just keep the volume low when playing through a speaker.

Is it harder for adults to build calluses?

Not really. Calluses will form naturally as you practice, regardless of your age. Regular playing is more important than how old you are when you start.

How much should I spend on a beginner guitar and amp?

You can get a great starter setup for a few hundred pounds. For the best value, consider a starter pack that includes a guitar, practice amp and essential accessories such as a strap, picks and a tuner.

What if I only have 15 minutes a day to practice?

That’s totally fine. Short, consistent practice sessions are often more effective than occasional marathon sessions. Even 15 minutes a day can lead to steady progress over time.

Want to learn more?

Our Learn section is packed with helpful guides, buying advice and tutorials for musicians of all experience levels. Or browse our Gear News section to discover the latest product launches and industry updates.

The post Am I too old to start learning guitar? appeared first on Andertons Blog.

What is an acoustic guitar top?

Tonewood is an integral part of what gives an acoustic guitar its unique sound, defining the tonality, presence, overtones, vibrations through the body, and the overall volume of the instrument. The neck, fretboard and body of an acoustic guitar can be made of different woods, each one complementing the other.

One of the most important components of an acoustic guitar’s body is the top wood, also known as the soundboard. This is the piece of wood that makes up the face of the guitar. It’s one of your acoustic guitar’s first points of contact with the strings – the vibrations reach the rest of the body via the bridge and the top wood. It’s also the home of the bracing and the soundhole, both of which also shape the sound of your instrument.

Along with deciding on the shape of an acoustic, guitar builders pick from a variety of types of woods, with all sorts of traditional exotic options on the table providing different tones. In an ever-more competitive beginner-to-intermediate market, many manufacturers also turn to laminated woods over solid woods to make more budget friendly instruments. So, what’s the difference? Let’s take a closer look.

What is a solid top?

A solid top is essentially one piece of wood. This wood has been carefully selected, cut, carved and fitted, but always comes from a single source from the timber to the instrument.

You’ll know if an acoustic guitar has a solid top by looking carefully at the soundhole; because the guitar soundhole has been cut into the wood, you’ll be able to see a cross section of the grain when you look at the edge (see image below).

Occasionally, the solid piece of wood is divided into two and mirrored. You’ll notice a distinct divide in the middle of a guitar top when this is the case.

What is a laminated top?

A laminated top is made of more than one piece of wood. These much thinner layers are joined together using a combination of heat, pressure and adhesives, depending on the manufacturer. The process is common practice as it allows a manufacturer to increase their output while using less wood – a win/win in terms of both cost and build time.

For example, a builder takes a single piece of mahogany and divides it into four thin laminate layers. They’ve now got enough four acoustic guitars with rich mahogany tops, all of which came from a one piece of wood. What this also allows is the use of cheaper materials to make up the rest of the laminated wood. Because you can’t see what’s underneath the top layer, it could be anything from maple to plywood to plastic resin.

If you look at the soundhole below, you can just about make out the different layers of wood – the grain from the top doesn’t continue all the way through.

What is a veneer?

The term veneer is often used to describe the top (or visible) layer of laminated wood. While the layers underneath might consist of cheaper/composite materials, you still want it to look good. As mentioned above, manufacturers will take a nice-looking (and thin) layer of mahogany, maple, koa – whatever takes their fancy – and apply it to the top of the laminated wood. This ensures an organic appearance but uses less wood and a less complicated process.

Do solid and laminate tops look different?

The visual difference between laminated and solid tops is a divisive issue for acoustic guitarists. Many argue that the difference is marginal, as it’s essentially the same wood being used except veneers are thinner. Either way, the wood is picked because it looks great – you’ll rarely see a flawed top on an acoustic guitar as lot of builders like to make acoustics with a natural finish. Others argue that a piece of wood chosen for a veneer will be cheaper, and therefore not as pretty

What do you think? Below: a laminate top on the left and a solid top on the right – both are spruce.

Do laminate and solid tops sound different?

The sound is where the debate really heats up. Is there a difference in sound quality between solid and laminated tops? Given the fact that acoustic tops (soundboards) play such a vital role in the sound of your acoustic guitar, I would go so far as to say – objectively – yes.

A solid piece of wood has a consistent grain and density. Because of this, you tend to get good sustain and a richer resonance. Different types of woods offer different tonal flavours, but if it’s a solid piece, it’ll benefit from these factors, even if the overall sound is or isn’t to your liking.

An overlooked factor is that solid tops can age and will therefore increase in resonance as they get older. Veneers will not age in the same way because it’s a combination of different woodcuts and you simply don’t get the same effect.

The best acoustic guitars in the world are all made with solid tonewoods – it’s as simple as that. However, if you like the sound of a certain, it doesn’t matter what it’s made from, right? While solid tops offer a more resonant sound, you may simply prefer a laminate-topped acoustic guitar. That part is totally subjective!

What about durability?

It’s a well-known fact that guitar made of solid woods are susceptible to temperature changes, humidity and age. Because solid wood relies purely on its own sturdiness and thickness (and its bracing), it can fall prey to cracking, warping and other side effects.

If you’re a guitarist who’s always on the move, or for whatever reason you find yourself playing your acoustic guitar in extreme climates, you may want to consider the implications of travelling and gigging with a solid-topped guitar.

Laminates tend to survive better in their battle against the elements. Because they’re comprised of multiple layers and go through a combination of heat, pressure and adhesive processes, they’re more resilient. It’ll take quite a lot more than rapid changes in temperature and the odd long-haul flight to do damage to an acoustic guitar’s laminate tonewood.

Are solid tops more expensive?

For the most part, yes. If a certain piece of wood is selected for a solid top of an acoustic guitar, chances are it’s of the highest quality in every respect. It’ll look stunning for starters, meaning a lengthy selection process with eagle-eyed precision for flaws. It’ll also sound excellent, as we’ve discussed – solid tops are something of a tonal holy grail for acoustic luthiers. Finally, the wood used for solid tops tends to be ethically sourced from a sustainable supplier. This ensures that the wood is of excellent quality, that the trees are in good health and that the company does their bit to protect the environment.

We did say for the most part – many manufacturers manage to strike a balance between quality and affordability. Companies such as Yamaha, Fender, Alvarez, Faith Guitars and Sire understand the tonal importance of top woods, and the importance of making sure every player is catered for. Many of these guitars are well under £1000, each one with its own solid top. This means brilliant sound, stunning looks and a sensible price tag. A good deal if you ask me.

Want to know more about specific acoustic guitar tonewoods like maple, mahogany and spruce? Check out our full Acoustic Guitar Tonewood Guide!

Interested in finding out more about music gear to expand your knowledge? Browse all of our Learn articles.

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The post Acoustic Guitars: Solid Tops vs. Laminate Tops appeared first on Andertons Blog.

With many UK schools facing budget cuts, music is unfortunately one of the subjects feeling the impact. Here at Andertons, we’re passionate about helping people of all ages discover the joy of playing, and we strongly believe every child should have the opportunity to experience the benefits of music education. After all, we’ve been Making Musicians Since 1964.

In this blog, we’ve rounded up 10 ways learning a musical instrument can help children grow, from boosting creativity and confidence to supporting academic development and social skills. Whether your child’s picking up a guitar, a pair of drumsticks or taking their first piano lesson, they’ll gain skills that can stay with them for years to come.

