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Buying Guides

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The Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000

Whether you're looking to step up (or help someone step up) from a first acoustic guitar, looking for a backup stage guitar for gigs or seeking something that's more suitable for carrying around town than your $5,000 Martin or Taylor, you'll find a lot of worthy offerings in the sub-$1,000 price range.

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Top 5 Most Popular Practice Guitar Amps

Explore five popular practice guitar amps at Guitar Center, including compact combos from Fender, BOSS, Positive Grid, Marshall and Orange.

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A Guide to the Gibson J-45 Acoustic Guitar

Learn the story of how a straightforward, no-frills workhorse like the Gibson J-45 became one of the most recorded acoustic guitars in history.

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Ultimate Guide to Gibson Pickups

In this article we're going to dive into some of the most popular Gibson pickups available today.

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The Best Pickups for Gibson SG Guitars

In this article, we're going to present to you our choice of the best pickups for your Gibson SG, give you some tips on how to change out your pickups and answer some additional questions we often get asked about pickup swaps.

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A Guide to the AKG C414 Condenser Microphone

Compare today’s C Series models, specs, and sound—plus the history of the iconic multipattern condenser mic.

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Five Essential Mics for Your Home Studio

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5 Electro-Voice Mics to Throw In Your Mic Locker

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The Best Analog Synthesizers of 2026

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The Best Digital Synthesizers of 2026

Let's explore today's top digital synthesizers, each bringing distinct character, depth and creative potential to your musical journey.

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The Best Software Synthesizers of 2026

In this guide, we’ll walk you through our top picks for software synthesizers, whether you’re building tracks in the studio or running a laptop-based live rig.

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The Best Studio Monitors of 2026

Explore our picks for the top studio monitors and find the pair that best suits your recording and mixing needs.

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Top 10 Studio Monitors for Mastering

We've put together a list of mastering monitors that will reveal the smallest sonic imperfections, let you dial in your tracks with incredible detail and get the professional results you need.

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Top 5 Studio Monitors for Immersive Audio

Whether you’re mixing major label Atmos releases or spatial audio content for streaming, the right set of studio monitors will benefit your workflow and the listeners’ experience.

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The Best Beginner Drum Sets of 2026

Find fun, easy-to-play 4-piece and 5-piece acoustic drums—as well as electronic kits—from top brands such as Ludwig, TAMA, Simmons, Alesis and more.

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The Best Drum Sets for Kids

Drumming is an incredible way to introduce children to the joy of music. Whether your child is ready to start rocking out or is just beginning to explore their musical interests, the right drum set can help foster a lifelong love of music.

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The Best Small Guitar Amplifiers of 2026

See the best portable amps for rocking on the go. These low-volume mini amps are perfect for home studios, rehearsals and practicing guitar on your own.

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The Best Multi-Effects Pedals of 2026

Simplify your guitar rig by examining the top all-in-one multi-effects pedalboards from BOSS, Fender, HeadRush, Kemper, Line 6 and more.

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How to Choose the Best Bass Amp

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A Guide to the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff

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Buying Guides
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