1. Creates a productive hobby

You might think it’s too early to talk about the long-term benefits of learning an instrument, but speaking from experience, the impact can last well into adulthood. I’ve played electric guitar for more than 20 years, having started out on a children’s guitar when I was 11. And looking back, learning an instrument gave me far more than just a hobby. It taught me the value of practice and dedication, and helped shape many of my interests as I grew older.

Having a hobby from a young age can also help children discover their passions and talents. Whether that influences the subjects they choose at school, the friends they make or even the career path they follow later in life, music can play an important role in their personal development. Plus, it’s a great way to get them away from their screens for a while!

2. Keeps boredom at bay

Before I took an interest in music, I often found myself glued to my Game Boy playing Pokémon. And don’t get me wrong, video games are great fun and can be a brilliant way to unwind or stay connected with friends. But when I discovered the guitar, I found something that kept me engaged in a totally different way.

Learning an instrument as a child gave me a creative and productive outlet that I could always come back to. Practising songs, learning cool new techniques, setting myself fresh challenges — there was always something to work towards.

That’s one of the great things about music: there’s no finish line. No matter how much you improve, there’s always something new to discover.

3. Develops discipline

One of the most valuable lessons that comes with learning an instrument is discipline. Improving your skills takes time, consistency and commitment, whether that’s practising chords on a guitar, learning scales on a piano or nailing a beat on the drums.

For children, developing discipline early can have lasting benefits. Setting aside regular practice time helps build good habits, encouraging them to stay focused and work towards long-term goals. These are skills that can prove useful at school and later in life.

And with discipline comes patience. Progress doesn’t happen overnight, and some techniques can take weeks or even months to master. Learning to embrace that process teaches kids the value of perseverance and helps them understand that getting better at something takes dedication and effort. After all, every great musician starts somewhere.

4. Serves as relaxing downtime

For me, playing guitar has always been a great way to switch off. When I was at school, I couldn’t wait to get home and jam along to my favourite bands. After a day spent focusing on lessons, it gave me a chance to be creative and do something that genuinely made me happy.

That’s one of the many great things about learning an instrument — it can provide a healthy way to unwind. When you’re practising a song or perfecting a new technique, it’s easy to forget about everything else for a while. And as a child, having an activity that helps you relax and recharge can be incredibly valuable. Even as an adult, picking up one of my electric guitars after a busy day remains my favourite way to clear my mind.

5. Forms physical benefits

Many instruments require both hands to work together in harmony. And playing riffs on a guitar or moving up and down the keys on pianos are movements can help develop coordination and fine motor skills.

At first, getting both hands to work independently can feel almost impossible. But with regular practice, those movements gradually become second nature. Drummers take things a step further, often learning to coordinate all four limbs at once, which can help improve timing, reflexes and overall body coordination.

These physical skills can prove useful in all sorts of everyday activities, from sports and exercise to practical tasks later in life — even learning to drive!

6. Supports academic development

Many of the skills developed through learning an instrument can also support a child’s education. It’s not just about discipline and perseverance either, as music naturally overlaps with several school subjects, particularly maths and science.

Understanding note values, time signatures and rhythms involves counting, patterns and problem-solving. Learning to read music requires concentration and the ability to process information quickly too, helping children develop skills that can be handy in the classroom as well as the practice room.

For guitarists, even reading tablature involves recognising numbers and patterns across the fretboard. And as their playing develops, they’ll also build a greater understanding of musical relationships such as pitch, intervals and harmony.

Music shares strong links with science as well. Topics such as sound, vibration and acoustics are all rooted in physics. Whether it’s understanding how sound travels through a room or how different materials affect an instrument’s tone, music can help bring scientific concepts to life in an engaging and memorable way.

7. Enhances listening skills

Learning a new song or piece of music requires careful listening. As children grasp how to pick out melodies, recognise rhythms and play riffs by ear, they develop their ability to listen closely and pay attention to detail.

Over time, they’ll also start to recognise the unique characteristics of different instruments and how they work together within a piece of music. This not only helps them become better musicians but also boosts focus and active listening that can be useful in everyday life. These abilities will be especially valuable when playing with other musicians, helping them develop timing, awareness and confidence in group settings.

8. Trains their memory

Learning a song is, in many ways, a memory exercise. Remembering chords, scales, sheet music and lyrics encourages children to store and recall information on a regular basis.

While this can be hard at first, it’s all part of the learning process. As children practice and build their repertoire, they’ll naturally strengthen their ability to remember patterns, sequences and techniques. These memory skills can be useful in other areas too, like revising for exams.

For some musicians, sheet music or notation acts as a helpful guide. Pop and rock players, on the other hand, will often memorise entire songs and performances. Either way, developing a strong musical memory is an important part of becoming a proficient musician.

9. Improves social skills

Playing a musical instrument can open the door to all kinds of social opportunities. Joining a school band, performing in concerts or simply jamming with friends gives children the chance to connect with like-minded people who share their interests.

Learning to play alongside others also encourages teamwork, communication and cooperation. From listening and adapting to different playing styles to working towards a joint goal, these experiences can help children build social skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

10. Boosts their confidence

Standing on a stage with a guitar or smashing away on a drum kit just looks cool, and every musical milestone helps a child grow in self-belief. While performing in front of others can be nerve-racking at first, confidence often builds with experience. And the more opportunities children have to share their playing, the more comfortable and self-assured they tend to become.

Music also teaches children how to respond to feedback and use it positively. Learning how to overcome mistakes, accept constructive criticism and keep improving helps build resilience and drive. Over time, that mindset can benefit them in many other areas too.

FAQs

What is the best guitar for beginners?

Choosing the right beginner guitar can make all the difference when starting your musical journey. EastCoast guitars are a fantastic option, having been designed by the team here at Andertons specifically with new players in mind. They’re affordable, easy to play and available in a range of acoustic and electric styles. For an even easier start, check out our EastCoast guitar starter packs. These include everything you need to get rocking, such as an amplifier, strap, gig bag and more.

What’s the easiest instrument to learn?

There’s no single “easiest” instrument to learn, as it often depends on your interests and goals. That said, instruments like ukuleles, keyboards and acoustic guitars are popular choices for beginners thanks to their accessibility and the wealth of learning resources available online. The best instrument to learn is ultimately the one that excites you the most, as you’ll be far more motivated to practice and improve!

Which keyboard is best for beginners?

For beginners, the Yamaha PSR-E283 is an excellent place to start. It offers a wide range of sounds, built-in learning features and an intuitive layout that’s easy to get to grips with. If portability is a priority, the Carry-on folding piano range is also worth considering. These innovative keyboards fold down small enough to fit into a backpack, making them perfect for practising at home or taking to school.

What’s the best beginner drum kit?

The best beginner drum kit depends on your environment and budget. If you’re looking for a traditional acoustic setup, the Mapex Comet is a great-sounding starter kit that’s built to last. Prefer something quieter? Electronic drums such as the Alesis Turbo X and Roland TD-02K allow beginners to practice with headphones, making them ideal for homes with neighbours or anyone wanting to keep noise levels down while learning.

Which instrument is best for school?

Instruments that are portable, versatile and commonly used in school music programmes tend to be great choices. Keyboard, classical guitar, ukulele and violin are all popular options, as they’re easy to transport and can be used in a variety of musical settings.

Want to learn more?

Our Learn section is packed with helpful advice and tutorials for musicians of all experience levels. Looking for the best first guitar or piano? Start with our Best Instruments for Beginners page, then explore our full range of Instrument Buyer’s Guides.

The post 10 reasons why your child should learn a musical instrument appeared first on Andertons Blog.

Monitoring is one of the most important aspects of the recording process. Whether you’re recording vocals, guitars, drums or any other instrument, what the performer hears has a direct impact on the quality of the performance. Monitoring can take place either through headphones or studio monitors, and there are two different ways of achieving it. Understanding the difference between them will help you make better decisions when setting up your recording sessions.

Option 1 – Monitoring Through Your DAW

This is the most familiar method and the default workflow in almost every digital audio workstation (DAW). Imagine you’re recording an electric guitar. You create an audio track in your DAW, connect the guitar directly to the instrument input of your audio interface, then Record Arm the track or enable Input Monitoring. The guitar signal is routed to the output assigned to that track, allowing you to hear it through your headphones or studio monitors in real time.

The biggest advantage of this approach is that you hear exactly what is being recorded. Professional studio engineers often refer to this as confidence monitoring. Additionally, if you’ve inserted effects such as EQ, compression, reverb or amp simulation plug-ins on the channel, you’ll hear them all while performing, allowing you to respond to the sound in real time rather than imagining what it will become later.

Dealing with latency

The main drawback of DAW monitoring is latency. Latency is the small delay between the audio entering your interface, being processed by the computer, and returning to your headphones. Although this delay may only be a few milliseconds, us musicians are surprisingly sensitive to it and can make performances feel disconnected.

The amount of latency is largely determined by the audio buffer size, measured in samples. A typical recording setting might be 128 samples, which represents approximately 2.9 milliseconds of latency. You’ll typically want the buffer set as low as possible while keeping the sound intact, because if it’s set too low, you may experience clicks and glitches. During mixing, you may want to increase the buffer to give your computer more time to process audio, allowing you to use significantly more plug-ins without overloading the CPU.

Your PC’s operating system, audio driver and certain plug-ins all contribute small amounts of additional latency. While modern computers perform remarkably well, these delays accumulate, making low-latency monitoring increasingly difficult as sessions become more complex – problematic if you’ve already started mixing and decide to record additional live parts.

Option 2 – Direct Monitoring

The alternative is direct monitoring. Instead of the signal travelling into the audio interface, through the computer and DAW and back to the interface before reaching your headphones, direct monitoring routes the signal straight from the interface to the headphones.

Because the computer is effectively bypassed, latency is reduced to an almost imperceptible level.

The obvious limitation of conventional direct monitoring is that you can no longer hear the plug-ins running inside your DAW. Since the audio never passes through the computer before reaching your headphones, software effects such as reverbs, compressors or guitar amp simulations are unavailable while performing.

How Antelope Audio interfaces solve the problem

Leading audio technology outfit Antelope Audio take a different approach to recording. Quite a few audio interfaces provide onboard DSP processing, allowing certain effects to run independently of the computer. Antelope Audio interfaces take this concept a step further by combining DSP and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) processors into what it calls the Synergy Core architecture.

DSP processors are excellent at running audio effects, while one of the advantages of FPGA processing is latency. In many DSP-based systems each additional effect introduces a small amount of extra delay. FPGA processing opens up multiple effects to be combined with little or no additional latency in many situations. The result is an exceptionally responsive monitoring experience, even when using complex real-time effect chains.

For example, while recording guitar you can monitor through an amplifier simulation, EQ, compression and reverb, all processed inside the interface itself, while your DAW continues recording the signal.

Meanwhile your DAW sends the previously recorded backing tracks – drums, bass, keyboards or guide vocals – back to the interface. Inside the Antelope mixer, these playback channels are blended with your live monitored signal to create the performer’s headphone mix.

Antelope Launcher Mixer

The built-in Antelope Launcher Mixer lets two musicians to create separate headphone mixes tailored to their individual needs. This is particularly useful when recording more than one person at a time. The Discrete 8 Oryx goes a step further by providing four independent headphone outputs, making it an excellent choice for recording bands and larger ensemble sessions.

Another major advantage of the Antelope Mixer is the flexibility it offers over the recording path itself. You can choose whether the real-time Antelope effects are applied only to the monitoring signal or whether they’re also recorded directly into the audio track in your DAW. This allows performers to hear exactly the sound they need for inspiration while preserving maximum flexibility during the mixing stage.

For users who want even greater options, Synergy Core interfaces can record multiple versions of the same performance simultaneously. For example, you could record:

• one completely clean guitar track
• one processed with compression and a flanger
• another with EQ and amplifier simulation

…all at the same time, each recorded onto its own separate track in your DAW. This gives you the freedom to experiment with different sounds after the performance has been captured without having to ask the guitarist to play the same part again.

Microphone preamps

The microphone preamps in Antelope Audio interfaces provide up to 75 dB of gain, which is more than enough for even the most demanding microphones without the need for external gain boosters.

It is also worth mentioning that these are fully discrete microphone preamps. Rather than relying on a single off-the-shelf preamp chip, the amplifier itself is built from carefully selected individual
components. That gives Antelope’s engineers considerably more freedom when designing the circuit and refining its performance. The result of such discrete design is a preamp that is capable of delivering not only high levels of gain while remaining clean, quiet and natural sounding, but also a recording that is a pleasure to listen to.

Dedicated Reamp Outputs

If we really want the amplifier to behave as though a guitar has been plugged into it, we first need to convert the line-level output of the interface back into an instrument-level signal. Traditionally, that’s done using a dedicated reamp box.

This is one area where some Antelope Audio interfaces offer a particularly useful feature. Interfaces such as the Discrete 8 Oryx and Orion Studio Synergy Core include dedicated reamp outputs. That means you can connect the interface directly to your guitar amplifier or pedalboard without needing a separate reamp box in between.

• Instead of going: Audio Interface → Reamp Box → Guitar Amplifier
• You simply connect: Discrete 8 Oryx / Orion Studio Synergy Core Reamp Output → Guitar Amplifier

It’s one less box, one less power supply/batteries to think about, fewer cables, and one less hassle to consider every time you want to reamp a guitar. If reamping is something you do regularly, it’s one of those features that saves time every single session.

Summary

We’ve established how monitoring has a huge impact on the mix and finished product of your music. What you hear as you record live instruments makes a difference to your performance, as well as being able to identify all the details of your sound in the mixing stage.

Even with top quality studio monitors, there are other factors at play like your audio interface, which ensures you’ve got the optimal setup, whether that’s monitoring through your DAW or direct monitoring.

We also now know that a fantastic solution to issues of latency and recording rigidity are Antelope Audio interfaces. They do a great job to combat latency while still running multiple audio effects like EQ, compression, reverb and a guitar amplifier across independent headphone outputs. You get the choice to record multiple versions of the same performance with different amounts of plugins applied to each track.

There’s also the chance to reamp (feed your audio through a different amp to change its tone without re-recording) by converting the interface’s line-level output back into an instrument-level signal, ensuring the same monitoring quality as before.

If you enjoyed reading this article, check out more of our Learn blogs!

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The post How to get the best monitoring quality when recording instruments appeared first on Andertons Blog.

A loadbox is a device used to absorb the energy released by a valve guitar amplifier and dissipate it as heat. They safely direct the sound of the amp via XLR or line output to the likes of an audio interface to record, a mixer and PA system for live performance or even headphones for silent playing.

Valve amp heads require electrical resistance to function. That’s why, traditionally, you match the amp head to a speaker cabinet at 2, 4, 8 or 16 Ohms. If you leave an amp head running without connection to a cab, you’ll quickly learn that the output stage of the amp burns out, leaving it partially damaged or broken entirely. In technical terms, the cabinet ‘loads’ the amplifier. The loadbox bears that responsibility and can either replace or work in conjunction with a speaker cabinet.

Recording a loud amp

Why would you want to use a loadbox? First off, valve amps are very loud. The loadbox allows you to plug directly into an audio interface without the sound of your playing blaring out of a speaker cabinet. If you’re at home or in a small studio, this can be deafeningly loud at close range! With the loadbox in place you’ll hear the amp either through your studio monitors or a pair of headphones, making for clear recording monitoring.

Attenuation

Valve amp heads (especially 50 watt, 100w and even higher) often have a high headroom, meaning you must turn them up loud to get the driven, compressed guitar tone many guitarists love. A loadbox usually incorporates an attenuator function, which reduces the wattage and consequently the headroom of the amp. You can therefore tap into cranked tube tones at home, studio or more intimate gig spaces without the ear-splitting volume.

Cabinet impulse responses

So much of your guitar tone is influenced by the speaker cabinet. Different constructions and speakers affect the sound in different ways, impacting EQ and overtones. Two classic choices for rock guitarists are Celestion Vintage 30s and Greenbacks. The popular method of accessing a range of speaker sounds is through digital cabinet impulse responses (IRs). Most of the time, you download these and load them into your modelling amp or plug-in, but a lot of loadboxes can also host cabinet simulations. This makes perfect sense when you’re running a raw amp signal through the loadbox to record or play live. It gives you the freedom to pair your amp with a cab you like while also cutting down on physical gear. Speaker cabinets are properly heavy to keep moving from gig to gig!

Effects loop

You’ll find a lot of loadboxes incorporate an effects loop into their chassis. If you’ve got any effects pedals or multi-FX, you can slot these in after the power amp and before a virtual cabinet. Effects like modulation, delay and reverb generally benefit from the greater clarity and behave better when they’re fed with a ‘speaker-like’ signal, as they do in the effects loop within a guitar amp.

Setting up for live performances

A loadbox gives you the option to send a signal to both a speaker cabinet for the ‘in the room’ feel, while also sending another line to a mixer heading into a PA (you might have a PA system that includes a mixer). Of course, you could solely send it through the loadbox to the PA, but a lot of us guitarists like the presence and push of air you get from a speaker on stage – it’s more tactile and reactive to your playing than FRFR speakers. Some loadboxes like the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander actually feature a control to replicate the air feel created by the speaker cab, so you’re not completely lacking that dynamism.

Resistive Vs. reactive loadboxes

Resistive loadboxes provide a fixed and constant resistance, but they fail to resemble the fluctuating impedance that a real speaker cabinet offers. The result? A dark, sterile and rather lifeless tone.

All the best loadboxes from the likes of Fryette, Two Notes and Boss are reactive: these more sophisticated models mimic the interaction between an amp’s output transformer and speaker coil, giving you a harmonic richness, overtones and dynamics you’d get from a classic amp head and cab combination. You get way more out of your performances – that ‘feel’ we’d all expect from a quality amp.

Summary

The loadbox is a vital piece of kit if you own an amp head and you want to record with it or set it up to use live by sending the signal into a PA system. If you’re not planning on using the amp with an external cabinet, then you need the loadbox to ‘load’ the amp and absorb its energy, otherwise it’ll break. The ‘reactive’ part of the loadbox ensures your amp sounds and feels at its best.

The are several benefits of a loadbox. Not all have these, but well-known models provide a mix of:

• Silent playing for headphones or monitor referencing – no loud speaker cab required
• Attenuation to tap into the saturated tones of your amp
• A variety of cabinet impulse responses and extra studio tools to customise your guitar tone
• An additional FX loop to add in guitar pedals and multi-FX units after the power amp
• The ability to send your amp out into a mixer/PA system without using a microphone in front of the speaker cabinet

If you enjoyed reading this article, then check out more of our other Learn blogs!

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The post What is a loadbox? appeared first on Andertons Blog.

As a guitarist who plays live a lot, I absolutely swear by pedal switching systems. Before I bought mine a few years ago, I was doing a whole lotta tap dancing on stage. And trust me — it’s one of the best gear investments I’ve ever made. Pedal switchers even earned a spot on our ultimate gigging guitarist gear checklist.

These clever gadgets let you organise, control and switch between your effects with minimal effort. Simply route your guitar pedals into their dedicated “loops” and toggle them on and off using footswitches placed neatly at the front of your board. Some of the best switching systems even let you create presets, so you can store your favourite combinations and engage or disengage multiple effects at once with a single press. Pretty awesome, right?

If you’re looking to upgrade your rig, we’ve picked out six of the best pedal switchers available today that’ll help you manage your effects like a pro (and stop you looking like a Gene Kelly impersonator). From affordable options to posh MIDI-equipped models, there’s something here for every kind of pedal fanatic. But first, let’s quickly go over all the reasons why they’re so cool…

Benefits of pedal switching systems

Whether you’re gigging on the reg or building your dream pedalboard, here are some of the main advantages of a guitar pedal switcher:

• One tap, total control: Instead of doing the pedalboard dance between songs, a programmable switching system lets you turn multiple effects on or off with one footswitch press.
• Consistent tones every time: Dial in your go-to combinations once, save them as presets and recall them instantly. Perfect for making sure your clean, crunch and lead sounds are exactly how you left them.
• Cleaner signal path: Many guitar loop switchers keep unused pedals out of your signal chain, helping to preserve clarity, reduce unwanted noise and maintain your core tone.
• Make playing live easier: If your set requires lots of sound changes, a guitar pedal switcher makes moving between tones quick and seamless, keeping you focused on the performance rather than your pedalboard.
• Reorganise your effects: Some of the best premium pedal switchers let you change the order of your signal chain for each preset without ever unplugging a cable. Ideal if you love experimenting with different sounds.
• Pro-level flexibility: From simple loop management and mute/tuner functions to MIDI control and amp channel switching, modern pedalboard switchers can become the command centre of your entire rig.

Ultimately, a pedal switching system removes distractions, streamlines your setup and lets you focus on what really matters: playing your best and sounding great!

Best for under £100: Hotone Patch Kommander

Believe it or not, you can now buy an effects loop switcher for less than 100 quid. And the Hotone Patch Kommander is easily one of the best options at this price point. Not only does it offer four true bypass loops for routing your favourite effects, but it’s programmable too. That means you can jump from a clean tone with chorus and reverb to a lead sound with distortion and delay with a tap of your foot.

It features 12 presets organised into three banks of four, giving you plenty of scope to create different pedal combinations for songs or sets. And they’re a doddle to dial in, thanks to the intuitive control panel. But if you wanna keep things really simple, just switch to the unit’s Direct mode to turn your individual pedals on and off.

What’s more, the Hotone Patch Kommander comes with an SW A/B function for changing channels on your amp, a switchable input buffer to help prevent high-frequency loss, plus a mute/tuner footswitch output for connecting a tuner pedal. Not bad at all for £84.99 (at the time of writing).

Buy now

Best value: Mooer L6 MKII

If you’re happy to stretch your budget a little further, the Mooer L6 MKII might be worth the extra dosh. This programmable pedal switcher boasts (you guessed it) six loops, making it a great shout for bigger pedalboards.

Like the Hotone Patch Kommander, it offers two operating modes: Play and Live. In the Play configuration, you can save and recall up to 36 presets, allowing you to activate or deactivate multiple loops with a single footswitch press. Or use Live mode to manually control your pedal loops on the fly.

Another highlight of the Mooer L6 MKII is its large LED display, so you’ll always know which patch you’re using whether you’re on a dark stage or just jamming at home. The built-in tuner is a sweet bonus too, as it could free up some valuable space on your board. And the pre- and post-signal buffers are a nice touch, keeping your signal sounding clear and strong. It’s a lot of bang for your buck!

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Best for small pedalboards: One Control Xenagama Tail Loop MKIII

Running a dinky fly rig? The One Control Xenagama Tail Loop MKIII is a solid choice for controlling three of your go-to pedals (or a few effects within a single loop, like your delay and reverb). With a depth of just 41mm, it’s one of the world’s smallest pedal loop switchers, making it easy to squeeze onto even the most compact pedalboard. Just stick it right at the front and you’ll never have to awkwardly stretch over your stompboxes again.

And don’t let its size fool you — this little One Control pedalboard switcher packs in some genuinely useful features. While it’s not programmable, it does have a built-in power supply that can provide juice to up to four 9V DC pedals: the three in your loops plus a tuner. Speaking of which, there’s also a handy tuner out/mute function you can click on between songs or when swapping guitars. Plus, the switchable BJF input buffer helps minimise tone loss when you’re using longer guitar cables.

If three loops isn’t quite enough, consider the One Control Iguana Tail Loop MKIII instead. It’s exactly the same depth as the Xenagama Tail Loop MKIII but slightly wider, making room for two extra footswitches and a total of five pedal loops.

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Best for big pedalboards: Electro-Harmonix Super Switcher

If you’ve got loads of effects chained together on a pedalboard that looks more like a space station, you’ll need a switching system with plenty of loops and gizmos to get the most out of your setup. The Electro-Harmonix Super Switcher is a fantastic option that’ll ensure you’re never hollering, “Houston, we have a problem” to the sound guy at your next gig.

That’s because this bulletproof programmable switcher offers eight true bypass loops and can store up to 128 presets. Better yet, two of its loops are stereo, making it ideal for running powerful digital delay pedals and reverbs in stereo through a pair of amps. It’s also a stellar choice if you’re using the four-cable method, as it makes it easy to route certain effects in front of your amp while placing others in the effects loop.

But here’s where it gets seriously clever. With its MIDI in and out, the Super Switcher can change patches on compatible MIDI-enabled pedals as part of your presets. It can also send and receive MIDI clock data, transmit tap tempo signals and keep your time-based effects perfectly synced to a shared master clock. The dedicated Tap footswitch lets you set the BPM globally or on a per-preset basis, giving you loads of flexibility for different songs and sounds. Heck, it’s even got a built-in boost for giving your solos a lift!

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Best for gigging: Boss MS-3

I might be biased because I own one of these bad boys, but the Boss MS-3 is simply a brilliant bit of kit for gigging (although to be fair, most guitar effects switchers are). Why this one specifically? Because it’s compact, programmable and has three loops for controlling your fave stompboxes. But here’s why I really love it: it comes loaded with 112 world-class Boss effects, making it an incredibly versatile all-in-one hybrid pedal switcher.

With 200 presets onboard, you can save enough patches for your band’s entire repertoire and still have room to spare. It’s also crammed with clever deep rig control features, making it easy to tweak parameters on your fancy digital pedals in real time via MIDI, switch channels on your guitar amp and more. You can even hook up external footswitches and expression pedals, giving you control over extra functions and effects within the MS-3.

But perhaps best of all, it’s a breeze to dial in. Thanks to its backlit LCD screen, you can view and edit your entire signal chain when building presets, with the ability to run and re-order up to six internal effects alongside the three pedals you’ve got looped in. There’s a tuner baked in too, plus a tweakable noise suppressor for each patch that helps keep your heavier sounds free from hiss and feedback.

Buy now

Best overall: The GigRig G3S

If you’ve got the budget to buy the best pedal switcher out there, The GigRig G3S is pretty hard to beat. It’s packed with pro-grade features that’ll take complete control of even the most elaborate rigs. With 12 passive true bypass loops that can be run in mono, stereo or a combo of both, 99 banks with up to 28 presets each, plus the ability to send multiple MIDI messages to compatible pedals and rack gear, the G3S can handle just about anything — even if you’re rocking a pedalboard the size of a dining table.

What really sets it apart is that you get a dedicated OLED display for each footswitch, so you’ll always know exactly what every switch does at a glance (no more masking tape labels stuck all over your board). Programming patches is straightforward too, and with built-in Bluetooth, you can reorder effects, organise setlists, perform backups and update the unit wirelessly using The GigRig’s app and web editor.

Extra features like programmable pre- and post-gain controls, stereo delay and reverb spillover, parallel routing options and switchable outputs give you an incredible amount of flexibility. And despite all that power, The GigRig‘s main focus remains preserving your tone, with an ultra-transparent signal path designed to let your pedals and amps sound exactly as intended. In short, the G3S is a beast!

Buy now

Guitar pedal switchers FAQs

What’s the difference between a loop switcher and a pedal switching system?

With a standard loop switcher, you simply route your guitar pedals into separate loops and toggle them on and off using footswitches positioned neatly at the front of your pedalboard. A pedal switching system typically adds programmable presets, MIDI control, amp channel switching and more advanced routing options, giving you greater control over your entire rig.

Can a pedalboard switcher improve my guitar tone?

Yes, many pedal switching systems help maintain signal integrity by removing unused pedals from your chain, reducing unwanted noise and minimising tone loss. Many also feature true bypass loops, plus switchable input/output buffers to help keep your signal strong when using longer cable runs.

Are pedal switchers compatible with MIDI pedals?

Many modern pedal switching systems include MIDI functionality, allowing you to control MIDI-equipped pedals, modelling amps and rack effects alongside your analogue stompboxes from a single controller. This makes it easy to switch multiple devices simultaneously and recall complex presets with one footswitch press.

Which brands make the best pedal switching systems?

Popular brands include Boss, The GigRig, One Control, Electro-Harmonix, Mooer and Disaster Area, each offering solutions for everything from compact pedalboards to professional touring rigs.

Switch it up!

Hotone Patch Kommander Loop Switcher Pedal

£84.99

Mooer L6 MKII Pedal Controller & Switcher

£124.99

One Control Xenagama tail Loop3

£119.99

Electro Harmonix Super Switcher Switching Control Center

£359.00

BOSS MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher

£399.00

The GigRig G3S Advanced Switching System

£1,599.00

Shop all pedal switchers

Wanna learn more?

Still not sure which guitar switching system is right for your rig? Our ultimate guide to pedal switchers is the perfect next stop, covering everything you need to know before you buy. Or, if you’re in the mood for even more gear chat, head over to our learn section for in-depth buying guides, expert advice and helpful how-to articles.

The post 6 best pedal switchers in 2026: control your effects like a pro! appeared first on Andertons Blog.

]]> https://blog.andertons.co.uk/learn/best-pedal-switchers/feed 0 https://blog.andertons.co.uk/learn/5-reasons-looper-pedal https://blog.andertons.co.uk/learn/5-reasons-looper-pedal#respond Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:26:55 +0000 https://blog.andertons.co.uk/?p=6324

Looping is a curious effect. A looper pedal doesn’t have the same impact on your guitar tone as, say, an overdrive or a delay. But as well as its most common use as a practice and improvisation tool, it has the power to expand your creativity and even change the way you’re perceived as a musician. These […]

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Looping is a curious effect. A looper pedal doesn’t have the same impact on your guitar tone as, say, an overdrive or a delay. But as well as its most common use as a practice and improvisation tool, it has the power to expand your creativity and even change the way you’re perceived as a musician. These powerful stompboxes can improve your guitar playing abilities and define your sound in performance and recording settings. Depending on the type of pedal you get, you’ll be able to add multiple looped phrases, time signature changes, stereo sound, built-in effects and rhythm tracks to your creative arsenal.

Here are our 5 reasons you should own a looper:

1. Incredible Practice Tool

A looper pedal might be the best guitar teacher you’ve ever had. It’s especially handy when you don’t have someone with you to play a repeating rhythm. Try looping a simple riff and put your fretboard knowledge to the test with a lead melody over the top. Work on what sounds good and experiment with any variety of technique you like, without your musical partner getting bored of playing the same section again and again.

Recording that first loop is a form of practice in itself. Playing a part so spot on it’s worthy of multiple repeats is a tricky art to master. It’ll improve your timing and encourage you to play to perfection. Even loopers at the low end of the cost spectrum such as the Landlord FX Happy Hour will serve you well if practice is the focus.

2. Enhance Live Performance

From one of the biggest names in popular music in Ed Sheeran (see the Sheeran Looper + and Looper X pedals) to the musical genius of Jacob Collier, solo artists rely on guitar looper pedals to flesh out their live sound. This is done exactly how you’d expect in a gradual build-up of looped phrases to give the impression of a full backing band.

To get the most out of a live looper performance, you might want to invest in an advanced looper station such as the Boss RC-600. These are like multi-FX units, housing extras features such as effects with expression pedal control, and potentially infinite loop repeats. Another perk of a looper station are the multiple loop banks, which let you transition from a verse to a chorus in a structured way. The result is a more natural-sounding song formed of multiple phrases rather than just one punched-in loop.

3. Creative Songwriting

Looping is a great method to discover what song ideas work well together. There are a couple ways to go about it. The first is to loop your rhythm section and play a lead part over the top, giving you plenty of thinking time to perfect your piece. It’ll ensure you’re in the right key and tempo.

The second is to dive into the functions of more advanced pedals such as the Pigtronix Infinity 2 to line up two loops back-to-back. Alternatively, you could use a DAW to do this, but it’s a bit more tactile to use a pedal at your feet and far less fuss to delete and re-record.

There’s also a chance you forget your new material the next time you go to play it. Saving ideas to banks on a looper pedal is a simple and effective way to jot down and recall everything you’re working on, and you can do this without sitting at a PC.

4. Recording Potential

You’ve got the potential to dive deep into looper capabilities while recording. Similar to a live performance, creating loops to track in an audio workstation is like building up your music from its simplest form into more complex layers, and back down again if you choose. But in this situation it’s less of a crowd-pleasing activity and one to take your time with in introducing the right textures. You can always go back and edit what you’ve recorded.

Recording is also where other effects and your looper’s inbuilt tricks come into play. You don’t have to play endlessly to make an interesting song. Sometimes it’s worth keeping the loop repeating while you experiment with the tone of the loop. Placing the looper before other pedals in the guitar’s signal chain opens possibilities to even more tonal manipulation.

5. A Standalone Looper Effect

It might not be possible to use every looper as its own effect like a reverb or delay, but a few particular pedals contain unusual effects to spice up your guitar tone. The likes of Electro Harmonix, TC Electronic Ditto and Boss pedals possess the ability to alter the speed, decay and modulation your loops and even put them in reverse. Arm yourself with a looper to produce these intrepid spirals of noise as you please. It could just inspire your next great song.

Show us your creative looper ideas on our social platforms on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Shop all looper pedals

The post 5 Reasons Every Guitarist Should Own a Looper Pedal appeared first on Andertons Blog.

]]> https://blog.andertons.co.uk/learn/5-reasons-looper-pedal/feed 0 https://blog.andertons.co.uk/learn/infinia-guitars-daan-van-dijk-interview https://blog.andertons.co.uk/learn/infinia-guitars-daan-van-dijk-interview#respond Fri, 17 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0000 https://blog.andertons.co.uk/?p=15336

Infinia guitars are primed for prog, fusion and any boundary-pushing style that demands precision and a tight, controlled sound. Built in Europe by a small team, each instrument is crafted using high-quality materials and sustainable practices, with a clear focus on modern design and playability. Founded in 2023 by Brian van Zwietering, Daan van Dijk […]

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Infinia guitars are primed for prog, fusion and any boundary-pushing style that demands precision and a tight, controlled sound. Built in Europe by a small team, each instrument is crafted using high-quality materials and sustainable practices, with a clear focus on modern design and playability.

Founded in 2023 by Brian van Zwietering, Daan van Dijk and Maikel van der Wel, the company has worked alongside some of the industry’s most innovative designers, including Sheldon Dingwall, who created an exclusive Infinia original called the Titan. But it’s Infinia’s Padalka connection that makes its story particularly interesting. Many of the brand’s current electric guitars breathe new life into discontinued Padalka models, preserving their legacy following a major shake-up in the company’s lineup.

We had a chat with Daan van Dijk about the story behind this unique tie-up, what makes Infinia guitars special and why it’s a name that guitarists should be keeping a close eye on.

10 questions with Daan van Dijk

1. What inspired you and your team to start Infinia Guitars?

It really was a case of the right opportunity coming along at exactly the right time. Maikel and I have spent our entire careers in the musical instrument industry and worked together for the same company for the last eight years. At the time, Maikel was leading the QC and repair department, while I was working as a product manager.

We both shared a passion for high-end metal guitars, and it wasn’t unusual for us to spend our breaks showing each other photos of incredible custom builds we’d found online. More often than not, those guitars were made by Padalka as he was easily our favourite builder.

As a trained luthier, Maikel would explain the construction techniques and point out the details that made those instruments so special. With my background in repairs and woodworking, I was equally fascinated by the craftsmanship. Naturally, my mind would then drift toward the commercial side of things, thinking about how a brand like that could fit into the market.

Having worked with high-end guitar brands for many years, we knew exactly what we were looking for and, just as importantly, what we wanted to avoid.

When the opportunity came along to continue the original Padalka catalogue, everything suddenly fell into place. Between us, we felt we had the experience, the network, and the knowledge to give those guitars the future they deserved. So, the inspiration for Infinia Guitars came from years of passion for exceptional instruments. The opportunity to continue the Padalka legacy was simply the spark that turned that passion into a company.

2. How did the Padalka partnership first come together?

As longtime fans of Simon’s work, we actually had two custom guitars on order with him. Then, one day, Simon contacted me with the unfortunate news that he had to cancel those orders. The war had broken out in Russia, where he was living at the time, and he had made the difficult decision to sell his workshop and move to Canada.

I asked if he wanted me to introduce him to our friend Sheldon Dingwall, thinking Sheldon might be able to help him find his place in the Canadian guitar industry. Simon laughed and told me that wouldn’t be necessary as he had already accepted a position at Dingwall as a Master Builder. While we were genuinely happy for him, he also explained that he would be retiring his existing guitar catalogue. With most of his time dedicated to building bass guitars at Dingwall, he simply wouldn’t be able to continue producing his own models.

That news stayed with us for a while. We kept thinking about those guitars and what would happen to the designs that we had admired for so many years. Eventually, we had a long conversation with Daria Padalka, and she gave us the opportunity to acquire the rights to Padalka’s original catalogue.

That was the moment everything changed. Suddenly, it wasn’t just an idea anymore as we had the responsibility to decide what the future of those instruments would look like, and to make sure their legacy would continue in the right way.

3. How did you convince Daria and Simon that Infinia was the right home for their designs?

From their side, the decision had already been made to retire the original Padalka lineup, so that was never really part of the discussion. The real conversation was about which models we wanted to continue and what that continuation should look like.

There was one particular model that Simon felt strongly about preserving, while Daria had a very clear vision of what the future of the brand should be. For her, it was essential that production remained in Europe and that the legacy they had spent so many years building would be respected rather than reinvented.

That actually aligned almost perfectly with our own vision. We never wanted to turn these guitars into mass-produced instruments or take production overseas. Our goal was to preserve everything that made them special while making them available to a wider audience. In the end, it wasn’t about convincing anyone. It was about making sure we all shared the same vision for the future and agreeing on the best way to carry that legacy forward.

4. Why was it important to keep production entirely in Europe?

That really came down to the level of quality we wanted to achieve. Having worked with high-end guitar brands for many years, we knew exactly what we were looking for and, just as importantly, what we wanted to avoid. The challenge wasn’t defining the standard, it was finding the right manufacturing partner who shared that vision and could consistently deliver both the quality and the production capacity we needed.

From the very beginning, we knew production had to stay in Europe. It wasn’t just about quality; we also wanted to build a close working relationship with the people making our guitars. Being able to visit the factory, discuss improvements face-to-face, and work together on new ideas is incredibly valuable to us.

A lot of people don’t realize how much work we still do ourselves before a guitar is ever assembled. We source, resaw, level and prepare every top in-house because we want complete control over the look and quality of each piece of wood. Depending on the model, we also make neck laminates, fretboard inlays and body blanks ourselves. We carefully source our hardware, and in some cases we even design custom guitar parts specifically for our models.

One detail that really reflects our philosophy is the wooden Certificate of Authenticity that comes with every guitar. Each one is handmade by us and crafted from the same piece of wood as the guitar’s top, making every certificate unique to that instrument.

It’s a very hands-on and labour-intensive way of working, but it’s also what allows us to maintain the level of consistency and attention to detail we’re aiming for. To make that possible, we needed a manufacturing partner we could trust completely as one that’s close enough for us to work together throughout the entire process.

5. What was the biggest challenge in bringing the Ceres and Neptune back?

Acquiring original guitars to reverse engineer was probably one of the biggest challenges of the entire project. We eventually managed to buy back the Padalka CS that Simon had originally built for Protest the Hero. We also tracked down a Neptune that belonged to a collector in Switzerland.

[What] really surprised me was how many people told us we had the best-playing guitar at NAMM.

Once we had both guitars, the real work began. We completely disassembled them to understand every detail of how they were built and created accurate CAD models of every component. From there, we moved into the prototyping phase, which was incredibly exciting. It was the moment of truth to see if we could faithfully recreate what made those guitars so special.

6. How did the collaboration with Sheldon Dingwall on the Titan happen?

As I mentioned before, we already knew Sheldon Dingwall as he was a long-time business contact. The company I worked for was the European distributor for Dingwall, so we’d known each other for many years. A long time ago, I actually showed Sheldon a mock-up of a Dingwall-inspired guitar in the hope that it might inspire him to build one. He deliberately chose not to, because he wanted Dingwall to stay fully focused on basses.

Years later, while we were working on the Padalka models, I came across that old mock-up again. It felt like the perfect opportunity to revisit the idea, this time as an official collaboration. I spoke to Sheldon once more, and when we showed him our first CS and Neptune prototypes at Guitar Summit 2024, he immediately embraced the concept. He told us he wanted to build his own vision of what a Dingwall guitar should be.

About a month before we officially launched Infinia Guitars at Guitar Summit 2025, the prototype arrived. As you’d expect from Sheldon, the execution was exceptional. Rather than simply adapting one of our existing designs, he took a completely fresh approach. He designed a seven-string guitar with a 27″–25.2″ multi-scale layout, yet the overall length is actually shorter than a traditional S-style guitar. The result is an instrument with the string tension and sound of a long-scale multi-scale, but the comfort and compactness of a much smaller guitar.

From that point on, it became our job to refine the design, integrate it into the Infinia lineup, and prepare it for production. That’s really where the Titan story began.

7. Can you explain Controlled Mass Reduction (CMR) and why it matters to players?

One of the challenges we ran into during development was the weight of the guitars. We know that for a lot of players, a heavy instrument can be a real downside, so we wanted to find a way to keep the weight as consistent as possible.

The biggest variable is the wood itself. Both the body wood and the top can vary quite a bit in density and weight, even when they’re the same species. Because of that, we’ve developed a system where we take those differences into account during the build process and adjust certain elements accordingly. The goal is to keep the finished guitar within a predictable weight range instead of leaving it entirely to chance.

Time and again, people told us they were ready for a new high-end brand focused on modern metal guitars.

It’s still a system that’s evolving, and the more guitars we build, the more data we collect. That allows us to refine the process and gives us even more control over the final result.

8. What’s the difference between the Icarus/Nautilus and Avalon/Exelion pickup sets?

That’s an interesting question. During the development of our guitars, we spent a lot of time debating which pickups should become our standard set. To make the process as objective as possible, I built a guitar with a quick-change pickup system that allowed us to swap pickups in just seconds. That meant we could compare a large number of pickup sets under exactly the same conditions.

We each did our own blind tests, and we also invited a number of other players to do the same. Surprisingly, the results were remarkably consistent. The Icarus/Nautilus set came out on top almost every time, so that became our standard pickup configuration.

After we launched the guitars at the Guitar Summit 2025, we were getting some requests from players looking for something with a little more output. Fortunately, we had a guitar fitted with the Avalon/Exelion set with us and we asked people to compare the two back-to-back. The results were almost a perfect 50/50 split, which convinced us there wasn’t a single “best” choice. Instead, there were two different types of players with different preferences, so we decided to offer both options.

The easiest way to describe the difference is this: the Icarus/Nautilus is a more traditional, medium-output set that fits perfectly with the current trend of players moving back toward lower-output pickups with plenty of dynamics and clarity. The Avalon/Exelion set is designed for players who want a modern, tight, high-output sound, delivering plenty of aggression while still retaining the mids that help a guitar cut through a mix.

9. What has surprised you most since launching Infinia Guitars?

Without a doubt, that has been the response from the market. Time and again, people told us they were ready for a new high-end brand focused on modern metal guitars. We heard it from players, but just as importantly, from dealers.

The second thing that really surprised me was how many people told us we had the best-playing guitar at NAMM. We kept hearing it throughout the show, and after a while it became hard to ignore. Receiving that kind of feedback from so many different people was incredibly rewarding and gave us even more confidence that we’re on the right track.

10. What’s next for Infinia that guitarists should be excited about?

We’re almost ready to ship the first Titan models, and we know a lot of people have been looking forward to finally getting their hands on one. While all our focus is on getting these first Titans out the door, we’re already deep into projects planned for late 2026 and 2027. With Guitar Summit and NAMM on the horizon, we’re putting the finishing touches on some very exciting new developments.

Alongside left-handed models, single-pickup versions and multi-scale guitars, we’re also exploring completely new body shapes and collaborations with designers, artists and bands. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes, and we’re excited about where we’re taking the brand over the next few years.

Infinia guitars on Andertons TV

Want to hear them in action? Watch John “Digital John” Connearn put a couple of Infinia’s models through their paces in our NAMM video below, while head honcho Lee Anderton gets the lowdown from Daan:

Follow Infinia Guitars online

Love the look of these instruments? Stay in the loop with the latest news, models and more from Infinia:

• Follow @infiniaguitars on Instagram
• Follow @InfiniaGuitars on Facebook

Be sure to bookmark the Andertons Blog too. We’re always posting fresh content, from in-depth learn articles to the latest gear news.

To Infinia and beyond!

Shop all Infinia guitars

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]]> https://blog.andertons.co.uk/learn/infinia-guitars-daan-van-dijk-interview/feed 0 https://blog.andertons.co.uk/learn/5-reasons-why-your-first-guitar-should-be-an-eastcoast https://blog.andertons.co.uk/learn/5-reasons-why-your-first-guitar-should-be-an-eastcoast#respond Mon, 13 Jul 2026 16:24:15 +0000 https://blog.andertons.co.uk/?p=15295

Learning any instrument can be one of the most rewarding, fun and without trying to sound overdramatic, life-changing things you can do! It’s good for your mind, soul and body, and regardless of whether you have ambitions to play the world’s largest stages or simply just play one or two tunes to yourself in an […]

The post 5 Reasons Why Your First Guitar Should Be An EastCoast! appeared first on Andertons Blog.

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Learning any instrument can be one of the most rewarding, fun and without trying to sound overdramatic, life-changing things you can do! It’s good for your mind, soul and body, and regardless of whether you have ambitions to play the world’s largest stages or simply just play one or two tunes to yourself in an evening after a hard day, I believe that playing music can genuinely make your life better!

Like any new skill, learning an instrument can be tough! It takes time, patience and practice, and then a bit more practise after that.

One of the hardest hurdles that some new players have to overcome when first starting out is wrestling the instrument. Not all entry-level guitars and basses are designed with new players in mind. Poorly built and set up instruments can make a huge difference, and often it’s because of these types of instruments that so many people give up. Learning is hard enough without the extra challenge of wrestling the instrument.

At Andertons, we love EastCoast guitars because they allow us to work with them to develop some of the absolute best value, well-playing and nicest sounding entry-level instruments that we believe we have ever sold!

So, in no particular order, here are our 5 Reasons Why Your First Guitar Should be an EastCoast!

Designed by Andertons

After selling guitars for over 60 years, as well as trying and demonstrating thousands of guitars on our YouTube channel, we’d like to think that we know a thing or two about what makes a good guitar! As well as having a pretty good idea about what you need and want as a player, especially when you are first starting out.

We began working closely with EastCoast as part of our quest to offer customers the best possible instrument at the lowest possible price. Nearly every EastCoast we sell starts life here at Andertons, where our purchasing team meticulously design each model to ensure that the wants and needs of our customers are always met.  

Great Build Quality, Setup and QC’d In-house

Straight off the bat, EastCoast guitars are built using many of the same premium materials found on some of the most high-end and most sought-after instruments. From Poplar to Maple, Okoume, as well as Rosewood, each EastCoast is crafted with solid foundations for exceptional tone! Many of the tops on their acoustic range are solid, and the hardware throughout all their ranges is designed for maximum functionality and reliability.

Once received here at Andertons, we individually check over every instrument, checking that everything is 100% how it should be before finally setting it up to ensure that it’s perfectly ready to be played, straight out of the box!

Biggest Selection of Classic Designs and Colours

Here at Andertons, we are obsessed with the classic looks and colours of many of the most well-known guitars. As well as some of the masterpieces that are constantly coming out of boutique builders and custom shops, and we know many of you are too.

Yes, a guitar is predominantly about how it feels to play and how it sounds, and yes, we absolutely have those things covered. But also, it is about how it looks as well!

Since their invention, guitars have solidified themselves in culture, art and fashion, especially since the rise in popularity of the electric guitar in the 1950s. It’s a form of expression, and we know that’s important. We want you to have a guitar that you feel inspired to pick up and play, even when things aren’t always going as quickly as you’d maybe hoped.

Our selection of EastCoast guitars and basses covers it all, from vintage-inspired double and single cuts, alternative offsets, guitars built for technical modern players and just about everything in between, in as many different colours as we can think of.

Approved by Teachers`

Learning to play any instrument is hard enough without then having to fight with the extra effort required to play poor-quality instruments. A good quality guitar or bass that’s easy to play negates a lot of the issues that many starters have problems with, such as high strings, uneven frets and tuning stability. We know that one of the main reasons why people give up is usually down to problems with the guitars themselves, rather than a lack of trying. And that’s why offering the best budget range of guitars and basses is one of the most important things to us!

Our EastCoast range is teacher-approved, so you don’t have to worry about anything else other than tuning up, opening up your favourite tuition video/website/book and fully immersing yourself in making music.

Incredible Value

In the video below, we put one of our £99 EastCoast acoustics head-to-head with Lowden F-50, which retails at £11,119, talk about being thrown in at the deep end! I’m not going to pretend that the EastCoast won, but it is genuinely interesting hearing how the EastCoast, which is one of the cheapest guitars we sell, compares with one of the most expensive off-the-shelf guitars money can buy. Obviously, the Lowden sounds incredible, full of rich harmonic content and overtones that resonate for days… but the EastCoast doesn’t sound bad!

At these sorts of price differences, you’d expect one to be amazing and the other to be closer to the sounds of a chalkboard being scratched, but that isn’t the case. The EastCoast has a sweet, articulate tone with a usable dynamic range that can easily suit a wide range of different genres and playing styles.

With many models starting below the £100 price point, what’s not to like? We also offer complete starter packs, comprising of just everything you need to start playing, all at a much lower cost than if you were going to buy each thing individually.

Conclusion

Whether you want to learn rock, pop, jazz, soul, funk, metal, blues or maybe even acoustic, bass or classical – no matter your age or height, there is absolutely an EastCoast for you!

Obviously, we are biased as we help design many of the models that we sell, but we are genuinely proud to get behind EastCoast and genuinely feel that they are an excellent option for anyone looking at taking their first steps into the world of guitar or bass.

Shop All EastCoast Guitars and Basses

Want to learn more?

If you love staying up to date with the latest kit chatter, our gear news page is one to bookmark. For full-on nerdy deep dives and practical how‑to guides, check out the learn section.

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